Are you "THAT PARENT"!??

No.

I've won best baseball dad alive in my household ten of the last eleven years.

Uncle Rico.  I love it.  

My kid  would have objected profusely if I was involved in any way in his HS sports.  I just watch, eat seeds and pace the sidelines.  

Baseballparent23 - I suggest you have "That Parent" view Monte Lee's (Clemson) video in the following thread:

http://community.hsbaseballweb...23#44938423099359223

By the time student athletes are playing HS ball it's time for Mom and Dad to back away and let the athlete handle it.  All the parents are required to do is show up for game day and cheer The Team on.

In the long run "hovering" doesn't help.  My son's HS coach always held a preseason meeting the parents and athletes were required to attend where he went over all the ground rules (parents had to sign a statement about the concussion protocol as well) - practices are closed to parents, only coaches and players allowed in the dugout and on the field, contributing to the booster club was encouraged but in no way played a part in determining playing time.  He would gladly talk to parents, but not during practice and not directly after a game.  He preferred you make an appointment.

It really is the coaches team.  Nothing the parents do or say will change that.

At some point Mom and Dad have to let go.  I can guarantee college coaches will shy away from a 5 tool player whose parents are micromanaging the athletes "career".  They simply don't want to deal with them and they don't have to.  There's plenty of other fish in the pond.

As a parent it's hard to let go, but, you know, once you do, it actually makes the game/season more enjoyable.  I learned to relax and enjoy - in the end it's just a game.  There are far more important things in life.

In case y'all haven't had the pleasure of perusing this golden thread...

http://community.hsbaseballweb...ool-baseball-watcher

So, first of all, it wasn't me.

Second, who's fault is this?  The dad's?  No.  It's the coach's fault.  He allows it.  If he wanted to put an end to it he could in one afternoon.

While I agree that common sense and dignity should prevail and these guys should recognize the correct answer, the coach is the co-conspirator in this.

The longer I live, the more I realize that common sense isn't so common anymore.

There are three different types of HS programs :

A) Run buy the parents

b) Run buy the players

c) Run by the coaches

If your son is in a proper program ran by the coaches the parents will know their role in high school baseball. Parents are to 'be seen but not heard' . No talking to the coaches about playing time or anything baseball related unless it involves a health issue. No coaching from behind the backstop during AB's and if it isn't obvious to you yet, stay out of the dugout and off the field .

Like Coach Lee at Clemson say's ....I didn't even say my son's name loud during a AB or if he was pitching. No loud rooting. That is a HUGE distraction. I learned that during his Jr year. Before that my behavior wasn't as good. I learned as I went along.

Basically , I learned my job is to sit and enjoy WATCHING my son play , Donate money and feed my son after the game.

That's it

Go44dad posted:

No.

I've won best baseball dad alive in my household ten of the last eleven years.

I can vouch for Go44.  I keep coming in second. Fenway won the award the year Go44 didn't, btw.

Our HS team is run by the coaches and supported by the parents. Coaches coach and parents run the concession stand, scoreboard, announce the games and in the summer collect the gate. We don't go in the dugout ever or for the love of baseball we don't go on the field. We are welcome to watch practice but we are not welcome to do anything more than watch. And since we still have 4 weeks until tryouts start I'll give you the craziest parent story I've personally witnessed. Last summer we are playing in a tournament. We were hosting and had gotten some rain the night before so coach sends out a text at 7am telling the boys to come up to help get the field ready. Well, not every kid woke up to see the text. Those that did were rewarded with a start in that evenings game. One of the kids who didn't wake up had  started probably 90% of the games last summer. His grandfather was in town that day and came to see him play. Because he wasn't there that morning he sat the first inning. His mom lost her mind. She TEXTED the coach during the first inning letting him know how upset she was and wanted to have a sit down later to discuss it. We all watched in horror as the coach pulls out his phone as he's coaching 3rd base and reads the text. He texted back "who is this". (He knew exactly who it was) Which further set her off. Then he walked up to her kid and asked him if there was an issue with him sitting. He of course said no. Then he told him about the text. Kid shot fire at his mom and she's been quiet as a church mouse since.  I will admit by the end of the tournament a few of us were having a good time joking with the coach about it. its just so absurd. 

OK, a more serious reply.  Son was in a well run organization starting at 12.  Head of org was an ex-High School coach.  As well as training the kids to make their HS team, part of the goal was to train the parents.  No parents on field before, during or after practice or games.  Don't come to the dugout.  Don't yell at umpires, say negative things to your kid during the game, don't get into it with other fans.  Don't bring water, gatorades to the dugout. Don't ask about playing time.

Some parents couldn't handle the transition, were "that parent", and aren't around anymore.

I can see the bumper sticker now ... "Don't be Uncle Rico"

I've seen THAT parent, and I always cringe for the kid.

My job as a parent is to drive the car, write the checks, address any health issues, and remind my son to "SMILE, you are playing baseball" when I see him getting too serious.

cabbagedad posted:

In case y'all haven't had the pleasure of perusing this golden thread...

http://community.hsbaseballweb...ool-baseball-watcher

 

SOLID entertainment!

And I thought nobody noticed some of the things I have done (and some I still do)

LMAO

Go44dad posted:

No.

I've won best baseball dad alive in my household ten of the last eleven years.

Go I find that hard to beleive...  You are being modest, no doubt it is eleven in a row!

smokeminside posted:

Go44dad posted:

No.

I've won best baseball dad alive in my household ten of the last eleven years.

I can vouch for Go44.  I keep coming in second. Fenway won the award the year Go44 didn't, btw.

Smoke lives with GoDad?  Hmmmmm....

2020dad posted:

smokeminside posted:

Go44dad posted:

No.

I've won best baseball dad alive in my household ten of the last eleven years.

I can vouch for Go44.  I keep coming in second. Fenway won the award the year Go44 didn't, btw.

Smoke lives with GoDad?  Hmmmmm....

I was in Asia for a year, so....

StrainedOblique posted:

There are three different types of HS programs :

A) Run buy the parents

b) Run buy the players

c) Run by the coaches

If your son is in a proper program ran by the coaches the parents will know their role in high school baseball. Parents are to 'be seen but not heard' . No talking to the coaches about playing time or anything baseball related unless it involves a health issue. No coaching from behind the backstop during AB's and if it isn't obvious to you yet, stay out of the dugout and off the field .

Like Coach Lee at Clemson say's ....I didn't even say my son's name loud during a AB or if he was pitching. No loud rooting. That is a HUGE distraction. I learned that during his Jr year. Before that my behavior wasn't as good. I learned as I went along.

Basically , I learned my job is to sit and enjoy WATCHING my son play , Donate money and feed my son after the game.

That's it

Talk about parents running the program -- Heard about a coach last year who lost his job after going 32-5 because the parents said he was too hard on the kids. 

They have since hired a football assistant who admits that he knows nothing about baseball as the head coach. 

I'm sure that is going to work out just fine in the end. 

Ok my serious response.  It's old for those who have seen it before...  As a coach I always invited parents to practice.  Always welcomed them not in but around the dugout.  I even invite them to post game talks.  I say to parents "I shouldn't say anything to your kids I don't want you to hear"  Because of all this openess I will give you one guess how many parents hover.  Just about zero.  There were a few but for the most part everyone was at ease just knowing they could and therefore didn't bother with it.  Why do these coaches thing what they are doing is so top secret?  Who cares if a parent wants to watch?  How insecure are these coaches?  And if a parent is out of line then have the gonads to tell them to beat it.  All this 'that dad' stuff is just a matter of people who can't mind their own business and want to control everybody else's life.  What do you care how Mr. Smith communicates to little Johnny?  Why the ...  is it any of your business?  I parent my way and it takes all my energy.  I don't have any energy left to worry about how any of you parent yours!  For the record I have expressed zero complaints to the football or basketball coaches and don't plan on complaining to the baseball coaches.  I did watch parts of football practices - barely, mostly it was a boys club for some dads.  My 'friends' are now the fellow sports dads.  We have a blast just sitting around chewing the fat.  I don't hang out in bars (but have no issue with those that do), this is my version of hanging out in the bar.  Baseball will I watch practices?  I don't know yet.  Depends who else is.  If I have buddies there you bet I will when I can.  Would I sit alone to watch practice?  Probably not.  So am I 'that dad'?  Don't think so but by who's measuring stick?  And who has the right to use that stick?  And by the way I have an idea what then they can do with that stick!!  Let's all mind our own business and not worry about who is 'that dad' shall we?

why is little johnny always singled out

I think I am pretty good about this.  Never, ever, ever have talked to a coach about playing time or any other on field issue.  I also don't carry the kid's bag.  Only time I've been on the field is for senior night.  Attend a HS practice?  Heck no.  My kids would kill me.

However, on a really hot day, I will get a gatorade and throw it to my kid between innings.  Does that make me a bad parent?

JDFarmer posted:

I think I am pretty good about this.  Never, ever, ever have talked to a coach about playing time or any other on field issue.  I also don't carry the kid's bag.  Only time I've been on the field is for senior night.  Attend a HS practice?  Heck no.  My kids would kill me.

However, on a really hot day, I will get a gatorade and throw it to my kid between innings.  Does that make me a bad parent?

There's no way around the Gatorade problem at LakePointe. You can't bring in coolers and sometimes there aren't any coolers in the dugout. 

But I guess you could let him dehydrate all in the name of not being labeled "that parent" by people who don't matter. 

Nice post 2020Dad!  We have three or four of these type threads a year.  I am convinced that some parents have been taking things too seriously for time immemorial.  It's part of the human condition. 

