Back when my son was in high school I asked the coach how he determined who would be the designated captain for the game. All this player did was take the lineup to the plate and review ground rules. It was an honorary thing.
The coach alternately chose starters who he knew would pay attention. He added during the game everyone knows who the leaders are. It's the two most talented players who are vocal and the two most talented quiet kids who lead by example.
freddy77 posted:On a hardworking team, do you reward the hardest workers, or sanction the least hard workers? Or just leave well enough alone?
Ahhh, finally. A question with some real meat on it. I think it depends on whether you think you are getting the most out of them. Are they capable of more? Or are your efforts and focus needed more elsewhere? Or, does that particular group or some of those individuals need continued push on all fronts? Or, do you have a group that is in a place where they will be better off if you just roll 'em out and let 'em play?
Generally, the coaches that are with them every day for 2-3 hours have a pretty good idea. Sometimes, not.
...here we go with today's day and age. Give everyone a trophy!
How is this not like the Ohio State coach giving out buckeye helmet stickers for great plays, hard work, etc. As the season goes on, the players and fans and coaches directly see on the helmets who is producing best for their team. Yes, some of it is subjective but that is the coach's prerogative.
Today's parents are insane. I paid my money, I deserve the same. Like an earlier post said, that is fine for LL but welcome to HS baseball and beyond. The coaches at this point have the right to play (and reward) those producing best. Some players dont get equal playing time (or any at all) or the leather belt in this case. LMAO.
Extremely hypothetical example of how that would work out at our home.
My son - "Dad, I didn't get a leather belt. "
My response - "W...." (he interrupts)
My son - "I know. I know. Work harder!"
End of discussion. That's been my standard answer since he's starting playing.
I see no issue with rewarding kids who put in the extra effort. Once you reach HS is should no longer be a trophy participation sport. Kids who excel and try harder should be rewarded. All of us over the age of 40 turned out ok and we were not provided participation trophies and in most cases the kids who worked harder or had more talent were rewarded in some way.
freddy77 posted:On a hardworking team, do you reward the hardest workers, or sanction the least hard workers? Or just leave well enough alone?
I say both. They aren't mutually exclusive.
Two thoughts on coaching: If you want to see it repeated, praise it.
And if you're not correcting it, you're encouraging it.
My son is expected to work harder because that's what we teach don't need no trophy.
hshuler posted:Extremely hypothetical example of how that would work out at our home.
My son - "Dad, I didn't get a leather belt. "
My response - "W...." (he interrupts)
My son - "I know. I know. Work harder!"
End of discussion. That's been my standard answer since he's starting playing.
drop the mic...
I'm 99.9% sure this is how the conversation would really happen:
Son - "Dad, A, B, C & D were awarded the leather belt for outstanding hustle and leadership.
Me - "That's awesome! Did you congratulate them?"
Son - "Yes!"
Me - "Good because you should always be happy for others when good things happen if you expect the same in return."
Son - "I know."
End of discussion
....and sorry for the boring script but it's all I got.
You would think with the season being right around the corner that a post about handing out leather belts would not be the most active thread.
On a serious note, could the other kids go out and purchase their own leather belt or is that prohibited?
Grindneverstop posted:My son is expected to work harder because that's what we teach don't need no trophy.
You never praise him? You never tell him you're proud? You never withhold when expectations are not met or chores are not done? You never set boundaries and then extend when earned? Lots of different ways to go about it. I do plenty as a coach to bring criticism from some parents. I fully accept it as part of the job. It is one of the ultimate "can't please everyone" situations. I can't even begin to understand this being such an occasion for any parents.
We should rename this thread "The Leather Belt". Then it would REALLY take off 
It's good to highlight who the hardest worker of the day, or week is ... Praising the work ethic can encourage belief in the process,, and this will lead to consistency and results in games.
Grindneverstop posted:My son is expected to work harder because that's what we teach don't need no trophy.
"Good job out there kid, that hard work is really paying off"
I used to coach one of my son's youth travel team in a pretty good organization (although our team wasn't great). Flat chemistry with low energy with zero leadership being shown the prior year so the coaches wanted to come up with some things to get kids to invest.
