Wow, you would actually up root your family to another state because he can't play tournament baseball....and he's 10?
Oh my goodness.
In just a few short years you will realize how silly all of this really is. Save yourself and your family all of the drama. Play somewhere else that cuts all this bs out of your life. You will soon find that the game is a whole lot more fun for you and your son when it is all about the actual game and not about all of this nonsense.
Anything that adds BS to your life when its supposed to add enjoyment needs to be hacked out of your life like hacking down a weed in your yard with a weedeater.
Anything that adds BS to your life when its supposed to add enjoyment needs to be hacked out of your life like hacking down a weed in your yard with a weedeater.
quote:Originally posted by Coach_May:
In just a few short years you will realize how silly all of this really is. Save yourself and your family all of the drama. Play somewhere else that cuts all this bs out of your life. You will soon find that the game is a whole lot more fun for you and your son when it is all about the actual game and not about all of this nonsense.
Anything that adds BS to your life when its supposed to add enjoyment needs to be hacked out of your life like hacking down a weed in your yard with a weedeater.
I agree 100% with your comments. However there are no other options for travel ball. Usssa controls travel ball in this area. AAU is fading in Tampa and Nations only controls a very small complex here in Orlando.
The financial aspects of a move are not a concern. I am 45 yrs old have done very well financially and retired. So as you mentioned why not cut all the BS and find a year round baseball area that doesnt have these type issues.
I am currently looking at areas that are dominated by Nations or other travel ball organizations. If anyone can offer some advise as to where the best cities are located for year round play I would appreciate it.
quote:Originally posted by TPM:
Wow, you would actually up root your family to another state because he can't play tournament baseball....and he's 10?
Oh my goodness.
Yes I would. I am not sure you have a child this age or not. But if you did and your child loved the game of baseball as much as mine then I am sure you would do whatever you had to that would allow him to play and do what he loves.
My son after this first happened asked me why this TD wouldnt let him play. He knew that several other kids in this tournament had the same type classification history he does. I had to spend almost 2 hours with him explaining how some people abuse their power and that sometimes good people get screwed.
These kids all know each other and understand who can play and who cant. When Billy and Johnny both have the same talent level and ones allowed to play and the other isnt, these kids will ask questions.
So in short yes I would spend if I had to a million dollars to give my child the opportunity to play the game that he loves so much year round even at 10 years old.
You have way too much time on your hands.
Earlier you said that you wouldn't drive 1.5 hours to play and mentioned the cost as a factor. Now you will relocate your family so your 10 yo can play BB ?
I hope your son survives this craziness.
Earlier you said that you wouldn't drive 1.5 hours to play and mentioned the cost as a factor. Now you will relocate your family so your 10 yo can play BB ?
I hope your son survives this craziness.
quote:Originally posted by BobbleheadDoll:
You have way too much time on your hands.
Earlier you said that you wouldn't drive 1.5 hours to play and mentioned the cost as a factor. Now you will relocate your family so your 10 yo can play BB ?
I hope your son survives this craziness.
Yes I mentioned the cost. Its about an extra 10k per year. I can spend 15 to 20k and relocate. Sorry I guess I dont follow your comments or maybe I should have elaborated more on my comments.
Don't apologize to me. Save it for your son when you screw his life up. Seems you are doing a good job so far.
Do you think thinks like that haven't happened to others here?
It happened to us at 10yo and we toughed it out.
You keep agreeing with good advice but are locked into your insanity.
Do you think thinks like that haven't happened to others here?
It happened to us at 10yo and we toughed it out.
You keep agreeing with good advice but are locked into your insanity.
quote:Originally posted by OCB:quote:Originally posted by TPM:
Wow, you would actually up root your family to another state because he can't play tournament baseball....and he's 10?
Oh my goodness.
Yes I would. I am not sure you have a child this age or not. But if you did and your child loved the game of baseball as much as mine then I am sure you would do whatever you had to that would allow him to play and do what he loves.