I like your reverse-psychology take on things.  Let parents know they are not forbidden from anything and most of them will leave you alone.  Nothing wrong at all with a parent who wants to watch practice.   

JDFarmer posted:

  Only time I've been on the field is for senior night.  Attend a HS practice?  Heck no.  My kids would kill me.

 

I have been surprised at how many parents I see at college practices. Just this past weekend, I sat with the father of a junior who is likely to be a high draft pick and he told me he makes most practices. I guess a lot of that will depend on how close you are to the campus, but it didn't seem to be any big deal. 

roothog66 posted:

JDFarmer posted:

  Only time I've been on the field is for senior night.  Attend a HS practice?  Heck no.  My kids would kill me.

 

I have been surprised at how many parents I see at college practices. Just this past weekend, I sat with the father of a junior who is likely to be a high draft pick and he told me he makes most practices. I guess a lot of that will depend on how close you are to the campus, but it didn't seem to be any big deal. 

A friend of the family is a freshmen at a Power 5 and the local parents regularly attend practices. Some parents from out of town will even go watch weekend practices. 

2020dad posted:

As a coach I always invited parents to practice.

That is certainly your prerogative as a coach.  Son's HS coach closed practices to parents as he didn't want any distractions.  Yes, even just sitting in the stands or near the OF fence was a distraction as far as he was concerned.

I trusted the coach and did not need to watch practices. 

The only time I was ever on the field was Senior Night.

Never attended any of my son's college practice either, but then again his college was 4-5 hours away.  Even if it had been local I would have never attended the practices.

The only time I was at the ball field was on game day and only about 30 minutes before the 1st pitch.

College senior son's opening series is on the road this weekend...  I checked to see what kind of weather they would be headed toward.  I saw a strange blip - really nice the first day and then quite a bit colder the second.  For a second, the thought crossed my mind to text him to pack the right clothes      Still... ??

And I preach to HS parents at team meetings    Good thing they never come here to witness my confessions.

If you have a number of kids (I have 4), how can you have time to watch everybody's practices? I can barely make the games.

ClevelandDad posted:

Nice post 2020Dad!  We have three or four of these type threads a year.  I am convinced that some parents have been taking things too seriously for time immemorial.  It's part of the human condition. 

I like your reverse-psychology take on things.  Let parents know they are not forbidden from anything and most of them will leave you alone.  Nothing wrong at all with a parent who wants to watch practice.   

Not only that Cleveland Dad, but if they have a complaint about something later on it is great ammunition...  (for johnnysako we will lay off johnny and use jimmy!)   so if little jimmy's dad comes over and starts complaining about jimmy not playing enough the response can go something like this:  Well little jimmy never is in the right place, doesn't know the offense.  As you know you are welcome to come watch for yourself.  Then you will realize what he is doing on game night is NOT within the offense as taught.  Then most will talk to jimmy about why he doesn't know the offense.  Still don't come to practice, the very fact you are encouraging them to do so tells them you have no fear and they believe you are telling the truth.  So now its on little Jimmy.  

Foxdad, not looking for a fight but I just don't understand your point.  You describe how you go about parenting your athlete.  I have no issues with it.  But are you telling me that if I visit my son at college and bask in the southern sun watching his practice it makes me 'that dad'?  Surely I must be misunderstanding you.  And as for your coach who closes his practices...  I guess that is his prerogative, I just don't know why you would want to do this.  (this is not a political comment...) I would much rather build bridges than walls.  Once you put up those defenses and start banning parents from this or that...  just builds animosity right off the bat.  I live five minutes from our new facility.  I could easily drop and go home.  But one of my best friends from the team lives almost an hour from there.  So I hang out with him.  sometimes we go out to eat, other times we sit and watch a game on the big screen there.  But we do in fact see the kids practicing.  We have a new kid, very athletic, left handed and a first baseman/outfielder.  My son may be the ex-firstbaseman.  I know this cause I have seen this other kid in action.  He may be more useful in the outfield leaving my son still at first.  But if this kid starts in front of mine at first base I will know exactly why - he is better!  How do I know this?  I have watched it with my own two eyes.  I am prepared for it rather than it hitting me like a bullet between the eyes opening day.  When people can see disappointment and prepare, it is just much easier.  

2020dad posted:

ClevelandDad posted:

Nice post 2020Dad!  We have three or four of these type threads a year.  I am convinced that some parents have been taking things too seriously for time immemorial.  It's part of the human condition. 

I like your reverse-psychology take on things.  Let parents know they are not forbidden from anything and most of them will leave you alone.  Nothing wrong at all with a parent who wants to watch practice.   

Not only that Cleveland Dad, but if they have a complaint about something later on it is great ammunition...  (for johnnysako we will lay off johnny and use jimmy!)   so if little jimmy's dad comes over and starts complaining about jimmy not playing enough the response can go something like this:  Well little jimmy never is in the right place, doesn't know the offense.  As you know you are welcome to come watch for yourself.  Then you will realize what he is doing on game night is NOT within the offense as taught.  Then most will talk to jimmy about why he doesn't know the offense.  Still don't come to practice, the very fact you are encouraging them to do so tells them you have no fear and they believe you are telling the truth.  So now its on little Jimmy.  

Foxdad, not looking for a fight but I just don't understand your point.  You describe how you go about parenting your athlete.  I have no issues with it.  But are you telling me that if I visit my son at college and bask in the southern sun watching his practice it makes me 'that dad'?  Surely I must be misunderstanding you.  And as for your coach who closes his practices...  I guess that is his prerogative, I just don't know why you would want to do this.  (this is not a political comment...) I would much rather build bridges than walls.  Once you put up those defenses and start banning parents from this or that...  just builds animosity right off the bat.  I live five minutes from our new facility.  I could easily drop and go home.  But one of my best friends from the team lives almost an hour from there.  So I hang out with him.  sometimes we go out to eat, other times we sit and watch a game on the big screen there.  But we do in fact see the kids practicing.  We have a new kid, very athletic, left handed and a first baseman/outfielder.  My son may be the ex-firstbaseman.  I know this cause I have seen this other kid in action.  He may be more useful in the outfield leaving my son still at first.  But if this kid starts in front of mine at first base I will know exactly why - he is better!  How do I know this?  I have watched it with my own two eyes.  I am prepared for it rather than it hitting me like a bullet between the eyes opening day.  When people can see disappointment and prepare, it is just much easier.  

Certainly good points.  I'd like to watch practice.  Used to do it in youth ball all the time.  Like you said it's a "dad's club."  But now in HS, my kid wants no part of it -- I am "embarrassment."  His teammates will get on him. 

Maybe it's a sign of getting close to the season, but I am hankering to pick up a rake and work a field.   

I actually liked it when parents showed up and watched practice.  Never changed a thing because parents were there.  In fact, it was a way for us to show off that we were well organized and knew what we were doing.

There was a freshman that I recruited and his grandfather would show up for every game and nearly every practice.  He never got in the way and I never talked to him until one day he showed up early before anyone was there.  We had rescheduled a practice time and of course he didn't know that.  

He simply asked me if we were practicing that day.  After telling him we changed the schedule and we started talking.  Turned out he was a former professional player and had coached for many years after playing.  He said coach I really enjoy watching my grandson, and I enjoy watching you work and teach these kids how to play.  That led to talking about the team, the players and just baseball in general.  Once again he never interfered or got in the way of anything.  But he would show up at the field when no one was around.  Always very friendly, always fun to talk to, always very positive.  

After awhile we became good friends, mainly because we both shared a real love for the game.  We would just talk baseball whenever we got together.  His grandson received no favors and he never mentioned ever wanting any.  A few years later he died, I lost a good friend, one that I might not have ever got to know had he not gone to our practices.  I found out he had been fighting a disease for many years before it finally took his life.  Not once did he ever mention that to me.

The right parents showing up to watch practice, aren't the parents I worried about.  If you are proud of how you do things, parents can learn something by watching practice.  Sure they are there to watch their son, but they can't avoid watching everything else, too.  No doubt there are some parents that are a pain, and sometimes the good ones get overlooked.  Most all of them are biased, they do have a favorite of course. However,  some just know how to handle things and some just don't get it.

Watching practice is only a problem when those on the field can hear you. BTW, of all the kids we see every year, we only run across a small number of crazy parents.  The good ones could be called the silent majority, but there are good ones that aren't always silent.  Problem is though the number of crazy ones might not be that great, the ones that are crazy can be so bad that it seems like there are millions of them.

Dads in a HS dugout??  Are you kidding me? 

Best story I have.....we live in a small town in NW Ohio.  Growing up our youth leagues were coached by dads (whose isn't right?)...myself included.   We thought we did a pretty good job....trying to teach kids (and parents) about the game.  My son and the group of kids his age and the year older were always pretty good and took the game pretty serious.   One of my good friends coached and had a son a year older than my son.  He got asked to come down to one of the largest cities in Ohio (close to KY...right next to a river)....to have his son sub on a team down there where one of his best friends from HS had moved and had a son playing.  It was the "ritzy" side of town.     This was when he was 11 or 12.  It was a hot weekend....not ridiculous...mid-upper 80's....and the team had to play a couple games back to back.  During the game, the moms would come into the dugout with a cooler of ice and wet towels and put them on the kids necks and basically baby them the entire time.  My buddy's son looked at his dad and said "dad, if mom comes in here, I'm leaving!!"  It became the running joke with our kids up here all the way thru HS

PG nailed it!  Perfect 10.0!  I too have made friends of parents.  Was just catching up with one last night, saw them at a game and had a nice chat.  Believe it or not folks the coach and parent are not natural adversaries!!!

Some good stuff here. 

