Tigers X - Number one Source to Talk Auburn Tigers Sports
Pat Dye Field => War Damn Eagle => Topic started by: AU_Tiger_2000 on November 04, 2013, 02:20:45 PM
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Anybody here have kids playing Pee Wee/Pop Warner/Mighty Mites/etc.... football? My oldest daughter cheers for the 8 year old local team so we were at the game this weekend (thankfully last one of the season) and the way the stands were situated at this particular city field we were within 6 feet of the bench. One of the assistant coaches on our team (mid 50's, big A tattoo on his leg) was stomping up and down in front of the bench yelling meaningless platitudes at the 8 year old players (Winners Never Quit! Keep Hitting Them and They'll Quit! You Gotta Play Mean!) for the entire games. Never saw him actually coaching (as in giving instruction on techniques to players). Was talking it over the next day with a friend of mine who played high school and college ball (Alabama A&M). He rolled his eyes and stated that he wasn't letting his son play until he was around 7th grade just because of idiots like that.
So anybody on here with kids playing football, when did they start playing? I didn't start playing until 7th grade (in my little town Pee Wee football wasn't even available). What's more damaging, not getting the earlier experience or getting coached by dumbasses? I always thought that when he got of age I would volunteer to help coach football (nobody wants me teaching kids to play baseball) but I really don't want to have to put up with idiots like that.
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I played little league but have never coached it. From my own memory and now adult analysis, I'd say it's detrimental for most kids to play little league football.
I was really big for my age up until around 8th grade when I quickly became very small for age. But in little league ball, I dominated. I played running back and middle linebacker and many times hit kids smaller than me so hard that they would stay down crying. For me? It was great. Big confidence boost.
For them? They quit. There was a guy that was scrawny and smaller and used to get beat up a lot on the field. Would get thrown to the ground, he'd cry, he definitely wasn't having any fun. So he quit football. Focused on track. Shot up to 6'1 and became a sprinter at the collegiate level.
Or another guy whom I didn't play with in little league but he had a story similar to yours. Hated football. Tried playing it in little league but had a redneck dumbass for a coach that pretty much encouraged making fun of the non-starters. He never played in any games. He was short and fat. He shot up in high school to 6'7 and loved weight lifting.
TL;DR - If you're a baller at a young age, it's great to get experience wearing pads, hitting, and building confidence. If you're not a baller and more of a typical little kid, it's probably not going to help them love playing football.
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Its a personal call. I started mine at 8 and he was timid and had to learn how to use his pads to protect himself. But he really didn't start having fun until he started catching and throwing the ball. It's very tough to teach the young one's fundamentals while trying to balance winning. But to have a coach that brings no experience to the table is a disservice to the kids.
Make sure your organization has mandatory training classes for all coaches. Make sure they use NYSCA or some other liability/training program. And most of all, get involved yourself. Most smart youth coaches want dads involved who already know how to teach fundamentals or they are willing to learn a small part and teach it well.But beware teh dad who comes in and starts teaching the same dumb shit he was taught as age 8 and thinks it still applies.
Only the basic fundamental are the same. most everything else is evolving. Jumping jacks are not even recommended any longer. Stretching before practice is not needed as much as it is AFTER practice.
Get educated and get involved. If your kid can throw and catch, find a flag football league and stick to that until 7th grade. Those skills are not mastered by hitting and getting hit.
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My 9 year old is playing. Decent athlete, not learning squat. 12 year old quit after sitting out most 1st half action for half the season. He was put on a team that is historically stacked. They do that where I live. This team has won the league for 6 straight years.
I didn't want either to play football. They are pretty good baseball players and I would prefer they focus on that. I love football but I don't love the fact that most youth league coaches just teaches them to head butt. And too many act like the guy you described. They are tying to live vicariously and make up for their own athletic shortcomings.
Def not saying they are all like that but it attracts those guys, imo.
I debated about not letting the older boy quit but it's one less practice and less interference for AU games. My advice is to wait till 7th grade if at all possible. But, if you are like me, it was hard to say no if they have the grades and they love the sport.
The higher likelihood of a severe injury in football is the #1 reason I wish my kids would wait.
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Can't speak specifically to football, but as a former high school coach it's my personal opinion that kids not participate in the parent-coached leagues at all. Ever.
Girls softball for example. Before I started coaching, I went to clinics to learn new techniques. Spent time working with college hitting coaches to make sure the information I passed along was right. Bought training videos with my own money to understand the girls game (because it's different from baseball) and get new drills I could teach them for fielding, hitting and throwing.
