OT - Baseball blues

[debster812]

DS is 11 (nearly 12) and this is his first year NOT playing baseball.

He was 'that' kid in t-ball, in coach pitch, and the early years of kid pitch. Played his 2 inning in the outfield, got up to bat once, and that was it. What we've realized is that all these kids develop at different rates. DS is what you would call a late bloomer, athletically. He got pigeon-holed as a bad player with one coach. When he entered a league where there were tryouts and a draft, he wound up on a team coached by someone new. This new coach was AWESOME!!!!! Saw that DS was coordinated, and quick, and started playing him at 2nd base and shortstop. He went errorless at 2nd base last year. His hitting was slower to come around, but he did better last year.

We also did several camps, and a few private hitting and pitching lessons to help him with his technique, and they really helped a LOT!

This year he would have had to move up to a higher level, playing with kids up to age 14 who are a foot taller, and 50 lbs heavier. He has a tendency to get hit a lot, and was not interested in facing that kind of pitching.

All that being said, soccer is really his true love. He plays year round, on two teams, and he is a pretty good (not great) player. He may go back to baseball next year, but we'll see what happens.

Sorry for the long ramble. But they all find their own niche, if he's still having fun, and learning the game, I stay stick with it, he might surprise you.

 

[matthew&haleysmom]

Glove is well broken in! I have coached softball and volleyball for many years before having kids. It's just much different when it's your own child struggling out there. I loved the part about the IPOD - when I was growing up my brother and I would practice pitching against the side of the garage with our boom box blaring.

It is harder when it is your own kid! DD had a hit that should have been an easy triple last week and didn't touch first. She missed it by 2 feet. Trust me, she knew when she did it. It was hard to watch.

We have an old shed in the back yard that has taken a serious beating due to DD's overthrows. We just had a talk about taking it down, but not until this season is over.

DD says throwing a 100 pitches a day is not work when the music is on! This is what she looks like when she practices.

By the way, did your son have a game today? If so, how did he do?

 

[v.t.]

If you had fun..... then you won!

That is the saying at our house. Sports are supposed to be for fun, but not anymore. It cracks me up that we have "scouts" at a 7 year-old game.

I have boys on both ends of the spectrum. Of the older twins, one is a starting pitcher and the other ask if he can take a book along to read while riding the pine. But he played for three years before deciding to concentrate on archery. (I sport I would highly recommend for those who are not as fast on their feet as others.)

If your son likes baseball, let him continue. Just keep supporting him, always find something from each game to praise him for and then mention something he can work on. Start practicing with him, it will pay off when he gets older. Some of our best conversations occur in the backyard when we are playing catch.

Good Luck!

 

[Mandy_in_NC]

I have 2 girls ages 9 and 11 and they are both playing baseball this year. They are on seperate teams and they are the only girls on their teams. I know that neither of my girls are going to win any awards in baseball and we are all ok with that. But they are having fun and that is what matter. We have great coaches. And the boys on their teams are great. They encourage them when they get up to bat and when they are playing the field. But I am the mother sitting watching the game saying the silent prayer that this is going to be the time that the hit the ball. But we are all having fun and that is what is important.

 

[notsosnowwhite]

By the way, did your son have a game today? If so, how did he do?

So sweet of you to ask - he did just fine. He hit off the pitching machine and earned a single. He also had several foul balls his second time at bat, so his swing is improving. He paid attention in the outfield - overall a very good game.

 

[1stWDW]

I love this board! Everyone's advice is awesome. The last few years of my DS Little League have been similar to yours. I just tried to focus on everything he did right and complimented him when he paid attention. The other thing I really focused on was getting him to cheer on his teammates. I will never forget my DS's first fly ball catch. Not so much because he caught it, but because of his teammate who ran up to him and gave him a big bear hug. I love to see the kids give each other compliments. To me it is much better than any homerun.

 

[matthew&haleysmom]

So sweet of you to ask - he did just fine. He hit off the pitching machine and earned a single. He also had several foul balls his second time at bat, so his swing is improving. He paid attention in the outfield - overall a very good game.