Just to clarify, I think watching practice is fine. But not from inside the fence on the field, IN the dugout, attempting to be in the coachs' ear.  Some may no agree, but I've never even heard of a high school around where I live that bans parents from any practice.  Seemed kind of odd to me when someone mentioned it.

FOXDAD, great post. Here's another video that was related which was also good....

https://youtu.be/JOdfG2XG4rU

Anyway, this post wasn't meant to bring anyone to the boiling point. It's an observation on how some parents interfere with their son's baseball. An onfield presence is just one way that occurs. Tearing them down after a practice in front of the other players is another. Careful what you do to your boy's psyche. I work in the school system and know most of the boys my son has played with along with every other athlete in the school. They always want to talk sports because they know my son is a multi sport athlete, and many conversations have revealed that they wish their parents would back off on the field, and wish their parents didn't even go; similar to what was expressed by players in another thread.  If you're not "that parent" then please disregard. This is a post created in the hopes of making baseball season a little more tolerable for the players. Honestly, some players endure quite a bit from micromanaging parents. They deserve a little more respect for all they do. Especially if they are juggling a full class schedule with upper level classes, getting good grades, trying to work out and be amazing on the field, trying to  get into college/get recruited and all that entails, and sometimes are hormonal, hot, sweaty,  and very hungry for longer than they care to endure, and being critiqued every minute of every day. And if they still mange to be a nice person after all that, pats on the back, that's probably what they need more of.  IMHO.

2020dad posted:

Foxdad, not looking for a fight but I just don't understand your point.  You describe how you go about parenting your athlete.  I have no issues with it.  But are you telling me that if I visit my son at college and bask in the southern sun watching his practice it makes me 'that dad'?  Surely I must be misunderstanding you.  And as for your coach who closes his practices...  I guess that is his prerogative, I just don't know why you would want to do this.  (this is not a political comment...) I would much rather build bridges than walls.  Once you put up those defenses and start banning parents from this or that...  just builds animosity right off the bat.  I live five minutes from our new facility.  I could easily drop and go home.  But one of my best friends from the team lives almost an hour from there.  So I hang out with him.  sometimes we go out to eat, other times we sit and watch a game on the big screen there.  But we do in fact see the kids practicing.  We have a new kid, very athletic, left handed and a first baseman/outfielder.  My son may be the ex-firstbaseman.  I know this cause I have seen this other kid in action.  He may be more useful in the outfield leaving my son still at first.  But if this kid starts in front of mine at first base I will know exactly why - he is better!  How do I know this?  I have watched it with my own two eyes.  I am prepared for it rather than it hitting me like a bullet between the eyes opening day.  When people can see disappointment and prepare, it is just much easier.  

My point is Mom and Dad need to let go and that also means trusting the coach with your son at practice. To me a parents' presence at practice sends an unwritten message to the coach that the parent doesn't completely trust the coach.  To me, it's a matter of trust.  Period.  Nothing more, nothing less.

Sure I watched my son's practices at the LL level and early travel ball, but not at the HS and college level. 

I don't need to see practice to believe the coach why another kid started in front of my son.  It would be motivation for my son to work harder in practice.  I wouldn't be questioning the coach, but I would be asking my son.

Why is it parents feel the need to watch practice at the HS level?  A teacher wouldn't allow parents in the classroom every day. 

My son is a freshmen and our high school football practices were closed and baseball practices are open. Both happen right after school at 2:45 and I have a job so.....

I have been to a few baseball intersquad scrimmages but wouldn't really care if the practices were closed. I think this, as usual, is a case of everyone feeling that their personal preference is the right way.

IMO, the key to being a parent of an athlete is cutting the cord and allowing the kids to figure stuff out on their own. I think SOME parents are afraid that their kids can have success without them. At this point, most of us should only offer moral or financial support and the rest is up to the kid. 

Last year, two separate 8th grade kids started crying after the coach "jumped" them so the parents are NOW trying to teach mental toughness. Although anything is possible, it's a little late in the game for that. 

You should coach the same no matter who is watching or not watching. I get the reasons behind not wanting to have anyone at practice, I really do. When I first started coaching that was my rule as well. But as time went on I changed my thinking for several reasons. To be honest the biggest reason was this. For some parents this will be the most they will ever see their son play in HS. They get to see him take bp, scrimmage, etc. For some its extremely enjoyable to hang out with the other parents and simply watch some baseball. Even if it's practice. Some of the Dad's also coach youth teams. It is an opportunity for them to see how we do things. Maybe they pick some stuff up. Maybe they have some questions and also maybe they have some good tid bit's along the way. It can build some good relationships between parents. Maybe they will never voice it, admit it or even acknowledge it but they get to see what we see. Also your parents can be a big help with many aspects you need help with. Concessions, field maintenance, boosters, etc. It's fine if they shovel dirt for 6 hours but they can't sit in the stands and watch practice? It just didn't sit well with me once I had some time to really think about it.

I am not knocking anyone that doesn't agree. Each coach has to do it the way he feels is best. I don't believe it builds animosity to close practices. There will only be a couple of parents typically that will dislike you for it. And if your a coach you should be used to that anyway. The vast majority of parents either won't be interested in coming or don't have the time. For the one's that do if they can abide by the rules you shouldn't have any issues. And the benefits imo outweigh any potential issues that are very easy to solve.

I had simple rules. Please come and watch. Enjoy spending time watching the team. But please refrain from any distractions. Do not interact with your player or the other players before or during the actual practice. When we leave the field they are yours. If you have anything you would like to talk to the staff about please give me a call. It's a long day and it doesn't end after practice. If you can't abide by these rules then you are not welcome. Otherwise great. 

Wow, I have never thought of going to watch my sons practice.  I was going to say that others parents don't as well, but realized that as I am not there I don't know for sure.  Yes when he was a frosh, before he could drive, I would pick him up from practice.  If I was a little early I would watch from the parking lot or the stands, but never from anywhere near the field.  And that was like the last 10 minutes of practice.  

In fact, we are personal friends with his HS varsity coach.  I have had one conversation about baseball with him.  It went like this.  Coach, "Hey joes87jr played well this weekend".  Me "Yep, want a beer?"

This is the first year 2018 will have his license during the spring season so I have no idea if I will go up to watch a practice.  If we would have an unseasonably warm day in March I would go up early to watch because I had to pick him up anyway and it was a great excuse to be out in the weather.  Now that I don't have to go up there I probably won't.  But if it's mid to upper 70's in March I can't promise anything.

This applies more to tournament ball than high school ball but son's college coach once mentioned a detail about our family in a conversation so I asked how he knew that.  He replied, "I watched you several times at games before I ever approached your son."  People always tell players, "you never know who is watching."  That goes for us parents too.  

FoxDad posted:

2020dad posted:

Foxdad, not looking for a fight but I just don't understand your point.  You describe how you go about parenting your athlete.  I have no issues with it.  But are you telling me that if I visit my son at college and bask in the southern sun watching his practice it makes me 'that dad'?  Surely I must be misunderstanding you.  And as for your coach who closes his practices...  I guess that is his prerogative, I just don't know why you would want to do this.  (this is not a political comment...) I would much rather build bridges than walls.  Once you put up those defenses and start banning parents from this or that...  just builds animosity right off the bat.  I live five minutes from our new facility.  I could easily drop and go home.  But one of my best friends from the team lives almost an hour from there.  So I hang out with him.  sometimes we go out to eat, other times we sit and watch a game on the big screen there.  But we do in fact see the kids practicing.  We have a new kid, very athletic, left handed and a first baseman/outfielder.  My son may be the ex-firstbaseman.  I know this cause I have seen this other kid in action.  He may be more useful in the outfield leaving my son still at first.  But if this kid starts in front of mine at first base I will know exactly why - he is better!  How do I know this?  I have watched it with my own two eyes.  I am prepared for it rather than it hitting me like a bullet between the eyes opening day.  When people can see disappointment and prepare, it is just much easier.  

My point is Mom and Dad need to let go and that also means trusting the coach with your son at practice. To me a parents' presence at practice sends an unwritten message to the coach that the parent doesn't completely trust the coach.  To me, it's a matter of trust.  Period.  Nothing more, nothing less.

Sure I watched my son's practices at the LL level and early travel ball, but not at the HS and college level. 

I don't need to see practice to believe the coach why another kid started in front of my son.  It would be motivation for my son to work harder in practice.  I wouldn't be questioning the coach, but I would be asking my son.

Why is it parents feel the need to watch practice at the HS level?  A teacher wouldn't allow parents in the classroom every day. 

 

I have had parents in my classroom.  Only a couple times but if they really want to see what is going on what do I care?  What do I have to hide?  I think our schools would be a whole lot better if parents had a whole lot more unfettered access to the classroom and not in a dog and pony planned way.  If you knew how little learning is done in most of these schools you would be shocked.  And maybe you would be singing a different tune about transparency.  

But let me turn this conversation around...  Why dos anyone care?  I guess when you come right down to it that is my biggest question, why do you (for those that do) care what other people are doing?  And why does it lead you to make a judgement about these people.  The bringing a drink to the dugout thing mentioned here...  I could care less, knock yourself out.  But I have - right hand to God - heard people complaining about that too!  That in their mind just walking to the dugout to give little Jimmy a drink makes you 'that parent'.  So where do we draw the line?  Wait, much much better question, Why do we have to draw a line in the first place????  Who cares, get over it, NEWS FLASH - PEOPLE ARE DIFFERENT!!!

