Breaking team rules

You've done nothing wrong and in fact, have also been victimized by this young man. I don't know your situation but per myself, if I say it, it has to happen. Of course, I've always know this rule and been very careful about what I've said. IMO, the choice is now their choice to make. If you don't hold to your standard, you're not in charge anyway. Every player is also waiting to see who runs the team. As one of my friends constantly says, "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for everything." JMHO!

Stick to your guns !!!

There is no way a player cusses a coach and gets away with it---you give in once it will follow you forever

A few years back we had a kid we benched midway thru a tournament---in the middle game I turned to him and asked to get a bat because we wanted him to pinch hit---in front of the entire team he says to me "No, I don't want to"---well he never left the bench the rest of the tournament and he could have gone home for all I cared---- and the kid who hit instead of him got a key hit in the crucial situation which helped us win the game


Sometimes it ain't easy but you have to stand your ground--prisoners do run the prison, at least not my prison


Good Luck !!!

Never back down, it will be the longest season you ever had if you do.

I agree with the other posters. It sounds as though you are a young coach trying to get a start. I appreciate that, but what the kids are trying to do is test you, since you are young. Not sure what level this is, sounds like it is teen age competitive or higher, but this will be a good lesson learned...for you and for the team. Are you in position to release players and pick other ones up? If so, anyone not abiding by your rules should be let go. If there are parents involved, I can't imagine them not stepping in and helping you out on this. Stick to your guns...the inmates can't run the asylum!!!!!!!!

I agree with all of the above.
The only thing is forget resigning.
Bench the player and if the others won't play call some kids up or show up for the next game and if you are short players cancel the next game until you know you have a full roster and bench the ones who refused to play.
Find a way to keep going but do not resign.

Everyone, thank you for your support. I wish we could find additional players which would send a clear message although we might not be able to. I was asked to consider a 1 game suspension as we only have a 20 game schedule. Atleast his peers will know that what he did was wrong.

Sarnia turf the guy for 3 and let the team know that the season hangs in the balance if others walk.
I assume this is OBA .

yes, it is an OBA Senior League. This guy also thought it was ok to drink beer in the dugout during the game. Obviously everyone knows that this is unacceptable.

I encourage you to bring in players who respect the game, their Coach, themselves, & are team players.

Those "kids" sounds like a bunch of two yr. olds throwing a tantrum! Just very simply, unacceptable behavior.

A 3 game suspension seems VERY generous on your part. For the league to counter with 1 is sending a message that the rule-makers (GM, League Officials, whomever) consider tantrums/cussing part of the game, and are "negotiable"...which translates to "worthless", imo.
There is more to this game than the W-L column for a 20 game season, imo.

Sania these are 20 yo+ and they need to be told.
I would pull up some JRs or 18U players even if only temporarilly

Unfortunately you are seeing 1st hand why elite BB took over Ontario. This is the culmination of poor coaching in the past.
My son played last year for a senior COBA team with guys from 20 to 33 YO. These guys played BB at the college and ML level and you would never get that kind of flack. The team would step in and tell that player to shut it. The coach would never be confronted with the abuse.

Those senior league where players are olders, and pay to play are real difficult to coach. I Agree that you were suppose to go out and at least comment the situation with the blue, and let your player know that he cares. But for not reason the player can react against you the way he did. My preocupation is, that 5 other players back up the guy, and even the GM is trying to make you to change your position. I think, that been your first experience as manager, will be better walk out voluntarely because you like respect and discipline, that be fire because you can not control your team.

in basic agreement as well ..

and, what kind of GM doesn't back up coach?

as a compromise ya may well consider that 1 game suspension
(he's not w/the team for 1 game) ...

when he returns to the team, hand him a clipboard & bench him a few more games til you feel things are square again -

same net result & you don't have keep score/chart pitches etc for a while.

jmo

BTW, I even came up with a team code of ethics before the season started that everyone signed. Communication, being fair and respecting my own players is very important to me...which is why I have no idea why some must continue to push my buttons so to speak. Most of this doesn't have anything to do with the play between the lines just whats going on between their ears.

I think you have good intentions but you have to put your foot down and enforce your rules. Coaches are usually harder to find in your area than players.
Enforce the rules and deal with the consequences as they unfold.

sarnia, A few years ago, there was a "newish" coach, who allowed this kind of language & behavior...I had one question, How, specifically, was he going to handle the "prima dona" and the rest of the team...He hem-hawed a little saying "they're just kids".
So, I VERY directly said, "So, WHO is the Coach?"

He didn't enforce his own policy...so, the misfits started referring to him as their "female dog".
Can you imagine?
It takes courage to stand for what's right. You are holding up your end of the "Code of Conduct"...They signed it, & now THEY are in breach! Obviously, THEY are not true to their word! They made the choice FOR suspension! Your judgement of 3 games is more than fair.
Another point for your side of the ledger!

