PLAYER APPEARANCE = MEXICAN STANDOFF

me thinkum sound strange bad medicine

The coach is the boss.

It's a good opportunity to teach junior about picking his battles and things that are truly important in life.

5 years from now he'll have a different haircut that doesn't matter anymore and for the rest of his life have missed playing HS baseball.

He can be right or he can be happy, pick one.

quote:

He says he will get an academic scholarship any way so he won't cave.

He may find it is harder to play summer ball if he goes all spring without playing when his summer teammates are getting reps in. If he's thinking he'll play college ball, what will his answer be to "why didn't you play HS ball"? I bet no college coach will touch him if the answer is because I didn't want to get a haircut. I agree with CPLZ...time for the "pick your battles, you won't be the one dictating answers for the rest of your life" talk

Well seeing that you asked for opinions... Here's what I think.

What if the college coach tells him to get a hair cut. What if the Yankees draft him and tell him they want him to get a hair cut?

I'm not saying he should cut his hair, but there are coaches who don't want their players to have long hair or wear jewelry. (I was one of those coaches) Whether that is right or not would be another discussion all together.

In this case, it looks like he is going to have to give up something. If it were me it would be the long hair, but that is not anyone's decision to make except yours/his, unless you want to take it to court. If that happens, usually everyone ends up losing something. (except for the lawyers)

If the hair is more important than playing high school baseball, some will not understand that.

My son's college team will not let him grow facial hair. You know what he does? He shaves. It's time to grow up.

And what in the world does a junior high record have to do with anything? Our best pitcher in junior high was a stud his freshman year, was moved to varsity his sophomore year. Got rocked his junior year and did not play baseball his senior year because he never had to work at his game before and it wasn't worth the effort to him. Sounds like you are enabling him to be a prima donna far before his time.

quote:

Originally posted by Tx-Husker:

quote:

He says he will get an academic scholarship any way so he won't cave.

He may find it is harder to play summer ball if he goes all spring without playing when his summer teammates are getting reps in. If he's thinking he'll play college ball, what will his answer be to "why didn't you play HS ball"? I bet no college coach will touch him if the answer is because I didn't want to get a haircut. I agree with CPLZ...time for the "pick your battles, you won't be the one dictating answers for the rest of your life" talk

Pretty much what I said but I can't get him to cave.
He has been approached by another HS coach who say come here and play I don't care what you look like but would require moving 50 miles.
Wants to go to college to be a doctor says he would rather try to walk on than give in. he is playing
about 40 travel games plus practice 3 times a week.

Or he could just try out for the softball team and fit right in. Of course, all the softball girls I have seen put their hair up or wear it in pigtail thingies.

1. He's not Lincecum
2. Agree with Tx-Husker about not playing - what will college coaches think.
3. Johnny Damon, Johnny Damon.....
4. What if coach knows this and its his way of not having to deal with an attitude?? Not saying it is but you asked for opinions.....

Good point about the Yankees. They are the most successful franchise in the sport and they will not put up with it. Johnny Damon had no problem complying:


Perhaps you can get an electronic picture of him and photoshop it to show him how nice his hair cut will look. There might be some hair design studios who could do that for him so he might be more amenable to it. I have a hunch gotwood4sale will have some suggestions for you

As long as my son lives in my house, he lives by my rules.

When he plays for his HS team he lives by the HS coaches rules.

When he is in class he lives by his teacher's rules.

When I go to work I live by my bosses rules.

Life is not that complex.

If he thinks that having long hair is more important than baseball, so be it. It's his decision let him live with it.

quote:

Opinions?

Our guys can't wear their hats backwards, have to tuck in their shirt, wear ties on game days....they don't all like it but they do it...because they coach tells them to and they want to play...

I agree. Pick your battles. This isn't a good one. A 'mexican standoff' is when there cannot be a clear winner. This isn't a mexican standoff...the player is the only one that will lose....the team goes on and the coach has either imposed his will or gotten rid of a 'disruptive' influence....

And, IMO, Lincecum's hair looks stupid anyway...

quote:

Wants to go to college to be a doctor says he would rather try to walk on than give in.

while i don't agree with your son not cutting his hair. as long as he can live with his decision...

if you don't stand for something........you'll fall for anything.

