POLLMAN: Work and Play?

Very good question Bum.
I did not answer your poll, I don't know the answer.
I know my son did not work during his HS year's.
I think that a Real JOB ( Scared Straight Program ),
Would of done him good.
Finding the time, and a Job that would allow you to do both Work and play travel ball is also very hard to find.
I was planning on him working in the Summer, But now he's hooked up with the college summer league for 07.

I think there's good in both decision's. EH

Being a player who works,Ill chime in

I for one am a little frustrated by the wealthier kids who have cars,items,and in general their life handed to them on a silver platter.

I work Weekends,and depending on the situation some weeknights(though rarely).Some money goes towards the car,some goes toward a college savings.

Nothing wrong with a little work

FC27, Get use to it.
It's like that in real life to. Not just baseball.
I work so my son did not have to.
But he also did not get a car, and other thing's that i'm sure he would of if he had his own Job.
So be proud of the fact that you have earned you own money.
And helping your parent's out with your college education. EH

I didnt mean it in a negative way.Most of my teammates do not work,and its fine.

Im just saying I do not feel my peers should be handed things,regardless of the size of their parents checkbooks.Thats not how life works

FC27, It sound's like you have a good handle on responsibility.
And will be ahead of your peer's in real life leason's.
Keep up the good work.
Also enjoy your free time.
Good luck to you. EH

Why not - I worked to help put the older two through college, paid for cars, insurance, clothes, etc. etc. Eight summers of full time baseball camp / school taught the youngest one more life lessons and responsibilities than he could have otherwise gotten. He has made his share of mistakes and is still in the maturation process but I don't have to worry about him having priorities and respect for what's important. It's been pretty much a full time job in and of itself. He was very lucky in that the lessons he learned in the dugout and on the field encompassed every positive cliche spoken about the game of baseball and how it relates to life.

Each generation relives that which came before them. Our parents wanted only what was best for us; they wanted more for their kids than they were provided. That is not to the exclusion of anything - that's really just the way it is.

This has litle or nothing to do with the size of one's check book, really. (At least mine.) I am by no means affluent. There are sacrifices of one sort or another. I will work far into the years that others may be retiring. You guage your kid's ability to handle life along with it's highs and lows, reponsibilities, demands, etc. by your personal barometer.

quote:

Originally posted by futurecatcher27:
Thats not how life works

You'll come to learn that that's EXACTLY how life works! Some people get everything handed to them while others have to work hard for what they get.

Regarding the working while in school question, my oldest (daughter) worked some while in school and I think it's good for them IF it doesn't affect their studies (first priority).

First of all my guys wanted to work so that had their "own money" as they termed it---they did not have to work but they had great jobs in a theatre in the region--inside and air conditioned during the summer and they were able to make the bours work around the baseball--they also got to meet some great people from the entertainment business who lived in the area such as Ron Howard and a number of recording stars.

It taught them independence and since they did not have to work but wanted to it was great.

Funny aside to the work scene--when my son got to New Mexico State one of the recording guys, I think it was Dr Dre was performing on campus and my son sent him a note backstage to say Hi since he knew him from his theatre patronage. Next thing my son has on the bodyguards next to him in the audience handing him an invitation to the after show party---talk about impressing your date

Whatever--bottom line yes they should work if they want to

My son was able to connect athletics with work in HS and as a result enjoyed working. Recently when I tried to rationalize that mentality with my daughters and I was told rather bluntly "I guess we could be "pole dancers" or give "lap dances" at conventions". I then removed my drivers license and handed them my wallet. Another one in the loss column for rz1.

My son worked all through HS even though he didn't have to. We told him as long as his grades didn't suffer, he could do what he wanted. It gave him responsibility and learned how to manage time well. He liked having his own money to spend. We liked him having his own money to spend. We also felt that baseball should not be the major focus of hs life.

Futurecatcher,
Never judge anyone because of what they do or not do or what they have or not have. Not a good way to look upon life.
You will also find that having wealth does not equate to happiness or success.

I am not understanding the question so I can't answer. What is the right thing to do, work, not work? The right thing to do is based upon what a person feels what they want to do is right for them not the other person.

Had mine work also. Thought it would build character. I believe it made him appreciate the gifts he had been given and in hindsight to understand that if his dreams should become derailed that life beyond the diamond exists.

TPM and others touched on something I have seen happen to some pretty good baseball players and some academically strong students too. There are a set number of hours in a day so in order to have a job; we have to give up something else. It could be your social life, sleeping, watching TV, studying, or taking ground balls but you do have to give up something. Working provides benefits our children normally wouldn’t get if Mom and Dad were paying the bills. This in essence “elevates” them into a higher standard of living. They grow accustomed to this higher standard of living and some won’t give it up that easily. While I am much older this actually happened to me many years ago. I had the option of making “good” money working full time for a trucking company or going to school and working part time earning just enough to squeak by. I did choose going to school but mid-way through the first semester, and having no spending money, I decided to drop out and work for the truck lines. Could I have worked and gone to school too? Sure I could, but I wouldn’t be able to afford those things I had become accustomed too until years later. Call it instant gratification or whatever you like but the $$ will lure ballplayers away from the field and the student away from the classrooms. I have three children and two worked and one didn’t. When my “ball playing” son mentioned he wanted to get a job in high school, I said I would provide those things a job would give him if he worked at baseball. I gave him an option of either working at Kroger and buying his own things --- or ---- he could work at baseball and I would buy his stuff. That is a no brainer in my opinion. He chose the latter and it worked out for him. I do understand that some players and students NEED to work in order to realize their dreams and I applaud those that accept that challenge.