My son after this first happened asked me why this TD wouldnt let him play. He knew that several other kids in this tournament had the same type classification history he does. I had to spend almost 2 hours with him explaining how some people abuse their power and that sometimes good people get screwed.
These kids all know each other and understand who can play and who cant. When Billy and Johnny both have the same talent level and ones allowed to play and the other isnt, these kids will ask questions.
So in short yes I would spend if I had to a million dollars to give my child the opportunity to play the game that he loves so much year round even at 10 years old.
Yes, I have a son who was once your son's age and he too loved the game just like yours and everyone else's.
We didn't have all these youth travel teams, and if we did, it still wouldn't matter because what he did at 10 has no bearing on what he does today. Trust me on that one.
Personally, I don't think it's so much for him but for you, that's my opinion, been around along time and that's what I see.
There are two sides to every story, and your mention of having a lot of money tells me that you are most likely very vocal in your attitude. I remember years ago, same type of situation, powerful dad with money, always an issue, I do beleive his son suffered consequences from it, as in "stay away from that dad" (you will learn that later when it really is important). Always, this was not fair and always wanted the rules changed to accomodate his team.
Many years ago we had one option to play around here, rec ball, we were so sick and tired of the BS when our kids were 10 we formed out own travel team and played a few other teams on a regular basis. We did independent tournies during the holidays. he played far less than most kids do these days, still was able to follow his dream and he did it while doing other things, he never played year round baseball.
If others can't stand it and would leave and you have the bucks, why not form your own league?
You live in south florida, or have you moved already for your son to play somewhere else? You might have noticed I live in south florida, there is no where you are going to go to escape the problem you have but IMO, you won't find better opportunities as your son gets older.
Trust me on that one too.
BTW, no I would NOT uproot my family so son could play baseball, year round. He'd have to do with what's available, I never pampered my son that way, even if I had the money to do so.
What I don't get, they banned your son from playing any tournies, or you?
Most of the posters on this site have kids much older than your son. Their kids are high school, college or pro players. Most of their kids experienced craziness along the way. As parents they observed a lot of crazy parents. None of it affected their kid's ability to ultimately enjoy the game and reach levels of play your son is no where near approaching yet. At ten all your son needs is a place to play, learn the fundamentals and develop a passion for the game. It doesn't need to be USSSA baseball or this guy's tournament. Relocating over 10U baseball makes you sound like a crazy person. It's just 10U baseball.quote:I am not sure you have a child this age or not.
As for TPM she's being modest. Her son played for a major ACC program and was a high MLB draft choice. Coach May gave you great advice. His son plays for a major ACC program. Bobblehead's son played D1 baseball. I have a daughter playing college softball and a son playing 18U showcase ball. Learn from people who have been there and done it. You and your son are far from the first to experience or observe BS.
Take a deep breath and relax. Kids have a lot more fun playing baseball when their parents aren't telling them they're not having fun. I can't tell you how many times I've seen parents do this.
Good luck.
ocb
it seems to me you are set in your way's, as far as must play travel goes anyway. you have recieved a ton of good advice from people who have gone through this stuff.
do yourself and your son a favor. play LL for a few years and take your son fishing or something you can do together. more often than not the best 12u players in the country are doing something else at 18. but you won't know this for a few years, but you will know it.
remember this, the best things in life aren't things. get a hobby for you and your son.
it seems to me you are set in your way's, as far as must play travel goes anyway. you have recieved a ton of good advice from people who have gone through this stuff.
do yourself and your son a favor. play LL for a few years and take your son fishing or something you can do together. more often than not the best 12u players in the country are doing something else at 18. but you won't know this for a few years, but you will know it.
remember this, the best things in life aren't things. get a hobby for you and your son.
quote:Originally posted by TPM:quote:Originally posted by OCB:quote:Originally posted by TPM:
Wow, you would actually up root your family to another state because he can't play tournament baseball....and he's 10?
Oh my goodness.
Yes I would. I am not sure you have a child this age or not. But if you did and your child loved the game of baseball as much as mine then I am sure you would do whatever you had to that would allow him to play and do what he loves.