Live and let live!!!

nothingtodust posted:

This applies more to tournament ball than high school ball but son's college coach once mentioned a detail about our family in a conversation so I asked how he knew that.  He replied, "I watched you several times at games before I ever approached your son."  People always tell players, "you never know who is watching."  That goes for us parents too.  

good point....and I will tell you that a kid from my son's HS definitely lost any chance he had....though slim at best....of playing at any local colleges due to his dad being a complete nut case.  Heck, he made a nationally televised TV show at one point due to his nuttiness....some of you may know who/what I'm talking about

.  The bringing a drink to the dugout thing mentioned here...  I could care less, knock yourself out.  But I have - right hand to God - heard people complaining about that too!  That in their mind just walking to the dugout to give little Jimmy a drink makes you 'that parent'.  

Bringing a drink to the dugout in HS ball doesn't necessarily make someone "that parent".

But for sure it's not a good thing to do.

freddy77 posted:

.  The bringing a drink to the dugout thing mentioned here...  I could care less, knock yourself out.  But I have - right hand to God - heard people complaining about that too!  That in their mind just walking to the dugout to give little Jimmy a drink makes you 'that parent'.  

Bringing a drink to the dugout in HS ball doesn't necessarily make someone "that parent".

But for sure it's not a good thing to do.

Most parents with kids on my sons HS team bring drinks to them for the games.  Some walk up to the edge of the dugout to drop them off, others will have the kids come to them.  In general its to keep the kids from having to manage the drinks during the school day.  Most parents will either drop off a large jug of water, or 3 or 4 gatorade bottles along with some kind of small snack.  I guess I don't see much wrong with this.  Maybe because its common practice here, but the kids have enough stuff to manage during the school day, imo dropping off something to drink and a small snack is not a big deal.

freddy77 posted:

.  The bringing a drink to the dugout thing mentioned here...  I could care less, knock yourself out.  But I have - right hand to God - heard people complaining about that too!  That in their mind just walking to the dugout to give little Jimmy a drink makes you 'that parent'.  

Bringing a drink to the dugout in HS ball doesn't necessarily make someone "that parent".

But for sure it's not a good thing to do.

Thats right, if your kid drops out from dehydration I guess the team will be more than willing to pay the medical expenses. I've never understood that unwritten rule either.

Question - which looks worse to a college recruiter a) parent tossing a kid a drink or b) kid leaving the dugout to go to the concessions to get one himself?

2020dad posted:

I have had parents in my classroom.  Only a couple times but if they really want to see what is going on what do I care?  What do I have to hide?  I think our schools would be a whole lot better if parents had a whole lot more unfettered access to the classroom and not in a dog and pony planned way.  If you knew how little learning is done in most of these schools you would be shocked.  And maybe you would be singing a different tune about transparency.  

But let me turn this conversation around...  Why dos anyone care?  I guess when you come right down to it that is my biggest question, why do you (for those that do) care what other people are doing?  And why does it lead you to make a judgement about these people.  The bringing a drink to the dugout thing mentioned here...  I could care less, knock yourself out.  But I have - right hand to God - heard people complaining about that too!  That in their mind just walking to the dugout to give little Jimmy a drink makes you 'that parent'.  So where do we draw the line?  Wait, much much better question, Why do we have to draw a line in the first place????  Who cares, get over it, NEWS FLASH - PEOPLE ARE DIFFERENT!!!

Live and let live!!!

I wasn't judging anyone.  I could care less what anyone does.  If parents want to sit in the dugout and hold hands with their kids and the coach doesn't care, fine by me.  I expressed my opinion.  If you disagree, that's fine.  Whatever.

I'm sure i brought a drink to my son at some point in HS before a game or brought something he forgot (not a whole batbag) but i was in and out or most of the time just tossed it to one of the players in the dugout. Never during a game. These loco parents give us helicopters a bad name.

Shoveit4Ks posted:

I'm sure i brought a drink to my son at some point in HS before a game or brought something he forgot (not a whole batbag) but i was in and out or most of the time just tossed it to one of the players in the dugout. Never during a game. These loco parents give us helicopters a bad name.

LoL

hshuler posted:

Question - which looks worse to a college recruiter a) parent tossing a kid a drink or b) kid leaving the dugout to go to the concessions to get one himself?

 

Either way it makes him look unprepared.

SomeBaseballDad posted:

hshuler posted:

Question - which looks worse to a college recruiter a) parent tossing a kid a drink or b) kid leaving the dugout to go to the concessions to get one himself?

 

Either way it makes him look unprepared.

Good grief. Really? 60 time, pop time, exit velocity, no Gatorade from dad?

jaketaylor posted:

SomeBaseballDad posted:

hshuler posted:

Question - which looks worse to a college recruiter a) parent tossing a kid a drink or b) kid leaving the dugout to go to the concessions to get one himself?

 

Either way it makes him look unprepared.

Good grief. Really? 60 time, pop time, exit velocity, no Gatorade from dad?

It is amazing isn't it that people believe this crap. They want to win. They will do whatever it takes to that end. They are not going to worry about this kind of nonsense. They may not like it. They may be backwards old timers who are opinionated about it. But when push comes to shove they are taking the better player not obsessing on this stupid stuff. And it's even more irrelevant when it's a comment following a comment from the dad of a highly ranked player nationally. I am pretty sure the scouts don't care how often that particular kid is unprepared with his Gatorade!!!

For what it's worth....

We have a rule about parents not talking to their kids immediately before, during or right after games (until they're released from working on the field; or if they come talk to a coach and say "Hey,  I have to go tell my mom/dad something" ...that's fine)  The reasons: BEFORE games I want them totally focused on mentally preparing for the game; not talking to friends or family.  Once they walk in the dugout, I want them preparing to do their best. AFTER the game, again, they need to do their work  on the field and not go "hang out" until the work is done.....DURING, they all have a job to do during the game, whether playing or not and I don't want them being "taken away " from their job.

As for the Gatorade:  Well first, we play most of our games in sub-45 degree weather. No one is going to dehydrate unless they thaw first !!  We provide water at EVERY game; plenty for everyone.  AND they are told if they want Gatorade or something like it, they need to pack it with all their other baseball stuff.  So for us,  a part of it is being prepared ahead of time, and not having Mommy and Daddy doing things for you that you are supposed to do. I do believe part of my job is helping these kids learn some minor responsibilities and how to take care of things for themselves.

Plus, I firmly believe that most of the time someone brings a drink, it is really just an excuse to see "Junior" and maybe whisper in his ear a little bit.

Finally, I don't stop people from watching practice.  If I notice it, it annoys me just a little bit, and I really don't know why.  But in any event, I let it go and run my practice, no problem.  For some reason though, parents coming in to the gym when we are indoors just really kind of irritates me. Something about them coming in to the close quarters and just standing there watching just smacks of overinvolved, hovering parents to me.  Sorry, but just the way I feel.

Then again........You never know

     Little league back in the early 80's , a coach was short handed on staff and the umpire insisted he have a person in the 1st base coaching box . Frustrated with the umpires request the coach was forced to go to the stands and summons a parent.

He spotted what appeared to be a grandfather of one of his players, Motioned him over and asked " Do you know baseball?" The Grandfather said "Sure" . The Coach said "Great , I need someone to coach first base today....can you do that?" The old guy said " Yes, whatever you need" . The coach said "Great , just stand there while we hit...and don't say anything to the players. Just Stand there" . The grandfather said " Ok, got it"

Everything went smoothly and exactly as the coach requested, the grandfather said nothing to the players.

The game ended and as he was shaking the hand of the coach of the opposing team, The opposing coach had a huge smile and asked:

" How the hell did you get him out here? "

"Who?"

 " Him" pointing to the older guy who coached first base.  "That's Joe DiMaggio"

2020dad posted:

jaketaylor posted:

SomeBaseballDad posted:

hshuler posted:

Question - which looks worse to a college recruiter a) parent tossing a kid a drink or b) kid leaving the dugout to go to the concessions to get one himself?

 

Either way it makes him look unprepared.

Good grief. Really? 60 time, pop time, exit velocity, no Gatorade from dad?

It is amazing isn't it that people believe this crap. They want to win. They will do whatever it takes to that end. They are not going to worry about this kind of nonsense. They may not like it. They may be backwards old timers who are opinionated about it. But when push comes to shove they are taking the better player not obsessing on this stupid stuff. And it's even more irrelevant when it's a comment following a comment from the dad of a highly ranked player nationally. I am pretty sure the scouts don't care how often that particular kid is unprepared with his Gatorade!!!

You're correct,  if a kid is throwing 95,  or batting . 425 with 45 rbi's,  he might be the proverbial axe murderer and someone will still take him.  But if he's like 99‰ of the rest of the players out there then it comes down to the little things. First they need a drink,  then I lost my mitt,  then...... 

hshuler posted:

Question - which looks worse to a college recruiter a) parent tossing a kid a drink or b) kid leaving the dugout to go to the concessions to get one himself?

 

Given the two choices, I'm taking the independent kid that knows what he wants and is willing to make it happen but only if he doesn't have to detour through the stands to solicit funds from Mom or Dad first.  If he has to solicit funds, I would then go with the kid that is unapologetically dependent and just have mom or dad deliver the goods straight to the dugout.  It's all about efficiency and staying focused on the game. 

Re: my comment above about being observed prior to our son's recruitment by his college coach.  I have been known to toss a Gatorade into the dugout over the fence on an especially warm day, usually without additional comment (ok, maybe I sometimes ask if anyone else needs one).    Does not seem to have been a problem for anyone watching. I really don't think this is the kind of behavior that turns off a scout or coach and if it does, I'm not sure that's the guy I want my son to play for.  

nothingtodust posted:

Re: my comment above about being observed prior to our son's recruitment by his college coach.  I have been known to toss a Gatorade into the dugout over the fence on an especially warm day, usually without additional comment (ok, maybe I sometimes ask if anyone else needs one).    Does not seem to have been a problem for anyone watching. I really don't think this is the kind of behavior that turns off a scout or coach and if it does, I'm not sure that's the guy I want my son to play for.  

