The cream will rise to the top if someone doesnt spoil the cream first. All too often it gets spoiled when put to the test. And way too often spoiled by someone who means well and really cares. Baseball is not a sprint it is a marathon. There will be tough times. It can make you better or it can destroy you in the game. The people around that player can either help him understand that these trials are all part of the race or they can end that race for the player. Too many kids are told "I cant believe your not playing in front of Bobby". "That coach is an idiot". Instead of saying "Just keep working hard son". "Give him a reason to put you in by working your butt off in practice and keep a good attitude your time will come". I understand it can be frustrating to parents when their children are not getting what they feel they deserve or they want for their children. But in my opinion the way we handle it is going to go a long way in determining how they are going to handle it. JMHO
To me it's pretty simple, coaches are human and they're going to make mistakes. Some kids are just more likable than others and coaches will play favorites, they can deny it till they're blue in the face but it's true. We ALL do it!
But; most coaches know way more about coaching baseball than the folks doing the whining, and the folks doing the whining are generally the ones who are not playing key positions or not playing at all. The folks that love the coach and think he's the greatest ever are the ones who play key positions and play a lot. The people that praised the coach to no end because the team revolved around their son were the same people who said the coach was an idiot 5 yrs later when the next son wasn't quite as gifted and didn't get the same treatment.
But; most coaches know way more about coaching baseball than the folks doing the whining, and the folks doing the whining are generally the ones who are not playing key positions or not playing at all. The folks that love the coach and think he's the greatest ever are the ones who play key positions and play a lot. The people that praised the coach to no end because the team revolved around their son were the same people who said the coach was an idiot 5 yrs later when the next son wasn't quite as gifted and didn't get the same treatment.
IB,
Well said. I know my opinion of coaches varies with my son's playing time.
I've also been in the unenviable position of having an injured player so I've had to judge coaches based on how they run practices and how they treat the other players. I'll just say they're human.
Coach May,
I believe a more honest thing to tell your kid is "Keep working hard, you may never get a chance, but if you don't work hard you can be sure you won't get a chance."
Well said. I know my opinion of coaches varies with my son's playing time.
I've also been in the unenviable position of having an injured player so I've had to judge coaches based on how they run practices and how they treat the other players. I'll just say they're human.
Coach May,
I believe a more honest thing to tell your kid is "Keep working hard, you may never get a chance, but if you don't work hard you can be sure you won't get a chance."
Let me start off by saying this is a very interesting thread. I'm a mom of a freshman player. After the team's first scrimmage he came over to me and told me he didn't think he would be starting player because he made too many "mental" mistakes and the coach told him he can't "handle" mental errors. I told him that my best advice was to take advantage of the opportunity when he gets in the game and earn the spot back. Show the coach he deserves to be in the position and line up.
He's worked hard and has become the starting shortstop and #4 batter. He was also pulled up to Varsity and told they will call him back up when Regionals roll around. This was his hard work.
I've seen kids on this team sit game after game. I've seen kids pulled from games because they missed a signal. I've seen kids who started the season as a starter, now sitting the bench. I've questioned decisions in my mind, but NEVER outloud to the coach or in front of my son. I think coaches try hard, however, they want to win. After all, who doesn't?
He's worked hard and has become the starting shortstop and #4 batter. He was also pulled up to Varsity and told they will call him back up when Regionals roll around. This was his hard work.
I've seen kids on this team sit game after game. I've seen kids pulled from games because they missed a signal. I've seen kids who started the season as a starter, now sitting the bench. I've questioned decisions in my mind, but NEVER outloud to the coach or in front of my son. I think coaches try hard, however, they want to win. After all, who doesn't?
CaDad I see your point thats fine if that is what you want to say. But to me Im not ever going to tell a kid he is never going to get a chance. To me they get a chance everyday in practice and everytime they step on the field. And if I thought for one minute they were never going to get a chance because they were not going to be fairly treated. I would go somewhere that I thought they would be. But I do see your point and that is fine. I also think that these last few posts are some of the best I have read on this site.
We've got to remember that this is a new experience for the players and the parents. Most, truly don't know what to expect or how to handle adversity for probably the first time. It is those that can handle it that become better for it. MDbaseball10 your son handled it. Not everyone is going to be a star but there is probably a place and a roll on the team for almost everyone. I don't believe in a no cut policy though I do understand it. It means so much to a kid to be part of a team even if there is only minimal playing time. My wife a few days ago wanted to get pictures of all the kids on the team and had to ask a few to pose near or around the dugout. She was so impressed with one kid who was just overjoyed to have his picture taken as part of the TEAM. That image will always stick in my mind when I am upset about an error, a strikeout, playing time whatever it may be it is not about the parents, the coaches but IT IS ABOUT THE KIDS AND THE TEAM.
Coach May,
Nothing wrong with your approach especially if you have some control over who plays and are willing to reward hard work. I just wanted to make the point that there are rare occasions where hard work doesn't pay off in terms of playing time.
Nothing wrong with your approach especially if you have some control over who plays and are willing to reward hard work. I just wanted to make the point that there are rare occasions where hard work doesn't pay off in terms of playing time.
Reading all this, I am just relieved that my son's HS coaching staff is not anything like what so many parents here have described.
