Here we go...T-ball

Lucky you. Around here, no one is allowed on the field without a county coaching card, signifying having cleared a background check. Only approved coaches are allowed to help these days. Everyone else is guilty until proven innocent.

Sigh.

P.S.

How do you play with only 8?

Yeah...I bit the bullet and volunteered for my daughter's coach pitch team. I gave the same speech.

We picked up a 9th player tonight. We can field a full T-ball team. Whoa!!!

I will never forget my younger son's first T-Ball game eleven years ago. He's playing third base (two outs) with a man at first. The ball was hit to right field and the runner rounded second and tried to make third.. the throw was off line and picked up by my son.. he dove back to the bag and made a boom-boom tag on the man sliding into 3rd. "You'rrrrr out!" cried the umpire.

That's not my point.

The opposing coach began arguing the call. Our coach joined in. Beak-to-beak name calling ensued, and parents began rushing to the field. The umpire got into the middle and called the game before violence resulted. I sat in the bleachers, dumfounded by it all. True story, and it was only T-Ball! It was then that I realized.. welcome to the World of Baseball!

quote:

....Beak-to-beak name calling ensued, and parents began rushing to the field. The umpire got into the middle and called the game before violence resulted. ......and it was only T-Ball!

Amazing isn't it? I'm so thankful that I've got a great group of parents this year that are willing to help and for the most part sit in the bleachers, enjoy the game, and cheer for good plays.

I still remember one time years ago I got suckered into reffing a young kids hockey game. Most of them could barely skate anyway and were just out there having fun. The parents, however, seemed to think it was the seventh game of the Stanley Cup.

If you want fireworks attend a girls HS softball game

quote:

Originally posted by Bum:
The opposing coach began arguing the call. Our coach joined in. Beak-to-beak name calling ensued, and parents began rushing to the field. The umpire got into the middle and called the game before violence resulted. I sat in the bleachers, dumfounded by it all. True story, and it was only T-Ball! It was then that I realized.. welcome to the World of Baseball!

I had a similar experience on my son's coach pitch team. While sitting on the bucket, I calmly told the umpire (a HS kid) the correct ruling on a a foul ball. (He had hustled to get into position and was maybe 5 feet from me.) The opposing coach went ballastic and told me to step out in the parking lot so he could show me the "correct call". The entire time I sat on my bucket in amazement...laughing at him.

Ah yes T-Ball AKA Organized CHAOS. This is some of the most fun and most aggravating time I ever had. Some coaches get so into it like game 7 or there is a scout around every tree looking for little Johnny and all he wants to know is who brought the snacks or who is he riding with to the pizza party. LOL Best of luck keep reminding them this is a game and it's supposed to be fun.

I shared the following plan with my assistant coaches.

Goals for each practice:

1. Practice them for one hour and make them as tired as I can so they "WANT" to go to bed that night.

2. Have the kids leave the field with a smile on their face.

I have 3 parents committed to coach with me. The rest said they would rather watch, but will be happy to do the other stuff (snack, drinks, pictures, etc...).

It was wierd, and I dont know if this is right or wrong. I brought my son (HS Soph) to a hitting pro tonight - I could see something wrong with his swing but couldnt figure it out. The pro spotted it immediately and he had a good 30 minute session with him - cost me $25 - they give a discount to HS and above players.

Next to him in another cage was a 6 year old who was working with a "squish the bug" guy charging $70 for the full hour.

Part of me thinks its good to learn right the first time but this kid was 6. I think the kid had more fun watching my son then he did "playing" the game.

I believe in proper training but at what age?

My son can still remember back to those days because one of the moms made the best brownies you have ever tasted

I think it is good to have a multitude of experiences. My 17 y.o. LHP-son has played for over 50 teams. Some were hack coaches, some were pros, some were college guys. As time progressed, he learned from them all and learned to remember the good and throw out the bad. Now, I think he is qualified to coach this game.

A few of his high school teammates have played for only one or two coaches. I'm just not sure if they will be able to adapt as easily as my son at the next level. Not to say they won't, just not sure.

But T-Ball? I miss it. Sunshine, candy, and 17 errors per inning.

Larry Thompson -

Seems like you in for a good season!

Parents to help out on both sides of the chalk makes it a whole lot easier and enjoyable for all...

When I coached t-ball, and any other rec league age group for that matter, I had only 2 objectives...

1.) Make it so much fun for the kids that they signed up next season!- to me this is the scorecard of a good coach at this level and requires lot's of patience and encouragement...

2.) Teach them what I could fundamentally - everyone always improved fundamentally...