Wrong battle, just cut it

Totally agree with BOF.
4.0 gpa is great, hope it stays that way through the next 2 1/2 years of H.S.
I've had my share of surgeries and if the doctor that was working on me refused to cut his hair, I'd have major second thoughts.
I've been a Giants fan since 1958 and love to watch Lincecum him pitch. DO NOT like his hair nor did I like Damon's caveman look. No respect for the game.
My answer to my son if he wanted to wear his hair like Tim's, when you get 2 Cy Young's and are sitting on a minimum 8 million dollar contract ( most likely will be 13m), then and only then I might give in.

quote:

Originally posted by 00'sDAD:
Pretty much what I said but I can't get him to cave.
... he is playing
about 40 travel games plus practice 3 times a week.

You can get him to cave. Tell him that if he doesn't play HS ball, there's no travel ball.

Who's driving the car here?

He's 16 got his own car and licenses.
Saved $8,000.00 bucks for the down payment.
Been doing odd jobs and working since was 11.

.

"I have a hunch gotwood4sale will have some suggestions for you."

You hunched right CD!

There's no topping the pic that threeboysdad posted. That leaves me with this speculation...

Split ends? Maybe that's why the coach is so unrelenting...he just hates them! Maybe?

.

quote:

Originally posted by 00'sDAD:
He's 16 got his own car and licenses.
Saved $8,000.00 bucks for the down payment.
Been doing odd jobs and working since was 11.

I didn't mean it literally,it was a metaphor.

I meant, who makes the rules in your house, him or you? You say you can't get him to cave, but that's not really true. You mean that you can't "talk" him out of it...

Actions speak louder than words. Tell him no HS means no travel, no travel means no baseball.

Knowing what to do is usually easy.

It's not the hair that matters to the coach. As the parent, you need to make sure he understands the real issue. Refusing to cut his hair is sending a message to the coach. Hair is easy, what will he do when the coach commands him to hit the cutoff and he wants to throw home instead? Like it or not, baseball is one of those sports in which the coach rules. And thank goodness for that!

The question is, why is your son so determined to defy the coach on something so trivial?

You can be a great ball player and a great student and still be an attitude problem for the team. Haircut rules like this one are not common but also not unheard of. It's a discipline/team unity thing. It is clearly within the domain of the head coach. And if the coach has made his position clear, you should view it as his way of testing whether or not a given player is a team player, willing to make a (minor and temporary) personal sacrifice to fit the plan for the team unit.

Now it's son's turn to figure out if he's a team player, or not a member of the team at all.

Does he understand that the coach didn't just make up the rule just for him? By not cutting it, he is showing up the coach who enforced this rule on other teammates and players before him.

Plus, it will grow back in the off season.

I like a kid who's got principals and will lay it on the line and will stand up for what he believes.

Signed

The kid on the bubble

So you think I should tell him that your opinion means nothing. That I feel it's best for you to cave
and play ball for this guy. That's how I feel but I also have respect for the boys opinion.
He told me he would go to college and be a doctor at age 6 and I told him med school was very expensive that he would have to get good grades in school so he could get scholarships to help.
He promised he would never get a bad grade and has never had less than an A since he started getting report cards. I am very disappointed that he may loose out on ball YET at the same time feel that its more his decision than mine at 16 he's closer to a man than a boy. I will show him this message board when he comes home from school and see what he says.

OO'sDAD, I think your hunch about not drawing a line in the sand and forcing him to do it is the right direction. He has to want to do it. And, he has to understand that he's a big boy and has to live with the consequences of his decisions. Some things are really hard...like a kid with a bum arm knowing his next throw may be his last. Or the kid with brittle bones because he's recovering from cancer. Hair length doesn't seem to fit into that category and it's a shame for him to make his life harder than it needs to be because of something like that. But, he has to live with it.........

Life (and success) is about compromises and saving "face". Suggest he gets a good trim, more than he wants and less than the coach wants.

He offered this coach says all or nothing.

In that case I recommend nothing - shave it all off. That'll give him a way to show a bit of spunk while going with the letter of the law.

00DAD,
If he wants to play, he has to follow the coach's rules, if he doesn't then he won't play.
Other then what you have posted, I, we don't know you, but if this is his attitude, how is he going to be when he goes to school to be a physician? They are always be told what to do and how to do it. They are put through he ll from day one.

Size wise at 16 they look like adults, but, mentally they are like 2 or 3 year old they think know everything.