My son after this first happened asked me why this TD wouldnt let him play. He knew that several other kids in this tournament had the same type classification history he does. I had to spend almost 2 hours with him explaining how some people abuse their power and that sometimes good people get screwed.
These kids all know each other and understand who can play and who cant. When Billy and Johnny both have the same talent level and ones allowed to play and the other isnt, these kids will ask questions.
So in short yes I would spend if I had to a million dollars to give my child the opportunity to play the game that he loves so much year round even at 10 years old.
Yes, I have a son who was once your son's age and he too loved the game just like yours and everyone else's.
We didn't have all these youth travel teams, and if we did, it still wouldn't matter because what he did at 10 has no bearing on what he does today. Trust me on that one.
Personally, I don't think it's so much for him but for you, that's my opinion, been around along time and that's what I see.
There are two sides to every story, and your mention of having a lot of money tells me that you are most likely very vocal in your attitude. I remember years ago, same type of situation, powerful dad with money, always an issue, I do beleive his son suffered consequences from it, as in "stay away from that dad" (you will learn that later when it really is important). Always, this was not fair and always wanted the rules changed to accomodate his team.
Many years ago we had one option to play around here, rec ball, we were so sick and tired of the BS when our kids were 10 we formed out own travel team and played a few other teams on a regular basis. We did independent tournies during the holidays. he played far less than most kids do these days, still was able to follow his dream and he did it while doing other things, he never played year round baseball.
If others can't stand it and would leave and you have the bucks, why not form your own league?
You live in south florida, or have you moved already for your son to play somewhere else? You might have noticed I live in south florida, there is no where you are going to go to escape the problem you have but IMO, you won't find better opportunities as your son gets older.
Trust me on that one too.
BTW, no I would NOT uproot my family so son could play baseball, year round. He'd have to do with what's available, I never pampered my son that way, even if I had the money to do so.
What I don't get, they banned your son from playing any tournies, or you?
Again thank you for your insight and no neither of us have been ban. Also to answer maybe another assumption you might have. I am not one of those dads.
I do however expect rules to be applied to all and not just a select few.
quote:Originally posted by 20dad:
ocb
it seems to me you are set in your way's, as far as must play travel goes anyway. you have recieved a ton of good advice from people who have gone through this stuff.
do yourself and your son a favor. play LL for a few years and take your son fishing or something you can do together. more often than not the best 12u players in the country are doing something else at 18. but you won't know this for a few years, but you will know it.
remember this, the best things in life aren't things. get a hobby for you and your son.
Thank you for your input. My son and I along with his mother do a lot more than just baseball. My son is home schooled so we spend a great deal of time together as is. At least twice a week either just him and I or me, him and his mother do something other than just going to the ball field.
However we are a baseball family and its not because my wife or I push him to play baseball. My son to me seems different than some of the boys he plays with.
Living in Orlando I am sure you know we have Disney, the beach, sea world and so on. However my son loves to play and would rather go to a ball park whether he has a game or not because he enjoys watching and learning plus socializing with all his friends who play.
What is different about that ?
Why do you home school ?
Why do you home school ?
quote:Originally posted by BobbleheadDoll:
Don't apologize to me. Save it for your son when you screw his life up. Seems you are doing a good job so far.
Do you think thinks like that haven't happened to others here?
It happened to us at 10yo and we toughed it out.
You keep agreeing with good advice but are locked into your insanity.
I really dont appreciate the snide comments. My sons life isnt screwed up. My wife and I stress education over sports but I do cater to my son with baseball because its a passion for him.
As I mentioned he is home schooled. At 10 yrs old he reads at a post 12th grade level and is doing 7th and 8th grade level curriculum. So based on these comments I would hope that you could see baseball is secondary to education. Yet I will do whatever it takes to allow him his opportunities to play travel baseball.
quote:Originally posted by BobbleheadDoll:
What is different about that ?
Why do you home school ?
We home school in Florida because all Florida public schools focus on is the FCAT. Most of Florida has a poor educational system. Plus my sons seems to learn at a very rapid pace which is something public or private schools wont address curriculum wise.