Horn tooting time: I inherited a team that had won something like five games total over the past three seasons and had no expectations. We won 16 games our first year and made the playoffs for the first time in school history my second. I had five players make all state over three years on a program that had NEVER had an all state player before. Sent three girls on to play college ball.
The biggest problem I had as a coach? Idiot, moron Dixie Youth coaches. The first few practices of the first season, I started every girl working basic drills. Simple things that they should know about fielding grounders, running bases, batting stance, catching and throwing. These assclowns stood at the fences coaching "their" girls and undermining everything I tried to do. Thank god I had a strong AD who backed me when I banned them from practice. They then took up residence on the hill behind the practice field shouting instruction. Banned them from there. Spent that entire season dealing with "Well, Coach Mark said I can't hold a bat the way you say, I've got to do it like this" and every time they were wrong.
Had a meeting with these bucktards after the season. Me and the AD and some parents. Asked them to let us coach the girls without their interference, that the results spoke for themselves. For the first time in forever, we were winning. Instead, they got angry and claimed we were trying to steal their success, that these girls were coming to high school ball "ready made players" and all we were doing was screwing them up by contradicting their methods. I asked them where those results were the year before, the year before, the year before. They said it was just "a more talented crop of girls." Idiots.
Before the next season I held tryouts and said flat out I would not take any girl who intended to play Dixie Youth. I provided them with references to play travel ball (which wasn't much better, but it wasn't local and the competition was better).
The Dixie coaches wanted me fired. Again my AD backed me. And we won. We won a lot. We started hitting, the fielding improved, we learned how to be tough. Learned how to pitch, not just fling the ball up there, but actually pitch to spots, set up hitters, work counts. Made the playoffs the next three seasons, but never could get out of the semis. Always ran into that one team with a bull of a pitcher that we just couldn't string together enough hits on.
Dixie coaches raising hell. Stole all their good players. Pretending like it was our coaching that was helping, when those girls got there knowing how to play good ball. Bull. I spent more time undoing their lousy coaching than anything.
After four years of that nonsense, my AD left, we got a new principal and I got another job.
The Dixie coaches got right back in the mix with the new guy. One started "helping" as an unpaid assistant.
Within two years they were back to winning a handful of games a year and getting blown out on a regular basis. Went to the playoffs the year after I left and haven't been back since (14 years or more). They can't hit, can't field, can't pitch. But that Dixie Youth program is still going strong.
I know a lot of you parents put in your free time to work with these kids. And I admire that. But you're not a coach. FWIW, a lot of high school coaches aren't either. I let my oldest daughter play in that Dixie program and later play for a parent who took over the high school team when they let the history teacher go in the middle of the year. I regret it. She learned nothing and was treated badly.
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My 9 year old is playing. Decent athlete, not learning squat. 12 year old quit after sitting out most 1st half action for half the season. He was put on a team that is historically stacked. They do that where I live. This team has won the league for 6 straight years.
I didn't want either to play football. They are pretty good baseball players and I would prefer they focus on that. I love football but I don't love the fact that most youth league coaches just teaches them to head butt. And too many act like the guy you described. They are tying to live vicariously and make up for their own athletic shortcomings.
Def not saying they are all like that but it attracts those guys, imo.
I debated about not letting the older boy quit but it's one less practice and less interference for AU games. My advice is to wait till 7th grade if at all possible. But, if you are like me, it was hard to say no if they have the grades and they love the sport.
The higher likelihood of a severe injury in football is the #1 reason I wish my kids would wait.
Jake??????
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The higher likelihood of a severe injury in football is the #1 reason I wish my kids would wait.
Wasn't going to post this because it makes me sad, but you bring up a point worth mentioning.
Friend from high school has a son, T, who is a big stud senior LB in high school in VA. His backup was a 15 y/o soph - T was his mentor and they were very close.
Two weeks ago, T suffered a severe concussion and so protege got into the game. Protege started the next week because T was still showing symptoms. Protege also got a concussion. Both got expert medical care, evaluations, follow ups, etc.
Last week, 15 y/o dropped at practice. Air lifted from the field, but was DOA. Brain bleed.
Because I am more than a casual female fan, I know probably more than most moms that football is a horribly dangerous sport. It is part of the game. But that does not make it any easier to think about that mom who got a phone call in the middle of the day that her son was brain dead at 15. Yes, it could have been a car wreck or some other accident, but it wasn't. It was football.
My son is tall and lanky and scrawny (40 pounds, will be 7 in February). He is not yet interested in football at all, and I am fine with that. I used to dream about being in the stands wearing my son's jersey while he ran out of the tunnel at Auburn, but now I look forward to many years of sitting in the stands with him or watching games side by side on the couch. Lots of moms stand proudly on the field on Senior day with their sons. Other moms lose their sons. I am willing to give up the first to never have to experience the second.
