Passion

I hear ya, BP... our son sat the bench yesterday during a tournament game that "didn't matter" (already won our pool anyway) while kids played who "don't get the chance to start". The same boys who miss games - heck three have missed whole tournaments! - to go to football conditioning, basketball camp, amusement park with friends, birthday parties, etc got to lose the game for us. Fun. And then we have to tell our son to keep a good attitude - where are the baseball players? On a team of 14 boys - all 15 and 16 year olds who should be thinking about the next level in their playing days - we have four real ballplayers who genuinely care about doing their best EVERY game... whoever heard of telling a team that "this game DOESN'T MATTER?" Bases loaded... one out... we have a chance to pinch hit a player who's batting nearly .600. Do we do it? No, we let the kid bat who stayed home last weekend cuz his buddies were all going to ride the roller coasters. GRRRRRRRRR!

Here's the ironic part - the team that beat us, our only loss of the tournament, also the best team we've seen thus far, by beating us got the wild card bid. Guess who they play today... you got it! Us! We had a chance to knock them out, but since it didn't matter, we let them live to play another day.

I know, it's only a game. But it's also a big part of our sons' lives.

quote:

What the heck is wrong with kids these days

NOTHING! I see it differently. Different strokes for different folks. Baseball is a sport and any sport is a OPTIONAL activity as it should be. I have an older son that NEVER played baseball. He had the ability to play baseball but he chose not to. He is just as passionate about being in the military as my youngest son is about playing pro baseball. Why do kids have to be passionate about OUR sport? Should my sons be passionate about my sport(s)? I don't think so. It just so happens that our local newspaper did an article today on me and one of my passions --- fishing. Article

quote:

What the heck is wrong with kids these days?

The level of committment depends on the athlete.
One or two bruised/smushy apple(s) don't ruin the bunch, in my eyes.

I know plenty of kids who are 100% dedicated. They eat, sleep, dream, and breath baseball.
I have a tendancy to focus on those kids, rather than the other.

Those that are not passionate are pretty easily weeded out these days, in my opinion.
Not always,...but usually.

quote:

I love baseball. I've always loved baseball. When I was a kid, we'd get up, go outside and play baseball. If we had three kids, we had a game. If we had 12 kids, we had a game. We played with wiffle balls, baseballs, tennis balls, racket balls, snow balls.

....me tooo! Those were the days!!!

But even back then we had a kid or two who got too tired/hot, jumped on their bike and sniveled headed home early. ( leaving an empty position to be usually filled in by my dog!- ha!
" Rinda SIT girl,..sit on second base! Goood girrrrrrrrrl!!! Now, STAY! " )

There is, and always has been, a mixed level of passion in the soup pot.
We're just looking at in now through " adult " eyes.
The picture seems different today, but probably isn't really.

I agree with Fungo.

At 14-15-16 years of age - you really begin to see the difference between the players that have a true passion for the game - and those that dont.

And that is natural - part of the weeding out process.

The overwhelming majority of kids are done playing baseball by age 18 - and by 20 - percentage wise - virtually none are left.

You can't teach passion - and you cant buy passion.

Just like you cant teach or buy the determination of Joe Frazier or Cal Ripken.

You either have it - or you dont.

And that is alright IMO - it is just a game.

quote:

Originally posted by mythreesons:
I hear ya, BP... our son sat the bench yesterday during a tournament game that "didn't matter" (already won our pool anyway) while kids played who "don't get the chance to start". The same boys who miss games - heck three have missed whole tournaments! - to go to football conditioning, basketball camp, amusement park with friends, birthday parties, etc got to lose the game for us. Fun. And then we have to tell our son to keep a good attitude - where are the baseball players? On a team of 14 boys - all 15 and 16 year olds who should be thinking about the next level in their playing days - we have four real ballplayers who genuinely care about doing their best EVERY game... whoever heard of telling a team that "this game DOESN'T MATTER?" Bases loaded... one out... we have a chance to pinch hit a player who's batting nearly .600. Do we do it? No, we let the kid bat who stayed home last weekend cuz his buddies were all going to ride the roller coasters. GRRRRRRRRR!