Has anyone else found that by "working" to become a really good and recognizable baseball player...that it has resulted in a fair amount of "real work" opportunities?

Most of our son's "jobs" have been working clinics in the area...and working at a baseball academy.

For him, its was kind of nice to 'practice his trade' while at work.

Overall though...we took an approach similar to Fungo's. This past summer however, bored stiff, at home and unable to work a "real job," I hired myself a new gardener!

quote:

Originally posted by Tiger Paw Mom:
My son worked all through HS even though he didn't have to. We told him as long as his grades didn't suffer, he could do what he wanted. It gave him responsibility and learned how to manage time well. He liked having his own money to spend. We liked him having his own money to spend. We also felt that baseball should not be the major focus of hs life.
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Futurecatcher,
Never judge anyone because of what they do or not do or what they have or not have. Not a good way to look upon life.
You will also find that having wealth does not equate to happiness or success.

I am not understanding the question so I can't answer. What is the right thing to do, work, not work? The right thing to do is based upon what a person feels what they want to do is right for them not the other person.

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I never judged anyone.I just said I dont think its right that a kid should be handed everything,even if your dad is derek jeter,you still shouldnt be handed items.I dont believe this teaches discipline or anything of that sort if everything is just given.

It starts early with an allowance,and it grows into your high school and college years with some jobs.Everyone needs to start somewhere,right?

Its not really about "wealth".Its more less so I can have a car to drive myself to games and practices and so I have a little bit of cushion in the form of a bank account for my college years.I like to think of it as,a small step as to planning towards my future

Futurecatcher,
You have a good attitude and work ethic, you will go far in your life, no matter where the road takes you.

There is some sacrifice to be made if a kid works. Summer and Fall are prime showcase months, and daily play and practice is the norm. With out-of-town travel, weekend tournaments, and late-night games, a kid has to have an understanding, flexible employer. I would be interested in hearing about some stand-up companies that have done that for our baseball players!

I am very fortunate to have a great manager.Her son too,was once a baseball player at my high school,so she is always understanding,within reason.

As long as you do your job,and make it in when they ask(if you can),my manager is very friendly and very understanding.

As far as I know, our son was the only member of his select team to work this past summer. Fortunately, he has had flexible jobs the past two years -- lawn mowing and working construction for a family friend whose own son played high school baseball and who allowed son to work whenever able. We require son to pay his own gas and this has helped him to take money management more seriously. It has also helped him learn to juggle his schedule, and we all know that a lot of juggling is required if you play college ball.

Thank goodness for VERY flexible and patient summer employers and managers! My hat goes off to them!!! and HUGE thank-you's!!!

My son is a lifeguard on post and has been able to squeeze in hours around baseball. He also mows lawns to get extra cash. While this demands EXTREME advance planning and again,..EXTREMELY patient and flexible employers, we have found it to be good for our son to work around his baseball/football seasons.

Doesnt leave alot of time for the girlfriend ( oh darn says the momma- ha! )and other extra curricular activities,..but it keeps him busy and organized. Top that off with studies during the school year and you've got one busy junior in highschool. He's maturing,... has learned a heck of alot about time managemnet and about making important priority decisions.

Also gives him alot of pride to buy some things on his own,..especially when birthdays or holidays come around and he doesnt have to ask mom and dad for cash. Loves to buy things for others on his own dime, seems to mean more to him than if we just handed the moolah over to him.
Being a military family we are always on a budget ( a tight one ).
Amazing how creative a kid can get about finding the shortest route he can take to drive to school and back,...just to save on gas! Noticed he was even checking out gas prices and shopping for the best bargain for his hard earned buck.

Even though financially we have never demanded that our boys work,..they simply wanted to. As long as their grades are good and we can tell that they are living a balanced life,..I'd say their working along with participating in sports has been a very good thing and has provided them with a sense of self and ability.
And not to mention, the real value of a hard earned dollar!

i was not very studious as a youngster,i went to work in construction at 17.it was easier at the time than school work,or sports.and drinking after work was the norm.that was what you did if you didn't go to school.as you get older your back tells you that maybe school was the right choice.

when my kids were old enough to bring to work they would help on saturdays.and they worked their tails off.every thing we do is heavy lifting.one day i realized they were just kids.i looked back at my work life and realized that we are lucky enough to work the rest of our life.if they want to work for spending money ok.if they really need to work to help the family ok.but if they worked really hard at school or sports they would get more out of it than a few bucks in their pocket.

as someone said their is no right or wrong answer.if they can make it work great.they shouldn't be showered with gifts because they are lazy.but they should get to be a kid when they are kids.they can learn hard work in many many ways.

just a thougt from another angle.

20dad,

Ditto for me. I started work as a janitor for my dad at age 15. I worked at McDonald's, did some gardening and such, joined the Navy at 17, and now at 48 have my own business, and advanced degree, and a few bucks. I didn't have the opportunities to play competitive, travel ball my son has had. I'm just being honest here, maybe part of it is me wanting to allow my son to experience something I never could. But at this point, he's pretty good, so why not give him a shot?

Quite a few of the young men who play baseball on our teams have summer jobs, and some work year-round. Most have jobs that are 15-20 hours a week, though some work more and miss a fair amount of baseball because of that. For those who don't want to and can afford it, I think that is fine. For the rest, I think they are learning good life lessons early on.

When I was a teenager, my father made me quit baseball and all other sports when I was 16, because "they're a waste of your time. You need to learn the family business." So, from the time I was 16, all I did was work. I don't ever want to do that to a kid who plays ball with me, my own kid or others.