This is purely my opinion. I don't judge anyone who let's their kids play. And if mine wants to, I will let him. But I hope he doesn't want to.
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But I hope he doesn't want to.
I know this feeling. Your example is extreme. Does it happen often? No, but I think that it's more likely in football than most sports.
I saw a guy get paralyzed one time in a HS game. When I say I saw it, I was specifically watching the kid on a kick off. College prospect. In a chair for the rest of his life. Eventually died, years later, as a result.
I've seen some other pretty bad injuries and as much as I love watching football, I wish my kids wouldn't play. I guess that's hypocritical but that's the way I feel.
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Wasn't going to post this because it makes me sad, but you bring up a point worth mentioning.
Friend from high school has a son, T, who is a big stud senior LB in high school in VA. His backup was a 15 y/o soph - T was his mentor and they were very close.
Two weeks ago, T suffered a severe concussion and so protege got into the game. Protege started the next week because T was still showing symptoms. Protege also got a concussion. Both got expert medical care, evaluations, follow ups, etc.
Last week, 15 y/o dropped at practice. Air lifted from the field, but was DOA. Brain bleed.
Because I am more than a casual female fan, I know probably more than most moms that football is a horribly dangerous sport. It is part of the game. But that does not make it any easier to think about that mom who got a phone call in the middle of the day that her son was brain dead at 15. Yes, it could have been a car wreck or some other accident, but it wasn't. It was football.
My son is tall and lanky and scrawny (40 pounds, will be 7 in February). He is not yet interested in football at all, and I am fine with that. I used to dream about being in the stands wearing my son's jersey while he ran out of the tunnel at Auburn, but now I look forward to many years of sitting in the stands with him or watching games side by side on the couch. Lots of moms stand proudly on the field on Senior day with their sons. Other moms lose their sons. I am willing to give up the first to never have to experience the second.
This is purely my opinion. I don't judge anyone who let's their kids play. And if mine wants to, I will let him. But I hope he doesn't want to.
For most of my high school career I had a guy who was not a good coach as a head coach. But I have to give him credit for one thing, the first thing we did on the first day of practice every spring and every summer was all take a knee and read the warning label on the back of the helmet. He then told us all that our head was not a weapon and the opponents head was not a target. And he stuck with it throughout the season. I only remember two players missing major time with concussions throughout high school, one got kicked in the head (accident), one got blind sided ear holed. That was 17+ years ago and I still remember it because both times was scary as hell.
The only thing I ever saw scarier on a football field was a cornerback on our team getting Holland'ed by a fullback and then stepped on by the halfback. He stepped on his nuts. He stepped on his nuts with football cleats. He had to go to the hospital. For a week. With tubes inserted to relieve the swelling and pressure. I almost quit football.
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My oldest kid played football from 7 until now, he played for middle school this year. Luckily for me, the head coach in our age group was a football guy who had been coaching for a while, and just picked up peewee because his kid wanted to play. Couldn't have asked for better experience all the way through peewee.
My little one wanted to play last year as 7 year old. I took more of a coaching role, but yet again, had two guys who had also played football and understood the importance of playing safe. Great season, great group of kids and 0 injuries. But I noticed a few teams last year that had idiots for coaches, and their kids had no clue how to tackle. There is only so much force a 7 year old can generate, so I wasn't too concerned. This year, my little one would have to move up to 8-9 year old age group. He is 55 pounds and would be playing against kids who weigh 110 pounds and are allowed to run the ball. I made the decision the sit him out because I'm not willing to risk an injury by him getting hit by a kid twice his size. If he grows next year, I might consider it again. But I wouldn't let him play for anyone who valued winning more than safety.
As for sitting them out until middle school, a lot of coaches I've talked to would prefer having to teach the game to a 7th grader as opposed to breaking bad habits from bad coaching. Didn't hurt my 7th grader, who started last 3 games with 8th grade. But I see other kids who are having to change how they play football because they played for years without ever learning.
And one more thing, daddy ball is NEVER a good situation and I would stay away from it. I watched a peewee game Saturday night where the offensive coach would pull his kid to the side after every series and coach him while neglecting other 10 players on offense. I didn't have a kid out there, so whatever, but every parent that I was sitting around noticed it and commented on it. That's the kind of coach I'd keep my kid away from. Because he is only there to help his kid, and will likely neglect other kids in practice.
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I know this feeling. Your example is extreme. Does it happen often? No, but I think that it's more likely in football than most sports.
