Cool thread. Respect for the game is very important to me. Indulge me, if you will, while I tell a personal story.
It was in very early youth ball, I think my son was about 7 or 8 years old. I forget most of the details. I was a coach, and our team was rallying, scoring several runs. On one play in the top of the last inning, my son went from third to home, shuffle stepping the whole way, pointing and laughing at the other team.
I saw him do it, and told him to sit. I didn't let him go out to the field the next half inning, and then realized that we only had 8 players.
So he sat that last half inning, the only guy on the bench, with center field open. I'm sure he was embarrassed sitting there with a position on the field open.
I've never talked to him about that; I don't even know if he remembers it. Maybe I will ask him.
But I do know that I admire him today for how he plays the game and the respect he demonstrates for it. Maybe that day had something to do with it.
Kids are mirrors. They reflect the adults around them. If the coach/parents respect the game, so will the kids. The few times I've seen disrespect occur, the coach didn't correct it, and it tended to be more than one kid on a team.
As a whole, the kids in our area appear to respect the game, especially on the HS teams.
As a whole, the kids in our area appear to respect the game, especially on the HS teams.
Nice post twotex.
A perfect example of not respecting the game is under the "Jersey Baseball" post. Watch the video, complete disrespect to the game.
At times I don't think it is disrespect of the game when a young player has an issue on the field...it's passion...passion in being a competitor. Don't we want these boys to be competitors? I'm not talking about the kid who throws the ball and/or glove at the umpire over a call. How about the kid who slides under a tag and the umpire calls him out and he has a normal reaction of disbelief, which some may interpret as disrespect. Or the kid who makes an error on an important play in a close game and reacts with comments and normal body reactions. Whether it’s baseball or a situation in life, who hasn’t said or done something in the heat of the moment they didn’t later regret? It’s going to happen and we don’t always know when. Heck, I’ve seen coaches react 10 times worse than any kid.
Baseball, like all sports involves passion. Do we really want our kids acting like little zombie robots not having passion about the game? Should they not care when being safe when sliding under a tag? Should they not be disappointed when not making a routine play or striking out when it is critical to the game they get a hit? Should they not care when an umpire calls them out on a high pitch across their chin? Sometimes passion appears as disrespectful, but in fact is a reaction, albeit possibly, a poor reaction to the situation.
There are times when improper disrespect occurs and coaches, parents and umpires need to react, but I do not ever want to take the competitive spirit out of the game. Competitors sometimes react negatively that's just the nature of the game. Even the great gentleman Cal Ripkin, had an occasional issue during a game.
I may have an issue with how one of my players reacted to a situation I view as disrespectful, but it is up to me as a parent, coach and educator to discuss this situation in a calm, objective manner with them. I’ve seen the reaction to a perceived disrespectful situation worse than the issue to begin with. So, I have to control my emotions, which being of Scottish/German decent can be a challenge and discuss this situation with a player so they can better learn to control their reactions to future issues. Isn’t this part of being a coach or parent?
I don't disagree there is some disrespect going on...maybe it's societal or maybe it's because there are more kids than ever playing the game and there is a better chance of seeing an unfortunate situation occurring. I don’t know...
My personal experience is all I have to base my conclusions on and some may even question that! LOL!!!
Baseball, like all sports involves passion. Do we really want our kids acting like little zombie robots not having passion about the game? Should they not care when being safe when sliding under a tag? Should they not be disappointed when not making a routine play or striking out when it is critical to the game they get a hit? Should they not care when an umpire calls them out on a high pitch across their chin? Sometimes passion appears as disrespectful, but in fact is a reaction, albeit possibly, a poor reaction to the situation.
There are times when improper disrespect occurs and coaches, parents and umpires need to react, but I do not ever want to take the competitive spirit out of the game. Competitors sometimes react negatively that's just the nature of the game. Even the great gentleman Cal Ripkin, had an occasional issue during a game.
I may have an issue with how one of my players reacted to a situation I view as disrespectful, but it is up to me as a parent, coach and educator to discuss this situation in a calm, objective manner with them. I’ve seen the reaction to a perceived disrespectful situation worse than the issue to begin with. So, I have to control my emotions, which being of Scottish/German decent can be a challenge and discuss this situation with a player so they can better learn to control their reactions to future issues. Isn’t this part of being a coach or parent?
I don't disagree there is some disrespect going on...maybe it's societal or maybe it's because there are more kids than ever playing the game and there is a better chance of seeing an unfortunate situation occurring. I don’t know...
My personal experience is all I have to base my conclusions on and some may even question that! LOL!!!
Good stuff coach
Coach Waltrip - I think I needed to hear that. Thanks
Rob,
I liked your story about your son. Let us know when you find out if he remembers the incident or not!
Julie
I liked your story about your son. Let us know when you find out if he remembers the incident or not!
Julie
quote:Originally posted by Rob Kremer:
It was in very early youth ball,
I saw him do it, and told him to sit. I didn't let him go out to the field the next half inning, and then realized that we only had 8 players.
So he sat that last half inning, the only guy on the bench, with center field open. I'm sure he was embarrassed sitting there with a position on the field open.
A good friend of mine did this to his son when our boys were rug rats. I can't remember what exactly his son did but Head Coach dad sat his centerfielder son for an inning with no backup to take his place. Unfortunately for him the other team felt he was making a mockery of THEM and were very irate.
I remember some angry yelling coming from the other team and had the hardest time figuring out what was going on.
The Head Coach used to Bee a regular here but haven't seen him on here in a while...
We recently received notice that his son is getting married!!
Rob - Was that the Duke catcher that got the sit-down lesson? If it was, then you have just given us the formula for producing a great catcher and OPS king!
quote:Originally posted by ken:
check out the video clip
https://www.allshoremedia.net/...e-stories&Itemid=207
What amazes me about this video is that both base coaches just gave him a high five and let him continue his tirade. No excuse for this kid to act this way. He should have been tossed without a doubt.
Coach Waltrip makes great points that playing with passion leads to exhibitions of it but there still needs to be a line that should never be crossed. But it's up to each individual as to where that line is.
Passion shouldn't be an excuse for acting like an idiot.