What every little league coach should know!!

As a child growing up in a small, country town......a whole lot of our summer was spent at the old baseball field.   We lived just a little ways out of town, but I can remember my brothers riding their bikes to practice, almost every week day.  What we had was good, fun, baseball back then.......... It was the kind of game, very similar to the kind played on the movie, "Sandlot."

Most of the coaches worked, which meant that a lot of days, the little guys practiced on their own.  (Back then, no girls played little league ball.)    

Being at the ball field every day was just part of being a little boy!!!

The game was "REAL"...... The "COACHES" were REAL.

and OH.....the parents were real!  Never did you see a parent displaying an ugly side.  Parents respected coaches, and Coaches respected parents.  Never was this an issue.

Great were the days, when the game was not so much about the "WIN"..... But it was about teaching little boys the true mechanics of baseball.   The kids grew up wanting to play, because they had FUN, and they had a love for the game.

Never.....did you hear a coach yelling at the players.  They did not degrade any of the kids, and they certainly did not make huge demands.  This was the "fun" kind of ball playing that every kid SHOULD GET TO EXPERIENCE. 

It's not the same today......and it's our children, our grandchildren who are missing out!!


Children should be taught that          WHEN THEY DO THEIR BEST......WHEN THEY GIVE IT THEIR ALL.........THEY ARE WINNERS!!

Little League Baseball is winding down right now for the teams in East Texas. The playoffs are this week, and two of our grandchildren are still playing.   As I sat at the ballpark this evening, many thoughts ran through this head of mine.    I started writing this post before the game was even over.......

(These are some older pictures of Carson from a couple of years ago.  I can't believe that when we got ready to go to the game......I just then realized that my battery was not charged on my camera)  NOT GOOD!

During playoffs, there are several different teams, from all over the district playing at this tournament.  I observed many different situations tonight that are a far cry from the old ways of coaching a team.

These little boys still need to be treated as kids, because this is what they are.   They are not grown men who have to live by the rules...."Men don't cry"   or   "A real man doesn't make mistakes."

My heart breaks every time I see a kid being YELLED out for missing a play.   Does a coach really ever take into consideration that these kids are just kids....their coordination is still being developed and they do not have the abilities to play like a High School player or a  professional.   They are not out there to compete for a spot as a pro team player.  

While I'm on this subject, let me just say that a lot of those little shoes sometimes walk in some very serious situations, before they hit that field.   A lot of kids endure things that even we as adults have a hard time dealing with.  None of us know what things have occurred in a kids life throughout the week.... or day... or just prior to a game. 

I would say that to be a successful coach, one needs to put those little guys first......then the game!  A coach  who possesses this quality will always be a winner.  

I do believe that the game should be fun and any coach who can lead a team with kindness, compassion and a genuine heart, wins my vote as being an outstanding leader.

Thanks for listening to me rant....just stating it as I see it!!

Hugs, 
shug