According to the teacher that gave him his evaluation report just two weeks ago. By the time he is 15 yrs old he will be ready for college level courses.
I am known for my snide comments.
Seems to me you have a problem. I can't remember fighting with a tournament director. You are over the top in my opinion.
My son just graduated from a D1 in the South and had very high marks. More than that he has had several job offers 3 of which were from top Fortune 500 companies. He went to a humble public HS. Oh the shame. He also scored in the top 5% in math world wide on his SATs. He placed 84th in a world wide business competition with over 10,000 participants from the top academic colleges in the world. He got top academic money on every offer he received in BB.
Do you know hat I consider the most important thing in all his schooling was ? It was the interaction with teachers and other students. I just can't imagine depriving a kid from a normal school experience.
Seems to me you have a problem. I can't remember fighting with a tournament director. You are over the top in my opinion.
My son just graduated from a D1 in the South and had very high marks. More than that he has had several job offers 3 of which were from top Fortune 500 companies. He went to a humble public HS. Oh the shame. He also scored in the top 5% in math world wide on his SATs. He placed 84th in a world wide business competition with over 10,000 participants from the top academic colleges in the world. He got top academic money on every offer he received in BB.
Do you know hat I consider the most important thing in all his schooling was ? It was the interaction with teachers and other students. I just can't imagine depriving a kid from a normal school experience.
My one brother was a college freshman at 15. His biggest complaint was feeling out of place.
quote:According to the teacher that gave him his evaluation report just two weeks ago. By the time he is 15 yrs old he will be ready for college level courses.
Are these the same teachers that teach in that horrible school system in Florida ? I guess we know what that is worth.
Though I agree here in FL it's all about the FCAT, there are many programs for those that are way ahead of others, my son attended one of those programs, but that is not what this discussion is about.
It was about your dilemma regarding what to do as to your situation, and not many seem to have agreed it was handled well by both parties.
I understand your concern now, your son doesn't have interaction on a daily basis with his peers so the baseball experience is most important.
You should move, to where I have no clue, as you will find issues with youth baseball wherever you go.
Best of luck.
BTW, most folks think their baseball sons are different than others.
It was about your dilemma regarding what to do as to your situation, and not many seem to have agreed it was handled well by both parties.
I understand your concern now, your son doesn't have interaction on a daily basis with his peers so the baseball experience is most important.
You should move, to where I have no clue, as you will find issues with youth baseball wherever you go.
Best of luck.
BTW, most folks think their baseball sons are different than others.
quote:Originally posted by BobbleheadDoll:
I am known for my snide comments.
Seems to me you have a problem. I can't remember fighting with a tournament director. You are over the top in my opinion.
My son just graduated from a D1 in the South and had very high marks. More than that he has had several job offers 3 of which were from top Fortune 500 companies. He went to a humble public HS. Oh the shame. He also scored in the top 5% in math world wide on his SATs. He placed 84th in a world wide business competition with over 10,000 participants from the top academic colleges in the world. He got top academic money on every offer he received in BB.
Do you know hat I consider the most important thing in all his schooling was ? It was the interaction with teachers and other students. I just can't imagine depriving a kid from a normal school experience.
I wonder if thats what some of the parents in Florida are saying about their childs school experience that struggle to pass remedial college courses.
I also wonder if thats what the mother of the 17 yr old is saying after her son was just stabbed and killed over a girl at his high school.
I wonder if thats what the teachers are saying is most important, its the interaction between student and teacher that is most important. Who cares if Florida ranks like 46th in the nation for education.
I wonder if thats what some fathers might be saying. Heck forget the education, I just hope my 13 yr old son hooks up with a hot teacher to have S#X.
Your son does sound very intelligent however I am willing to bet based on your comments those genes come from his mother.
You cant imagine depriving a kid from those experiences but I cant imagine being a parent of a student in Florida exposing that child to those experiences.
quote:Your son does sound very intelligent however I am willing to bet based on your comments those genes come from his mother.
