Crazy or Genius ?

quote:

Originally posted by Rob T:
What say the masses here? Good idea or bad? Something to do again, or let it go the way of the pet rock?

Yes, No, No, Yes

Well if those dads aren't happy then they can step up and coach next year. I don't have a problem with what you did. You let the kids have fun, you see they did actually learn something, you make them responsible for their actions, and all kinds of other great stuff. Some 12 year old fall ball championship isn't that much of a big deal in my estimation.

You did good and if anyone isn't happy then let them get their own team.

quote:

Originally posted by Rob T:
My wife said the general consensus in the stands had the moms loving the idea and the dads hating it.

Have you ever asked what those dads are saying in the stands during the season.

Good Idea. They're 12. Have as much fun as you can.

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ROB, I have one word for you, and it works for either camp. MEMORABLE! Kudos!! GED10DaD

If your coaching judgment was that these 12 year old boys needed to learn some independence and re-discover some joy and freedom in their playing, it might have been just the right thing to do.

I'd be careful, however, not to go too far in a direction that might call into question of the value of coaching or squander valuable teaching opportunities.

I just watched my son's last fall ball game a few weeks ago. This is a team of high school seniors, most of whom will play in college. The game was for a nominal local tournament title that carried no particular significance. It was a cold night. I don't think any scouts were watching. Everyone was ready to call it a season.

Even so, the coach put forth his usual excellent level of effort and preparation the whole night. He continued to coach and teach all through the game, keeping everyone focused on a night they could have gone slack. They won a close, well played game in adverse weather conditions. Then he gathered the team afterwards for a few minutes to squeeze in just a couple more situational lessons before he had to let them head off to their winter sports or workout programs. All in all, I thought it was a powerful example of always approaching the game seriously, always playing it right, and always looking for ways to improve, even on the last cold night of the season.

So I guess I don't have a problem with what you did, but it might not be something you repeat very often as they get older.

quote:

Originally posted by Swampboy:
squander valuable teaching opportunities...

LOL! They are 12 years old! Valuable teaching opportunities? How about learning that baseball can be fun? And making memories for kids... "Hey remember when the coach let us run the game?"

That's what baseball is about at that age. Teach them the game, teach them respect, and let them have fun too.

12 years old is not the time to worry about wasting valuable opportunities especially during the Fall season that was arguably a bit over the top anyway.

Fall should be about skill building and playing opportunity that you might not otherwise get.

quote:

Originally posted by Rob T:
I let them set the lineup, the pitching rotation, coach the bases - everything. The parents and my fellow coaches thought I was out of my mind.

Good for you! Who cares what the parents think? Did the kids learn something over the fall? Did they have fun too? Great. You did your job!

quote:

Originally posted by bballdad175:

quote:

Originally posted by Swampboy:
squander valuable teaching opportunities...

LOL! They are 12 years old! Valuable teaching opportunities? How about learning that baseball can be fun? And making memories for kids... "Hey remember when the coach let us run the game?"

That's what baseball is about at that age. Teach them the game, teach them respect, and let them have fun too.

12 years old is not the time to worry about wasting valuable opportunities especially during the Fall season that was arguably a bit over the top anyway.

Fall should be about skill building and playing opportunity that you might not otherwise get.

Try reading the whole post before you mock it. Didn't I acknowledge that it was probably fine for these kids? What part of "as they get older" didn't you understand?

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"...let it go the way of the pet rock?"

I let go of my pet rocks once...never found them again. I was crushed...3" minus to be exact. It was all very innocent. I hadn't a quarry in the world. A sunny, pleasant afternoon...perfect day for a stroll down by the river with my twin rock hounds, Gneiss and Schist. We found a nice, but crowded spot along a slow stretch of the river. I let them loose so they could metamorph for awhile...what could possibly go wrong?

The heartbreak didn't take long. I was distracted for only an eon by either a meteorite or an asteroid that emblazoned the bright afternoon sky overhead as it mocked the earth's feeble gravitational pull. Well Gneiss, being full of mica and chlorite, was a natural leader and Schist, plump with platy material, was a follower. I looked up at the fiery display and poof...they were both gone. Skipped out on me.

