Why?

Well, I could go with 'they're morons who have no understanding of the game or the real world', but that would be too facile.

Parents have a few things in common: they love their children, are very proud of them, and spend a great deal of time 'fixing' things for their kids --- from broken toys to finding that one perfect glove, from mediating sibling disputes to researching the best coach in the area, from explaining grammar rules to teaching them to ride a bike. It gets to be a habit.

As they get older and the Evil Outside World starts to hold influence over them, some parents can't let go. And it would seem to be that sports is the last thing they believe they have some control over. Parents who wouldn't dream of going into the hs to argue a grade on their child's behalf, still phone the coach for PT....or monopolize showcase operators about their child's Unrecognized Talent. Maybe that tactic worked in Little League and they haven't figured out that those days are over.

We've all heard them in the hs stands when their little darling wiffs or makes an error, "He was up studying late last night", "He has a fever", "His elbow is still sore", etc, etc, etc If their player is still buying into their lines, he's got a problem; if he isn't, he's embarassed.

There are, however, parents of good players who do the same thing --- but the level of talent doesn't make it any more appropriate. "If you're good, you don't have to tell anybody, they can see it" is too subtle for these types.

And then there are the ones who promote the kid on message boards.....

The only certain thing is that it's not going to stop any time soon.

I might just be fortunate, but I haven't really experienced too much of what you describe. I've heard parents grumble about coaches my fair share, and heardd parents make excuses for their kids' bad performances (my favorite:"he's not used to this catcher" but I can't think of having to listen to a parent hyping his kid to coaches or showcase operators.

Not that I deny there are some knuckleheads out there doing it, but I haven't personally experienced it.

And most people I know whose kids are truly good - they are the quietest.

Those parents have somrthing to sell!

quote:

Originally posted by Orlando:

And then there are the ones who promote the kid on message boards.....

The only certain thing is that it's not going to stop any time soon.

Parents are pretty quiet on our travel team and they were also on the hs summer team. The parents root for all the kids, and are silent when there are errors.

We have one dad in our neighborhood who is "promotional" of his son. He doesn't really talk to us much anymore. There have been no words between us, just field action. His son has already been injured and finished rehabing in January. We were on the same team twice (MS and HSsummer) this year, and his son did not play at the level we were expecting. We have wondered if the dad is mad at himself for pushing his son, and letting that reflect in his attutude towards us and our son. I can see him talking up his son with anyone who will listen since he already does it.

Anyway, all that to say I think the parents are trying to replace something that is missing in their lives. Maybe by building up their child, they feel they are helping their fantasy come true. I'm always wary of the parents who have to tell me about how great their child is. over and over again

Homerun04

I believe my son participated at the same event in Northern California this weekend. It was my son's and my first experiance at a showcase. I could see what you describe happening. Just sitting in the stands one could over hear the parents going on about their sons. Not to make any judgements here, but as you point out the play between the lines should be the final say. One question. Do you find that when parents hype their son that their son never meets up to the hype?

Being my sons first showcase I wanted my sons performance to speak for him. I feel that he was not one of the stand out players, but was somewhere above the middle of the pack. I could see how he compared to the other players at the showcase and no amount of hype or excuses that I could come up with change his perfermance. I feel he did fine and in discussing the event with him he feels that he could do better next time. He now has an idea of what to work on and is motivated to improve and perform better at another showcase.

I enjoyed watching him under pressure and he learned a lot about being in a showcase and matured a bit more baseball wise.

quote:

Originally posted by gimages:
One question. Do you find that when parents hype their son that their son never meets up to the hype?
*****
I feel he did fine and in discussing the event with him he feels that he could do better next time. He now has an idea of what to work on and is motivated to improve and perform better at another showcase.

I enjoyed watching him under pressure and he learned a lot about being in a showcase and matured a bit more baseball wise.

I can not say that the players never meets up with the hype, but then again, sometimes that is even worst when you hear a good player's dad in the stands constantly say how great his son is...

I enjoy analyzing the play, I like to be balanced in terms of what is being done well and what needs to be improved, that is how you get better and challenge yourself to improve.

I like your outlook of enjoying watching your son play under pressure and discussing what he can improve on.

One of the best things that could have happen was when my son did not make an international travel team he tried out for, we discussed what happened and I asked him what he was going to do about it. The end product was he worked even harder to improve and never let himself not be in the top condition possible to compete for a team and never took anything for granted. I think as a parent you can't ask for more.