Here's the ironic part - the team that beat us, our only loss of the tournament, also the best team we've seen thus far, by beating us got the wild card bid. Guess who they play today... you got it! Us! We had a chance to knock them out, but since it didn't matter, we let them live to play another day.

I know, it's only a game. But it's also a big part of our sons' lives.

Wow, this is scary stuff, IMO. So is biggerpapi's post.

You feel because you have passion for the game, that every red blooded young man in america should feel the same way?

What's with thinking about the next level at 15,16? You know what, I know players that were not all about baseball at 15,16 and now professional baseball players. So you are implying that unless you want to go to the next level you have no business being on the team?

mythreesons, you are implying that your sons team lost the game because your son sat on the bench? Be careful, someday, as your son advances, there might be some player who is better than he thinking the same thing.

Even the most dedicated players need to ride roller coasters once in awhile. Kids are kids, of course they want to do other things but PLAY baseball and they should.
Feed the passion but never force it

Not everybody loves the game or even sports. I believe we all have a different level of passion with the game and how important it is. The thing that bothers me the most, is the commitment and not just with sports. This falls mostly on the parents and their beliefs when they raise their kids. When I was raised and I joined any team, school committee or organization, for whatever event it was, I made a commitment to the team, to be there, period, barrring a sickness, death, academic or another emergency and Jimmy-Joe's birthday is not an emergency.. Commitment is now just a word and no longer a action. That is why there are so many "Flakey adults" these days. I see it business, and socially. Many do not complete or follow through with their commitments and if the parents don't why would anyone believe their kids would. That is the joy of sports,it not only teaches one to become athletic but teaches commitment at least it used to.

Good Luck to all

Lcl


For the kids who care it still teaches committment


The problem is that parents have kids involved in TOO MANY things--there is not enuff time to be fully committed to them all

biggerpappi
that could have been me, writing about my story of life. i also understand fungos point of view, and the passion is the point.it really doesn't matter what they love. if they have the passion and love of it, we should as well.it is fun to see our kids enjoyment.
i'm assuming your son is younger say 15 to 17? when you have been through the process once, you'll have a different outlook the second time,or when you look back you'll be able to see what was really important. at least i found it to be that way.
i find kids today to be more tolerant of others than we were, don't make fun of the odd kid like we did. they for the most part don't seem to be as driven as we were? how many kids would go find a travel team to play on? or think of working to pay for it? i didn't get chuck taylors till i save my paper route money, then it took some time to save the 6 bucks. kids today seem ok doing their own thing without worrying what people think. take a good look at these kids, they'll be taking care of us in a few years. it's a different world than it was in the sixtys, i'm not so sure it's better though.

I agree with all who say that not every boy (or girl) is going to be 100% committed to any one thing... but why is it parents feel their child needs to do EVERYTHING? Why do they need to play football, basketball, baseball AND s****r, all at the same time, when obviously they can't do justice to any of them when they are spread so thin.

And no, I wasn't implying that we lost the game because my son sat the bench - we lost the game because ALL the better players sat the bench while the boys who have too often chosen to be somewhere else got "their chance". So while the rest of the boys were there at every game, every practice, learning the signs, practicing fielding and bunting and baserunning, these guys were off doing other things that were more interesting to them... and it shows in the way they play. All I'm saying is let them go do whatever it is they want to do and leave the game to those who really want to play. These are kids who are feeding their parents egos by being 3, 4 and 5 sport "athletes" when in reality they can't all be all that good at everything they do.

We've been doing this for a long time, and we've obviously noticed that this is the age (13-16) when kids start to weed themselves out. However, when the PC attitude creeps in and coaches feel compelled to play Johnny just because he shows up, even though he missed the last six games, kids are far less likely to make that decision. Not so many years ago that player would have found himself watching the game from the bench. But now, mom and dad have forked over big bucks for son to be on the team and they feel entitled to see their boy on the field whenever they feel so inclined to grace you with their presence. That doesn't help anybody.