I saw a guy get paralyzed one time in a HS game. When I say I saw it, I was specifically watching the kid on a kick off. College prospect. In a chair for the rest of his life. Eventually died, years later, as a result.
I've seen some other pretty bad injuries and as much as I love watching football, I wish my kids wouldn't play. I guess that's hypocritical but that's the way I feel.
I do feel like a terrible hypocrite. I yell for Auburn guys to hit some other mom's son every weekend. I know my story was an extreme and probably a million to one odds of it happening. But my son is my only son, and given a choice, if asked, I would rather he not play.
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I have a 3rd grader playing -- I am one of the coaches. We have a couple of coaches on staff (7 total on the team) who get really intense, but most of the time they simply have the kids' best interests in mind. The parents have typically been the ones who take it too seriously. We also have parents who know their kids aren't good enough to play, but they do it to keep the kids active and could care less if they ever see the field during a game.
Two of our coaches played in the SEC -- one started and one was a walk-on (both in late 1980's).
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I do feel like a terrible hypocrite. I yell for Auburn guys to hit some other mom's son every weekend. I know my story was an extreme and probably a million to one odds of it happening. But my son is my only son, and given a choice, if asked, I would rather he not play.
I really don't care if my kid plays or not, my wife will be devastated. She loves high school football more than any other kind. Her brother was an O-linemen at Pelham high school when Tyler Watts was the QB there. He got recruited by Miss when Tubs was there and got offered by Troy and Southern Miss and some other schools on that level of competition. So she was there with her family at all the games and loves it. I saw it from the field as a player. My mom asked me what it was like having the fans cheer when we played, I told her that I didn't even notice, didn't hear it, didn't affect me, didn't care. Honestly I hate going to watch high school and JV and pee wee games. Too many parents and coaches and girlfriends taking it far too seriously. When I was in jr. high we had our games on Monday nights, on Friday nights my parents would go to the high school games and I would hang out at my house with some buddies.
And to me it's not the violence or the injuries. Football attracts assholes like flies to honey. The Incognito story does not surprise me at all. Neither does players getting arrested at whatever school. Nor bounties being put out on players. I love football and I loathe the people that are oftentimes involved.
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I'm teaching my 3 year old the game of golf....just saying.
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I'm teaching my 3 year old the game of golf....just saying.
I recommend a shock collar for when they swing and miss. Or, miss a short putt.
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I'm teaching my 3 year old the game of golf....just saying.
I plan on teaching mine how to kick a football through two posts.
Free college education and possible million dollar contracts for swing his foot.
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I'm teaching my 3 year old the game of golf....just saying.
I'm with this guy.
One in golf. One is running. What Kaos said too, screw the daddy ball team sport bullshit.
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I plan on teaching mine how to kick a football through two posts.
Free college education and possible million dollar contracts for swing his foot.
Daughter is into competitive swimming. AU scholly, Wheaties box and gold medals, here we come. Too bad I'll be dead from inhaling chlorine fumes before then.
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Daughter is into competitive swimming. AU scholly, Wheaties box and gold medals, here we come. Too bad I'll be dead from inhaling chlorine fumes before then.
Good choice. Serious.
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Good choice. Serious.
Agreed.
Really, any sport that doesn't end at the age of 18 (unless you're a gifted athlete) is what I'll want to teach my children. My wife ran cross country and hurdles in high school, and she was able to use that training to continue running through college and beyond.
I played football and that's it. I understand how to bulk up in the weight room, but I definitely feel like I missed building a foundation for running, swimming, or biking.
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but I definitely feel like I missed building a foundation for running, swimming, or biking.
It really rather simple....
Do something illegal in front of the cops.
Get pushed into the water.
Purchase some really stupid looking clothes and helmet then ride your bike on the back of your car.
Voila!
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Studies have shown football to be the safest sport up until age 12.
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Agreed.
Really, any sport that doesn't end at the age of 18 (unless you're a gifted athlete) is what I'll want to teach my children. My wife ran cross country and hurdles in high school, and she was able to use that training to continue running through college and beyond.
I played football and that's it. I understand how to bulk up in the weight room, but I definitely feel like I missed building a foundation for running, swimming, or biking.
You are what, 26-27?
You still could get into multisport. You peak out in all 3 around 40. The best in the world are all between 35-45. Go for it.
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You are what, 26-27?
You still could get into multisport. You peak out in all 3 around 40. The best in the world are all between 35-45. Go for it.
yes. I suggest though trail running. The pavement will slap you around like Weskie does to whores.
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yes. I suggest though trail running. The pavement will slap you around like Weskie does to whores.
It's fun. And dangerous at the same time. I like it. I'm sure you see shitloads of good ones up there. Lucky.