Gee, TG... sounds like a little hostility toward the female in your family from both you and your son. Apparently there's only one perspective allowed? Is it possible you are mistaking "reasons" for "excuses" - your wife sees a reason why JR may not be up to snuff, and you hear her making excuses? In any case, I don't see any reason for a boy to be snapping at his mother - she's there cheering him on, and he should be grateful, whatever her level of understanding of the game might be. <End of rant.>

As for the topic - The level of desperation that is evident in these type of parents is what's really sad, not to mention the embarrassment to the player. We had a dad on a showcase weekend who wandered around with a stack of resumes, passing them out to anyone who would take one. It was pitiful to see the look on his face as he was fishing most of them out of the trash can by the exit. We've seen parents who were instructed to not bother the scouts who simply couldn't help themselves - just had to try to get "an edge". They remind you of bad used car salesmen - they just ooze desperation. You wonder what they'll feel like when it just doesn't work out?

There are all kinds of people in this world. Why are we taking the time to single out over involved parents and demean them?

I sure hope you guys don't get to the laundry list of character defects I have.

quote:

Gee, TG... sounds like a little hostility toward the female in your family from both you and your son.

I agree. Geez. TG, you reminded me of my ex-husband...

I've never been one to go to coaches about my son, but I have been known to cheer awfully loudly and rationalize a bit. I'll admit to going overboard on this site a time or two, but I am learning to shut up for two reasons: 1) because of what Orlando posted - it embarrasses him, and 2) because of what happened last year. My son got a fantastic opportunity that some of his friends/teammates didn't get, and the assumption among the parents was that he got this opportunity because I promoted him to the coach. It wasn't true, but they assumed that it was, things got downright ugly, and it was a lonely year (but very rewarding). So now at games I keep my head in my little scorebook, compliment other people's boys, and do my best to stay out of the drama. And if my son does succeed, yes, I'm gonna holler.

CPLZ--sorry if comes across that way. Just a typical board discussion with all kinds of opinions. Everyone vents about something or other at any given time. I too have a long list of personal faults. This is only a generalized discussion--no names or even teams have been mentioned. Sorry if it was offensive to you

Baseball is subjective.
What one person see's in an athlete, another doesn't.
It's about opinions.
Some make better educated guesses than others, that's a given, and goes with the territory.

For example, I said to my son at a recent senior HS showcase, " Hmmm,....this pitcher hasn't hit over 70 mph. I wonder why he is getting so much interest? "

My son said, " Mom,..its about projectability. He's got the ability. A college coach can recognize that and turn him into an 80+ mph pitcher ".

Oh.


Homerun04,...

quote:

when it is not even close to reality?

Who's reality are we talking about?
Theirs? Yours? All the coaches in the universe?
It only takes one to believe in a kid,...just one.

And sometimes when the chips are down, it takes a parent sharing in his child's belief that their son/daughter will make it to the next level, to get him/her there.
Sometimes that and hard work may be all the kid has at the moment.
Sometimes that belief, support, and hardwork is what makes that athlete get over the hill and on to a bigger future.

With time, we all learn. Its a process not only for the athletes, but for us parents too.

Careful shortstopmom...you're going to sprain your thumb if you keep poking it into the top of your smiley face!

quote:

It only takes one to believe in a kid,...just one.

shortstopmom, I like your style!

IMO,

When talking the future there are only opinions… There is very little reality…

Reality is something that has already happened. There are lots of different opinions about what might happen in the future.

Don’t know what this has to do with anything, just thought I’d add an opinion that is actually reality!

quote:

It only takes one to believe in a kid,...just one.

And sometimes when the chips are down, it takes a parent sharing in his child's belief that their son/daughter will make it to the next level, to get him/her there.
Sometimes that and hard work may be all the kid has at the moment.
Sometimes that belief, support, and hardwork is what makes that athlete get over the hill and on to a bigger future.

ssmom - I believe you have hit upon something important. Many times, the parent and the player are the only ones who believe and frankly, all they should be concerned about is finding one coach or scout out there who also believe.

I think your point here is excellent but perhaps off topic. I often wonder if parents who hype their kids actually believe in their kids. For instance, if I believe in my son and my son believes in himself, why then does it make a difference if I convince you or someone else at the showcase to believe. I "believe" hype only diminishes the "belief" - if it even exists in the first place.

I have only been to one showcase type event in my life and unfortunately, my experiece was the same as Homerun04's. I agree with him, let your child's play do the talking for them and nothing else. Otherwise, I have to ask - do people really believe? Also, is hype and self-promotion a sign of insecurity?

