Three times this year, from three different kids, I've heard this comment. Each time, they used THOSE EXACT WORDS. And, these are kids playing on the big field. Here's the some background on the situation and the kids:
First time: Middle School baseball game back in May. Pitcher is getting hit hard and is removed from the game. As he is walking off the mound, he says, out loud, to none one in particular, but loud enough for those close to hear, "I don't even like baseball." Background on the kid: From the age of 8, his parents have worked every political angle and pulled every string possible to have him play every inning of every game on his travel team, be included on his LL all-star team every year, and have him make the school team. He's not a bad player. But, he's between average and a little better than average. His parents talk about him as if he's the best player in town and ignore the fact that everything that he's "earned" is because they set it up for him to happen. Kid does acts like he's entitled when on the field.
Second time: July "optional" practices for the H.S. team. Player was on the team as a freshmen. He skips every July practice except the last one. (He's a rising sophomore at this point.) He shows up for the last practice and makes a joke about "only coming today because I thought we were getting pizza." When questioned about why he didn't show for any of the other practices, he says "I don't even like baseball." The kid does have potential as a pitcher. He's wild. But, he throws very hard for his age. He does have a reputation for being a hot head on the field. He's been benched at times because of it. He comes from a baseball family. His dad is really into it and both his younger and older brother play and they all have talent.
Third time: November BP inside a training facility. Player is a man-child. At the age of 13, he's six-one and 195. And, it's not fat. He looks like an elite NFL tight end. And, this is when he just turned thirteen. As a player, he can really drive the ball - especially against lesser competition. In the field, he's lazy. He hardly runs hard and never slides. Defensively, he treats fly balls like they are live hand grenades. It's an understatement to say he's a butcher in the field. While in the cage taking BP, he's half-assing it and goofing off. When asked "What are you doing?," he laughs and says "I don't even like baseball."
At this point, some would say: "So, what? It's not your kid. Mind your own business and don't worry about others." But, I find it curious that kids who are playing at this age would make statements using those exact same words.
Is that just a statement used as an excuse to wash away poor performance? By this I mean, is it the kid's way of saying "Yeah, I failed. But, it doesn't matter because I don't care. I don't even like baseball anyway." Or, is it something else?
Personally, my son knows the players from July and November. He said that they have also shared, at times, that they are only playing because "my mother (or father) is making me do it." And, I know the parents from the May situation. It would not shock me, AT ALL, if they were forcing their kid to play baseball against his wishes - especially at this stage, after they have been pulling strings and setting things up, for the last seven years.
So, are the kids making this statement as a way of filing a protest that they are out there against their wishes?
You all are around baseball kids. How often do you hear someone say "I don't even like baseball"? Have you ever heard someone old enough to play on the big field say it? Why do you think they would say it? And, how often do they soon hang it up and get out of the game that they "don't even like"?