It has always been simple for me----you don't practice you don't play ( provided no reason is given in advance for the abscence)


Trust me it works

Oh, I think there's plenty of kids out there playing baseball at all levels with passion. We have a poster who's son rehabbed from labrum surgery just to end up having to have TJ surgery this year missing the draft both years because of his injuries -- passion! I saw another poster's son play a minor league game today who's battled an illness which didn't help his BA this year at all, but he continues to work his tail off -- passion! I saw a former HS teammate of my son's last night at his minor league game and the kid was drafted in some 40th something round. He sat out last night, but he's out there working as hard as the kid's who went in the first round -- passion! My son was recognized at a camp this summer he was working, by an opposing coach who used him as an example of a kid who has talent but got to pitch very little, but continued to contribute to his team in many ways -- passion! It's all around the parents of HSBBW because it's what our son's love -- whether it be playing, coaching, or just enjoying the game in some way after they have hung up their cleats. I think we're a very lucky group of folks myself as I feel blessed to get to witness the passion of baseball with lots of folks!!

OK, so let me get this straight. Those kids should be punished for not playing because they participate in other activities?

Does the coach have rules regarding showing up and playing time? If his rules allow those to participate in other things and not be penalized you need to go play for a coach who just wants their players to be involved in baseball.

What are you going to do someday when your son plays for a college team for a year or two and then a transfer shows up and takes his place? Are you going to tell your son that is unfair, because he put in time with the team when the other player didn't?

I'll bet you told your son after the game his team lost because the three best players (your son included) didn't play.

You are not the only parent who has seen this happen. It happens all of the time, everywhere, every level.

Sit back and enjoy the time your son is playing instead of stressing over times he and the best kids on the team aren't.

You may not understand this now, but someday you might.

http://www.jacksonsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20...PORTS/707080320/1006

Blatant self-promotion...........

Naw, nice article, Fungo!

FO,

Not only was it a really good article - but that Fungo is one "stylin" bass fishin dude.
Looks like he is about 30 years old.

I give Fungo another 3 or 4 months - and we are going to see him in Hollywood.

<-----Fungo, after catching a basketfull of 5 pound large mouth bass

Hey Fungo,

Next time you are down on the west coast of florida look me up and I will take you out on the flats for a day of redfishing!

"My best day fishing is going to be my next one," Bell said. "Every day is going to be good. I've never had a bad day fishing."

Now substitute "baseball" for "fishing" and you'll see why Josh has had success in the game (though my guess is he'll probably admit to one or two bad days playing)

Passion gets trumped by attitude.

Biggerpapi
The passion you are talking about is the same that I used to live in my childhood. I understand your point. At the same time I think that the difference with our kids times is that we, parents, (with the best intention) are too much involved. We want to be their coaches, we want to rule their games, we make the decisions for them, we have transported our home to the field, and we have transformed the game in an obligation. I don't remember seeing my father or any of my friends parents around when we were playing in the empty land. We collected the money to buy tape to repair the balls when broken, we were our own umpires, we were our own coaches, we don't needed or wanted an adult around. Was funny, and for that reason we loved to play, was a freedom and was not any other activity capable to apart us from the game. I understand that times have changed, there are not too much empty lots available, now it is not safe for kids to be by them self relative far from the house. Must of the time, kids, one house apart in the neiborghood, doesn't know each other. Whatever the reasons are, now is different and we have to live with it. The good part about it is that now our kids can be teached at very early age from people with real baseball knowledge , somethingh that in our days was almost impossible.

"Kids are not as dedicated, not as hard working as when we were young..."

Don't know how old you are but when I was teenager (late 60's) my peers were not hard working or playing sports they were sitting around smoking pot and doing acid!

quote:

Originally posted by Fungo:
It just so happens that our local newspaper did an article today on me and one of my passions --- fishing. Article

That's mah boy Fungo!!! He's smiling because he's reflecting back on the enjoyable evening with the Beeze.