My first thought was to vote on captains and have and maybe have few of the harder working kids who showed some leadership simply run stretches and runs. Seemed like a no brainer. You would not believe how many parents got wind before we even took a vote and tried to shoot it down saying that it would be "unfair" to the kids who were not elected captain. One said I was doing it for my son (rigged I guess?). I did it anyway and got a bunch of emails because of course my son and an assistant's son were elected by the kids (because they were the best, most well liked and hardest working I assume). We rotated a few other kids in later in the season and it seemed to work. Louder dugout and more investment in the games.
I also wanted to do helmet stickers which some have mentioned. We happened to have the same name as a great ACC college football program so I was able to get some sweet stickers online. I set criteria for getting stickers--multiple hit games, extra base hits, key play, great pitching work, great practice day, unselfish play etc. Each game I made notes and handed out stickers at the next practice. At the end of the season, yeah some kids had a ton and some had just a few. I tried to come up with excuses along the way to hand them out and it was still uneven, just like the talent on the team. No kids had any issue with this to my knowledge. Of course, the parents would send me emails about this, which I ignored. One guy apparently left over the helmet stickers..(which was fine by us as he was gone anyway). A few years later we are playing (and murdering) his team where his kid plays SS and bats first, of course, and I notice that they have helmet stickers and his son has about twice as many as anyone else. No joke.
Next year the Mike Matheny letter went out with commitment letters. No problems after that until I stopped coaching.
Point being this is the society we live in this is how parents see things. You cannot ask them for permission or let them run your team.
This leather belt thing is really bothering me. To begin with, leather belts are really durable, actually keep your pants up better and only cost around $10 bucks. The typical elastic belt costs about $7.99 and might last a season before it frays, the buckle breaks or the plastic end rips. Just seems like the leather belt should be $25-30 based on the quality of the good. I can't think of another product where the disparity in quality is so different but the cost is only 25% more. Mind boggling....but as for the coach that recognized his hard working players with a tangible, albeit inexpensive reward, I like it.
in little league I gave the player of the game from the previous game this belt to wear. You want to talk about some PO'd parents. I only had one kid big enough to wear it. He stunk as a player but boy did he look good in that belt.
Its a belt, we are talking about a belt, not an actual game but a belt!!!
Boy do we need the season to start.... ( just joking about the LL stuff)
Your name on a line up card. The staff's praise for a job well done. Your performance when the lights were on which was created by your work ethic when they were not. The respect of your team mates and Coaches. The Jersey you get to wear. The privilege to compete on this team. That is your reward for doing what is demanded of you to do. IF there are people who don't reach the level of expectations that are required to wear that jersey they won't need a belt. They can sag in the stands or parking lot.
Everyone works hard. Everyone is held to the same standard on and off the field. Some will exceed those standards. Their reward is knowing they have done that. Our reward is they are an example for others to follow and reach even higher. If a non leather belt player scores we get 1 run. If a leather belt player scores we get 1 run. If a non leather belt player strikes out we get an out. If a leather belt player strikes out we get an out. We have all paid the same price to have the privilege to represent our school, community and family. Some have paid a higher price but we have all paid the price to be worthy. Those who have not are not with us.
We all look alike. We wear the same uniform. No one can see a difference. We all run as hard as we can. Some just run a little faster. We all play as hard as we can. Some can just play a little better. Be we all see the same thing. My brother who paid the same price I paid to be a part of this. I am not a leather belt and your a plastic belt. We are all the same.
If a Coach has players that don't work hard and they still wear the Jersey then he needs to take off his belt because he doesn't deserve it. If a coach only has 4 players that will work hard enough then he has failed them they have not failed him. If a coach only has 4 players that are worthy then give them a uniform that is exactly the same and work hard to properly build a program that 5 would want to play for the next year. And when he gets 9 he will have a team. JMO
Well said Coach May!!!
cabbagedad posted:Grindneverstop posted:My son is expected to work harder because that's what we teach don't need no trophy.
You never praise him? You never tell him you're proud? You never withhold when expectations are not met or chores are not done? You never set boundaries and then extend when earned? Lots of different ways to go about it. I do plenty as a coach to bring criticism from some parents. I fully accept it as part of the job. I can't even begin to understand this being such an occasion for any parents.
We should rename this thread "The Leather Belt". Then it would REALLY take off
Nothing will surpass the thread title "Two Coaches in Heat". At least for me.
I knew this would get a lot of replies..... In college, I would switch my leather belt for a cloth one because it was more comfortable.....just sayin'