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Anybody here have kids playing Pee Wee/Pop Warner/Mighty Mites/etc.... football? My oldest daughter cheers for the 8 year old local team so we were at the game this weekend (thankfully last one of the season) and the way the stands were situated at this particular city field we were within 6 feet of the bench. One of the assistant coaches on our team (mid 50's, big A tattoo on his leg) was stomping up and down in front of the bench yelling meaningless platitudes at the 8 year old players (Winners Never Quit! Keep Hitting Them and They'll Quit! You Gotta Play Mean!) for the entire games. Never saw him actually coaching (as in giving instruction on techniques to players). Was talking it over the next day with a friend of mine who played high school and college ball (Alabama A&M). He rolled his eyes and stated that he wasn't letting his son play until he was around 7th grade just because of idiots like that.
So anybody on here with kids playing football, when did they start playing? I didn't start playing until 7th grade (in my little town Pee Wee football wasn't even available). What's more damaging, not getting the earlier experience or getting coached by dumbasses? I always thought that when he got of age I would volunteer to help coach football (nobody wants me teaching kids to play baseball) but I really don't want to have to put up with idiots like that.
Most youth leagues are parent driven. The way it is. Some even have rules that only parents can be head coaches, as if that qualifies you. I did it (pee wee ball) for one season. I had been at the middle school and JV level prior, and have been at the HS level since. I hated youth ball for all the reasons stated by you and others in this thread. That said...I enjoyed helping the kids learn, and achieve despite the surrounding BS. I have found more opportunity to help kids, not just with football, but life stuff, since I've been at the HS level, but I just think I relate better to the older kids and their problems. If you want to participate, and help, then by all means, just go do your part, and do your best to help the kids achieve goals, learn something, and have fun. Make sure they know you care about them and want the best for them. You can't control the other coaches. You can be a positive influence despite the other coaches.
As CCTAU said, youth ball is about as safe as it gets too. Football teaches things you can't get in other sports IMHO. Some kids that may not get much out of the football aspects of it, do gain positive things from playing, being on the team, and learning how to do the things required to be part of a team.
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Whatever Mini has played, I have either taken on head coaching or assistant coaching duties. He's never played organized football other than Upwards Flag Football. I've been fortunate with all the basketball teams because I always had good parents who were just happy to have their kids playing. Appreciative that someone was sacrificing their time to help the kids. However, one year in baseball, (Coach pitch league) I encountered the parent who knew everything. Had other kids that he coached so he wasn't always at the games. All his kids were super all-star, travel ball, sports 24/7 kids...and according to him, were above everyone else. That year, we sucked. We basically had 3 kids on the team that were decent ball players, his kid being one of them.
In coach pitch, as in most leagues, you obviously put your best players where they'll get the most touches. Started him out at SS. He made a lot of plays in the first game. Problem was, we lost the game because the first baseman, who could hit a ton, ran well, strong arm....dropped 4-5 throws right to him, including the final throw which let in the winning run. The kid at SS asked if he could play first and I gladly let him. Problem solved. Great 1st baseman and loved playing there. Daddy didn't. Stopped me after one game and said, "Why is my boy on first? He needs to be at pitcher or shortstop." I asked him if he saw the first game....knowing he didn't. Told him his boy was the only one that can consistently catch the ball. "You're hurtin' the team. My boy don't need to be on first." He asked me to play there. "I don't care. You're hurtin' the team."
Really? Asshole.
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Whatever Mini has played, I have either taken on head coaching or assistant coaching duties. He's never played organized football other than Upwards Flag Football. I've been fortunate with all the basketball teams because I always had good parents who were just happy to have their kids playing. Appreciative that someone was sacrificing their time to help the kids. However, one year in baseball, (Coach pitch league) I encountered the parent who knew everything. Had other kids that he coached so he wasn't always at the games. All his kids were super all-star, travel ball, sports 24/7 kids...and according to him, were above everyone else. That year, we sucked. We basically had 3 kids on the team that were decent ball players, his kid being one of them.
In coach pitch, as in most leagues, you obviously put your best players where they'll get the most touches. Started him out at SS. He made a lot of plays in the first game. Problem was, we lost the game because the first baseman, who could hit a ton, ran well, strong arm....dropped 4-5 throws right to him, including the final throw which let in the winning run. The kid at SS asked if he could play first and I gladly let him. Problem solved. Great 1st baseman and loved playing there. Daddy didn't. Stopped me after one game and said, "Why is my boy on first? He needs to be at pitcher or shortstop." I asked him if he saw the first game....knowing he didn't. Told him his boy was the only one that can consistently catch the ball. "You're hurtin' the team. My boy don't need to be on first." He asked me to play there. "I don't care. You're hurtin' the team."