Old saying "when I was 16, my father was dumb, now that I'm 35 I see how much smarter he got and now he's the smartest man in the world"

He's 16 and just beginning to stretch his wings and see how far he can get. Looks like you giving him a little too much room!

Maybe it's a good opportunity to learn that choices very often have consequences. Not being a team player is never going to get your far in this game.

I've raised four and if you want to let him stand by his convictions on this, then let him deal with the outcome. Moving .... are you kidding? Looks like the "Cart is leading the horse" on this trip.

I wish I had a kid who wanted to be a doctor.

quote:

Originally posted by 00'sDAD:
...but I also have respect for the boys opinion....at the same time feel that its more his decision than mine at 16 he's closer to a man than a boy.

You sound like a pretty cool dad.

quote:

Originally posted by 00'sDAD:
I will show him this message board when he comes home from school and see what he says.

If you were my dad, I would wash your car every Saturday morning.

His dad should tell him to get a haircut.

Sounds like he needs to learn some respect for authority. What's he going to do when his boss tells him to wear a coat and tie to work? Or when the government tells him to pay his taxes?

CPLZ has a great recommendation: no high school ball, no travel ball.

Does he truly love the game enough to play? I've seen many kids use a coach's rules as a means to quit playing because they didn't want to be a quitter. I say pose this to him - ask him what he would do if you told him no HS ball then no travel ball. If he says no big deal and he won't play then I think the writing is on the wall - he doesn't love the game enough to continue. It would then be in his best interests to remove himself from the team. Make sure to phrase it as a what if because you don't want to paint yourself into a corner and be forced to do something you don't want to do.

It's nice to sit here and talk about respecting your son's opinion and how he's went out and earned his own car but it pails in comparison to learning which battles to fight. As a parent you need to let your kids make their own decisions and figure things out on their own but you are the ultimate trump card. What you say goes and if he doesn't like it then that just tough.

Let me give you some final advice - stay away from the coach who is 50 miles away and is recruiting your son. I'm willing to bet that recruiting is illegal in your state based on state rules. If you got a coach willing to break this kind of rule what other rules will he break? Will he really even care about the health and welfare of your son? This guy is bad news and if you get near him you will probably get burned.

Tell your son to cut his hair and gain some perspective as to what's really important in life. I know if I had a kid who's going to fight me on something like this then he will fight me on other things. I would proably be glad he didn't cut his hair so he would eliminate himself.

Sounds like he's made his decision that college ball (and the possibility of losing a chance at it) is not as important to him as his individuality. Nothing wrong with that. Some kids don't want college ball as much as they want other things in their lives. Why can't he have both? Because baseball is a sport in which a direct line of command is necessary. No haircut, no line of command.

One thing you have to wonder about is how he's going to handle being a resident if he puts his individuality above the Chief's edicts.

I smell a life lesson.

OODad,

Hair grows back.

I am 53 and graduated from HS in 1975. I played baseball and had very long hair in 1972. Coach said, 'Unless you cut your hair you will not play on my team.' Thinking how proud I was to stand up against the establishment by growing my hair long I told him I would not get it cut. He summarily cut me...

Boy, did I show him...

Now, all these years later I have many regrets in my life and you know what the biggest regret was? Yup, not getting a **** haircut! By far the dumbest thing I ever did...

Boy, did I show him...by not playing on his team...boy, did I show him...

Hair grows back...

If I said get an haircut or else he would.
However would that increase his talent or just give him an animosity toward his coach that would become
an unresolvable issue. Would the coach really treat him fairly at this point? He still has his Jr and Sr
year ma bey he will change his mind.

Sorry, I first thought this was about the travel coach. I don't think a high school coach has the authority to tell a kid how long his hair can be. The NFHS can tell him how he has to wear it, but nobody, except his parents, can tell him how he has to cut it.

What if the coach says he wants all players to have mohicans, or their hair dyed black? Would everyone (parents) go along with that, too?

quote:

Originally posted by Vicarious Dad:

What if the coach says he wants all players to have mohicans, or their hair dyed black? Would everyone (parents) go along with that, too?

V-dad,

Yes, then I would get a mohawk...

He doesnt need to get a hair cut. He doesnt need to play hs baseball. He needs to stand by his convictions and keep his hair if that is what is important to him. And then he needs to understand he is the one that will have to live with the decision that he has made.