[QUOTE]Originally posted by CPLZ:
There are all kinds of people in this world. Why are we taking the time to single out over involved parents and demean them?[QUOTE]

I happen to agree with this. Sometimes some things are understood by us all, and better left not to be brought up on a public messageboard.

It's human nature to talk about son's accomplishment and be proud. I am sure we have all been guilty. Many of us do it here everyday on the HSBBW.

As far as moms and their roles, I have found when son has a great outing, on the phone with dad. If things are a bit rocky, it's easier to speak to mom.
However, don't call me first if you screwed up on a test. Don't beat up on us because we have a softer side.

What I have found is that many of us look for perfection every game. You are not going to find it, ever. Being consistant is the key to success. There are good games and there are bad games. The role of the parent (which sometimes later transfers to the coach or advisor after HS) to is help them to understand what needs to be improved to achieve the highest results and their goals. There are parents who talk about their players strengths as well as their weaknesses. You can learn alot by who they are and their philosophies and usually you will see those players of those parents be the most successful, not just in baseball, but in everything they do in their lives.

The above is correct, a players performance speaks for itself, not what his mom or dad have to say.

JMO.

ClevelandDad, you made me think and I thank you for that.
I do understand where you are coming from.

I too have sat next to and around parents who really know how to hoot and root for their own kid, sometimes to the point where I need to get up and move out to center field toting my handy dandy set of industrial strength earplugs.

Perhaps I am just getting older. Perhaps with this old age, I hope that I am learning patience along with enduring the thrill of early arthritis!-ha!

While I admire and personally prefer those parents who let their child's performance speak for itself, I do understand where the opposite type of parent is coming from.
I know that I have not lived in their shoes.
I know that I do not know what, if any, obstacles their son/daughter has overcome to get where they are that day.
So I let them self-promote their child. They are excited, they are full of hope, and they are usually quite proud. That's ok with me.
Do I personally enjoy it as much as sitting next to the quiet non-self promoting parent? No,...... but I understand.

quote:

Also, is hype and self-promotion a sign of insecurity?

That's a big question that I do not have a blanket answer for. ( quick,...I need more coffee and must set down this Zen-tea! )
Probably depends on the individual and their motives.

Ability.
Isn't that really the only " reality " ?

Everything else IMHO, is just frosting and coolwhip.

Again off topic, but an observation.

What I have noticed with many good players at all levels, studs, blue-chippers, call them what you want.

They are relatively quiet and go about their business of baseball amidst any hype, ranking, or past accomplishments.

They know better, better than us parents !!

Example:

AROD dug out a low pitch yesterday in the NYY loss late in the game and drove it over 400 feet. What a great piece of hitting by a tremendous specimen. In the 9th, on a 3-2 count, he chased an outside pitch(ball four), and failed.

You could see the disappointment and a little personal disgust on his face back in the dugout, but you could also sense the professionalism and humbleness he possesses about the game of baseball, and its many difficulties.

On the topic:

The only real showcase experience I had was the annual BuckeyeScout held in Ohio each summer for the upcoming Seniors.

It is a two day event, the usual stuff on day one and then a series of games on day two.

Many parents, many scouts, and many college coaches. The college coaches were friendly, and if they already had contacted your son prior to the event, they made sure to greet you.

As far as the parents. I never met a bunch of more humble people(Ohio), and very supportive of all the boys in attendance. The banter was mainly "who was getting contacted by whom", or general recruiting experiences shared.

I can't recall any conversation or behavior that resembled "rose-colored glasses speak", etc. It was actually like a 2 day version of the HSBBW Recruiting Forum.

What drives me a little crazy are the parents of very young players just starting out(ages 8-13) who treat their kids horribly during games if they fail, as if a MLB scout was in attendance and he was "blowing his shot at the Pros"

Kind of deflates the fun, don't you think ?

Also, is hype and self-promotion a sign of insecurity?

Probably get a better answer from an advisor/agent.

Is the product marketable ?

Are all options being explored ?

Is a student-athlete who is asked to fill out forms for college coaches, which includes information on prior baseball successes like all-conference, POY, stats self-promoting ?

Does the player who showcases actually self-promoting ? Is the video produced by the showcaser a form of self-promoting ?

I have always believed that performance on the field would get you where you deserved to be and me promoting my son outside the lines would do nothing but be a distracion to those that were supposed to be making the decisions.