Ya but he got his charm and good looks from me.
I knew there was more to your story. My guess is you will have problems where ever you go.
More so in the preteen years.quote:BTW, most folks think their baseball sons are different than others.
You're focused on a very small percentage of problems compared to the norm. Somehow I see a connection between these points and your tournament issues.quote:Originally posted by OCB:quote:Originally posted by BobbleheadDoll:
I am known for my snide comments.
Seems to me you have a problem. I can't remember fighting with a tournament director. You are over the top in my opinion.
My son just graduated from a D1 in the South and had very high marks. More than that he has had several job offers 3 of which were from top Fortune 500 companies. He went to a humble public HS. Oh the shame. He also scored in the top 5% in math world wide on his SATs. He placed 84th in a world wide business competition with over 10,000 participants from the top academic colleges in the world. He got top academic money on every offer he received in BB.
Do you know hat I consider the most important thing in all his schooling was ? It was the interaction with teachers and other students. I just can't imagine depriving a kid from a normal school experience.
I wonder if thats what some of the parents in Florida are saying about their childs school experience that struggle to pass remedial college courses.
I also wonder if thats what the mother of the 17 yr old is saying after her son was just stabbed and killed over a girl at his high school.
I wonder if thats what the teachers are saying is most important, its the interaction between student and teacher that is most important. Who cares if Florida ranks like 46th in the nation for education.
I wonder if thats what some fathers might be saying. Heck forget the education, I just hope my 13 yr old son hooks up with a hot teacher to have S#X.
Your son does sound very intelligent however I am willing to bet based on your comments those genes come from his mother.
You cant imagine depriving a kid from those experiences but I cant imagine being a parent of a student in Florida exposing that child to those experiences.
My daughter attended and my son attends a public school. They've been exposed to things they wouldn't be in a pure world. I feel the exposure, social interaction and standing up for what they feel is right has been an important part of their educational process into the real world. Education is about more than grades.
My cousin started college at sixteen. He completed a five year BA/MA degree at an Ivy in four years. He graduated from a prestigious law school. He said he won't allow his kids to do the same. He said college was an academic success and a social failure. As an adult in his forties he's a professional success and a social dweeb.
Back to part of the original question:
Yes, I think there is a new rule, which we made aware of last weekend, but I haven't taken the time to look it up. My son was asked to guest play on a team last week and the coach had to clearify with the tournament director his AAA status. (That is how we knew there was a new rule with USSSA). My son now cannot guest play on a AA team, which he did as recently as August, but the new season and rule started after that (?). Last week, since the guest team was also AAA and a year older, there wasn't an issue.
Also, in one of your first postings you were mentioning the classification histories of the players. It is the TEAM that has the classification of AA, AAA, Major, etc. and will show up on the history of an idividual player. Even though my son played on a AA team when he was 10, he himself was a Major player (LOL) After his team won several tournaments last year as 13U, they were bumped up and eventually got to Majors. Were all of the players on his team Major quality? ....no. Now, at 14U, the team is classified as AAA, with almost all of the same players.
As for "all year ball", in the mid-Atlantic, we play spring, summer, fall, and then do winter conditioning with BP. The players arms do need a break. I considering that year round ball!
Yes, I think there is a new rule, which we made aware of last weekend, but I haven't taken the time to look it up. My son was asked to guest play on a team last week and the coach had to clearify with the tournament director his AAA status. (That is how we knew there was a new rule with USSSA). My son now cannot guest play on a AA team, which he did as recently as August, but the new season and rule started after that (?). Last week, since the guest team was also AAA and a year older, there wasn't an issue.
Also, in one of your first postings you were mentioning the classification histories of the players. It is the TEAM that has the classification of AA, AAA, Major, etc. and will show up on the history of an idividual player. Even though my son played on a AA team when he was 10, he himself was a Major player
(LOL) After his team won several tournaments last year as 13U, they were bumped up and eventually got to Majors. Were all of the players on his team Major quality? ....no. Now, at 14U, the team is classified as AAA, with almost all of the same players.As for "all year ball", in the mid-Atlantic, we play spring, summer, fall, and then do winter conditioning with BP. The players arms do need a break. I considering that year round ball!
