Kids Baseball

[Carphunter]

Well after spending four years watching my oldest boy,(9), play t-ball and what they call "rookie" ball, I finally decided to coach my youngest boy,(7), in rookie ball. Boy, what an adventure. After 10 games, we are 4-6. Not the best record, but the record doesn't really matter. The kids are having fun, and they are learning and getting much better. I love seeing that look in their eyes when they get a big hit, or catch the ball and make an out, those memories are priceless. (got my boy on second, and he is doing great, he can run so fast......don't know where he gets that from). We play by the Cal Ripken league rules. T-ball = 5-6 yr olds; Rookie = 7-8 yr olds; Minor = 9-10 yr olds, and Major = 11-12 yr olds. My oldest boy is in his first year in the "Minors", and he pitches and plays second also.<br /> <br />'Ol dad couldn't be any more proud. <br /><br />Anybody else out there tried the coaching thing?

 

[LadyFish]

Re: Kids Baseball

Thats great Carpy. I have a question, when your son played T-Ball did they have a rule that the kids couldn't be called 'out' or get foul balls? Our grandson's team and all the other teams in the area play that way and I don't think its right. When I asked the coach, he said "thats so the children don't become discouraged and never feel like they did something wrong, we don't want any negativity". I think they should be taught the rules and when they are thrown out be told they are out. I see nothing wrong with teaching a kid the proper way to play.<br /><br />Just wondered if thats the way they do things in your neck of the woods.

 

[Carphunter]

Re: Kids Baseball

Hello Ladyfish,<br />Around here in T-ball, they call foul balls and they call outs. We let the kids run around the bases after they are out though, (thats what most of them want to do anyway). All the kids get to bat, and we don't keep score. Our league here is about teaching the basics in T-ball, and explaining the rules to the kids. All of this changes drastically in the "Rookie" league. So I agree partially with your coach, we don't want to discourage the children, but they also should be taught the rules.....they can handle it.

 

[radar750]

Re: Kids Baseball

Carp, That is great what you are doing for your Son. Some advice from a fellow coach for many years ranging from t-ball to High School.At those levels it is so important to be fair and play ALL the kids equal, even those who are not very good as they will never get better riding the bench.You can do a number on a childs self esteme if they always sit out. Years later no one will remember the score but they will remember they sat on the bench. Win/loss records do not make you a good coach.There were games I knew we would lose unless I pulled certain kids out but I NEVER would do that and to this day a know I did the right thing.This may seem funny but you have to know the rules so read up on them,I have seen fist fights over the Infield Fly Rule. Also do not let parents push you around, try to have a policy about postions,batting order,playing time ect. tell them what they are and stick to them.Every parent wants their kid to bat 4th and play shortstop every inning of every game.Be organized and prepaired for everything and most of all make sure you and the kids have a blast.I hope I did this right as I am new and this is my first post.

 

[Carphunter]

Re: Kids Baseball

Great advice Radar, and welcome to iboats!<br /><br />I have been around baseball long enough to see first hand the things you are talking about.<br />We have only 11 kids on the team which means I have to sit one kid each inning on defense only. I never sit one child more than one inning a game. Most of the time, for various reasons, we are usually short one kid and I don't have to sit any of the kids. All of the kids get to bat regardless.<br />I set the expectations with the parents before we had the first practice. I made it clear that I was a volunteer coach, that I was there to teach the kids, that I was not worried about winning, but teaching the kids, and having fun, and that my decisions would ultimately be final. I welcome suggestions, but I would decide in the end what would be best for the team.<br />(I said all this in a nice way, and it has worked great). <br />And one of the main things is that I always encourage the kids. Positive encouragement. Occasionally I might be a little too hard on my own boy, but thats only because I know what he is capable of, and I know when he is giving a good effort, (my wife always reminds me when I do this).<br />I have learned a lot this year, and I have received many compliments from the parents, but most of all, I have had many kids on my team say that they want me for their coach next year.........now that makes it all worthwhile.