I looked and I looked, I whistled and I whistled. I chiseled and I chiseled. I even scattered their favorite snacks about, dried algae and lichen brittle, but to no avail. I know it is cliché, but really...they actually do all look the same.



They're now among their fellow rocks. Free to sit there for a few centuries or more, hopefully enjoying the company of the rock next to them. Their only escape being they are attractive enough to lure someone to pick them out as a paperweight.



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quote:

I let them set the lineup, the pitching rotation, coach the bases - everything. The parents and my fellow coaches thought I was out of my mind.

When I played, this was the norm. We didn't need coaches to run our games and we did it just as good and in most cases better than the adults did in organized ball. We learned more, played better, everybody knew who were the best players were and the ones who weren't as good sat more but never complained because they knew who were the better players and they yielded to them although for the most part, everybody played because we played so many games anyway.

Today's kids have no clue how to run a game, pick sides and make all the decisions because the parents have completely taken over their sporting lives figuring their little Jonny is gonna be a major leaguer.

I remember one father on my son's majors team not allowing his son to play wiffleball with the rest of the kids because it will ruin his arm...Totally blew me away that a dad would dictate how his 12 yr old plays.

quote:

Originally posted by Swampboy:

Try reading the whole post before you mock it. Didn't I acknowledge that it was probably fine for these kids? What part of "as they get older" didn't you understand?

Holey moley! Got a short fuse there pal? I read the whole post. Didn't quite care for the phrase I quoted so I commented on that.

That's all.

bballdad175,

Let's get this straight.

I wrote a serious post that began and ended with support for the original poster's action but offered him something else to think about.

You flamed me with a totally sarcastic and demeaning post.

I called you out.

And now you think my short fuse is the problem and the fact that you "didn't quite care" for one of my phrases justified your original rudeness?

What a jerk!

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Coast to coast let's give thanks for everything we have...including this great website. We all love the game of baseball and everything about it. There is a good and positive reason why we are all here.

Swampboy and bballdad175...you've both made great contributions and I know each of you will continue to do so. That is what makes this site what it is. That is why it rolls on year after year, giving back to baseball. The game we love.

Let me say that I have personally been in your shoes. It isn't pleasant. It isn't fun. It stirs up passion in a big way, but unfortunately in a bad way as well. Each of you will get past this. Without question you will. But not before it gets even uglier. There is plenty of historical evidence in all of the forums to verify this. It doesn't have to happen though. I know how good it feels after the clouds have cleared.

Imagine how much better the two of you will feel after losing the animosity. Why play out your hands? Just fold 'em now. The day before Thanksgiving, heading towards Christmas, with our world literally straining at the seams. You guys deserve better, your families deserve better, we deserve better. The world needs you guys. It needs all of us now more than ever.

You may not think much of what I contribute here. That's ok. We all give of ourselves in different ways. You can read at this moment in a handful of current threads where parents, players, coaches, and umpires are acknowledging their gratitude for the wealth and bounty found on this site. And this site is us. That's all. It's us. Plain and simple.

Mom does the technical work, and the financial work, to keep it going strong. We are all grateful. I know her well enough to know that she really wants us all to enjoy this site. It's tough to enjoy if you're feeling low and all riled up.

I don't even know you two, yet I like you both. If you were to get together I'm sure the two of you would find the common ground that you each abundantly have. Why not just head there now? You will be glad you did. I know.

I'm not offering you guys a lecture or a scolding. I'm offering you my experience. I know what it's like to turn an ugly and tense situation around. It takes both of you to do that. I truly want each of you to be able tomorrow to give thanks. Free of the feelings your harboring now. It can happen if you each want it to happen. There is lots of common ground out there waiting for you.



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Woody you are truly an amazing person a gift to this website. On the surface you are a hilarious person but when the time is needed you drop some profound philosophy on us. This is a great post and thank you for it.

My opinion is that you have to play the hand you are dealt. I’ll agree that a double-elimination championship for a rec. league Fall Ball season is probably over the top. Heck, a summer time, nationwide tournament taking 10 weeks to crown a 12U champion on ESPN is probably also over the top.