First I would like to say I have no problem with you or most of what you said. For example the home schooling. Heck Mr. Tebow was home schooled and I for one would love for my son to grow up to be like him and not the football part either. Any way I said that to try and get across the point that I am not joining the bash fest on you.
Now I truly appreciate people standing up for what is right and teaching that valuable lesson to their kids. However if you can remove yourself from this situation and look at the argument from an outside point of view. Here is a guy that is essentially PO'd because a tournament director wouldn't allow his son's team to cheat. Now yes he may have allowed other teams but still it was about cheating. Then this guys makes accusations about other kids playing in the tournament and then show up at that tournament. Now not to defend this TD because he sounds like a dumba$$, but if I had a parent that had brought up other children in a complaint and then showed up at the tournament where those kids were at I would have thrown you out to. I wouldn't have taken the time to find out why you were there. I would have just assumed you were there to start something and since YOU brought up other peoples children I would have bounced you before any drama was started.
Now looking at it like this do you really think this is the good fight to possibly hurt your sons baseball experience over?
By the way my boy is 9 and no I would never move for any youth sport. Baseball is flat out hands down his favorite thing in the world and I won't even let him play travel. He is 9 for goodness sakes.
Now I truly appreciate people standing up for what is right and teaching that valuable lesson to their kids. However if you can remove yourself from this situation and look at the argument from an outside point of view. Here is a guy that is essentially PO'd because a tournament director wouldn't allow his son's team to cheat. Now yes he may have allowed other teams but still it was about cheating. Then this guys makes accusations about other kids playing in the tournament and then show up at that tournament. Now not to defend this TD because he sounds like a dumba$$, but if I had a parent that had brought up other children in a complaint and then showed up at the tournament where those kids were at I would have thrown you out to. I wouldn't have taken the time to find out why you were there. I would have just assumed you were there to start something and since YOU brought up other peoples children I would have bounced you before any drama was started.
Now looking at it like this do you really think this is the good fight to possibly hurt your sons baseball experience over?
By the way my boy is 9 and no I would never move for any youth sport. Baseball is flat out hands down his favorite thing in the world and I won't even let him play travel. He is 9 for goodness sakes.
Now a quick comment for everyone else. I have to say I have found this thread kinda shocking. All the travel ball coaches in my area keep telling me that my son needs to join their travel team because all the LL drama is left behind. Now is this true this drama continues in travel ball. lol
Sorry for the third post but one more question for the original poster. You said these other children in question played on a Major team LAST year. Does the rule apply to your previous years classification or this years classification. Maybe they play AA this year.
quote:Originally posted by coach scotty:
Sorry for the third post but one more question for the original poster. You said these other children in question played on a Major team LAST year. Does the rule apply to your previous years classification or this years classification. Maybe they play AA this year.
It applies to your whole history. However I spoke with Don DeDonatis yesterday who is the CEO of Usssa. He met with this TD and our State Director last week about this issue.
After our conversation yesterday he told me that Usssa was about the kids playing baseball, not this history classification nonsense and maybe getting the opportunity to play in college to get an education.
He explained that he instructed the TD and State Director that even if a kid has higher classification history as long as that team isnt stacking up. let the kids play.
Also since some of this has started several teams that were AA with several major classification history players have been moved up to AAA. So IMHO whether the approach was right or wrong it seems maybe some good has come out of this.
There can be plenty of drama in travel ball. The drama settles down around 16U when kids start getting cut at high school and the parents start to realize their kid isn't the stud they thought he was.quote:Originally posted by coach scotty:
Now a quick comment for everyone else. I have to say I have found this thread kinda shocking. All the travel ball coaches in my area keep telling me that my son needs to join their travel team because all the LL drama is left behind. Now is this true this drama continues in travel ball. lol
RJM...16u is also when the Dads are no longer the coaches. That also seems to cut down on the drama.
quote:Originally posted by dad43:
RJM...16u is also when the Dads are no longer the coaches. That also seems to cut down on the drama.