When he cares enough about something to sacrifice in order to do it he will. Baseball is not important enough for a hair cut. Its that simple. With that attitude dont look for him to play past hs. I surely wouldnt waste my money on travel baseball in the summer on a kid who wouldnt get a hair cut to play hs baseball. Just play local rec league save your money for college tuition.

quote:

Originally posted by sandlotmom:
Sounds like he's made his decision that college ball (and the possibility of losing a chance at it) is not as important to him as his individuality. Nothing wrong with that. Some kids don't want college ball as much as they want other things in their lives. Why can't he have both? Because baseball is a sport in which a direct line of command is necessary. No haircut, no line of command.

One thing you have to wonder about is how he's going to handle being a resident if he puts his individuality above the Chief's edicts.

I smell a life lesson.

Yeah, me too. Rationalizing that he "still has travel ball" is code for "I don't care if I play baseball."

If you don't care if you play college ball or HS for that matter, you won't. Baseball demands care. It weeds out careless...daily.

quote:

Originally posted by Coach Waltrip:

quote:

Originally posted by Vicarious Dad:

What if the coach says he wants all players to have mohicans, or their hair dyed black? Would everyone (parents) go along with that, too?

V-dad,

Yes, then I would get a mohawk...

One who walks in another's tracks leaves no footprints. ~Proverb

quote:

Quoted by Vicarious Dad
I don't think a high school coach has the authority to tell a kid how long his hair can be. The NFHS can tell him how he has to wear it, but nobody, except his parents, can tell him how he has to cut it.

In certain areas of the country at least, coaches most certainly can mandate haircuts. My son's high school coach required short hair cuts and clean-shaven faces, and all the players abided by the rules, whether they liked them or not. One player arrived in the locker room one day with bleached blonde hair and the coach said dye it back to your natural color or you're off the team. He dyed it back.

quote:

Quoted by 00's Dad
However would that increase his talent or just give him an animosity toward his coach that would become
an unresolvable issue?

00'sDAD, it wouldn't increase his talent, but it would probably make him more presentable, and he would look more like a "team player." And that animosity comment concerns me, as it sounds like your son carries a chip on his shoulder. Respect for an authority figure should preclude animosity and bitterness.

quote:

Originally posted by 00'sDAD:
If I said get an haircut or else he would.
However would that increase his talent or just give him an animosity toward his coach that would become
an unresolvable issue. Would the coach really treat him fairly at this point? He still has his Jr and Sr
year ma bey he will change his mind.

It's not about increasing talent - it's about being part of something more than he is by himself. If he truly has animosity towards his coach over this then he has a lot of growing up to do. I can't really describe it any better than what others have already but it comes down to - does he really want to play the game? Honestly I don't think he does if the hair is this big of a deal.

Also, Vicarious Dad the head coach does have the power to establish rules such as this. Playing baseball (or anything extracurricular) is a privilege and with that comes the understanding that if the kid wants to play on the team he has to abide by the rules established by the coach.

quote:

Originally posted by 00'sDAD:

quote:

Originally posted by Coach Waltrip:

quote:

Originally posted by Vicarious Dad:

What if the coach says he wants all players to have mohicans, or their hair dyed black? Would everyone (parents) go along with that, too?

V-dad,

Yes, then I would get a mohawk...

One who walks in another's tracks leaves no footprints. ~Proverb

Did you come here wanting opinions or did you want us to say what you wanted to hear?

If a kid is more concerned with his hair cut than playing baseball he is better off keeping the hair and simply moving on.

Your son really doesnt want to play. If he did he would not only get a hair cut he would do whatever he needed to do to be a part of the team.

Whats next? There will be more.

quote:

Originally posted by Coach_May:
If a kid is more concerned with his hair cut than playing baseball he is better off keeping the hair and simply moving on.

Your son really doesnt want to play. If he did he would not only get a hair cut he would do whatever he needed to do to be a part of the team.

Whats next? There will be more.

It's not a matter of wanting to play.
I am friends with school board members and have already been told coach's ruling won't stand.
Have not and won't tell my son this as he needsto solve this on his own.

quote:

Originally posted by Coach Waltrip:
I am 53 and graduated from HS in 1975.

You're freakin' old as dirt, dude.

Yes it is about wanting to play.

Is this the first season for this coach or has he been there a while? Is this a new rule or has it been there for a while?