In this situation, you were the manager of a team playing in a championship game, and while there may be qualifiers you haven’t mentioned, I’m assuming that the winner of the game was going to be celebrated as the champion and the loser as the runner-up; at least until the pizza arrived for everybody.

So for better or worse, you and the team were under-the-gun. What if your team had been up one run going into the bottom of the last inning to face the meat of their line-up and your “closer” wasn’t acknowledging he was a little shaky. Would you have let the kids resolve if a pitching change needed to happen? What if that or another questionable coaching decision had cost the team the game? Would you have been willing to let a kid own the responsibility of blowing the championship for his team after taking actions that he’d never, ever practiced before?

Like so many life situations: In the end; no-harm, no-foul. It sounds like you rightfully had real confidence in this team and the outcome worked out well. One idea for future: Why not let the team manage itself during the “regular” season or the last game of the “regular” season? Or always have kids coaching the bases?

I defer to the wisdom of the one HSBaseball webster whose hilarious posts have made me snort coffee out my nostrils.

I'm incapable of holding a grudge, and this one's already passed.

Happy Thanksgiving, bballdad175!

You have upset the baseball gods, and you must be punished.

quote:

Woody you are truly an amazing person a gift to this website. On the surface you are a hilarious person but when the time is needed you drop some profound philosophy on us. This is a great post and thank you for it.

Love your posts Woody.

quote:

So for better or worse, you and the team were under-the-gun. What if your team had been up one run going into the bottom of the last inning to face the meat of their line-up and your “closer” wasn’t acknowledging he was a little shaky. Would you have let the kids resolve if a pitching change needed to happen? What if that or another questionable coaching decision had cost the team the game? Would you have been willing to let a kid own the responsibility of blowing the championship for his team after taking actions that he’d never, ever practiced before?

Like so many life situations: In the end; no-harm, no-foul. It sounds like you rightfully had real confidence in this team and the outcome worked out well. One idea for future: Why not let the team manage itself during the “regular” season or the last game of the “regular” season? Or always have kids coaching the bases?

I can say that these are some of the thoughts I had myself. It was a quandary of sorts - I wanted to let them make mistakes, but not really big ones. I wanted them to learn - but not the "hard way". It worked out in this case, but it might not always.

I did discuss things with them in the dugout during the game. If I thought they had made a bad strategic choice, I told them how I would have done things differently. Hopefully they better understand now why we make some of the decisions we do during the game.

I think next season I may work in letting them occasionally coach the bases during games. If they don't know when that might happen, it will probably keep them a little more focused on the game - or not. They are 12 years old after all.

Rob T: That further info makes sense. You were guiding them along, not just sitting in dugout, reading your iphone.

I'll echo your sentiment and what others have said: Anything that gets the kids to think about the broader game, while having fun ... hard for that to be bad.

GotWood.

That was a beautiful post. Sarcasm, anomosity, and impertinence seems to be the way these days.

You are old school.

It's all about forgiveness. Keep the faith, GW4S.

Wow!! First time I've ever put somone on the "ignore" list. Congratulations.

quote:

Originally posted by Swampboy:
bballdad175,

Let's get this straight.

I wrote a serious post that began and ended with support for the original poster's action but offered him something else to think about.

You flamed me with a totally sarcastic and demeaning post.

I called you out.

And now you think my short fuse is the problem and the fact that you "didn't quite care" for one of my phrases justified your original rudeness?

What a jerk!

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Thanks Bum. And to others too.

And you're right about me being old school. Our school board met last week. Top agenda item? Debating whether or not to allow one of those new fangled machines into the school building. All of this new technology...coming at us so fast.

I feel for our school board. They've got a tough decision to make. What do you think Bum? Should we let this scamper into the school? What's next?






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GW4SALE,
Wow! Totally caught me off guard with that one...
Your wild and wacky posts amaze me at times and you are so even keeled. Very nice post and a happy Thanksgiving to all!

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Thanks IB. As for being even keeled...growing up I didn't know any different.
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Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours as well.