You can also tell him ( the Player ).
That you no why he did not are will not make it to the next level.
Attitude will put a roadblock in front of any player if it's a bad attitude.

Whats to defend, He threw his helmet and cussed an Ump.

He should sit the bench till he has respect for the game. Period

EH

One thing that was mentioned but not discussed was the beer drinking in the dugout. No wonder he had a run in with the umpire. I wouldn't get caught up in thinking this would be your only coaching opportunity if you walk. A league that allows drinking beer in the dugout is not at the highest level anyway. Put your foot down, hold your ground and if you are forced to do otherwise, I'd walk. "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for everything."

Beer in the duggout? Is this baseball or slow pitch softball? Are they smoking in there too? How about the girlfriends, are they in the duggout too?

Sounds to me like you need to get a handle on the situation if you are trying to play competive ball.

How old are these guys anyway?

Yes, it is slightly competitive baseball, if a couple of them do need to smoke I am letting them do so on the other side of the fence near the dugout, nobody is allowed in the dugout without permission and the players also have to stay in the dugout during games (cant visit friends/family) They are mostly around 24 but obviously act more like 18-19 year olds.

TRUST ME, I AM NO PUSHOVER COACH, those who were at practice last night found that out real good and clear.

sarnia

How long has the team itself been together?

Hey Doc...
They have been together for roughly 2 months now. Most of them are friends which you would think would keep them in line as they would "police" themselves.

They don't know how lucky they are to have a senior team. Most areas have been unable to field senior teams. Some of the players were once prospects or college players. You would think that they would show some respect.
We have 2 in Welland and one in Niagara Falls that play good babseball but not great. This the last level for these guys.
We have the higher competetive teams such as the Inercounty and the Central Ontario Elite league which is where the most competetive seniors play.

Actually I contacted the Intercounty league a while back to see what I would need to do to start a team here in Sarnia esp. seeing that they only had 9 teams but they never even got back to me.

According to some people since the players are over the age of 21 you can't stop them from drinking and smoking. You just have to suck it up and let it go because you heaven knows you don't want to be a disciplinarian. You want guys who will like you and want to play for you.

For those who don't know that is a very sarcastic remark directed at others on here.

Sarnia - stick to your guns. If you have rules then enforce them. It's your name on the line and if you want to run your team a certain way then do it because that is what you were hired for.

Its been many years since I coached mens league ball, but I was the same age as the players. I did have to physically challenge a few guys now and then. I guess I had a way about me that most took me seriuosly at that point and I got what I needed out of them. I did kick one guy off the team for his attitude. He went to the league about it and they supported me fully. Stick to your guns, these guys need someone they can respect most of the time, and fear once in a while.

C2709 I smiled while reading your post. It sounded like my wife and her approach to parenting.
Coachric I agree.

Sarnia the 1st thing you need is great ball players. Go to a Brantford VS Toronto and you will be impressed. Several players on TO drafted and Brantford is full of ex pro college talent. Stratford has a team but they are having a tough time. It requires scouting and finding top talent.
I sat through a COBA game last night with 2 senior coaches and they were very impressed. They are similar to you team and I mentioned your dilemma. They have rules and enforce them. They allow beer in the cub house after a game but the players are self policing. They have been doing this for a few years and you could see the excitement in their eyes when they talked about their teams. These old guys had real passion for what they were doing. Very strict rules when you are at the ball park.
The COBA team which is a higher level of play has been going for 37 years and they can have a beer in the club house after a game. No smoking in the park period.
My wife has always believed if you treat your kids like friends you are going to have a problem. She sets strict rules and all 3 kids have never given us any worries.
I believe if you show a passion for what you are doing and are strict things will turn around for you.

Sarnia,

What Senior League is it? I have a few friends who play Senior ball around Sarnia, I'm curious as to whether or not they play you.

It's the Western Counties Senior League, Sarnia, Corunna, Courtright, Wyoming, Wallaceburg, Chatham, Forest.

I've heard of the League.

If I can remember right I know the Catcher for Forest, if he still plays there.

Just so everyone knows, This guy was suspended for 2 games BUT he opted to become a free agent...WOOHOO!!!

I'll bet he thinks you are going to miss him .

Do coaches call to get a reference ? On 2nd thought give him a good one.

Sarnia Coach-
If you don't have principles that you're willing to stand for, what DO you have...you know? Every coach has to draw lines on what they will and will not tolerate - personally, I'd ship this punk out immediately...no kid is worth that attitude. If you cave here, expect to lose the respect of your team....

Coach Knight


You are so right----give in to one player/situation and others will want the same


Stand up for what you believe

So really it's a happy ending for you.
1. You got some great experience out of this deal.
2. Your team is still intact and you're still coaching.
and the best one
That dude is GONE.
Enjoy your next game/practice