My 14 year old son said his hitting coach told him I was throwing money at baseball. I am confused by this as the coach has maintained throughout that my kid is crushing the ball. Perhaps he means I am wasting time continuing with lessons with him because he has nothing else to offer? Is there a good spin on this?
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You could always ask him to clarify his comment(s).
I would ask for clarification. Does your kid walk around with expensive equipment? It could be that he feels money is better spent on getting better rather then a $400 bat and $350 glove. Are you sending him to a lot of expensive showcases too early on?
"My 14 year old son said his hitting coach told him..."
You may want to ask the hitting coach what he and your son were discussing at the time. There is a possibility that the comment was taken out of context.
I would ask for clarification. Does your kid walk around with expensive equipment? It could be that he feels money is better spent on getting better rather then a $400 bat and $350 glove. Are you sending him to a lot of expensive showcases too early on?
"My 14 year old son said his hitting coach told him..."
You may want to ask the hitting coach what he and your son were discussing at the time. There is a possibility that the comment was taken out of context.
I throw money at fishing, boats, hunting, waitresses, bartenders, my wife, baseball. Soon I will be throwing money at colleges. Most of those have paid off so far. Most of them.
Only too.tall really knows. t.t, you could just ask if hit coach thinks you spend too much.
Maybe he said "your dad loves you and wants the best for you, and is throwing a lot of money at baseball to give you access to resources to allow you to be as good as you possibly can be, so you owe it to both yourself and him to take advantage of this and work your butt off"?
Maybe he said "your dad loves you and wants the best for you, and is throwing a lot of money at baseball to give you access to resources to allow you to be as good as you possibly can be, so you owe it to both yourself and him to take advantage of this and work your butt off"?
^^^^ this would be my get. Trying to get your son to get the most for your money.
My 14 year old son said his hitting coach told him I was throwing money at baseball. I am confused by this as the coach has maintained throughout that my kid is crushing the ball. Perhaps he means I am wasting time continuing with lessons with him because he has nothing else to offer? Is there a good spin on this?
I doubt he doe not have anything else to offer. My son still goes to the same hitting instructor he started with when he was eight. Now, they spend less time on technique and more time on the mental side of the game. I still see value, so I still pay for the lessons when we have time
Most everyone I know is throwing wads of money at baseball. Its the new in thing to do. $499 tricked out bats, lessons for 14U taught at 9U level of intensity and instruction, Paid coaches who coach 10 teams and sit perched on buckets all game. Softball style swag uniforms for every travel team. Tournament and showcase fees thru the roof on price. Everybody selling a hope and dream, doing whatever sales pitch they need to keep the profit rolling in.
Its your money. Do whatever you want.
Most everyone I know is throwing wads of money at baseball. Its the new in thing to do. $499 tricked out bats, lessons for 14U taught at 9U level of intensity and instruction, Paid coaches who coach 10 teams and sit perched on buckets all game. Softball style swag uniforms for every travel team. Tournament and showcase fees thru the roof on price. Everybody selling a hope and dream, doing whatever sales pitch they need to keep the profit rolling in.
Its your money. Do whatever you want.
Not everyone is an idiot as you are seeming to portray. My experience is people that talk like you are generally have the jealous tone, i.e. my kid didn't make the team because of politics, we didn't donate enough, etc.
I feel the lessons we have paid for over time, the showcases he attended, and the travel teams we paid for have benefited him greatly and have helped him become the player that he is.
Most everyone I know is throwing wads of money at baseball. Its the new in thing to do. $499 tricked out bats, lessons for 14U taught at 9U level of intensity and instruction, Paid coaches who coach 10 teams and sit perched on buckets all game. Softball style swag uniforms for every travel team. Tournament and showcase fees thru the roof on price. Everybody selling a hope and dream, doing whatever sales pitch they need to keep the profit rolling in.
Its your money. Do whatever you want.
Not everyone is an idiot as you are seeming to portray. My experience is people that talk like you are generally have the jealous tone, i.e. my kid didn't make the team because of politics, we didn't donate enough, etc.
I feel the lessons we have paid for over time, the showcases he attended, and the travel teams we paid for have benefited him greatly and have helped him become the player that he is.
Ryno - I don't think he called anyone an idiot and I do think he said to do with your money whatever you want... shheeesh.