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quote:

Originally posted by bballdad175:
Wow!! First time I've ever put somone on the "ignore" list. Congratulations.

Well, Gotwood, I tried.

But if he won't reconcile and can't win, I guess going away is the best option he has left. Doesn't have to be that way. Oh well.

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Fancy another slice of turkey Swampy? White or dark? And sorry, I already have dibs on the drumsticks!

You've got the spirit...enjoy the day and the folks who have gathered. They're all precious.

And that boat, the one moored to your plate and laden with gravy. Lift anchor and send it my way!



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I just reread the title of this thread. I think we know someone who is both crazy AND genius.

Been married to the guy for 27 1/5 years. He never ceases to infuriate me and make me laugh. Sometimes at the same time. But that heart of gold doesn't tarnish. Ever.

Giving thanks to all of you. Every single one of you. This website has been a godsend for this family. Can't imagine life without it, and truly wished we had discovered it much earlier than we did. Thank you, Julie, for keeping it going and keeping us safe.


So as I'm just about to mash 20 pounds of potatoes (for the extended family of 20 who will gather today--yes, there will be leftovers but by the time the sun rises tomorrow, they will be GONE), I give thanks and praise for you, your families, and your loved one.

Happy Thanks Giving.

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Gee thanks honey...the laughter part comes easy. The infuriating takes a little more effort.

I want everyone to know that there are two hearts of gold at the helm of our family...and her's is bigger, hands down!

But she has me a bit nervous. Everyone knows things are tough. Money is tighter than Krak's belt following his feast.
I noticed this ad she clipped...
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'


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Maybe a little tarnish isn't such a bad thing. Keep the customers from buying..no?



I love you dear...thanks for doing all of the peeling and mashing.




...with you!
...and your scrumptious mashed potatoes!

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Had the in-laws, grown kids, grandkid and displaced friends of other kids over. It was a two-turkey feast, and the gravy boat displaced enough that you'd need a license to operate it.

Much to be thankful for.

I have to go to Northern California week after next. If bballdad175 wants to patch things up, I'll finance the west coast beer summit.

Appreciate everything you do on this site, GW.

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You're welcome Swampboy. I'm truly pleased to hear from you about what a great and grateful day that you and your family had.

Gotta' love those gravy boats...and beer summits aren't too bad either!




.

quote:

Originally posted by BOF:

quote:

Originally posted by Rob T:
My wife said the general consensus in the stands had the moms loving the idea and the dads hating it.

Have you ever asked what those dads are saying in the stands during the season.

I never realized how stupid coaches are until I got out of the dugout and sat in the stands with parents.

quote:

Originally posted by gotwood4sale:
.

"...let it go the way of the pet rock?"

I let go of my pet rocks once...never found them again. I was crushed...3" minus to be exact. It was all very innocent. I hadn't a quarry in the world. A sunny, pleasant afternoon...perfect day for a stroll down by the river with my twin rock hounds, Gneiss and Schist. We found a nice, but crowded spot along a slow stretch of the river. I let them loose so they could metamorph for awhile...what could possibly go wrong?

The heartbreak didn't take long. I was distracted for only an eon by either a meteorite or an asteroid that emblazoned the bright afternoon sky overhead as it mocked the earth's feeble gravitational pull. Well Gneiss, being full of mica and chlorite, was a natural leader and Schist, plump with platy material, was a follower. I looked up at the fiery display and poof...they were both gone. Skipped out on me.

I looked and I looked, I whistled and I whistled. I chiseled and I chiseled. I even scattered their favorite snacks about, dried algae and lichen brittle, but to no avail. I know it is cliché, but really...they actually do all look the same.



They're now among their fellow rocks. Free to sit there for a few centuries or more, hopefully enjoying the company of the rock next to them. Their only escape being they are attractive enough to lure someone to pick them out as a paperweight.



.

I had a pet rock when I was younger. It was really cool. When I walked towards it, it got closer to me.

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Animal magnetism?




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Here's what anyone would use to walk their pet...




Here's what I used to walk my pet rock...



Oddly enough I only used it once.




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