Glad to hear he had a good game!

 

[sherabby]

I'm pulling up this thread again. My son has come a long way in baseball this year but is still not in the infield. He gets to play pitcher position for one inning. Last night he make two great plays and assisted in two outs in that one inning as pitcher. Last Friday he stayed after the game and played with the coaches son and one other good player. The coach is so encouraging towards him. He told him that he might have a new position for him at second base. My son worked himself up all weekend long and got so excited that he would be given the chance to play second base. Yesterday at our game...no second base position. What a let down for him. I felt sad for him as well. The coach always puts him up at bat last out of 11 kids. My son as upset as he was still looked on the bright side and told me...well mom at least I didn't have to bat last this game.....coach bumped him up 3 so he was at bat 9th instead of 11th. My dad wanted to say something to the coach but I wouldn't let him. I was wondering if I should just let it go or maybe send him a polite email to let him know about Jonathan's feelings.

 

[muppetmom]

Sherabby - I am always in favor of politely and gently letting a coach know when a child is feeling upset. My DH has coached many different sports both at the noncompetitive and the travel/club level. He would want to know what your son is feeling. A good coach will then talk with him and let him know why he did what he did and what your son can do better. It could be as simple as realizing that the next game was against a very good team and your son would not have felt very successful playing that position against them. He might be waiting for a team that would help build your son's confidence. On the other hand....he might just have forgotten...that happens too.
OP - My oldest son also was not what you could call a good baseball player. He was almost always one of the worst to bat and played the least amount that the coach could get away with. It was and is painful to sit and watch this. One inning out in the outfield (I think coach pitch level?) we watched him examine the ground in front of him instead of paying attention. The ball came past him, but he didn't field it with his glove. He eventually (slowly) picked it up with his hand and threw it halfheartedly towards the infield. The kids are yelling at him, the coach is frustrated, my DH is frustrated....I vow to quit all sports with this kid and do something else! When the inning is over he comes running over to us with a teeny tiny frog in his mitt! He didn't want it to get hurt. This same boy is now playing soccer in college. He never excelled at baseball, but loved soccer. Maybe you just need to find the sport for him.

 

[sherabby]

Sherabby - I am always in favor of politely and gently letting a coach know when a child is feeling upset. My DH has coached many different sports both at the noncompetitive and the travel/club level. He would want to know what your son is feeling. A good coach will then talk with him and let him know why he did what he did and what your son can do better. It could be as simple as realizing that the next game was against a very good team and your son would not have felt very successful playing that position against them. He might be waiting for a team that would help build your son's confidence. On the other hand....he might just have forgotten...that happens too.
OP - My oldest son also was not what you could call a good baseball player. He was almost always one of the worst to bat and played the least amount that the coach could get away with. It was and is painful to sit and watch this. One inning out in the outfield (I think coach pitch level?) we watched him examine the ground in front of him instead of paying attention. The ball came past him, but he didn't field it with his glove. He eventually (slowly) picked it up with his hand and threw it halfheartedly towards the infield. The kids are yelling at him, the coach is frustrated, my DH is frustrated....I vow to quit all sports with this kid and do something else! When the inning is over he comes running over to us with a teeny tiny frog in his mitt! He didn't want it to get hurt. This same boy is now playing soccer in college. He never excelled at baseball, but loved soccer. Maybe you just need to find the sport for him.

Thank you. That did make me feel better. What a cute story about your son and the frog! My son tried soccer before baseball. He was not aggressive enough and actually started to show signs of exercise induced asthma. He started out in t-ball at age 5 and was one of those dirt digging grass pickers. This year is the first year he is really into the game. He has a super team with some really great players. I have a feeling his coach forgot about the second base discussion. Also our coach wants to win every single game and sometimes shows his disapointment when they lose. Once he kicked dirt at the end of a game. Doesn't set a good example sometimes for the learning kids to watch that type of behavior.

I really think my son may end up out of all sports and into music next year when he is allowed to start an instrument. We plan to start him on some piano lessons once baseball is done for the summer months.