I think I'll hire a kid as a mule to smuggle drinks into the dugout going forward. I have the perfect kid in mind but he's a shrewd businessman so it's gonna cost me.

The showcase team the kid played on the last couple of years. If a parent approached their child in the dugout for any reason,  he didn't play,  late,  no play,  forgot/misplaced something,  no play,  had a handful of equipment and parents caught helping him carry it,  no play.  Coach was like "when you get to college next year they are not going to put up with your BS,  so better get use to it now". 

SomeBaseballDad posted:

The showcase team the kid played on the last couple of years. If a parent approached their child in the dugout for any reason,  he didn't play,  late,  no play,  forgot/misplaced something,  no play,  had a handful of equipment and parents caught helping him carry it,  no play.  Coach was like "when you get to college next year they are not going to put up with your BS,  so better get use to it now". 

If a water cooler is provided (as in college) it's a non-issue. 

So, I live in GA and we play at LP a lot. It can be 120 degrees on the turf in July so hydration is extremely important. I've seen more than one kid overheat. 

No coolers are allowed in the complex so you have to buy drinks which I believe are $2.75 for a Powerade and $2.50 for a water. Between BP and the game my son can go through three or four drinks. So, I should buy 3-4 before the game and they are warm versus just flipping him a cold one one when he gives a drink signal? Even though I don't see anything wrong with flipping him a drink, I shouldn't because it's viewed as coddling. I don't claim to have all the answers which is why I'm asking. 

My kid is a catcher and I make sure and make him a small cooler for drinks.  If we were playing somewhere that didn't allow outside drinks and it was hot outside I would have no problem getting him a drink.  If a coach has a problem with that, I think it says a lot more about the coach than the parent.  

hshuler posted:

SomeBaseballDad posted:

The showcase team the kid played on the last couple of years. If a parent approached their child in the dugout for any reason,  he didn't play,  late,  no play,  forgot/misplaced something,  no play,  had a handful of equipment and parents caught helping him carry it,  no play.  Coach was like "when you get to college next year they are not going to put up with your BS,  so better get use to it now". 

If a water cooler is provided (as in college) it's a non-issue. 

So, I live in GA and we play at LP a lot. It can be 120 degrees on the turf in July so hydration is extremely important. I've seen more than one kid overheat. 

No coolers are allowed in the complex so you have to buy drinks which I believe are $2.75 for a Powerade and $2.50 for a water. Between BP and the game my son can go through three or four drinks. So, I should buy 3-4 before the game and they are warm versus just flipping him a cold one one when he gives a drink signal? Even though I don't see anything wrong with flipping him a drink, I shouldn't because it's viewed as coddling. I don't claim to have all the answers which is why I'm asking. 

Having read your other posts, I really don't think you need to ask.  But, since you did, I'll address it...

Of course, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a thirsty kid getting a drink tossed to him.  It's not the small act, it's setting the culture.

I'm talking specifically HS level.  These kids are with the team and coaches five days a week for several months.  I feel part of the structure of a HS program is to establish a culture where we are contributing to the process of these young men learning responsibilities, speaking and acting on their own behalf, working well in a structured environment, making good decisions, etc.  We also want to create an environment where they have to learn all of these things largely without the immediate assistance of their parents.  And, it should be an outlet - a place they can play and work hard and enjoy the results of their efforts, a place where they can come together as a family AWAY from their other family.  Of course it is a place where they can learn the game at a deeper level, play the game and compete, but also, grow and thrive as young adults.  

So, the culture has to be developed with rules and boundaries to allow these things to take place. 

We have developed that culture with our program.  Parents know they are 100% welcome to attend practice if they wish.  They quickly realize that they are welcome to just enjoying watching, generally encourage or just check in to make sure their kids are in a safe, structured environment and are being treated properly and fairly.  Any participation beyond that is interfering with our structure and will be addressed.  

Several years ago, we were getting started with winter workouts, just getting on the field, so things were still not at full speed with structure.  There was a dad of a highly touted incoming freshman.  This dad is a great guy, VERY involved with his kids, very social and loved to be in the middle of things.  He's the guy with the huge personality that everyone knows.  We would come to find out later that he would continue be at most practices - has other boys coming through the system.  This was just a year or two into our taking over a program that previously had no structure.  So, first day on the field, this dad comes and plops himself down in the dugout.  I asked to talk to him aside from the group right then.  This was the first time he was ever told that this was not going to happen.  He wasn't happy that day (or maybe that month) but message sent and from then on, everyone knew.  This guy continued to be a great supporter of his kids and all the boys, really.  Still very loud at games.  After a few years, he started directing some of his vocals in a negative way toward other players when his kid was affected by their misplays.  Another talk.  Another butt-hurt month.  Message sent.  All good.  

When the message (clearly spelled out at parent meetings) and actions are consistent, it doesn't take long to build the culture.  Now, when a kid gets tossed a gatorade into our dugout, there is clearly a culture where there is no intent of the parent (or delivery mule) to linger or do anything other than get a kid a drink.  In fact, every time, you can see there is effort to do so as discretely as possible.  Yes, we preach and prefer to come prepared but something like not having a gatorade packed before school is not an offense we give much thought to.  Shoes?  Hat?  Whole different story.  Glove?  Bat?  (Literally and figuratively) Problem.

As someone else mentioned, part of that structure is firm boundaries from the time they show up for practice or game until the last chore is done and our closing chant is shouted.  Then, all other family is welcome.

So, is it OK to give the kid a gatorade?  Context.

PS - personally, I don't see how that culture can be remotely possible by allowing parents in the post-game or post-practice discussion, to say nothing of the fact that most HS players would rightfully flip if theirs decided to join in.

hshuler posted:

SomeBaseballDad posted:

The showcase team the kid played on the last couple of years. If a parent approached their child in the dugout for any reason,  he didn't play,  late,  no play,  forgot/misplaced something,  no play,  had a handful of equipment and parents caught helping him carry it,  no play.  Coach was like "when you get to college next year they are not going to put up with your BS,  so better get use to it now". 

If a water cooler is provided (as in college) it's a non-issue. 

So, I live in GA and we play at LP a lot. It can be 120 degrees on the turf in July so hydration is extremely important. I've seen more than one kid overheat. 

No coolers are allowed in the complex so you have to buy drinks which I believe are $2.75 for a Powerade and $2.50 for a water. Between BP and the game my son can go through three or four drinks. So, I should buy 3-4 before the game and they are warm versus just flipping him a cold one one when he gives a drink signal? Even though I don't see anything wrong with flipping him a drink, I shouldn't because it's viewed as coddling. I don't claim to have all the answers which is why I'm asking. 

My response earlier was tongue in cheek.  My 2017 catches in the Midwest, where summer temps in the high 90's and above are the norm.  His typical prep for catching one of these games is packing a cooler that holds 6 bottles of water and/or Gatorade plus some variety of quick "fuel".  This has been the norm for as long as I can remember simply because my son had heard that some recruiters/scouts raised the red flag when parents delivered drinks.  Whether this is folklore or not, he never wanted to give a decision maker an easy reason to dislike him.   

cabbagedad posted:

hshuler posted:

SomeBaseballDad posted:

The showcase team the kid played on the last couple of years. If a parent approached their child in the dugout for any reason,  he didn't play,  late,  no play,  forgot/misplaced something,  no play,  had a handful of equipment and parents caught helping him carry it,  no play.  Coach was like "when you get to college next year they are not going to put up with your BS,  so better get use to it now". 

If a water cooler is provided (as in college) it's a non-issue. 

So, I live in GA and we play at LP a lot. It can be 120 degrees on the turf in July so hydration is extremely important. I've seen more than one kid overheat. 

No coolers are allowed in the complex so you have to buy drinks which I believe are $2.75 for a Powerade and $2.50 for a water. Between BP and the game my son can go through three or four drinks. So, I should buy 3-4 before the game and they are warm versus just flipping him a cold one one when he gives a drink signal? Even though I don't see anything wrong with flipping him a drink, I shouldn't because it's viewed as coddling. I don't claim to have all the answers which is why I'm asking. 

Having read your other posts, I really don't think you need to ask.  But, since you did, I'll address it...

Of course, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a thirsty kid getting a drink tossed to him.  It's not the small act, it's setting the culture.

I'm talking specifically HS level.  These kids are with the team and coaches five days a week for several months.  I feel part of the structure of a HS program is to establish a culture where we are contributing to the process of these young men learning responsibilities, speaking and acting on their own behalf, working well in a structured environment, making good decisions, etc.  We also want to create an environment where they have to learn all of these things largely without the immediate assistance of their parents.  And, it should be an outlet - a place they can play and work hard and enjoy the results of their efforts, a place where they can come together as a family AWAY from their other family.  Of course it is a place where they can learn the game at a deeper level, play the game and compete, but also, grow and thrive as young adults.  

So, the culture has to be developed with rules and boundaries to allow these things to take place. 

We have developed that culture with our program.  Parents know they are 100% welcome to attend practice if they wish.  They quickly realize that they are welcome to just enjoying watching, generally encourage or just check in to make sure their kids are in a safe, structured environment and are being treated properly and fairly.  Any participation beyond that is interfering with our structure and will be addressed.  