Regarding the "passion" discussion; TRHit hit it on the head...some kids can't attend every game due to their parents. My son missed a tourney this spring because his mother wanted him to take time off to go on the family vacation.

quote:

Originally posted by Tiger Paw Mom:
OK, so let me get this straight. Those kids should be punished for not playing because they participate in other activities?

Punished? Were they being punished when they were riding the roller coasters? Cuz they didn't play in those games either. I don't see it as a punishment but as a natural consequence. At the level we're suppposedly playing (boys who are entering their junior year of high school who say they want to play on their high school team and possibly go on to play in college) these boys should know what it means to commit to a team. We don't play 24 hours a day or even 7 days a week - there's plenty of time for kids to do other things. But when it's a choice between the game with the team that you committed to and your girlfriend's pool party - the choice should be obvious. And if you choose otherwise, you - and your parents - shouldn't be surprised or upset to find that there is a consequence to that choice.

Does the coach have rules regarding showing up and playing time? If his rules allow those to participate in other things and not be penalized you need to go play for a coach who just wants their players to be involved in baseball.

We were told that this team was exactly that - boys who are only playing baseball. Parents lie - kids lie. That's the sad fact of life. "Oh, no... he's not doing football this year". Until the season rolls around... Are there rules - sure. Don't lie about your summer commitments when we sit down as a team in December and agree to 6 pre-determined weekends of baseball. Don't choose to do something else because it sounds like more fun. Simple rules of honesty and being true to your word.

What are you going to do someday when your son plays for a college team for a year or two and then a transfer shows up and takes his place? Are you going to tell your son that is unfair, because he put in time with the team when the other player didn't?

I've already had two boys play college ball, so that experience is not new to us. And I never said I was unhappy because a better player was playing ahead of my son - I was disappointed that our coaches chose to allow the whining of the parents to affect their decision about who was going to play that particular game. I doubt that any college coach is going to play a less skilled, less dedicated player ahead of my son - or anyone else's for that matter - just to keep the parents from complaining. But maybe your experience tells you otherwise. Our college experience has been that the coach tries to put the best team on the field every single day. The best players play.


I'll bet you told your son after the game his team lost because the three best players (your son included) didn't play.

Wrong - didn't have to tell any of them what happened. They're all smart enough to see it for themselves, including the kids who did get to play. As is frequently the case, the kids are way more realistic about how they match up to the rest of the team than their parents are. Three of those boys didn't even show up for the next day's games... I wonder why?

You are not the only parent who has seen this happen. It happens all of the time, everywhere, every level.

Sorry, I don't agree. In Little League, sure; rec ball, probably, but I don't believe that at every level of the game you'll see the better players ever on the bench so other's can "get their chance". Not in baseball, not in drama, not in journalism, not in music, not in the working world. The best players play - period. And every game matters. Every day matters. Otherwise why play? And let me add this - we do have several players on the team who are not starters, but they are at every single game and every single practice. I absolutely believe that those boys should get opportunities to play. They've earned it through their dedication to the team. Conversely, if the BEST player on the team was skipping games, I would feel that he should sit the bench as well. To me, loyalty, character and honesty are the most important lessons to be learned from team sports - the actual game is secondary.

Sit back and enjoy the time your son is playing instead of stressing over times he and the best kids on the team aren't.

You may not understand this now, but someday you might.

I am aware that your son has reached a level in baseball that most never will, including my first two and more than likely my third as well. However, that doesn't mean that I don't value what this thread was originally about - passion. Whether it's passion for baseball or whatever else might be important to a child, parents should try to, as one poster said, feed that passion. Teach your child that being the best at whatever you do means sacrifice, dedication, time, hard work. Maybe in the end you won't ultimately be the best of all, but you'll be the best YOU can be. Instead we're seeing a generation of kids who do everything but are good at nothing , other than sitting in the SUV being ferried from one activity to the next, usually watching a DVD or playing video games in the car to fend off boredom. Meanwhile pop is bragging at the office about Junior, the six sport athlete. Jack of all trades, master of none. They wouldn't know passion if it walked in the dugout and shook their hand.

quote:

They'll whine about pitching because of a slightly sore arm.

