Dad agent: Losing control of the situation

There's a lot of truth in what you said RJM.  I've seen several examples of it myself.  

 

I just don't understand people.  

 

There's definitely been a shift. The problem begins with the fact that parents spend money as the kid comes through travel ball. This gives them - to a degree, rightly - some say in how things are done. Shift ahead to high school.

 

It used to be that once your kid was playing high school you handed the kid over to the coach. If you didn't like things, tough. No amount of complaining was going to help. In fact, few parents got involved inhow the program was run because it was understood. However, back then, we never paid a dime to play high school sports. Today, there are fees, fundraisers, uniform costs, etc. It can be just as expensive as travel ball. Because of that, parents continue to think they have a right to control how the program is run. Further, since the program relies on parental financial support, either by fees or booster club activities, those parents do indeed have a say. Don't like the coach? Go to the AD and demand he be fired. Twenty years ago, the AD would have just told such a parent to go pound sand. Today, he pretty much has to listen.

RJM, I respect what you're saying but I think you're over generalizing. I believe situations vary & many people can have very good reasons for choosing travel over local rec ball. I have in fact acted as my sons "agent" when he was younger & have no regrets. The last year my son played local league was 10 yes old with around 120 kids in the 9-10 age group. My son had no issues with playing a "good position" or where he batted in the line up. He was at a point some of his buddies opted for travel & he wanted to go along. I had issues with politics in the league; "daddy ball". Did not affect my son directly but lots of cases of better kid not getting position due to a coaches sons playing ahead of them. Result was not playing best kids in positions. Coaching was a crap shoot; get lucky sometimes and other years were horrible. When my son made the transition it was a struggle at first but he became a better player by better competition within the team and others we played. Still had politics involved so we found another team. Two more tries and we found a good fit. It wasn't about my son playing a certain position; he's been versitle enough he's always been more of a utility infielder. Pitching has always been his strongest suite & he's now a PO with school team. This summer he's back in his role as a utility infielder/Pitcher and loving every minute of it. As far as Legion goes; school does it but encourages them to find a travel team. Can play travel only or do Legion also & will work around schedules. Has to turn in travel schedule & keep coach informed of innings pitched & number of pitches thrown. BTW, never missed hearing parents complain about where their kids played, playing time, etc. For the record; I never coached or helped coach a team.

Billy ... My post had absolutely nothing to do with rec versus travel.

Sorry, guess I misinterped. Read the comment about signups and playing for one team (rec ball) in the second paragraph.

Agent?....how about nutritionist, financier, chauffeur, trainer, back up contact holder, head laundry guy, school grade cross-checker and sunscreen manager.

Good post, RJM.  Had to chime in on this one.  For those of us parents who have had kids at the highest levels of baseball, there is one inside joke.  Maybe some of the travel parents will get the joke, maybe some won't.  The joke is the vast majority of players who are "stars" at the younger ages never make it to these higher levels not because of physical ability but because of lack of work ethic, or, in the excellent example you give, what's right between the ears:  Lack of mental toughness.
 

Our family is new to travel so a good deal of this stuff was forigen to us until this year. Didn't see the point in small field travel but now at 13 the boy really wanted to play travel so we switched to it. So after the first practice coach comes over and introduces him self to me. Had not seen him since tryouts three months earlier and thought he just wanted to catch up. He said he asked my boy what position he played and my boy said any where you want me. Coach said that was a good answer and he appreciated it BUT what position did he play. He looked completley shocked when I said any where you need him. Didn't really understand the coaches supprised reaction till tournaments started and I got to hear the grumblings about positions from both my teams parents and other teams parents. Now 5 tournaments in I'm starting to hear the grumblings about playing time. Including a mother that pointed out to me my son has played every minute of every game (due to the fact he plays multiple positions). I couldn't help myself I just smiled and said yeah I think the coach just likes him more. Hahaha

Great analogy RJM.

 

Son played with a player from our area that was on 4 different HS teams and up to now 3 college teams.....Now I would say his dad is a SUPER agent Dad. 

The kid I cited did three colleges in three years. He went to two JuCos in two years and barely got on the mound. Then he somehow got himself recruited by a ranked D2. He had an 85 mph fastball but no command and no composure. He threw meat. He was on the fall roster but not the spring. I think he's done with baseball now.

Not just a baseball or sports thing.