However I have to admit I have wondered if my thought process was wrong. It did seem that many kids that did have the promoting parents did well using that approach and although my opinion is not relevant I didn't always think some of these kids really warranted the hype. It seems that once a kid gets a reputation as a prospect they will get followed more closely so taking that into consideration perhaps the parental promotion does work. Now they have to prove that they can't play instead of prove that they can.

Its not my style and I don't care to be around it but I do believe that it can be effective, it just really helps if your kid can back up your claims, unfortunately many times they can't.

quote:

Also, is hype and self-promotion a sign of insecurity?

Probably get a better answer from an advisor/agent.

Is the product marketable ?

Are all options being explored ?

Is a student-athlete who is asked to fill out forms for college coaches, which includes information on prior baseball successes like all-conference, POY, stats self-promoting ?

Does the player who showcases actually self-promoting ? Is the video produced by the showcaser a form of self-promoting ?

Again - off topic imho OS8. Obviously the reason to showcase is for promotion. The topic question asked:

quote:

My question is why do parents feel it is necessary hype up their son’s skills and paint a picture that is just un-realistic of reality? Why not just let your son demonstrate their ability on the field and do all the talking between the lines with their performance and actions vs the parents constantly saying how good they are and make excuses when it does not come true, to everyone within shouting distance?

quote:

quote:
My question is why do parents feel it is necessary hype up their son’s skills and paint a picture that is just un-realistic of reality? Why not just let your son demonstrate their ability on the field and do all the talking between the lines with their performance and actions vs the parents constantly saying how good they are and make excuses when it does not come true, to everyone within shouting distance?

Different human personalities react differently to each situation.

Perhaps these parents are not intentionally " hyping up their son's ability ".
Perhaps they believe in what they are promoting?
Perhaps not.
Does it really matter?

Perhaps an additional question to ask is:

" Does parental self promotion of one's own son/daughter have any effect on their son's/daughter's showcase evaluation? "

I don't hear much kid promoting by the parents. I have seen a lot of things, but not the bragging/excuse thing. But havn't been to a lot of showcases either.

quote:

Different human personalities. Perhaps these parents are not intentionally " hyping up their son's ability ". Perhaps they believe in what they are promoting?

ssmom - I admire your ability to see both sides and to give the benefit of the doubt

I would bet my life savings that in your mind, you believe and know that you are a good mother. I am guessing you don't go around telling people that you are a good mother however - you just are. I believe that was the point of the original post. Just allow them to be a good baseball player between the lines. That ought to be good enough if in fact they are good enough.

quote:

Perhaps an additional question to ask is:

" Does parental self promotion of one's own son/daughter have any effect on their son's/daughter's showcase evaluation? "

I don't think so, but see jmepop's post above.

Take a look at the term "insecurity"

If it means you have no security about something, or trying - to secure - something you don't have just yet(college baseball/pro baseball), then maybe self-promotion is the way to gain security of that "something".

I agree, and have always said, " it all comes down to the field of play"

You can probably do a search on this site where I have repeatedly said that, BUT

If you have a player who consistently performs pretty well, then self-promotion can be useful.

Why do all the "hyped" potential early draft picks get an advisor/agent ? $$$$$$$$$$$$$

Why do many who want to be like them get an advisor/agent ?

Why do some not on the radar yet players(parents pay) attend the routine type showcases ?

To get on the radar.

Why do some HS and summer coaches call scouts and college coaches about a player ?


If some parents want to drive others crazy about "Johnny does this and Johnny does that" when Johnny can't do any of it, just walk away.

As I said before, at my sons HS games, I hung out down the RF line and kept my mouth shut. At the few college scrimmages, I say hello to the coaches briefly, then sit down, stay quiet, and if asked about baseball, I comment about how good the boys look out there.

ClevelandDad, I'll give ya thirty seconds to get back your life savings. ( ha!)
I am NOT a good mother.
But I am a mother who works at trying to be.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
....but thank you.
And thank you for making my brain think today.

quote:

Originally posted by ClevelandDad:
...if I believe in my son and my son believes in himself, why then does it make a difference if I convince you or someone else at the showcase to believe. I "believe" hype only diminishes the "belief" - if it even exists in the first place.

But if a tree falls in the forest....



Excellent point.

Actually, I believe this is a good topic for the board. When this board first began, it was primarily about (oddly enough) hs players. The original posters' sons progressed to college, other endeavors, or the pro's. Much more recently, pre-hs families have joined us.