From the way you make it sound this guy is new and trying to establish some discipline. Let me guess - this guy is new and probably young. He's taking over a team that hasn't had much success and huge amount of coach turnover. So this guy comes in and wants to do things his way rather than let the parents run the show and now people are ready to hang him based on your friends with the Board of Education.

If any of this is true you will probably be doing this coach a favor by getting him fired and out of your mess. Seriously why did you ask that question if you already knew all this? Were you trying to start a bash a coach thread?

You and your son are wrong on this matter. Let the man do his job and you might be surprise how well he will do.

quote:

Originally posted by Coach_May:
If a kid is more concerned with his hair cut than playing baseball he is better off keeping the hair and simply moving on.

Your son really doesnt want to play. If he did he would not only get a hair cut he would do whatever he needed to do to be a part of the team.

Whats next? There will be more.

Agreed. Move on. The coach probably already has. Coaches don't have the time or the need to deal with the drama, or beg.

The plot thickens.

Note to Coach. Resign and tell the school board to coach the team. Move to an area where you are allowed to coach the team.

quote:

Originally posted by 00'sDAD:
It's not a matter of wanting to play.
I am friends with school board members and have already been told coach's ruling won't stand.
Have not and won't tell my son this as he needsto solve this on his own.

I feel very sorry for your coach (and your school district) if your school board is worrying about a coach who has a hair cut rule. WOW is all I can say. Coach May you are the man! I wish my son could play for you.

Or you can have the kid with the long hair coach? Maybe dad can be the assistant coach?

quote:

Originally posted by 00'sDAD:
It's not a matter of wanting to play.
I am friends with school board members and have already been told coach's ruling won't stand.
Have not and won't tell my son this as he needsto solve this on his own.

Regardless of whether it would hold up or not, talking to your friends on the school board was a cheap shot. Doesn't matter what the school board rules are, it's the coaches rule, and his school board should have respect for the image he wants his team to project. You've already gotten involved by going to your friend.
This has nothing to do with grades, whether he works or not and what he wants to do after HS. Regardless of whether my player liked a coaches rule, he followed it, he understood that the game is much more than "what's best for me or what I want".
I don't buy into he wants to beat to his own drum, sounds to me like there are other issues going on thanjust having to get a haircut.

Just saying you are going to show this to him, appears to me that playing HS ball is a lot more important to you than he, and you don't know how to approach him, maybe it's not all about the coach.

He shouldn't have to read opinions from strangers, or are you afraid to really tell him how you feel?

Here's a solution.

Tell your kid to cut his hair.
Then - he can play baseball.

After he gets his haircut - buy him some Rogaine - spread it all over his arms and back - and let him grow massive amounts of hair in those permitted areas.

Bingo - a negotiated truce.

He gains more hair - coach gets the haircut - and all is well.

It is very perplexing to me that someone can come on this forum and expect all of the experienced coaches and parents who have seen the ups and downs of having their sons progress to and through college baseball to side against a coach who just wants to set a standard of expectations for his team. It is his team, isn't it?

quote:

I am friends with school board members and have already been told coach's ruling won't stand.

Please let us know how that works for you. If this is true, the decision has already been reached, hasn't it? GED10DaD

I am trying to picture the conversation I would have with a school board member. "Coach you can not have a rule in regards to the length of a players hair." Why is that Mr School Board member? "Because we as a School Board do not believe you have the authority to tell a young man how long his hair can be." Do I have the authority to cut a player from my team during tryouts? "Yes." Do I have the authority to demand that they wear their uniform in a manner that conforms to team rules? "Yes." Do I have the authority to discipline my players for lack of hustle , lack of respect shown to coaches or team mates , not paying attention at practice , breaking team rules? "Yes." Do I have the authority to determine who plays and who does not play? "Yes." Do I have the authority to remove a player from the team for poor academic performance? "Yes."

Then why do you think you have the authority to tell me that I dont have the authority to tell my players how they will represent this program , school and community in their physical appearance while a member of my team? "Uh uh uh".

If you want to coach this team then practice is at 3pm tomorrow. If not then get out of my face with your bs and do your job and let me do mine. And tell your friends to do the same.

I did not contact the school board member his son who also pitches on the team told him and he called me to say he could get my son reinstated on the team but I turned him down As for his desire he told me yesterday
he was going to a try out in a couple of weeks and said he could not work that weekend.