Several years ago, we were getting started with winter workouts, just getting on the field, so things were still not at full speed with structure.  There was a dad of a highly touted incoming freshman.  This dad is a great guy, VERY involved with his kids, very social and loved to be in the middle of things.  He's the guy with the huge personality that everyone knows.  We would come to find out later that he would continue be at most practices - has other boys coming through the system.  This was just a year or two into our taking over a program that previously had no structure.  So, first day on the field, this dad comes and plops himself down in the dugout.  I asked to talk to him aside from the group right then.  This was the first time he was ever told that this was not going to happen.  He wasn't happy that day (or maybe that month) but message sent and from then on, everyone knew.  This guy continued to be a great supporter of his kids and all the boys, really.  Still very loud at games.  After a few years, he started directing some of his vocals in a negative way toward other players when his kid was affected by their misplays.  Another talk.  Another butt-hurt month.  Message sent.  All good.  

When the message (clearly spelled out at parent meetings) and actions are consistent, it doesn't take long to build the culture.  Now, when a kid gets tossed a gatorade into our dugout, there is clearly a culture where there is no intent of the parent (or delivery mule) to linger or do anything other than get a kid a drink.  In fact, every time, you can see there is effort to do so as discretely as possible.  Yes, we preach and prefer to come prepared but something like not having a gatorade packed before school is not an offense we give much thought to.  Shoes?  Hat?  Whole different story.  Glove?  Bat?  (Literally and figuratively) Problem.

As someone else mentioned, part of that structure is firm boundaries from the time they show up for practice or game until the last chore is done and our closing chant is shouted.  Then, all other family is welcome.

So, is it OK to give the kid a gatorade?  Context.

PS - personally, I don't see how that culture can be remotely possible by allowing parents in the post-game or post-practice discussion, to say nothing of the fact that most HS players would rightfully flip if theirs decided to join in.

 

 

Very well-said! 

I want my son to be a responsible young man and have tried to raise him that way. He's played without a belt before or had to figure out his hat situation when he was younger because he's responsible for that. I don't believe in solving all of his problem. He has to figure some of that out himself. 

I coached my son through 13U and enjoyed being a mostly RF/LF line dad last season. I will sometimes sit or stand behind the plate if a special arm in on the bump. My philosophy is that he's in good hands with his coaches which is why I chose wisely when I decided not to coach. He's fortunate to have a great high school coach as well. So, I let them do what they are paid to do .

I remember when my son was a rising 8th grader, the coach put together a summer team but I had already committed to a summer schedule. I called him to explain the situation and he basically said thanks for calling and letting me know, it's not a problem. I wanted to let him know that we weren't just blowing the school summer team off. It wasn't the message or first impression that we wanted to make.

As a former coach, I have dealt with all types of parents so it's not something that I forget. I wouldn't ever want to be a problem or distraction for the coach or my son. He doesn't want me bothering him while he's playing just like I didn't want my dad bothering me. My advice before tryouts was simple: Work harder than everyone else and be the first to grab a rake after practice. I stole the rake part from someone on here. 

I check in with the coach from time to time just as I do with his teachers. "Is he working hard? Is his behavior where it should be?" Are always my questions and so far so good. I never ask about baseball because that will take care of itself. 

So, I do believe that setting a culture is important because I ,too, have expectations for the way my son should carry himself on and off the field. Likewise, I know my son would expect the same of me. So, I make sure that I practice what I preach. 

3 Things that  can always be controlled in baseball....Your Attitude, Your Effort and Your Preparation. 

My wife packs 17 Capri Sun's , 4 bags of pretzels, 6 granola bars and oh wait , almost forgot  4 fruit roll ups for our 12 yo little cupcake to take on his little 1 hr "play date" to little Bobby's house. If you know of the person who coined the term "play date" could you please pass on their contact info so I can thank them. She probably thinks that she under packed! She's the best!!

If your kid forgets his drink make sure you have a "stash" you know, secret hiding spot near the field filled with drinks that you two spent some bonding time creating . Treat it like a "blind drop" as if you were involved in a Moonshine transaction.

Stay away from the dugout people and make sure your kid packs a couple of drinks. The rest will take care of itself.

OK a couple things...

First of all, every dugout at Lake Point is provided water and ice by our staff. That is how it is supposed to work!   When LP first opened they were charging teams for water and Powerade.  No Gatorade because Coca Cola is the Major Sponsor for LP, not PG.  However Gatorade is a major sponsor for PG everywhere else, we can't even put up a Gatorade sign at LP.  As soon as we discovered teams were being charged for water we had a hissy fit and told LP we would pay for water and ice.  We even bought a gigantic ice machine.

So if anyone is ever playing at LP in a PG event and there is no water in your dugout... Tell the staff member right behind home plate because every dugout is supposed to be furnished with a water cooler and it is refilled upon request.  Now, if you want to purchase a cooler full of Powerade you can do that through LP.  We don't sell Powerade or water.

I will admit, it does bother me when I see parents anywhere near the dugout.  It bothers me when drinks are provided and parents are carrying equipment that their son should be carrying.  I know coaches and scouts don't like it, because it is something we talk about.  Call it a red flag!  If a parent is that concerned with their child's needs, what about everyone else that is dying of thirst in that dugout.  I hardly ever see a parent bringing drinks to the dugout for everyone.  After all it is a team game, don't we cheer for everyone on the team?  

Of course, if there is no water available, and he wants Powerade or Gatorade, planning ahead could work.  Make sure your son has enough with him before the game.  Something about a player yelling up in the stands to his parents to run and get him a Gatorade, just looks bad.  I know this has been going on for a long time and most people never consider it wrong.  

Back when my youngest son was playing in HS I saw parents running to the dugout with drinks for their son.  I never said anything about it, but one game my son asked me to bring him something to drink.  I said, No way, I can't do that!  It kind of bothered him, but I explained later and he understood.  After that episode I did notice a lot less parents were running to the dugout.

All that said, I see it so much these days that it goes sort of unnoticed.  I admit that I am old school, because well I am old.  Years ago it used to bother me when players started wearing jewelry.  No team I coached was allowed to wear any type of jewelry.  After awhile I adjusted because it became so commonly accepted.  Also remember being irritated by those wearing their cap backwards.  I would get mad every time I saw that.  Then after awhile it become so ordinary that I just accepted it.  Those type things just don't even bother me the least now days.  So maybe I will learn to accept parents running to the dugout with drinks after awhile.

Back then when I was against jewelry I would tell kids... Listen I know there are lots of coaches out there that hate seeing jewelry on a player.  It turns them off!  Sure there are other coaches that it doesn't bother.  So without jewelry you give all of them no reason to dislike what they see.  And with jewelry you might show them something they don't like about you.  Why give anyone a reason to dislike what they see if you don't have to.  Of course times have changed, but there are still many coaches out there that don't like what they see.  Sure sometimes the talent is so great that they overlook some things.  But why give any of them a reason to dislike what they see?  Believe me please, the Clemson coach that brought this up in a link provided earlier, is far from alone in the way that he thinks. 

As far as old school me... Nobody needs to care what I think.  But do think about this... I am 70 years old this month and do you know what that means? It means I have been right and I have been wrong about more things than most people. But those younger will be catching up in both ways. I know it's easy to think I'm always right only to find out later I was totally wrong. No matter how we think, no matter what we do, things keep changing.

One more thing...

The title of this thread is ARE YOU "THAT PARENT"

It takes a lot more than getting your son a drink to be "THAT PARENT"

BTW, youth baseball would be so great if every dad was just like HSHULER.

2019Dad posted:

If you have a number of kids (I have 4), how can you have time to watch everybody's practices? I can barely make the games.

Someone just made me think of this, so I just want to add:

I mean, I might have missed one practice this year. But if somebody says "he doesn't come to practice," it could be one practice, out of all the practices this year . . . We're talking about practice. Not a game. Practice. . . . We're not even talking about the game, the actual game, when it matters.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGDBR2L5kzI

PGStaff posted:

One more thing...

The title of this thread is ARE YOU "THAT PARENT"

It takes a lot more than getting your son a drink to be "THAT PARENT"

BTW, youth baseball would be so great if every dad was just like HSHULER.

Thanks for the kind words - much appreciated!

This thing is definitely a journey and I appreciate the willingness to share and help from the folks here. 

PGStaff posted:

One more thing...

The title of this thread is ARE YOU "THAT PARENT"

It takes a lot more than getting your son a drink to be "THAT PARENT"

BTW, youth baseball would be so great if every dad was just like HSHULER.

Thank you PG Staff.  When I started this topic I never expected it to branch into a lengthy discussion about drink bringing.  But I have learned a lot for sure, and now that I'm probably scarred for life, I'll never bring another drink again! - Not even for the rest of the players like has been a custom for us as our team, for years, traveled as a giant family and what was inside of our cooler was for anyone and vice versa, we all shared. A true team. 

But truthfully was thinking more along the line of what actually might be "that parent" behavior is something in which a parent does that interferes, meddles, ruins, or takes away from the experience of the player. More like, if Johnny isn't batting high in the line up, dad speaks to coach about it, possibly making it worse for his son. The one who calls the the coach(and/or principal, athletic director, school board, ect.) when Johnny didn't make the varsity team, only JV. Or if Johnny was skipping class, has bad grades or is disrespectful, and gets benched, then the parent tries to make excuses for or pleads the case for his son.  I always thought watching practice or bringing drinks was something a good parent did. Not "that parent". 

PGStaff posted:

 I admit that I am old school, because well I am old.  

As far as old school me... Nobody needs to care what I think.  

I agree with everything you said, except the part where you say you are old school because you are old.  Fortunately some of us were raised with old school values, and were old school even in our youth. I would like to think that while not as old school as my Father, I am still pretty close to a chip off the old block.

I'd also note that being old school is not something that should be thought of as a negative. If more people had old school values, this country would be in much better shape. I for one would like to see our country have the values, work ethic, and attitude of those in the 1950's, which was way before my time. Things went to pot (literally) in the 1960's, and our culture has never been the same. But I digress.