For the record, I don't like the "Softball style swag" uniforms either. haha.
Not everyone is an idiot as you are seeming to portray. My experience is people that talk like you are generally have the jealous tone, i.e. my kid didn't make the team because of politics, we didn't donate enough, etc.
The answer to that is no. Although the serious journey is just beginning.
But I will be quite honest, I have no money to donate.
In my area the higher the cost of a team, the lower level that it plays at, paid coach says whatever is necessary to keep the check coming in, and those are the kids left out when middle school and high school starts.
I sit in the cages next to them indoors doing free lessons for my teams, I talk with them after hours, I coach against them weekly, and you all should hear how they laugh at you in private as they cash your checks. And there is the unsaid fact that no one wants to hear.
Totally agree. I'm throwing money at my daughter's music. She has no aspirations of becoming a professional musician or even of majoring in a music related field. She loves to sing. I love her. Her local chorus is going to New York; her school chorus is going to Orlando. I'll happily throw money at both trips.
My 14 year old son said his hitting coach told him I was throwing money at baseball. I am confused by this as the coach has maintained throughout that my kid is crushing the ball. Perhaps he means I am wasting time continuing with lessons with him because he has nothing else to offer? Is there a good spin on this?
My take would be since your son is crushing the ball why does he still need a hitting coach? I think a good hitting coach is invaluable but I wonder how many hitting coaches keep a constant cash inflow by finding issues in a swing where none exists?
My son has never had a hitting coach (because I couldn't afford it, lol) but using video feedback in games and watching plenty of youtube of MLB swings he has slowly modeled his swing using the correct techniques. He also understands if he is doing something in his swing that is incorrect.
Most everyone I know is throwing wads of money at baseball. Its the new in thing to do. $499 tricked out bats, lessons for 14U taught at 9U level of intensity and instruction, Paid coaches who coach 10 teams and sit perched on buckets all game. Softball style swag uniforms for every travel team. Tournament and showcase fees thru the roof on price. Everybody selling a hope and dream, doing whatever sales pitch they need to keep the profit rolling in.
Its your money. Do whatever you want.
Not everyone is an idiot as you are seeming to portray. My experience is people that talk like you are generally have the jealous tone, i.e. my kid didn't make the team because of politics, we didn't donate enough, etc.
I feel the lessons we have paid for over time, the showcases he attended, and the travel teams we paid for have benefited him greatly and have helped him become the player that he is.
Ryno - I don't think he called anyone an idiot and I do think he said to do with your money whatever you want... shheeesh.
For the record, I don't like the "Softball style swag" uniforms either. haha.
I believe it is implied when someone says "throwing money at baseball" along with 14U players receiving 9U Level Lessons. That doesn't sound like value does it? Therefore, it seems like he is stating people are getting ripped off.
Not everyone is an idiot as you are seeming to portray. My experience is people that talk like you are generally have the jealous tone, i.e. my kid didn't make the team because of politics, we didn't donate enough, etc.
The answer to that is no. Although the serious journey is just beginning.
But I will be quite honest, I have no money to donate.
In my area the higher the cost of a team, the lower level that it plays at, paid coach says whatever is necessary to keep the check coming in, and those are the kids left out when middle school and high school starts.
I sit in the cages next to them indoors doing free lessons for my teams, I talk with them after hours, I coach against them weekly, and you all should hear how they laugh at you in private as they cash your checks. And there is the unsaid fact that no one wants to hear.
This proves my assertion that I made earlier. By the way, I don't think anyone is laughing about stealing my money. The lessons have turned out great for my son. Although, I do see your point. I have seen some kids that their parents' money would be spent better elsewhere.
My 14 year old son said his hitting coach told him I was throwing money at baseball. I am confused by this as the coach has maintained throughout that my kid is crushing the ball. Perhaps he means I am wasting time continuing with lessons with him because he has nothing else to offer? Is there a good spin on this?
My take would be since your son is crushing the ball why does he still need a hitting coach? I think a good hitting coach is invaluable but I wonder how many hitting coaches keep a constant cash inflow by finding issues in a swing where none exists?
My son has never had a hitting coach (because I couldn't afford it, lol) but using video feedback in games and watching plenty of youtube of MLB swings he has slowly modeled his swing using the correct techniques. He also understands if he is doing something in his swing that is incorrect.