Really? Asshole.
That's an entirely different animal than the average youth coach. BTW, if you're volunteering your time to coach, whether you're "good" at it or not, then good on you. Those types of parents are in every league, every level, of every sport. And yeah, they're assholes most of the time. I'm glad, as an assistant coach, that I don't have to deal with them.
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Here's my problem with Dixie coaches.
They are driven to win. That's how they judge their successes. They only care about beating the other coaches. They sacrifice fundamentals and instruction in order to achieve that.
I hate to tell them but NOBODY but them gives a diddly fart about which team won the Clarke County 8-year old softball/baseball tournament.
I'd rather my kids lose every game and learn how to play so they would be better in the future than win some plastic trophy.
And they give trophies to all kids. So the kids get to high school with a false sense of accomplishment. Can't hit. Can't field. Can't even line up properly. But they are "all stars" Dixie coaches tell them so.
What's worse is the daddy-coached teams. I understood the value of professional instruction. Took my kid to a college pitcher who worked with her every day over the summer when she was 15. She learned to throw risers, curves, fastballs and changeups. She picked up velocity. Learned to hit spots and understand how to set up hitters. She worked with the catcher on the team in the offseason.
Then the coach decided to date a freshman. Got fired. A daddy/granddaddy team took over. First practice old pappy says "Carolee is gonna pitch. We'll find a place for the rest of you." Carolee was his granddaughter. Obviously. Carolee got her ass lit up regularly. Averaged a dozen walks a game. I got pissed. Went to the headmaster. He wouldn't do anything. My daughter started staying after practice to keep working on it. People on the team started pestering daddy/granddaddy to let her try.
One day they were in a tournament and she wasn't playing. Sitting on the bench. Lost the first game 12-0. Were behind in the second game 14-0 in the bottom of the third with one out and the bases loaded. Grandaddy told my daughter to get in there. No warmup. Just go pitch. She struck out the first batter on four pitches. The next batter hit a roller off the end of the bat that the second baseman couldn't field cleanly. Run scores. Game over.
Grandadd walks to the fence, glares at me and goes "You happy? Gave her a chance and she couldn't get it done." She didn't pitch but maybe once the rest of the year.
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Whatever Mini has played, I have either taken on head coaching or assistant coaching duties. He's never played organized football other than Upwards Flag Football. I've been fortunate with all the basketball teams because I always had good parents who were just happy to have their kids playing. Appreciative that someone was sacrificing their time to help the kids. However, one year in baseball, (Coach pitch league) I encountered the parent who knew everything. Had other kids that he coached so he wasn't always at the games. All his kids were super all-star, travel ball, sports 24/7 kids...and according to him, were above everyone else. That year, we sucked. We basically had 3 kids on the team that were decent ball players, his kid being one of them.
In coach pitch, as in most leagues, you obviously put your best players where they'll get the most touches. Started him out at SS. He made a lot of plays in the first game. Problem was, we lost the game because the first baseman, who could hit a ton, ran well, strong arm....dropped 4-5 throws right to him, including the final throw which let in the winning run. The kid at SS asked if he could play first and I gladly let him. Problem solved. Great 1st baseman and loved playing there. Daddy didn't. Stopped me after one game and said, "Why is my boy on first? He needs to be at pitcher or shortstop." I asked him if he saw the first game....knowing he didn't. Told him his boy was the only one that can consistently catch the ball. "You're hurtin' the team. My boy don't need to be on first." He asked me to play there. "I don't care. You're hurtin' the team."
Really? Asshole.
Gotta do it for the team.
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a277/Jay-Ryan/devilsfacepainter01.jpg)
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I'll give a different perspective on kid's sports from an umpire perspective.
Parents should not be allowed to watch the game any closer than 100' and behind glass walls. Because when they know that won't get any rise out of the coaches they go after the umps.
Parents should not be able to talk to their kids until at least 30 minutes after the contest. (Gives them time to calm down) and me time to get away. Because I called their little Johnny out because he was, (things I have heard) Black, Hispanic, Jewish, Fat, there are others and my favorite was "Cause he was better than me as a kid"
I moved into umpiring adults, get the same thing just minus the parents cause they are playing.
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I'll give a different perspective on kid's sports from an umpire perspective.
Parents should not be allowed to watch the game any closer than 100' and behind glass walls. Because when they know that won't get any rise out of the coaches they go after the umps.
Parents should not be able to talk to their kids until at least 30 minutes after the contest. (Gives them time to calm down) and me time to get away. Because I called their little Johnny out because he was, (things I have heard) Black, Hispanic, Jewish, Fat, there are others and my favorite was "Cause he was better than me as a kid"
I moved into umpiring adults, get the same thing just minus the parents cause they are playing.
or maybe you just suck as an ump.