Lastly, to anyone reading this that does not know or about PGStaff, they would be foolish to not care what he thinks. He offers a wealth of information/insight not for profit or marketing, rather out of love for the game, and enjoying success stories of kids attaining their goals. His organization is top shelf, and they can be very helpful as to how a baseball player can get ahead.

PGStaff posted:

........

Back then when I was against jewelry I would tell kids... Listen I know there are lots of coaches out there that hate seeing jewelry on a player.  It turns them off!  Sure there are other coaches that it doesn't bother.  So without jewelry you give all of them no reason to dislike what they see.  And with jewelry you might show them something they don't like about you.  Why give anyone a reason to dislike what they see if you don't have to.  Of course times have changed, but there are still many coaches out there that don't like what they see.  Sure sometimes the talent is so great that they overlook some things.  But why give any of them a reason to dislike what they see?  Believe me please, the Clemson coach that brought this up in a link provided earlier, is far from alone in the way that he thinks. 

............

Saw a player this weekend with what looked like three thick rope necklaces on...made me think of this post.  I kept waiting for him to accidentally get his fingers caught in it while fielding, or watching the chains hit him when he was batting. I personally found the jewelry very distracting, I could for sure see a coach thinking.....PASS!

PG great post. I say that because you just sounded like my Dad was talking. And yes I miss my Dad. It's a job interview from the moment you get out of the car to them moment you get back in the car. And if you don't believe parents are scouted as well then your just simply wrong.

COACH_MAY,

I suppose it is obvious that I have met many outstanding people being involved in baseball for so long.  Certain things are debated endlessly here on HSBBW, yet among a certain group of people there is much more agreement than debate.

I'm humbled to be mentioned with your dad and I bet we did think alike.  Because over the years it has amazed me  how much you and I think alike.  You deserve the most praise I can give someone that is involved in baseball.  You are good for the game!  

VECTOR,

Thanks for the kind words.  Hope things are well.

Jerry that's about the best compliment I could ever receive from one of the most stand up people I have ever had the pleasure to know.

I have to post this. This is the perfect thread for it. Several years ago I reached out to PG after my son had received an invitation to play in a prestigious PG event. I mentioned to him a player that played for me and some circumstances I wanted PG to be aware of. I had some good baseball people back me up on the players ability. Then I added. "Jerry this kid is having a very hard time. His Dad has about driven the love of the game from him. No matter how well the kid performs he constantly compares him to a couple of his team mates who you know are outstanding players. He is feeling so much pressure and quite honestly has confided in me that he has considered lately quitting the game so his Dad will not have an excuse to drill him constantly.

I went on to tell PG that I wanted to take this young man with me and my family to this event. I went on to tell him the kid was 6'3 threw very hard and had serious potential. But we had a couple of underclassman that were highly ranked and a Sr who was a big time arm and highly ranked as well. So the kid was kind of under the radar. I vouched for the kid and so did some other baseball guys. I went on to tell PG that I felt this opportunity to not only get away - stop by Disney - hang out with my son - but to get a crack at performing on the big stage had the possibility of reigniting the flame.

Well of course and I say that because I know the man and what he has done for countless other young men said "Bring him." Well the young man made the top prospects game. He had numerous contacts from college coaches after the event. His confidence had never been higher. His love of the game had never been greater. He had a smile on his face that was beautiful. And he had just a great time. When we got back I called his Dad. I met him in a parking lot just down from where he worked.

"Your son just made the top prospects game at the biggest underclass event PG has. He was awesome. But more importantly he had fun. He had a smile on his face. And do you want to know why he did so well? Because you were not there. Because he didn't have to worry about you telling him to stride longer. He didn't have to worry about you saying he should have thrown 92 instead of 89. He didn't have to worry about you comparing him to the kid that threw before him or the kids on his high school team that are his buddies. He didn't have to worry about you drilling him in the car on the way back to the room. He didn't have to worry about you asking him how his arm felt when he moved a certain way. He didn't have to worry about living up to your _____ ing expectations! Your going to lose your son Brother. He's going to be relieved when your not around. He's going to find someone that will accept him for who he is because you can't. When the fact is he's a freaking great kid if he never picks up another baseball. But the bottom line is you can't see it because to him the only value he has is tied to a freaking ball."

Tears rolled down the Dad's face. The rest of that year things were much better at the field but more importantly much better at home. Just a couple of months ago I got an instant message on FB. It was this player. Thanking me and telling me how good things were going. Reminding me of the trip to Fla and all the fun we had. At that moment all I could think of was "Thanks Jerry." You see many times you don't ever realize your that parent until it's too late. And many times you have no idea what kind of impact you can have on a kids life by simply doing something you don't even realize is a big deal. Let me tell you the big deals are often disguised as random acts of kindness. Jerry your too humble to ever admit it. But your a Big Deal Buddy. Thank you from both of us.  

And yes I have been that parent. The one that sometimes gave my son's the impression that what they did on a field is more important to me than what they don't do on a field. What kind of man they are will trump everything else. My relationship with my son's trumps everything else and all I am saying is "Be that parent." 

Coach, I too have been THAT PARENT at times even though knowing better.

Wouldn't it be great if others could learn from those of us that have made mistakes.  Sometimes it is difficult to understand there are things much more important than baseball, but everyone will understand that some day.

I love stories like the one you told.  Truth is it was you that helped that boy. You are the one that convinced me to help. I helped because you cared so much about that young guy.  

I have lots of stories about parents, though most parents I have met are great, there are some that are a pain.  Here is a story that might hit home with someone.

I got a call from a dad about two weeks before our big event in Jupiter.  He was telling me had screwed up and never allowed his kid to play except on the HS team.  He wanted to get his son seen because he had no college interest and he was in his senior year.  He claimed his son was a pitching prospect and after awhile I decided we would put him on our team in Jupiter.  I told his dad we would make sure that he pitched in Jupiter.  

So they showed up, the dad did all the talking, the son never said a word.  We gave him the uniform and went about the tournament.  We scheduled his kid to pitch in the second game.  During the very first game, the dad looked me up, started calling me a liar and some other choice words because his son wasn't pitching in that game.  I told him that he was pitching tomorrow, but that wasn't good enough for him.  I admit that I got mad and told him he and his son are not welcome.  I told him I'm going to go get your son and you two are leaving.  So I went to the dugout, got his son and told him what happened, I am sorry but they had to leave because of his dad.

I looked at that boy, who still never said a word, and I could see he was holding back tears.  I thought, why am I punishing this kid, he hasn't done anything wrong.  So I asked him... Do you want to stay?  He finally said one word and it was a very emotional YES.  I told him we were going to make sure he got his chance.  I then saw some tears well up.  

So back to the dad who was still pissed about everything and now I had to talk him into staying with his son.  I finally got that done by telling him his son deserves the chance, but you are a problem.  I think he actually figured things out very quickly.

His son pitched the next day and looked pretty good. 85-87 and could pitch.  He ended up getting a nice offer from a very good NAIA program.  He also got a few other offers but the NAIA offer was too good to pass up.  When they left the park that day his dad was all smiles. But even more important was his son was also smiling from ear to ear.  And to this day, many years later, the son has only said one word to me.  But the way he said that one word... "yes"... might have well been an entire speech.  I suppose it's possible dad remained a problem, I don't know.  But I hope things changed that day.  Because before that day the dad was "THAT PARENT".

Thanks for sharing that.  We parents can sure make things more complicated than they need to be, sometimes.

PGSTAFF, thank you for sharing that.  It did remind me of my dealing with one parent way back in Little League.  He had a son who, at the time, was a dominant player.  This was at the 8-10 year old age.  The kid was a 10 year old playing against 8 year olds.  He should have been kicked up to the 10-11 YO division but the parents were insistent that he played at the younger level, for carpooling reasons.  I later found out that they wanted him to play down so he could be the "best player in the division".  The kid also played travel ball.  

My coaching philosophy at that age was, every kid will get a chance to play every position.  With the exception being pitcher and catcher, I would not put a kid in those positions if I did not feel that they could defend themselves against a comebacker or a quick play at home.  I could care less if they could pitch or catch, it was more of a safety thing.   I even informed the parents that we will loose games because I could care less about dominating the other teams, but only cared about developing the players.  

Anyway, we were playing in a close game.  We were running out of pitchers (lots of games stacked close together) and I put a kid on the mound later in the game that had been working very hard and who had been bugging me to let him pitch all season.  He had never pitched before, but you should have seen the grin on the kids face when I told him to get ready to take the mound.  He proceeds to walk a number of batters and then bobbled a slow roller ground ball back to the mound, allowing the winning run to score.   

After the game I'm in the middle of the team meeting and the dads comes out to the field interrupting the meeting asking to talk to me.  After making him wait, I walk over to him after the meeting and can see that he is very agitated.  As soon as I walk up to him he starts yelling at me.  Goes on to tell me that I am the worst coach he ever knew.  Complained that we purposely lost a game because, "you didn't pitch my son".  He was going to complain to the board of directors that I should not be coaching because "you do not have the fire".  I tried to remain as calm as I could and explained to him that his son had pitched in a travel game the day before (he played LL for "fun") and that I was not about to let him pitch again.   He proceeded to ream me a new one as the travel pitching does not "count towards little league pitching".  I'm now irritated and started to snip back at him.  At this point I had another parent step in and pull him away from me.   Thats where it pretty much ended.

A year or so later the family moved across country.  To this day I fell that I failed that kid as I let his dad get to me.  In retrospect I wish I would have let him cool off and then have a discussion about putting too much pressure on his kid and being that parent.