00's dad- you've got to realize this is a die-hard baseball site and to most of us our boys would do anything (almost) to play baseball in high school and in college. So to me it just sounds like a silly excuse just to be difficult with the coach.

Your son should start reading the newspapers. College endowments are in dire straights- most have lost tons on money in recent years and many are cutting way back on academic scholarships. So it's great he's a 4.0 student but that may not be enough to get him a scholarship in college. And if he hasn't done any AP classes as a jr or sr he hasn't even gotten to the hardest classes yet.

You obviously love your son very much and are proud of his accomplishments. That's great but remember he is only 16 and still has lots of growing up to do and still needs your guidance,whether you know it or not.

quote:

Originally posted by Brickhouse:
It is very perplexing to me that someone can come on this forum and expect all of the experienced coaches and parents who have seen the ups and downs of having their sons progress to and through college baseball to side against a coach who just wants to set a standard of expectations for his team. It is his team, isn't it?

I am with you, if it were mine, I'd tell him get a haircut and play or that's it, choice is yours and it's done, who needs to ask opinions.

FWIW, IMO, Lincecum's hair is disgusting.

RR23Jr enjoyed his short hair so much after he made varsity last year he kept it since.

I know what kids have to do to be a part of a program. There is a tremendous amount of sacrifice , dedication , hard work , etc. At the college level even more. When I hear someone say that they are not willing to do something in order to play that tells me they dont want it bad enough to do it. Thats ok. Its not for everyone. That does not make you a bad person. It simply means you are not willing to do what it takes to be a part of something. When I hear that someone is simply not willing to get a hair cut in order to be a part of something that tells me all I need to know.

St Baldricks is coming up on where people shave their heads and collect donations for shaving their heads with the funds going to pediatric cancer. Maybe he should get involved.It is good to get out of thinking just about ourselves, and seeing real problems around us that we can help. A future doc should embrace this idea!

http://www.stbaldricks.org/



Personally, if I heard he didnt want to play because of a haircut, i would think,,, he didnt want to play!

Already In 3 AP classes will finish school early.
Yes I do realize this is a die-hard baseball site.
I just wanted to try to get something more to work with. But it seems that nonconformity of looks brings out the bad side in some people.

FWIW, IMO, Lincecum's hair is disgusting.

I'm sure that if Tim were any of your sons you would be as proud as you could be of "THE FREAK"
Well it's late and this old guy is going to bed thanks for your opinions and good night.

Another satisfied customer.

Coach to player: "Please wear your pants at knee height. That is how this team does it"

Player: "No - I dont want to"

Coach: "You missed the bunt signal. Run 10 poles".

Player: "No - I dont want to".

Coach: "Do not wear your baseball cap sidewise. Our team wears their caps straight"

Player: "No - I dont want to wear it straight"

LOL

Bye bye player.

Your dislike for nonconformity worries me gamer! lol

LOL

Coach M - I would never even get to the 2nd question - no less the third.

Be part of the team - or get the hell out.

quote:

Originally posted by 00'sDAD:
Already In 3 AP classes will finish school early.
Yes I do realize this is a die-hard baseball site.
I just wanted to try to get something more to work with. But it seems that nonconformity of looks brings out the bad side in some people.

FWIW, IMO, Lincecum's hair is disgusting.

I'm sure that if Tim were any of your sons you would be as proud as you could be of "THE FREAK"
Well it's late and this old guy is going to bed thanks for your opinions and good night.

I am just giving my opinion on what I think his hair looks like, has nothing to do with his talent.

Sorry to all of you "enlightened parents" or others that read the **** from Dr Spock!

The moment we started giving them too many choices was the moment we lost control of an entire generation.

Just look around! Our country is freely giving away freedoms and dollars to people who have never earned the right to either!
(Yes, I am a Republican!)

Here's what happened at my house several years ago.

My oldest boy was thinking of getting an earring.
I said, "Great! I'll even pay for it!"

After a look of surprise on his face, I told him,

"The earring is a heck of a lot cheaper than room and board, spending money and college"

Point made! Point taken!

If the kid doesn't want to play baseball, then that's one thing. But he is a representative and member of your family. Do Mom and Dad have rules for appearance? We do in our house! I guarantee that our rules will meet any Coach's standards.

I look around and I see kids that have caused problems for their parents. Usually, it was the parents that caused the problems for their kids!