The player-promotion (which is different from answering questions honestly about a player: who has contacted, awards, stats,etc.) was, in my experience, more in evidence with younger or less experienced players. That this type of parent behavior might be seen as baggage by recruiters....or just irritating ....is another lesson to be learned on the way.

There was a player my son's age, well known in FL. Good size, good pitcher, with the Dad From Promotion Hades. He threw 86 for the gun at a showcase. I heard the organizers talking as the kid walked away, "That'll be 90 by the time he gets back into the dugout." "And 95 when his Dad tells the story".

OS8 - all your points are valid but for another topic imho. Of course a player has to promote himself before recruiters and scouts - that is what people do everyday on a job interview. There is no insecurity involved in that.

I am trying to understand what benefit there is in promoting someone's player to me? a) I don't care and more importantly - b) I don't have the power to do anything about it so kindly leave me out of it and let me enjoy the event.

I suppose one could argue they can't always tell who the scouts are so they might as well use the blanket approach and assume everyone is a scout

What does bragging to parents have to do with promoting a kid ?

Seems to me the crowds are all down the fence lines.

quote:

Originally posted by Orlando:

There was a player my son's age, well known in FL. Good size, good pitcher, with the Dad From Promotion Hades. He threw 86 for the gun at a showcase. I heard the organizers talking as the kid walked away, "That'll be 90 by the time he gets back into the dugout." "And 95 when his Dad tells the story".

Good points.

Regarding the above I recently heard about a parent who was at a showcase informing the scouts holding the gun that it was his son throwing the heat.

It's not just at showcases. It's on HSBBW. It's at a local HS game. It's at a college game. All parents want to see the best in their kids. Most parents want to make sure that everyone else saw Johnny's great hit and realizes that he can hit for power. We forget that if our kid has all these "tools" that others will see that.... mom and dad don't have to point it out. I'm guilty of it and so are most of the folks I know. We love our kids, we're proud of their accomplishments, and want them to have plenty of opportunities.

Some of us do a better job of keeping it in check than others. It is my hope that I've never left a field, showcase, or this site with someone going "she's obnoxious". Otherwise, hopefully they cut me some slack in a moment of excitement over one of my kids.

BHD..............I can't answer your question about parents bragging to other parents. I suppose you could ask them, and let us know ?

by: Bob Howdeshell
High School Baseball Web

http://www.hsbaseballweb.com/reality.htm

"Many times the player is a "big fish in a small pond." His parents, peers and others all feel that he is a future professional baseball player.

We have all met folks with larger than "reality" opinions about their player's abilities and college baseball potential, that may not match the rest of the world's opinion. The reality of recruiting is that it is different for every player."
*******************
Is it like 5% of all HS kids go on to play college baseball ? Every year in D1, about 2500 incoming freshman out of about 120,000 graduating high schoolers, or about 2 %.

I suppose many(all) of us are lucky and blessed who have college players, and maybe the parents of the other 95% just want to be included, even if their sons don't have the skills to get there.

I don't think it is news to everyone that as we all get older, more settled, that we shift focus of successes of our children to the forefront. It is human nature.

While coaching 3rd base this Fall for my younger boys team, we played a team that had a taller, bigger, and stronger pitcher on the mound. He threw pretty hard for an 12 year old. The teams were mixed with kids ages 10-12.

The name on the back of the kids jersey was NO-NO

His father was the head coach, and I could see the ego dripping off this guy. My first thoughts were to advise him that the charade won't last forever, and that he may be setting up his kid for a big downer at some point when the hitters catch up physically, but I didn't.

Then I thought in my mind to tell him it would be more impressive if he was shutting down 13-14 year olds, but I didn't.

My point is this. I am less bothered by the parent of a marginal player being unrealistic than I am about a daddy/coach posturing up his big fish in a small pond. They still can't find the tip of my tongue on the infield after biting it several times.

I also never said how neat it was for a nice 10 year old who lined a single and turned no-no into a mortal, until now.

Hope thats not self-promoting, just recent history

quote:

Originally posted by ClevelandDad:
OS8 - all your points are valid but for another topic imho. Of course a player has to promote himself before recruiters and scouts - that is what people do everyday on a job interview. There is no insecurity involved in that.

I am trying to understand what benefit there is in promoting someone's player to me? a) I don't care and more importantly - b) I don't have the power to do anything about it so kindly leave me out of it and let me enjoy the event.

I suppose one could argue they can't always tell who the scouts are so they might as well use the blanket approach and assume everyone is a scout

Not to put words in OS8's mouth but the point I took from his comment was on topic....that the bragging parent (per the original post) was at a showcase. I think you answered your own question; why are they bragging to you? They don't know if you're little #8's dad or if you're the head coach of a D1 so maybe they feel the need to brag just in case you're a coach???