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or maybe you just suck as an ump.
Hey Ump, that ball was higher than a t-shirt at Mardi Gras!
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or maybe you just suck as an ump.
Ball player to me: Hey red, you're missing a good game.
Me to ball player: Which field cause it isn't on this one.
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Don't get me started on umpiring. Did one baseball season and two softball tournaments.
When the softball tournament ended with bats thrown and "I'm gonna beat yore ass!!" (coincidentally from a guy who later became a good friend and was a completely different animal away from the diamond) I quit that nonsense.
Parents are the worst. I agree.
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Hey Ump, Kick your dog, he's lying to you!
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Don't get me started on umpiring. Did one baseball season and two softball tournaments.
When the softball tournament ended with bats thrown and "I'm gonna beat yore ass!!" (coincidentally from a guy who later became a good friend and was a completely different animal away from the diamond) I quit that nonsense.
Parents are the worst. I agree.
The pope: All that is holy and good.
Pope on an athletic field.
(http://i920.photobucket.com/albums/ad42/SonnySpoons/Is%20He%20Weird/getoffmylawnpic.jpg) (http://media.photobucket.com/user/SonnySpoons/media/Is%20He%20Weird/getoffmylawnpic.jpg.html)
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or maybe you just suck as an ump.
+5.
Coached a lot and watched a lot. Some of you umps SUCK. But there are a lot of good ones.
Coaching is different no matter where you go. Most of my teams always won, but not because I put the best kids in the best spots. That is pretty much a given. The key to winning in rec league is fundamentals and structure. And never be afraid to let a kid try something new. I've let a lot of kids pitch that worked on it and wanted to do it. Soem turned out good and other not so good. But they all had a chanceif they wanted it.
If you can work with your bottom players and get them better, you have a great chance of beating the other teams.
And here is the key for parents in baseball and basketball. If little johnny is that good, put him in travel ball.
And if you are still coaching baseball past 12, know that these kids are playing for the fun of it, make it fun. By then most of the really good players are on travel teams. The guys left just want to get better hitting and have a good time. A few might go on to travel or school ball, but not likely.
I do take offense to people thinking that dads do not know what they are doing. There are a lot of dads out there who could have easily made a career out of coaching, but they chose to feed their family instead.
And personally, I have probably been to more clinics and lectures on coaching and techniques involved in baseball and football than a lot of "coaches".
It is always what you want to put into it. And it evolves all of the time. I know that techniques changed a lot from the time I coached my oldest son to the time I coached my youngest (9 years diff.). And if you do a good job, people remember.
I have been asked to help coach an East Cobb 17U baseball team next season. Big commitment. A lot of visibility. I am debating due to the fact that as these kids get older they DESERVE a lot better. I don't want to short change any of them. If all dads took their job of coaching seriously and were determined to develop every kid as good as he does his own, there would be a lot more kids playing sports.
Seek out those guys coaching without a son on the team. They are the ones doing it because when they look out there, the other options at coach make them cringe. I know that I want my son to do well, but I also want every player around him to do well also.
Find those guys for your own sons and start helping them out and see how things are done so that you too can pass it on.
You child is your responsibility. If there are no coaches that you like, stand up and be that coach. Study and learn. It is easy to teach fundamentals and techniques to the little guys these days. There are videos that will map out every practice. Times have changed. Even panzy ass yuppies can do a good job now....
And as always, if you lose, the ump sucks!
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+5.
Coached a lot and watched a lot. Some of you umps SUCK. But there are a lot of good ones.
Coaching is different no matter where you go. Most of my teams always won, but not because I put the best kids in the best spots. That is pretty much a given. The key to winning in rec league is fundamentals and structure. And never be afraid to let a kid try something new. I've let a lot of kids pitch that worked on it and wanted to do it. Soem turned out good and other not so good. But they all had a chanceif they wanted it.
If you can work with your bottom players and get them better, you have a great chance of beating the other teams.
And here is the key for parents in baseball and basketball. If little johnny is that good, put him in travel ball.
And if you are still coaching baseball past 12, know that these kids are playing for the fun of it, make it fun. By then most of the really good players are on travel teams. The guys left just want to get better hitting and have a good time. A few might go on to travel or school ball, but not likely.
I do take offense to people thinking that dads do not know what they are doing. There are a lot of dads out there who could have easily made a career out of coaching, but they chose to feed their family instead.
And personally, I have probably been to more clinics and lectures on coaching and techniques involved in baseball and football than a lot of "coaches".
