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9 replies

Just Play?

bsbl247bsbl2471,000+ posts
I've seen my kid go thru the ups and downs of this game. I've had him with hitting coaches, I've purchased baseball mental books (including Mr. Dorfman's book), I've stayed away from him and let him do his thing, and I've worked with him in the garage hitting on the tee...

I've seen him tear it up, and you could see the swagger and added confidence on the field. And I've seen the lack of confidence, and a very uncomfortable kid in the box...

So, when do we say "Just Play"? We all want the best for our children. What do you do with your son? Or, for those parents that have gone thru this, what did you do back then? Any help on this Roller Coaster ride is appreciated! Smile
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TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
My suggestion from experience is to leave him alone.
He's young, it's normal, the mental aspect of the game takes a longer time for some to develop than others.
We all want the best for our kids, but we have to take a step back and let them work it out, and it eventually comes together, this comes with maturity. Be patient.
bsbl247bsbl2471,000+ posts
I'm sure you're right TPM. He's obviously still maturing, and I need to relax...and like you said, let him work it out. I'm working on that as a dad!

His team had a scrimmage today, he went 1-3. He went yard in his second AB on a 3-2 fastball. But went down swinging on three straight change ups his last AB. I guess this is part of the maturing process? Wink
observer44observer441,000+ posts
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Always looked at it this way...

Left the baseball, the mechanice to those who knew the game better than I did, but I was not about the leave their brains, and their emotions to others, to MTV, or to chance...without some real influence

My function as a dad was not to create a world class baseball players, but world class human beings...a solid functioning human beings who could look at options, consider alternatives, work their way through situations and take responsibility for their actions on the field, but more importantly off. Baseball was the perfect labratory for that. We could work and did work through the challenges and options together.

Without experience, myopic, self centered it is hard for young men to see options, choices consequences, and long term. Frankly most coaches didn't know my son's brains as well as I did, didn't know their background, their tendancies, their developmental curve like I did. And frankly most didn't have the time or the inclination or the patience to help mold his thought process like I did. I was not there to solve their problems but to help them with perspective and options. And let them make the decisions, including mistakes and failure as they learned from that. IMO that is the most important role that we as parents have.

44
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ClevelandDadClevelandDadHSBBWeb Administrator
quote:
Originally posted by observer44:
.
Always looked at it this way...

Left the baseball, the mechanice to those who knew the game better than I did, but I was not about the leave their brains, and their emotions to others, to MTV, or to chance...without some real influence

My function as a dad was not to create a world class baseball players, but world class human beings...a solid functioning human beings who could look at options, consider alternatives, work their way through situations and take responsibility for their actions on the field, but more importantly off. Baseball was the perfect labratory for that. We could work and did work through the challenges and options together.

Without experience, myopic, self centered it is hard for young men to see options, choices consequences, and long term. Frankly most coaches didn't know my son's brains as well as I did, didn't know their background, their tendancies, their developmental curve like I did. And frankly most didn't have the time or the inclination or the patience to help mold his thought process like I did. I was not there to solve their problems but to help them with perspective and options. And let them make the decisions, including mistakes and failure as they learned from that. IMO that is the most important role that we as parents have.

44
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Oustanding as always!
bsbl247bsbl2471,000+ posts
44-

Good stuff, thank you. It's always refreshing receiving advice from yourself and the other parents that have been on this journey.

I feel like I'm trying to fulfill a similar role that you did, but obviously having to learn quite a bit as I go. More importantly, my son is a great kid, and a very hard worker on the field and in the classroom...he'll be okay!
WklinkWklink500+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by observer44:
.
Always looked at it this way...

Left the baseball, the mechanice to those who knew the game better than I did, but I was not about the leave their brains, and their emotions to others, to MTV, or to chance...without some real influence

My function as a dad was not to create a world class baseball players, but world class human beings...a solid functioning human beings who could look at options, consider alternatives, work their way through situations and take responsibility for their actions on the field, but more importantly off. Baseball was the perfect labratory for that. We could work and did work through the challenges and options together.

Without experience, myopic, self centered it is hard for young men to see options, choices consequences, and long term. Frankly most coaches didn't know my son's brains as well as I did, didn't know their background, their tendancies, their developmental curve like I did. And frankly most didn't have the time or the inclination or the patience to help mold his thought process like I did. I was not there to solve their problems but to help them with perspective and options. And let them make the decisions, including mistakes and failure as they learned from that. IMO that is the most important role that we as parents have.

44
.


Outstanding statement.

My only advice would be to remind him that he is out there playing a game and that ultimately it really doesn't matter what happens at the plate. The fate of the world doesn't depend on him getting a hit or not. You love him and care for him and his baseball play won't make a bit of difference either way.

When he gets anxious just remind him that he is out playing the greatest game in the world and that the only thing he should worry about on the field is whether his shoes are tied and his uniform is straight. The rest of it should be just for enjoyment.
Last edited by Wklink

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