Some people are like that. We may not like that and we may even slip and act something like that ourselves. I'm sure I've gotten excited and said something I shouldn't have. I'm human.

IMHO it is not wrong to be proud of your son. It is not wrong to promote your son...elsewise why bother with showcases and guys like those here that will take your money all day long.

Is it wrong to brag about your son, not really, but it is wrong to be obnoxious about it.

Is it wrong to brag about your son at the expense of another player or his parents...yes.

Is it wrong to put parents down and take pleasure in insulting them because they may offend you by posting something you disagree with...yes, and IMHO that happens way to much here.

Is it wrong to go totally negative on a MLB player continually here...yes, it's called slander and smearing someone, especially when you don't know "all" the facts and you're taking what someone else is saying, (sportswriter) whose only interest is selling newsprint or a book.

IMHO looking at parents with negativism is contagious and it serves absolutely no purpose other than to make your own points at the expense of someone elses opinion.

Judge the player on his performance, and if you can offer a positive recommendation to him, do that...ignore and leave the parent alone, the parent doesn't play BB. JMO

.

quote:

My question is why do parents feel it is necessary hype up their son’s skills and paint a picture that is just un-realistic of reality? Why not just let your son demonstrate their ability on the field and do all the talking between the lines with their performance and actions vs the parents constantly saying how good they are and make excuses when it does not come true, to everyone within shouting distance?

Simply and cynically put...

Because for many without even knowing it....it is more about the parents, their status, than it ever was about the player.

I got a trophy job, trophy cars, a trophy house, a trophy spouse, I go on trophy vacations, I have a trophy second home...I WIN!

The best place left for me to compete is...though my kids...grades, sports, schools attended...

I get MY biggest kudos in the stands.

And all-the-while I will blindly continue to expouse that it's all for the kids!.

All makes perfect sense to me!

44
.

I think it is great that parents support their kid’s and their dreams. I try to make all the games and as many events possible and hope other parents can support their kids as much as possible. I am the first to say that I cheer for my son and all of his teammates; I also don’t have a problem applauding the other teams’ players, who make good plays. I really enjoy watching all the players perform well out in the field and feel for those players who, for what ever reason, do not meet their expectation.

I don’t see it wrong for parents to be proud of the player’s accomplishments and I very pleased to hear of their accomplishments and endeavors. But I think it is just embarrassing for the players to have their parents paint a picture that is just not realistic of their ability. It is even worst when I know of the situation and hear them paint an unrealistic story.

One of my favorite sayings is visibility is good and some times visibility is bad!

Even if you are bragging to a scout or a coach, they don't care either what you say. I had a coach call to tell son his camp was full and was trying to find a different spot for him. Son wasn't here and so he talked to me. He was basically summarizing son's profile and despite stats and batting average, PG rating, awards etc. etc. all he gleened from the profile was son was "strong, smart, a lefty hitter and had a good arm". That's it. Wasn't going to believe another thing (even PG which can be verified) until he saw it with his own eyes (didn't say that, but implied it). So if the paper meant nothing, no coach (or scout) is going to care if I am chatting away at a showcase about how great my son is.

I KNOW we all do it sometimes, we are proud and want their dreams to come true, and yes sometimes they have a bad day and REALLY are better than they appear. But it was very interesting to me when that coach boiled it all down to those four things. Great for me to remember when I am tempted to open my big mouth - they really just want to see it AND I need to trust that even when son doesn't hit a double, the coaches and scouts are a lot smarter than me and they can see his swing, bat speed etc. I think this thread is good to remind us all to keep our mouths shut AND to be forgiving of the other parents.

quote:

Because for many without even knowing it....it is more about the parents, their status, than it ever was about the player.

I have to agree that this is the case with a few parents. And some of those believe that if anyone else's son gets any kind of recognition, then it is a personal insult to their son, so they have to build up their son, while tearing someone else's down. It is a minority of parents, but they are most definitely out there. Sadly, we have seen it first-hand.

I have seen parents who ridicule their son's no matter how well they do. I would rather listen to a parent bragging any day than that. Yes some parents may be unrealistic but that will workout in the future and not my call.
I try to support all the players regardless of how good they are. BB is a game and I try to remember that. I am actually surprised at how well my son has done. It is him who has done it not me.
If a parent braggs to me I am fine with it.