My son, who was out for almost a year and a half because of growth related injuries finished up summer ball this weekend. He pitched 4 innings on Tuesday throwing only about 40 pitches. His longest previous outing was 3 innings although his pitch count had gotten up in the 50s once. He played about 4 innings in left on Thursday. He started the championship game on Saturday and went 6 innings throwing 75 pitches, but he had already thrown 68 pitches before going out for the 6th inning. He went to left field to keep his bat in the lineup. His arm was fine while he was pitching but he didn't tell the coaches his elbow was hurting when he warmed up in left. The game went 11 innings and he stayed out there. On Sunday we went for some BP and his elbow hurt just taking a practice swing. I checked for medial epicondylitis and for UCL damage. My guess is serious UCL damage. I'm calling to set up an appointment with a top elbow doc the moment their office opens this morning.

Do you know where I'd like to stick passion and your comment right now?

All right, look, this wasn't a personal attack against CADad's son. I'm sorry he's dealing with this injury.

This also wasn't meant to imply that every boy in America should love baseball.

I'm talking about 14 year old "elite" travel baseball. A team that should have players who strive to play baseball in high school. A team that has 5-6 players that look like they should be able to play DII or higher in college. A team that has already had a professional scout ask questions.

And yes, when you are on a baseball team of this caliber, you have made a commitment. Maybe I should have titled this Commitment instead of Passion. The team takes precedence over Six Flags, graduation parties and girlfriends.

UCL damage is serious. Muscle aches are not. Our shortstop this year took spikes to the shin and top of the foot twice. Catchers take a beating. You pull hammys, groins, etc.

Quit ducking under curve balls and quit jumping out of the box like a little girl when a fastball comes inside with the bases loaded. Wear it. Get on base.

So, no offense to kids with serious injuries. No offense to boys who like things other than baseball (except s****r) But if you're going to play serious baseball as a teenager, you'd better do it right.

Never thought it was personal, just wrong. Way too many people out there are telling kids to play through pain in games that really don't mean anything. How do you or anyone else know if the kid who is "whining" about a sore arm has a serious problem or something minor?

CASon's coaches probably should have pulled him earlier, they had a couple more strong pitchers available but I can't blame them. He told them he was fine and wanted to go out there. He's the one who didn't tell them his elbow was hurting when he went out in the field.

The problem is the kids have had it shown to them over and over that if they complain about pain they'll sit not just then but in the future so they hide it and they tough it out and they destroy their arms. The HS program has already had two 15yo, both of whom threw through pain come down with UCL problems in the past year and he may be the third. Last year's pitcher who came down with the UCL problem threw 7 innings in the same tournament last year after having only thrown a max of 3 innings previously and then went out and played short the day after pitching. He kept throwing in pain until just before the regular season when he was finally diagnosed with a partial UCL tear and was put in a brace for 6 weeks.

quote:

Instead we're seeing a generation of kids who do everything but are good at nothing , other than sitting in the SUV being ferried from one activity to the next, usually watching a DVD or playing video games in the car to fend off boredom. Meanwhile pop is bragging at the office about Junior, the six sport athlete. Jack of all trades, master of none. They wouldn't know passion if it walked in the dugout and shook their hand.

Wow,....
While I'm sure you believe this to be true, I get disturbed when someone generalizes all kids into one category. ( ie: generation)

I invite you to come to Kansas and take a look around our town. Not many are indulged here. There are of course some, but they are not the majority. We have a huge population of military kids from military families. We have a large population of kids who are from farming families.
A large, and I do mean large, majority of kids work a job ( both summer and during school ), go to school, AND play sports. Some of them play multiple sports at the 6A level. Many go on to college and play sports at that next level, also. ( so I think it would be fair to say they are doing something right. )

I was born and raised in the Bay Area of California. I was an indulged kid as a child. I know what its like to be one, so I can understand where you are coming from. But I am also here to tell you that there are plenty of kids who are working their fannies off,..who are bustin' their rump to try and do it all. And there are many who are doing a darn good job.

