I agree with Fungo about the College parents creating a bond. In HS with my two boys, I always watched the games from off to the side and stayed away from the gang who gathered behind the plate.This year in college was a time where most of the parents bonded together, as the team went on an all time losing streak. I went and watched two of the local high school games this year and stood right behind home plate. My oldest son is the pitching coach and the team won their league, so I did not hear any complaints the 2 times I was out there.
quote:Generally speaking I would say better players have better parents
quote:Your son is on his own and the coach really does not care who you are or where you are from. He does it on the field and if he does not there will be somebody in his place.
Important points from Fungo, Will, and my personal observations, as well.
A long, long way from daddy ball..................
Nice thread.
Better players have better parents? Does that mean smarter kids have better parents too? What if a good player happens to be not so smart? What does that say about the parents?
What I think is this.
People are people everywhere and there are all kinds.
What I think is this.
People are people everywhere and there are all kinds.
In the words of the great philosopher skunk (Flower's father in Bambi)...
"If ya can't say somethin nice, don't say nothin at all." (...probably didn't get that exactly right cause my Bambi days are way behind me, but you get the point.)
But isn't it funny how some people think that saying something nice grants license for criticism, constructive or otherwise. While it's usually difficult to receive any kind of criticism of our children (at any age), and impossible to know the heart of the individual speaking this blasphemy, time reveals trends, leading to understanding of intent.
Time (and error) have taught me not to mix it up with other parents taking a cheap shot at one of mine. It isn't about defending (or building) my child's stature, but rather the certain knowledge that when you piss with a skunk, you come away smelling bad. I've learned to smile, shake my head and walk away.
"Train up a child...": Teach them, support them, admonish them, love them. Let that be our focus. What someone else would have others believe about them will take care of itself.
"If ya can't say somethin nice, don't say nothin at all." (...probably didn't get that exactly right cause my Bambi days are way behind me, but you get the point.)
But isn't it funny how some people think that saying something nice grants license for criticism, constructive or otherwise. While it's usually difficult to receive any kind of criticism of our children (at any age), and impossible to know the heart of the individual speaking this blasphemy, time reveals trends, leading to understanding of intent.
Time (and error) have taught me not to mix it up with other parents taking a cheap shot at one of mine. It isn't about defending (or building) my child's stature, but rather the certain knowledge that when you piss with a skunk, you come away smelling bad. I've learned to smile, shake my head and walk away.
"Train up a child...": Teach them, support them, admonish them, love them. Let that be our focus. What someone else would have others believe about them will take care of itself.
My '06 SS from our travel club comitted to a California D1 school on a full ride. First, I hear there is no way he got a full ride because schools don't give them out. True, it is uncommon but he did. The next thing I hear is why did he chose that school if SC, Fullerton and Long Beach St. were after him.
Our other '06 SS/P comitted to a Big West school. He was recruited by the same school our starting SS was. He was offered 3/4 by them but chose the Big West School which gave him tuition and books. Then I hear, he should have gone to the first school since ethey offered more. There is always something negative our of each of those positives. I just look at the source I am hearing it from take it for what is worth. Both players made each choice bases and what is best for them but still some will have something bad to say. I find it amazing.
Our other '06 SS/P comitted to a Big West school. He was recruited by the same school our starting SS was. He was offered 3/4 by them but chose the Big West School which gave him tuition and books. Then I hear, he should have gone to the first school since ethey offered more. There is always something negative our of each of those positives. I just look at the source I am hearing it from take it for what is worth. Both players made each choice bases and what is best for them but still some will have something bad to say. I find it amazing.
Believe it or not, some people have their own money and they go to school where they want to go, rather than where "they" say he should go.
In the case of the first player, his family could never afford to send thier son to college. He chose the place best for financially, academically and baseball wise. He said it felt right there. The second players has the means to pay for college. He made his choice based on the coach but he also chose the school he felt most comfortable. the people that I hear negative comments from are from players/parent not be recruited or have a history complaining. The players on our team all support each and are truley friends. The is no bit of jealousy in our players or parents.
As for Jemaz's comment, better players have better parents, that is so true. I had a conversation with one of my HS players at practice one day. I mentioned to him that most of the best players are the ones that never complain, thier parents are quiet and tell thier kids to do what the coach says. He said he never realized it until I said it. He went over our team it was so evident. The best players had parents that only supportive or the players could tune out thier parents. The kids that made mistakes all the time listened to thier parents about them being better than the rest, complained about the coaches it was never thier fault. It was an eye opening thought for the player. One other player heard our conversation. He chimed in with his dad tried tell him things he needed to. He got tired of it. So he told his dad to leave alone and let my coaches coach me. HE didn't buy into what his parents were telling him. This kid is being recuited by D1 schools.
As for Jemaz's comment, better players have better parents, that is so true. I had a conversation with one of my HS players at practice one day. I mentioned to him that most of the best players are the ones that never complain, thier parents are quiet and tell thier kids to do what the coach says. He said he never realized it until I said it. He went over our team it was so evident. The best players had parents that only supportive or the players could tune out thier parents. The kids that made mistakes all the time listened to thier parents about them being better than the rest, complained about the coaches it was never thier fault. It was an eye opening thought for the player. One other player heard our conversation. He chimed in with his dad tried tell him things he needed to. He got tired of it. So he told his dad to leave alone and let my coaches coach me. HE didn't buy into what his parents were telling him. This kid is being recuited by D1 schools.
I've met a lot of "jerks" and some very good parents/players, too. However, in the high school setting, there does seem to be a lot of "competition"...and not all of it is on the field...some of it occurs in the dug-out and/or stands.