Its at 16u and not before? WOW I would have thought daddy ball would be gone by the time most kids hit the big field.
This is one of the reasons I dont coach because my son is an infielder and I dont want to be accused of him playing infield because of daddy ball.
There's still drama in the stands with some of the parents. Some parents worry about what position their kid gets to play in 16U and then showcase in 18U.quote:Originally posted by dad43:
RJM...16u is also when the Dads are no longer the coaches. That also seems to cut down on the drama.
Drama is what you make it. Most drama is in the stands and not in the dugout and on the field. If drama hits the dugout and field it's brought there by parents bringing issues to the coaches.quote:Originally posted by OCB:quote:Originally posted by dad43:
RJM...16u is also when the Dads are no longer the coaches. That also seems to cut down on the drama.
Its at 16u and not before? WOW I would have thought daddy ball would be gone by the time most kids hit the big field.
This is one of the reasons I dont coach because my son is an infielder and I dont want to be accused of him playing infield because of daddy ball.
As the kids get older the talent funnel narrows. The parents are the last to notice when their kid has hit the wall. In their eyes it's the coaches fault. The first wall is when the kids move up to the full size field. Kids can no longer out muscle and out run the field. They have to be able to play the game. In 14U the game gets faster. More kids fail. By 15U and 16U kids are hitting high school ball and the funnel gets smaller. Kids are getting cut by the high school programs. Typically when players hit these walls the parents freak out. After 16U you'll see parents freak out on what showcase programs are interested, or worse not interested in their kid. At 18U you'll see some parents worried about what positions their kids play in showcases.
All the way through there are parents who freak out if their kid isn't the shortstop. At every level all the players (except lefties) were typically shortstops at some lower level. Chances are by college ball the second baseman, third baseman, centerfielder and rightfielder are former shortstops.
The moral of the story is relax and enjoy the ride. If a kid can hit and is athletic there's nothing standing in his way except the nonsense the parent puts between his ears. I never worried what position my son plays. There are nine positions on the field. They're all better than any position on the bench.
When I was the head coach from 9U through 13U I never worried what anyone thought about where my son played and where he batted in the order. From 14U to 16U as an assistant I never tried to influence the lineup unless I was asked. You can't let parents sway your judgement as a coach.
My son is playing fall PONY and most of the parents have reached that point where they KNOW it's their sons' baseball experience, not their own. While my son is smaller and slower than most of his teammates, the game seemed to have slowed down for him on the big field.
As for daddyball, I was managing 10yo All Stars several years ago and a couple of the parents had issues with playing time, positions, etc. When we were finally eliminated, the kids were horsing and playing around as it losing did not matter in the least. We dads looked at each other and just smiled as we realized that the kids were having fun, regardless of the result.
And isn't that all that matters?
John
As for daddyball, I was managing 10yo All Stars several years ago and a couple of the parents had issues with playing time, positions, etc. When we were finally eliminated, the kids were horsing and playing around as it losing did not matter in the least. We dads looked at each other and just smiled as we realized that the kids were having fun, regardless of the result.
And isn't that all that matters?
John
quote:Originally posted by johnu:
When we were finally eliminated, the kids were horsing and playing around as it losing did not matter in the least. We dads looked at each other and just smiled as we realized that the kids were having fun, regardless of the result.
And isn't that all that matters?
John
I for one feel that is what matters.... at 10.
I was thinking about this the other day, knowing what I know, if son was 10 again, would we be very involved with some of the "elite" (whatever elite is at 10) travel stuff that goes on these days.
No way!
Telling folks that the reason these travel teams exist so that they can secure college scholarships is nonsense, half or more of these youth players will not even go onto play HS ball, let alone college.
Do parents really buy into that stuff for 10 year olds?
Yes , they do. He has to get on this team. He has to play SS. He needs to hit in the middle of the order. He has to play infield. He needs to pitch. On and on it goes.