I get your point. I have seen it. I have lived it, but my own children have not.
I am here to tell you that I do not belive it is a generation thing. I believe it happens,..but not everywhere.

Our hometown had the highest percentage of HS enlistments to join the US military forces ( with a war going on ) than ever before.
Those teen age kids are the same kids that you are lumping into your

quote:

Jack of all trades, master of none. They wouldn't know passion if it walked in the dugout and shook their hand.

category.

In this generation, there are kids who are finding a way to make a difference.
I see them every day and I am in awe.
I'll be the first one to brag in the office about these kids,............. anyday.

And I'll also offer to be the first one to invite ya to come on down for dinner.
Perhaps we can take a walk and I will do my
" darndest " to show you a different side.

The side of hard working, dedicated, passionate kids these days.
They do exist.

They truely do.

Yep, making generalizations is unfair.

I see way too many kids with passion, drive, ambition. They will be our future leaders and then there will be the rest. Just like it was a long time ago and as it is now.

Think my 3 sons is disappointed in the coach. Who changed his position on playing time or team philosophy from what was told to my 3 sons when they signed up.
There are kids who want to focus on nothing but baseball and there are select teams out there for them and a parent should know going in what type of commitment is required when signing on.

observation ... & btw, don't shoot the messenger

noting their self-described team make-up ...
the teams talked about by m3sons and b'papi are by definition "not elite teams" -
perhaps expectations should just be adjusted



trying to be helpful .. as always

wtg fungo

These kids are 14! JMO, there is NOTHING wrong with kids having multiple interests at 14. I think you have passion and commitment confused

Mine had other interests, he had passion and we taught him commitment, he didn't live and breathe baseball until he went to college. He had lots of other interests, worked and even like going to Six Flags or Disney World, the beach, etc. in the summer time. That's what summers are for, IMO.

That didn't mean he didn't have passion. I strongly believe that his other interests at 13, 14, 15 are a main factor in where he is today. His coaches at 13,14,15 allowed for other interests. My son played on a team where every pitcher had to be there. He played on another team where you didn't have to show up every game. One summer he joined a team but went away for two weeks to visit family and then joined the team late summer and played. In your opinion, he should have not have had the opportunity to do so.
Parents whine for different reasons, they whine when their kids don't play, they whine when coach doesn't play the best players to win the game, they whine when their dedicated players (who you drive) are there every practice while the other players (who are also being driven) are out doing other activities.

You guys are whining.

In summers my son plays on his high school Legion team, but at certain points takes time off to go to camps or showcases or to join tournament teams, or even to take a family trip.

The coaching staff is very flexible about the summer schedule, and I think this is wise. They just ask that when the league schedule and playoffs kick in full force, that we all stay put. Perfectly reasonable, and it allows for kids who are prospects to go get their exposure, and kids who want to go on a family vacation to do that too.

And when the regular starters are gone, it gives the other kids a chance to get regular at bats.

I mention this because the coach of a neighboring high school legion team approaches it completely differently. He has scheduled 55 games in 47 days, and required every kid to sign a contract saying he would not miss a single game except for illness or injury.

Most of those games have no impact on league standing - they are just local weekend tournaments and arranged games agaist other high school legion teams.

I asked one of the mothers, whose son is a likely prospect, what the coach says about how to get kids exposure if they have to play with their legion team every single day. The coach told her he was "doing everything he could" to get scouts and colleges to the games.

Right.

There is a balance to be struck, I think, in the summer. It can't be only baseball all the time, and there should absolutely be flexibility for those kids who are trying to get exposure to do so without risking getting kicked off the summer team.

Balance and perspective .... is it that hard to accomplish?

quote:

Originally posted by itsinthegame:
FO,

Not only was it a really good article - but that Fungo is one "stylin" bass fishin dude.
Looks like he is about 30 years old.

