The chemistry on my team is pretty good (13U). However, I have one player that is struggling at the plate. He is doing other things to help the team. He has pitched well and played great OF and C.
But when he has a bad at bat he very negative in the dugout. he is a hot head. it is starting to effect the other players on the bench.
Any thoughts on how to handle the situation.
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I've told a player who really got down on himself, "the pathway to success requires challenges that don't go our way. Without that, we can't achieve an understanding of how to improve. Learning what not to do is often more valuable than luck that results in getting away with a mistake. How we handle our emotions can help or hold back our improvement. Also, angry emotions displayed whether on the field or in the dugout, will always help the opposing team feel more confident and bring down your team's confidence. Our displayed negativity will result in their displayed positivity. Keep negative emotional outburst in check. After a poor at bat, return to dugout, do not throw helmet. Angry outburst will be viewed as weakness by the opposing team.
Body language screams. It can scream out weakness and can also scream out, I'm bullet proof no matter what happens. How would you like to be viewed?"
Maybe a little time on the pine to let him think about it is the first step. You cannot condone his behavior by letting him stay in the game. By doing that you are an "enabler" and it will only get worse.
You could try this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2P4mg-nUfI 
While I think keeping negative emotions in check is a good idea, sometimes we need a mechanism to flush that frustration out of our system. The player needs to figure out what that is -- something short of beating the crap out of the gatorade cooler. Good luck.
The bench? From OP it sounds like the kid does not take his at bats out on the field with him.Thats the big battle .If he is then thats different.sounds like he needs someone in his corner.Has he always been this way?Is there something else going on with this "13 year old"?
The Bench is the only discipline that works. Just tell him the limit and if he breaks it (ie throws helmet or bat, drops curse words.. bench him... do it every time for every player... if that does not work, then nothing will and he will be a Cancer for every team he EVER plays for
The bench? From OP it sounds like the kid does not take his at bats out on the field with him.Thats the big battle .If he is then thats different.sounds like he needs someone in his corner.Has he always been this way?Is there something else going on with this "13 year old"?
That is certainly a good point. My kid is approaching 13 and sometimes you can't figure out what the heck is going on. I guess getting "old" at 13 sucks just as much as it does at 40.
If you can, video tape one of his outbursts and then play it back for him later. Ask him if he would want that guy on his team?