 

[radar750]

Re: Kids Baseball

Carp, Kids sports need more coaches like you. Yea I was always tough on my own kid and sometimes found myself keeping him out more than others to show I was more that being fair.I talked him in to being the catcher which no body else wanted to, it took a bit but he got good at it and what a feeling having a good catcher once they start stealing bases.Good luck with your season.

 

[DaleT]

Re: Kids Baseball

Haven't found a way to coach, yet, around here it's pretty tought to get into unless you have a child playing. With that being said, I played a number of years and the best years were the ones with the coaches who made it fun. Several times we had almost the exact same team from one year to the next and completely opposite records. One other thing to remember, the kids you coach will remember you later on in life as long as they enjoy themselves. I still frequently speak with several of my old baseball coaches. As I grew in the leagues (ours were devided 9-10, 11-12, 13-14) many of these coaches instilled alot more than just baseball with the kids on their teams. I personally think that is the greatest skill set a coach can give. It sounds to me like that is what your doing, good luck.

 

[OBJ]

Re: Kids Baseball

Yo!! CH.....just watched my grandsons team win this evening. His Dad (my son-in-law of course) coaches also. Big D, thats' short for Damion, plays for the Indians. He got three rbi's in tonights game. WHAT A BLAST!!!! Wednesday night is reserved for his next game. How can ya' not love it?????

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Kids Baseball

You all think coaching boys is fun, try coaching girls <br /><br />I have 3 and all 3 played in a softball league and I coached for all 3.<br /><br />The first one was a disaster as far as winning goes, but they had fun and learned a lot as they moved on to the next level.<br /><br />There was even one that I know of went on to play college fast pitch and that's all that matters to me.<br /><br />We had fun and they learned a lot, they even got me a trophy, even though we did not win any and that gets me all misty eyed when I look at it, just remembering them all.

 

[OBJ]

Re: Kids Baseball

I never coached any teams but my youngest daughter Amy, Big D's Mom, played soft ball all the time she was in school. Catcher to boot! She only missed one year in the All Stars. (won't get into that) Looking at all her trophies, it does bring back some really great memories. Yeah....I look at her kids and remember her playing.....the mist does form.

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: Kids Baseball

Just got in from my 7 yo duaghters softball game. I don't coach, I couldn't be calm enough to do the kids any good. Our coach is a counsler for a living, he does a great job of keeping the kids spirits up while also "getting them in-line". She played coach pitch 2 years ago, same rules as t ball but the coach pitchs the first 4 balls then the tee goes up. The call the outs but still leave left them on base, I didn't like that either.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Kids Baseball

I've two boys playing ball right now (9 & 7). Last year I coached my older sons team. I only agreed to be the asst. coach because they needed one. I am not an experienced coach. As it turned out the head coach had to travel for most of the season which left me to do it alone. I was fine with that, but there was this one parent who was a HS coach and he decided to impart his wisdom when and where he chose. I am not above taking help and would gladly have welcomed his help. However, if I am in charge and have made the committment, I expect at least that much respect. I confronted him nicely and asked that he clear his intentions through me before 'Helping'. The guy was offended and pouted in the bleachers for half the season. he came back to help later, but was a whole lot more respectful. He even learned my name. <br /><br />The irony is that this year, he is coaching his sons team at a different school. We played them a few weeks ago and we creamed them good. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy..<br /><br />The good story from last year was Nick. In the beginning of the season, Nick could not throw, hit, or Run. I kid you not. He was a great kid with a positive attitude and he showed up to play. By the end of the year, he was so excited that he improved in his throwing and hitting. Hwas our Most Improved Player. It was neat to see the other kids chering him on an encouraging him instead of picking on him..<br /><br />This year I am leisurly watching from the sidelines.

 

[Carphunter]

Re: Kids Baseball

Well, my oldest boy had the hit that tied the game last night , the best hit he's had all year. The game ended in a tie. Man that was exciting.<br />Thanks for the compliments radar and dale, and OBJ,.......your right.....how could you not love it!!!!!!!