I don't know a whole lot, but most kids have things they can work on with their swing. I didn't play baseball, and I am not very good at coaching baseball. I do point out things to my son, and his coaches from time to time, but I can't coach hitting. (When I say point out, I pose my observation as a question to see if I am on the right track, or if I just don't know what I am talking about.) If a parent(s) doesn't know how to coach baseball, sending their son to a hitting coach is a good idea IMHO, as long as the son is enjoying it. Even though our son is a great hitter, it provides a venue for him to get quality reps, which I believe is good.
If your kid has no talent, you shouldn't spend a lot of money trying to show him to decision makers or evaluators. If he loves the game, spend your money on instruction or training and playing at a level he is comfortable with.
Here is my standard response when a parent asks me if it is worth it to send his kid who I don't know to a showcase.... If your son is talented, you will be very happy that you sent him... If your son lacks talent, you will be throwing your money out the window!
It is possible that someone here has heard this before. I actually mentioned it here a while back on a thread. I got an email from someone who read that post. They said this...
I know what you mean, but our son went to one of your showcases and he no longer plays. He was one of those kids that lacked the talent. He did and still does love the game. Often he mentions the fact that he once got to pitch against Justin Upton and got him out. That experience against the first player taken in the draft is something he will never forget and I'm sure his grand children will hear the story. What do you think that memory was worth. I sure don't feel like I threw my money out the window. I'm very happy we went to that showcase.
So I guess there are two ways to look at most everything. However I would still strongly suggest having some talent before spending money getting evaluated. That said, I really don't care what other people do with their money. It is none of my business.
If your kid has no talent, you shouldn't spend a lot of money trying to show him to decision makers or evaluators. If he loves the game, spend your money on instruction or training and playing at a level he is comfortable with.
One thing I have learned in life is the value of money is not the same for everyone, what you or I may deem as a waste is money well spent to some others. I know people worth 8 figures or more that think I am crazy for spending the money we have spent on baseball. I look at my relationship with my sons and the quality time we have gotten and still get being a part of the game and will tell you it has been cheap!
How many parents of high school kids get requests from both of their boys to come out and feed the T and throw some soft toss to them 5 or so nights a week from March to November? I don't regret one dollar even if some were better spent then others!
Just before HS we asked one of the coaches in the league son was on (former pro guy) to do an evaluation on son for lessons. We would pay for the time spent.
He spent the afternoon with son, gave him some pointers, never charged and said not to throw our money away.
He wasn't the only one that ever gave us this advice.
I would make that call.
If your kid has no talent, you shouldn't spend a lot of money trying to show him to decision makers or evaluators. If he loves the game, spend your money on instruction or training and playing at a level he is comfortable with.
One thing I have learned in life is the value of money is not the same for everyone, what you or I may deem as a waste is money well spent to some others. I know people worth 8 figures or more that think I am crazy for spending the money we have spent on baseball. I look at my relationship with my sons and the quality time we have gotten and still get being a part of the game and will tell you it has been cheap!
How many parents of high school kids get requests from both of their boys to come out and feed the T and throw some soft toss to them 5 or so nights a week from March to November? I don't regret one dollar even if some were better spent then others!
Nobody gets old and decides that they spent too much time with their kids. But I do have some friends with too much money and don't know where their kid's are!
If your kid has no talent, you shouldn't spend a lot of money trying to show him to decision makers or evaluators. If he loves the game, spend your money on instruction or training and playing at a level he is comfortable with.
One thing I have learned in life is the value of money is not the same for everyone, what you or I may deem as a waste is money well spent to some others. I know people worth 8 figures or more that think I am crazy for spending the money we have spent on baseball. I look at my relationship with my sons and the quality time we have gotten and still get being a part of the game and will tell you it has been cheap!
How many parents of high school kids get requests from both of their boys to come out and feed the T and throw some soft toss to them 5 or so nights a week from March to November? I don't regret one dollar even if some were better spent then others!
Nobody gets old and decides that they spent too much time with their kids. But I do have some friends with too much money and don't know where their kid's are!
I throw money at fishing, boats, hunting, waitresses, bartenders, my wife, baseball. .
Check, check, check ... check, check, check ... and CHECK!
Appreciate the validation, Go4.