It is always what you want to put into it. And it evolves all of the time. I know that techniques changed a lot from the time I coached my oldest son to the time I coached my youngest (9 years diff.). And if you do a good job, people remember.
I have been asked to help coach an East Cobb 17U baseball team next season. Big commitment. A lot of visibility. I am debating due to the fact that as these kids get older they DESERVE a lot better. I don't want to short change any of them. If all dads took their job of coaching seriously and were determined to develop every kid as good as he does his own, there would be a lot more kids playing sports.
Seek out those guys coaching without a son on the team. They are the ones doing it because when they look out there, the other options at coach make them cringe. I know that I want my son to do well, but I also want every player around him to do well also.
Find those guys for your own sons and start helping them out and see how things are done so that you too can pass it on.
You child is your responsibility. If there are no coaches that you like, stand up and be that coach. Study and learn. It is easy to teach fundamentals and techniques to the little guys these days. There are videos that will map out every practice. Times have changed. Even panzy ass yuppies can do a good job now....
And as always, if you lose, the ump sucks!
Good points all. Especially umps and refs sucking.
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Just a word on fundamentals. A lot of you have alluded to it and this is something I'm a firm believer in and always stress heavily in anything I corch. When playing biesbols at Jeff Davis, one of my coaches was a fundamentals freak. We had an assistant coach that spent every minute of every practice, hitting grounders to infielders and fly balls to outfielders. If batting practice was going on, he was hitting grounders between every pitch. If you were playing infield, you could count on 50-100 grounders coming your way every single day. Instruction every time you screwed up. Do it again.
Repetition and instruction in everything we did was the key. As a pitcher, I must have covered first 1,000 times in practice. Seemed like it anyway. It became engrained. Ground ball to the right side, sprint for the first base line, find the bag......do it again. Do it again. Do it again. You never thought about it. Instinct kicked in and that was never, ever a problem in the game. Our infield was solid as hell because a ground ball was like playing soft toss. Nobody was a super quick, great athlete. No diving stops and incredible throws from the knees. But hit a grounder within reach...you're out. Period.
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Good points all. Especially umps and refs sucking.
especially at any bama game...ever.
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Just a word on fundamentals. A lot of you have alluded to it and this is something I'm a firm believer in and always stress heavily in anything I corch. When playing biesbols at Jeff Davis, one of my coaches was a fundamentals freak. We had an assistant coach that spent every minute of every practice, hitting grounders to infielders and fly balls to outfielders. If batting practice was going on, he was hitting grounders between every pitch. If you were playing infield, you could count on 50-100 grounders coming your way every single day. Instruction every time you screwed up. Do it again.
Repetition and instruction in everything we did was the key. As a pitcher, I must have covered first 1,000 times in practice. Seemed like it anyway. It became engrained. Ground ball to the right side, sprint for the first base line, find the bag......do it again. Do it again. Do it again. You never thought about it. Instinct kicked in and that was never, ever a problem in the game. Our infield was solid as hell because a ground ball was like playing soft toss. Nobody was a super quick, great athlete. No diving stops and incredible throws from the knees. But hit a grounder within reach...you're out. Period.
You found the bag. But what about your sack?
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+5.
Coached a lot and watched a lot. Some of you umps SUCK. But there are a lot of good ones.
And as always, if you lose, the ump sucks!
There are some bad umps, they are just out there for the paycheck and in most places there is no real accountability. Most places are short folks and you can't run off what you have. Some weeks this summer I umped 4 nights a weeks and on Sat's. I tend to think I was one of the ones who try's I may miss a call (which I haven't) but I hustle and get in position.
Best thing I love to do to players who think they know some rule they pulled out of their ass, as they try an explain (shout) their side to me about how this is in the rule book I tell them to go get the rule book and show me.
Biggest nono is to bring a rule book on the field, you are ejected automatically. When they look at me with stunned silence I tell them they really now know a rule they didn't know. Most then gets theirs moneys worth on the ejection.
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You found the bag. But what about your sack?
Keep yukking it up there, triathlon boy.
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As a pitcher,
Keep yukking it up there, triathlon boy.
Long time ago and he was a pitcher, something tells me he knew about balls.
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Damn! I had no idea you were all this great at one time.
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Damn! I had no idea you were all this great at one time.
I never said they let me play.
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Damn! I had no idea you were all this great at one time.
I could throw that pigskin a quarter mile.
If coach had put me, we coulda took state.
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I could throw that pigskin a quarter mile.
If coach had put me, we coulda took state.
Well, I have all your equipment in my locker. You should probably come get it cause I can't fit my numchucks in there anymore.