Coach I dont want to get a hair cut.
No problem turn your stuff in.

Coach my son doesnt feel like its fair.
No problem have a nice spring.

Coach as a school board member you need to reinstate the player.
No problem I resign.

Your son DOES NOT WANT TO PLAY.
If he did HE WOULD GET A HAIR CUT.

What else?

quote:

Originally posted by 00'sDAD:
Already In 3 AP classes will finish school early.
Yes I do realize this is a die-hard baseball site.
I just wanted to try to get something more to work with. But it seems that nonconformity of looks brings out the bad side in some people.

FWIW, IMO, Lincecum's hair is disgusting.

I'm sure that if Tim were any of your sons you would be as proud as you could be of "THE FREAK"
Well it's late and this old guy is going to bed thanks for your opinions and good night.

I'm sure his parents are proud of his pot conviction last year too. He looks like a hobo. I'd pick a better example.

quote:

Originally posted by Coach_May:

No problem I resign.

You'd walk out on your players?

Everyone is different.

Here is how it went in my house when I was growing up.

Dad: "Son - please dont raise your voice at your mother"

Me: "No Dad - I feel like yelling at her".

Dad: "Which hospital would you like to go to after I knock you out?"

LOL

They would cease to be my players once I was no longer in charge of running the program and the school board member was.

I am going to do it the right way or I am not going to do it at all. When the parents start running the program through personal contacts such as school board members then they can coach the team.

Has not happened yet. But if it ever does I will let you know.

quote:

Originally posted by 00'sDAD:

quote:

Originally posted by Coach Waltrip:

quote:

Originally posted by Vicarious Dad:

What if the coach says he wants all players to have mohicans, or their hair dyed black? Would everyone (parents) go along with that, too?

V-dad,

Yes, then I would get a mohawk...

One who walks in another's tracks leaves no footprints. ~Proverb

OODaddyO,

Man, that hurts...

I prefer more sophisticated quotes from baseball people like...

'I wish I had an answer to that because I'm tired of answering that question.' Yogi Berra

I changed my mind...advise your son to tell the coach to stick it...

quote:

Originally posted by Vicarious Dad:

quote:

Originally posted by Coach_May:

No problem I resign.

You'd walk out on your players?

If a school board supports some "Non-conformist" that believes he does not have to follow the rules of the team - then you dont have a team to walk out on to begin with.

In a situation like that - its best to just shut down the whole program - and let everybody be "free". So sixties - its boring.

LOL

quote:

Originally posted by CPLZ:

quote:

Originally posted by Coach Waltrip:
I am 53 and graduated from HS in 1975.

You're freakin' old as dirt, dude.

Old? Just because I graduated HS when Jesus was a corporal...brother...

One thing is for sure 00's Dad has never coached a team in his life or he wouldn't value noncomformity so much more than respect for authority, or putting the team first.

quote:

Originally posted by 00'sDAD:
It's not a matter of wanting to play.

It absolutely is about not wanting to play! Any kid smart enough to take 3 AP classes before their Jr year of HS (do they even allow that?) is smart enough to know how teams work and the consequences of nonconformity. He's taking college level courses. He knows EXACTLY what he's doing. In fact, what he is doing is VERY college level. Question Authority and all that. If he doesn't get his haircut, he's telling you he doesn't want to be on a team, that he's ready to be an individual in the world. So what? Stop wasting your money on travel ball and team sports and let him go be himself. There are probably a dozen guys lined up with shavers in hand ready to take his spot on the team.

The penquin is for all the snow and bad weather and it just looks cool to me. Other than that awesome post.

I must say, I was disappointed with Woody's advice in this thread. The good news is that itsinthegame stepped up and filled the void

Yes he did!

Is this guy related to the rich guy who came on here a few months ago with a 9 year old who hit 85 mph pitching?

I'm reading this thread with amusement as it is two days before tryouts and today my son came home from the barbers with his baseball buzzcut. I HATE it! His coach doesn't require it, but he does it anyway as do all the varsity players. Why does he do it? It seems to be a matter of respect for his team mates and for the game of baseball.

.

It's a team effort CD...we've got a good one!



.

quote:

Originally posted by gotwood4sale:
.

It's a team effort CD...we've got a good one!



.

