DS baseball woes.....

[FINFAN]

DS is average at sports so can take them or leave them. This year he has REALLY gotten into his Baseball team. He is 8, the kids pitch 2 innings and the coaches do the next 7. Here's the problem. DS can't handle all the argueing the kids do about who made an error, who didn't play hard enough, who su**s,etc. He just can't deal with the conflict and it is hurting his desire to continue. I don't want him to be a wimp, but I also don't want him to be in a situation that makes him uncomfortable. I talked with the coach about team morale and good sportsmanship, but I don't think it registered w/him. This competitiveness is why we held DS back from Little league this year, he's just not ready to handle all the different stresses that come along with it.
I guess I just needed to vent, I know, There's no crying in Baseball.

 

[jamsmom]

I think it stinks that kids can't just get out and have a good time. It is all about compitition.

 

[SeaShelley]

FINFAN, sounds to me like you've got a coaching problem. In my son's league (9 and 10), that behavior wouldn't be tolorated....those kids would have been benched. Have you spoken with other parents? I wonder if others feel as you do.

My other suggestion is volunteer to be a coach, or an assistant coach. Maybe that would put your son at ease.

Best of luck....I really hope the others don't ruin the sport for your son!!

 

[Indyman]

Seashelley is right. This is definitely a coaching problem. There is nothing wrong with competition, if kept in the proper perspective. Kids and parents should be taught sportsmanship in all aspects of the game, not just to their opponents. The league and coaches should all be stressing this.

I help coach my 10 year old son's Select travel team, where competition is much higher and intense. We would not allow any talk like your son is experiencing. If we hear anything like that in the dugout, the offending boy does not play the rest of the game. If we hear it again from the same player, he sits for 2 games and has to explain to his parents why.

Keep talking to the coach until he understands what's going on, or volunteer to be the "bench coach" to keep order in the dugout so the head coach can focus more on the game.

I've always thought the biggest problem with youth sports these days is the adults.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Fully agree with the above replies. A coaching problem for sure. Kids should be able to enjoy themselves and if not, should be brought in line. Hoping things go better for your little guy FINFAN.

 

[doxdogy]

Another one that agrees it is a coaching problem. I also think that you should keep talking to the coach until he gets it.

 

[Beauty]

I agree as well, our coach wouldn't tolerate this. J.C. is in 11-12 and ANY unsportsmanlike conduct isn't tolerated. Calling names, throwing bats, talking about each other. If someone messes up the only thing that is said is "Good try!" Now the coach may take him to the side and say "You needed to swing a little earlier, or later" etc etc but that is immediantly followed by "But you tried and you will get them next time!"

 

[FINFAN]

O.K.I touched on the subject w/other parents at practice tonight, git a mixed bag of replies. I had already spoen to the coach once about it, but was only on Sat., so not a chance to see improvement yet. There are already 4 coaches/asst coaches, so I was told "they have it covered, but thanks, we'll call you if we need you" I spoke w/DS and he said he told the kids that he didn't appreciate them treating their own teammates mean, and they should be better sports. i was so proud of him. I did notice that the coach mixed up everyones positions tonight, so maybe he's handling it in his own way. I will be keeping a close eye on this, thanks for all your support.