The sad thing is the kid suffers from the parent that tries to manipulate the experience. Some kids withdraw from the game and lose all interest. Some take on the parents agenda as well. Its all about my son ends up being Its all about me.
No one is going to care about all this stuff when your kid gets to HS. Its going to be about ability to play and the ability to be a good team mate. None of this stuff will factor into these two key elements of success , at least not in a positive way.
"He didnt play travel ball and he didnt make all stars and now he is starting on the HS team!" "My son played on the travel team and made all starts every year this is BS." Guess what no one cares.
The sad thing is the kid suffers from the parent that tries to manipulate the experience. Some kids withdraw from the game and lose all interest. Some take on the parents agenda as well. Its all about my son ends up being Its all about me.
No one is going to care about all this stuff when your kid gets to HS. Its going to be about ability to play and the ability to be a good team mate. None of this stuff will factor into these two key elements of success , at least not in a positive way.
"He didnt play travel ball and he didnt make all stars and now he is starting on the HS team!" "My son played on the travel team and made all starts every year this is BS." Guess what no one cares.
When my son was playing USSSA tournaments, if we had a long break between games I liked to go by the 10U games and observe parents. If I get a live one I like to talk and get their views on travel ball.quote:Do parents really buy into that stuff for 10 year olds?
One of the major showcase programs in the area also has teams down to 9U. One dad told me his 10U son is going to play college ball because this program gets it's players to college ball. The 10U team costs $3,000 a year. I pointed out to the dad the 18U team gets it's players to college ball, not all the players in the program. He corrected me claiming it gets all it's players to college ball. I know better than that. Only five players from the 13U team still made the team at 16U.
I wonder how many parents cut corners for their family and invest $18,000 over six years through 14U only to discover their kid isn't even a high school varsity prospect. This program has B and C level teams through 16U for the parents who insist on blowing their money.
This is ridiculous. We are talking about 10yr old. You will realize how silly this gripe is in 5 yrs. You will come to realize that your son's skills will outweigh your influence. He will either sink or swim, and you will have no control over it - None.
The Dads that have try to mold and influence from LL onto Boosters, quickly realize that when their son is on a showcase team (if he makes a showcase team) nobody cares what he has done in the past - only what he can do now. And you will have to sit back and like many Dad's do a reality check... I think the better players seem to evolve from those who have had to earn their playing time.
The Dads that have try to mold and influence from LL onto Boosters, quickly realize that when their son is on a showcase team (if he makes a showcase team) nobody cares what he has done in the past - only what he can do now. And you will have to sit back and like many Dad's do a reality check... I think the better players seem to evolve from those who have had to earn their playing time.
Just read this post. OCB - you are upset by Usssa TD, but you make no mention of your son wanting you to file a complaint. Before you make a complete A## out of yourself for 10 yr old baseball tournament (I still can't believe we are talking about a 10yr old), take a deep breath and let it go.
All I can say is......WOW!!!
OCB, I won't repeat the parade of posts saying basically the same things in slightly different ways......while I can understand your passion, I strongly suggest that for the sake of your son, if not yourself, you would do well to take to heart what RJM, TPM, & Coach May are saying. They have been there, done that. They have seen you and your son before (most of us have), doesn't matter whether it's FL, AZ, VA, CA, NY, or anywhere in the US. Again I strongly suggest listening to what they are saying, because although in your heart you may mean well, in the long run you really don't want to be THAT Dad, if not for your sake most certainly for your son's.
OCB, I won't repeat the parade of posts saying basically the same things in slightly different ways......while I can understand your passion, I strongly suggest that for the sake of your son, if not yourself, you would do well to take to heart what RJM, TPM, & Coach May are saying. They have been there, done that. They have seen you and your son before (most of us have), doesn't matter whether it's FL, AZ, VA, CA, NY, or anywhere in the US. Again I strongly suggest listening to what they are saying, because although in your heart you may mean well, in the long run you really don't want to be THAT Dad, if not for your sake most certainly for your son's.