Just kidding Woodrow

quote:

I'm reading this thread with amusement as it is two days before tryouts and today my son came home from the barbers with his baseball buzzcut. I HATE it! His coach doesn't require it, but he does it anyway as do all the varsity players. Why does he do it? It seems to be a matter of respect for his team mates and for the game of baseball.

Mine does it because he has refined the art of rolling out of bed and getting out of the house within 10 minutes each morning.

Maybe now that we have given our advice on what the young man should do, perhaps people can chime in on some suggested hair styles that may be suitable.

Here's one possibility:

One of my most favorite fictional quotes of all time from the book Lonesome Dove...

Gus McCrae's last words to Captain Woodrow Call:

"By God, Woodrow; it's been one hell of a party."

Is this an all time record? 1400 views and almost 100 posts in a 6 hour window. Gotta hand it 00sDAD for striking a nerve.

One thing to understand is that we're not getting into whether the coach should or should not have set this policy.

Personally, I would say there comes a point where a kid might be seeking attention for himself to the detriment of a team, if he's doing something truly outlandish or overtly attention-seeking. As a coach I would have a talk to that kid and if necessary set some limits, being prepared to enforce them as necessary. But beyond that, generally I don't think as a coach that I should care how a kid wears his hair. That's between him and his parents, IMHO.

But that's just me.

Whoever was in charge in this situation made this particular fellow the head coach. And while he runs his team differently than I might have, I'm not the one who was given the authority to run the team. And neither were any of the players, nor any of their parents.

Unless he's doing something untoward, threatening someone's health or well being, or arbitrarily damaging someone's future, he's allowed to run the team as he sees fit. And who's to say that the team unity of conservative haircuts might not help the team perform better as a team? It sure has worked for the Yankees. And at a lot of other places, like maybe West Point, USNA, VMI, etc.

quote:

Originally posted by threeboysdad:
Wrong battle, just cut it

3boyzdad,

Hey, the dog wants to make a statement...a rather sickening one, but a statement all the same...

quote:

Originally posted by Coach_May:
Coach I dont want to get a hair cut.
No problem turn your stuff in.

Coach my son doesnt feel like its fair.
No problem have a nice spring.

Coach as a school board member you need to reinstate the player.
No problem I resign.

Your son DOES NOT WANT TO PLAY.
If he did HE WOULD GET A HAIR CUT.

What else?

CM,
That is one of the best rolls I have ever seen anyone go on... ... I was thumbs up at every post, laughing my butt off, cheering you on, YOU GO BOY!.

Instant classic, my friend, instant.

Thank you, I only wish it could keep going....Dang that was funny.

Nice points Midlo. I have changed some over the years. When I first started coaching it was high and tight and no facial hair. Now its no hair over your ears and hanging down to your collar. As long as its neat and not out of control I dont have a problem with it. The players though have their own rules. The seniors buzz their hair and they tell the other varsity guys thats the rule. And everyone falls in line. Now if one of those guys doesnt want to do it I am fine with that. But no one has gone against the seniors.

If you run a program right and you bring your players up in the program properly you dont have to worry about this type of stuff. Its a non issue. They police themselves. I never have to say anything about hustling on and off the field. Field prep before or after practice. Working hard in the cage or getting after it. How to wear your hat or your uniform. The guys that have invested in the program and take ownership in their program take care of that stuff.

Most kids want to be a part of a team if they are on a team. They want to be a part of something. I just dont have kids who want to be on a team and then dont want to be a part of a team. To me there is nothing more special than being part of something bigger than you. Being part of something special. If you want to be an individual then being on a team is the last place you should be. Its like mixing oil with water.

Lots of kids grow beards to intimidate the younger guys.

What an interesting thread...

No one has mentioned this, but you should know that kids who stand out are also the targets of much abuse from fans and opposing teams. Is that also alright with you? How about with your son? Most teenagers don't like to stand out like that. Will it be distracting to his teammates? Could it possibly affect their play? Does that matter to you or him?

I applaud your son for being a smart kid who is proud of his long mane. But that is not the issue. If he is so smart he should have thought about this more thoroughly and seen that he doesn't really want to play baseball anymore. If he does, get a haircut, wear his uniform right, and play baseball. What a silly thing to argue about.

quote:

Originally posted by Vicarious Dad:
Lots of kids grow beards to intimidate the younger guys.

I know I did...it never worked though. It didn't come in very well until I was 31. Up until then, I had 7 chest hairs...they were all named.