I give Fungo another 3 or 4 months - and we are going to see him in Hollywood.

<-----Fungo, after catching a basketfull of 5 pound large mouth bass

They are looking to replace Fred Thompson on "Law & Order".

quote:

Bell calls Lake Graham a well-kept secret.

Past tense, I guess.

Loved that article, Dad04 is right, Lake Graham no longer a secret!

It's been a fun spring putting faces together with the names, Fungo, CD, SDBB, Jerseydad, Prepster, floridafan.

I like the original points, but why then do they undedicated play? Guys that are dedicated, should play more than the guys who skip practice, and do other stuff. Not all the time, but its almost like what Willie Randolf did to Jose Reyes- and I agree with that move completely...

One poster above noted that perhaps we should differentiate between passion and committment and I think he is right

You can have committment without a dying passion for whatever it is you are doing---sign up to be part of the team and you have a committment--that is your duty once you sign on

I do not think you can have passion without committment---they, for me at least, go hand in hand

quote:

Originally posted by TRhit:
One poster above noted that perhaps we should differentiate between passion and committment and I think he she is right.

And I agree that if these are "elite" travel teams, it shouldn't matter who plays and who sits.

If it's the coaches fault, blame the coach not the parents or the kids.

TPM


Excuse me !!!!!!!!

I dont think biggerpapis point was to target anyones kid,or what they do,or if they are hurt.I think he is suggesting that alot of kids dont take baseball as seriously as they once did,which I guess might be true.

Thats a large generalization though.Times have changed.School is A LOT more important now,I mean honestly,have you see the scores you need to get into a respectable d1 school?Most kids enter a state school like Oklahoma University with a 28 on the ACT,and I believe a very high GPA.Thats for a state school.The bar is set much much higher now a days.Transcripts are another thing.The more activities,the better.Keep that in mind.A lot of kids work now,too.

Baseball is fun,keeps me and my peers occupied most anytime were not at school,practice,or work.We still play.NEVER FORGET,baseball is just a game.Play it for fun,the moment you are forced to play it by someone like a religion,is when you cross the line.Parents shouldnt force baseball upon their kids because they enjoy it.

quote:

Originally posted by TRhit:
TPM


Excuse me !!!!!!!!

You are excused!

Futurecatcher,
Very good post.
When my sons senior summer and fall came around he was working when he was not playing baseball (in teh evening). When coaches called and we told them he was delivering pizzas and be home by such and such time they were really impressed. His head coach toldm e one night that if son could go to school and maintain a great GPA, play baseball and work he certainly could handle the rigors of college baseball. Don't think it impresses college coaches so much that your son had been playing since they could throw a ball.
Some folks beleive that at 13,14,15,16,17 you need to be on the field all of the time (not doing anything else) to go to the next level. This is NOT true. I have seen just as many kids who were "field rats" at that age lose interest, get hurt and kids who never played "elite" teams or anything other than HS ball go beyond. That way of "thinking", IMO, is along the same lines as those parents you speak of who have their kids in 3 different activities. It's teh same thing.
Let your kids be kids, if they enjoy being at the field, that is fine, but don't put down others who want to go do other things and claim they have no passion. My son didn't play on "elite teams" during summers when he was 13,14,15. He went bowling or played golf or basketball, went to the movies and swam everyday. And every night when he came home he never missed a baseball game on TV, sometimes watching 2 or 3 games going on at the same time. That's passion, IMO.

And amazingly, he made it beyond HS.

Guys that are dedicated, should play more than the guys who skip practice, and do other stuff.

Back when . You did not skip practice or a game. You know the old fashioned concept of commitment. As a high school coach I had a rule that if you were going to miss practice or be late you had to let me know. If you did not you would not play. My starting second baseman a senior missed a saturday practice did not call. He did not play Monday. No big deal. that is the way it was. I talk to parents who complain that their kid goes to every game every practice on a team gets some time when Johnny or Joey is on vacation or misses to find themselves on the bench when they return. What do you tell the kid. work harder. that gets old real fast.