I think it's good that people share these stories.  Truth is all these we call "That Parent" are not criminals, they simply love their children and want what is best. They just don't know that they are being fools in some cases. They don't know that they are doing much more harm than good.

I'm sure others have stories they could share.  Just maybe those stories will be read and save someone from becoming "That Parent".  Or maybe someone that is "That Parent" will read those stories and realize how stupid they have been.

If you think you might be "That Parent" there is no reason to feel guilty.  Most of us have bordered on it.  No need to apologize... Just change for everyone's sake, but most importantly for your son or daughter.

You know I am a much better Dad now than I was when my kids lived at home. I am actually a great Grand Dad. When you have time to reflect and look back you can see things a little differently. When your in the mist of the storm so to speak and you have never done this thing called being a Dad, well you get the point. The fact is you never stop being a Dad. You just get a little better at it as time goes by, hopefully. The value of this site or just one of them is you can draw upon the experiences of those who have gone through it some times multiple times. You don't have to do what they did or do it the way they did it. You don't have to agree with it but you can reflect on it. Baseball can either bring a Father and Son close together and be a life long memory and assist in the process. Or it can be something that drives Father and Son apart and be a life long wedge.

I know this, it's hard. It's very hard as a Dad to separate the baseball from life. Hopefully we teach the principles that are important in life through the game. "Work hard, be on time, dedicate yourself to a goal, be a good team mate, sacrifice, be humble, respect, sportsmanship, hold yourself accountable, etc." Hopefully we don't teach the game and neglect life. We get caught up in raising a ball player and forget were suppose to be raising a man. We can be so driven and dedicated to see our son achieve his "are" dream we begin to make our son feel like his value is through the game and what he can achieve instead of being our son.

The bottom line is we have all been that parent to one extent or another. Some of us have just done a better job of not allowing anyone or the wrong one's to see it. Some of us kept it inside and some could not. Some of us have had the opportunity to look back and realize "Yep I was that parent." Some of us will refuse to admit it period. Some of us will be hit with the cold hard reality when the son tells his wife "Im not going to be that parent like my Dad was." Being "that" parent has many symptoms that some don't get and other's do. That some allow others to see and some do not. But the disease is the cause not the symptoms. And the disease is loving your son. We just have a tendency to mess things up when we lose perspective.

If just one Dad reads this thread and takes a moment to reflect. If just one Dad reads something in this thread that gives him pause and makes him just a little bit better in dealing with all of this. Then every second spent sharing was more than worth it to both of them.

Amen, Coach.  There were many tipping points that could have gone either way for myself and each of my three kids during some of the more challenging years of parenting.  I like to think we all came through those times in a good place, but I definitely added to the degree of difficulty at times being "that parent".   

Had I found HSBBW a bit sooner, I probably could have saved everyone some headache, anger and frustration and could have tipped the scales in our favor a little sooner.

Coach May that was such an excellent post!!

PGStaff posted:

 

VECTOR,

Thanks for the kind words.  Hope things are well.

Your welcome, and it is well deserved.

Thanks for asking about how things are going, as I know you genuinely care. Unfortunately, my son has once again damaged/stretched his same repaired ACL and also involved the meniscus this time. This occurred with him pushing himself during an intense workout with box jumps and he landed wrong. The coach was still having him run polls after the injury in a brace, which didn't help either. He was back up into the low 90's at that point, so it is very demoralizing for him.

So he had another surgery and they took a graft from his other knee (patellar tendon) instead of using the cadaver/hamstring graft they used last time. This will supposedly be less likely to fail, but adds recovery time since both knees were operated on. He is in PT now trying to build his legs back up again, so it is a tough time for him. Other than that though, things are going well. I hope you and yours have been doing well since we last communicated.

Best wishes to Vector's son.  That's a  really tough situation; to have to go through ACL stuff even once is a grind, let alone twice. 

smokeminside posted:

Best wishes to Vector's son.  That's a  really tough situation; to have to go through ACL stuff even once is a grind, let alone twice. 

+1

Vector,

Your son sure is due for some good luck.  I know he has had a rough road so far.   I wish him the best.

Buckeye 2015 posted:

Dads in a HS dugout??  Are you kidding me? 

That was my reaction also.    Sorry, but that is a sad commentary on that program.

Just once, I'd like to see somebody's high school baseball coach (in uniform) show up at Dad's or Mom's workplace telling them how to do their job....yelling across the cubicles!  ;-)

So many great posts here, but Coach May and PG, wow just wow!  Words really can't explain the truth and reality in your words. I agree that all of us have been "that parent" at one time. And as Coach May said, it's usually the deep love of our son that actually causes us to become "that parent". When I look back over my son's short baseball career, I KNOW I have been that dad at times, especially the one Coach described as being able to "hide it". I can remember conversations where I would be sure to praise my son but then ask him why couldn't he be a little better. I can remember comparing him to peers. Luckily, my son was injured and has missed the past 2 years of baseball. Now I say that very tongue in cheek. Of course I'm not glad my son was hurt or had TJ, but it did allow me to put baseball in perspective. My son is a GREAT young man. If he never throws another pitch it will NOT change that fact!  He has worked his rear off and we hope he is close to getting another opportunity. I can guarantee you I will never take another pitch for granted!! He is gonna have his number one fan cheering him on whether he has 10 Ks or gives up 10 runs. I've made sure to tell my son this very thing. I've apologized to him if he ever felt that I put baseball ahead of his life. I truly think that coaching your kid is a recipe to become "that parent". For me, I felt I had to hold my son to a higher standard because I was afraid other parents would perceive he was getting "special" treatment because he was the coach's son. I wouldn't change it because we spent so much quality time, but I wish I had the knowledge then that I have now so I could have kept things in their proper perspective. 

joes87 posted:

freddy77 posted:

.  The bringing a drink to the dugout thing mentioned here...  I could care less, knock yourself out.  But I have - right hand to God - heard people complaining about that too!  That in their mind just walking to the dugout to give little Jimmy a drink makes you 'that parent'.  

Bringing a drink to the dugout in HS ball doesn't necessarily make someone "that parent".

But for sure it's not a good thing to do.

Most parents with kids on my sons HS team bring drinks to them for the games.  Some walk up to the edge of the dugout to drop them off, others will have the kids come to them.  In general its to keep the kids from having to manage the drinks during the school day.  Most parents will either drop off a large jug of water, or 3 or 4 gatorade bottles along with some kind of small snack.  I guess I don't see much wrong with this.  Maybe because its common practice here, but the kids have enough stuff to manage during the school day, imo dropping off something to drink and a small snack is not a big deal.

Both kids asked me to get a water bottle from the concession stand multiple times. Since the dugouts had opening on the back I would place the bottle on the sill when they were in the field warming up. I kept me from being a distraction.

hshuler posted:

Question - which looks worse to a college recruiter a) parent tossing a kid a drink or b) kid leaving the dugout to go to the concessions to get one himself?

 

Water isn't something the player should have to think about. The team should be taking care of it. If they don't I preferred to take care of it so my kid was distracted from preparing for the game. On tournament days there was a cooler in the car. For high school games chances are I was headed for the concession stand.

StrainedOblique posted:

Then again........You never know

     Little league back in the early 80's , a coach was short handed on staff and the umpire insisted he have a person in the 1st base coaching box . Frustrated with the umpires request the coach was forced to go to the stands and summons a parent.

He spotted what appeared to be a grandfather of one of his players, Motioned him over and asked " Do you know baseball?" The Grandfather said "Sure" . The Coach said "Great , I need someone to coach first base today....can you do that?" The old guy said " Yes, whatever you need" . The coach said "Great , just stand there while we hit...and don't say anything to the players. Just Stand there" . The grandfather said " Ok, got it"

Everything went smoothly and exactly as the coach requested, the grandfather said nothing to the players.

The game ended and as he was shaking the hand of the coach of the opposing team, The opposing coach had a huge smile and asked:

" How the hell did you get him out here? "

"Who?"

 " Him" pointing to the older guy who coached first base.  "That's Joe DiMaggio"

 

 

How would a coach not recognize DiMaggio. Even if he was baseball ignorant the guy was in Mr Coffee commercials every day.

When a kid is competing in a summer or fall tournament he's responsible for thinking through what he needs before leaving the house/hotel room.

For high school I would rather my son being focused on academics than a water bottle when he gets up in the morning. Besides the water is going to be warm eight hours later when he starts pregame. 

I agree that those in charge of the team should be responsible for water.  Even if water is provided by others, it is the team's responsibility to make sure that happens and refilled when needed.  

StrainedOblique posted:

Then again........You never know

     Little league back in the early 80's , a coach was short handed on staff and the umpire insisted he have a person in the 1st base coaching box . Frustrated with the umpires request the coach was forced to go to the stands and summons a parent.

He spotted what appeared to be a grandfather of one of his players, Motioned him over and asked " Do you know baseball?" The Grandfather said "Sure" . The Coach said "Great , I need someone to coach first base today....can you do that?" The old guy said " Yes, whatever you need" . The coach said "Great , just stand there while we hit...and don't say anything to the players. Just Stand there" . The grandfather said " Ok, got it"

Everything went smoothly and exactly as the coach requested, the grandfather said nothing to the players.

The game ended and as he was shaking the hand of the coach of the opposing team, The opposing coach had a huge smile and asked:

" How the hell did you get him out here? "

"Who?"

 " Him" pointing to the older guy who coached first base.  "That's Joe DiMaggio"

 

 

I have no idea if this story is true but I love it..."don't say anything to the kids" LOL yep  you certainly wouldn't want him to discuss hitting or anything!! LOL