I was interested in some of you suggesting this "competition" may abate during the college years. I wonder if that may be because most players/parents recognize college will be as far as their baseball skills will take them.
I was interested in some of you suggesting this "competition" may abate during the college years. I wonder if that may be because most players/parents recognize college will be as far as their baseball skills will take them.
kb2610
I have my own theory as to why there is less of this at the college level (which has been my experience too).
A whole lot of parents who thought their kids were the next coming of Babe Ruth in hs are no longer in the baseball picture. The coaches did not agree with their rose colored analysis and their playing days ended with hs.
While I believe the "better players have better parents" theory is a bit too simplistic, I do think there seem to be less of the "jerks" as you move up.
There are a handful of really bad parents with really good players though. But hey, how would we ever get the eye rolling exercises that are so necessary to living a fruitful life without them.
I have my own theory as to why there is less of this at the college level (which has been my experience too).
A whole lot of parents who thought their kids were the next coming of Babe Ruth in hs are no longer in the baseball picture. The coaches did not agree with their rose colored analysis and their playing days ended with hs.
While I believe the "better players have better parents" theory is a bit too simplistic, I do think there seem to be less of the "jerks" as you move up.
There are a handful of really bad parents with really good players though. But hey, how would we ever get the eye rolling exercises that are so necessary to living a fruitful life without them.
Better players DO NOT have better parents. How can anyone even think this could be true? Better kids have better parents frequently, but not always.
Some of the best players I know have parents who are intolerable. And lots of parents whose kids stopped playing long ago are great. Others whose kids never get in are even better.
What if you have an older son who was a star and a younger son who never plays? Does this mean you all of a sudden became a poor parent?
Some of the finest people I have ever met are those with handicapped kids. Not a one of these kids plays baseball worth a ****. Does this somehow make them a bad parent?
Some of the best players I know have parents who are intolerable. And lots of parents whose kids stopped playing long ago are great. Others whose kids never get in are even better.
What if you have an older son who was a star and a younger son who never plays? Does this mean you all of a sudden became a poor parent?
Some of the finest people I have ever met are those with handicapped kids. Not a one of these kids plays baseball worth a ****. Does this somehow make them a bad parent?
quote:Better players DO NOT have better parents. How can anyone even think this could be true?
jamez, I agree! That statement, when taken out of context, is so far fetched that I’m surprised anyone would even suggest that athletic ability and parenting were related. I’m not real good with English composition so I can understand how you became confused with my sentence structure.
When I made the statement I was not speaking about parenting skills, I was speaking specifically about the topic of “negative compliments” and specifically about the comments made by baseball parents about other baseball players. If my dog gets into my garbage I tell him "BAD DOG"..He sulks off and hides. My neighbor has a Pit Bull. I call him a "Bad Dog" too. same words..different meanings...
I’ll rephrase it. The parents of the more skilled players are less likely to criticize the less skilled players creating a better atmosphere around the ballpark.
Question for sgvbaseball:
If Schools can't make offers until July 1 to 06"s, how did these two players get offered a full ride and a 3/4 ride?
Not looking to argue, just curious.
H-1
If Schools can't make offers until July 1 to 06"s, how did these two players get offered a full ride and a 3/4 ride?
Not looking to argue, just curious.
H-1
Fungo
Love your explanation. I agree with it totally. The fact that I nderstood what you meant to say the first time (albeit in an odd way) makes me feel like I have known you for years. But then again, I guess I kind of have.
Jemaz is right, some of the best players have parents who are intolerable. So did some of the worst players, and it is those who are gone at the next level. Therefore, there are fewer of the intolerable parents.
Some of the worst players have great parents, whom we miss as the years progress and they are no longer in the picture.
Love your explanation. I agree with it totally. The fact that I nderstood what you meant to say the first time (albeit in an odd way) makes me feel like I have known you for years. But then again, I guess I kind of have.
Jemaz is right, some of the best players have parents who are intolerable. So did some of the worst players, and it is those who are gone at the next level. Therefore, there are fewer of the intolerable parents.
Some of the worst players have great parents, whom we miss as the years progress and they are no longer in the picture.
quote:If Schools can't make offers until July 1 to 06"s, how did these two players get offered a full ride and a 3/4 ride?
Coaches can offer any time. It's contact which is initiated by the coach which is restricted prior to July 1.
Hokie, A school can make an offer before July 1, but they can't call the player. What often happens is a player knows of the interest and contacts the school themselves initiating a meeting/conversation. Then, if a player is one a school really wants, they may go ahead and make an offer.
We had a player last year do this. He didn't want to go through the recruiting process, knew some schools that wanted him, so he took it into his hands early. Committed before July 1, but of course couln't sign until in November.
We had a player last year do this. He didn't want to go through the recruiting process, knew some schools that wanted him, so he took it into his hands early. Committed before July 1, but of course couln't sign until in November.
Hokie,
lafmom explained the situation perfectly. Here in Califoria there has been quite a few '06 players that have committed already. The players took the lead when they found out schools were interested in them. Schools made thier one alotted call to the respective '06 player and let them know their interest. For each player, the two schools made the one allowed on campus visit with the player. After this, the players visited the campuses a few times and made regular calls to the coaches.
This year the NCAA sent a memo this year stating in April schools were allowed one phone call and in May one on campus visit with an '06 player.
lafmom explained the situation perfectly. Here in Califoria there has been quite a few '06 players that have committed already. The players took the lead when they found out schools were interested in them. Schools made thier one alotted call to the respective '06 player and let them know their interest. For each player, the two schools made the one allowed on campus visit with the player. After this, the players visited the campuses a few times and made regular calls to the coaches.
This year the NCAA sent a memo this year stating in April schools were allowed one phone call and in May one on campus visit with an '06 player.