JV Try outs, watch them?

[Drill]

For the passed year I have taken it on myself not to coach between a fence or batting cage net. Only outside the lines.

I am sitting here bit-ting at the bullet about going over and watching JV try outs this week over at the High School.

I was only at one indoor practice a few months ago due to a parent conference day where I had to pick him up and take him home that morning. He/the coach, was real open about its OK to watch practices. But try outs are different I feel. My son that morning ask me if I wanted to stay and I said sure.

But I never asked him about try outs. So her I will sit, and pray he puts all of his talents on the field.


Your opinion,


drill

[Go Cardinals]

If you feel you could get him nervous, you might as well not go... better to be safe than sorry.

[wrstdude]

I say go.

Don't say anything, obviously, but I don't see why you couldn't go and watch.

[kylebee]

I am conducting tryouts for Freshmen today, and I'll be throwing BP for the JV/Varsity and watching the pitchers/catchers. There will be a lot of parents in attendance, which is totally fine - as long as they stay out of it. :)

[Jake Patterson]

If you go be a ghost to both your son and his coaches.

[jima]

For the passed year I have taken it on myself not to coach between a fence or batting cage net. Only outside the lines.

I am sitting here bit-ting at the bullet about going over and watching JV try outs this week over at the High School.

I was only at one indoor practice a few months ago due to a parent conference day where I had to pick him up and take him home that morning. He/the coach, was real open about its OK to watch practices. But try outs are different I feel. My son that morning ask me if I wanted to stay and I said sure.

But I never asked him about try outs. So her I will sit, and pray he puts all of his talents on the field.


Your opinion,


drill

Good gracious Drill, my kid, a freshman, has tryouts today. I really want to go watch since they will be able to be outside ...but he's so nervous, I'll probably stay away...he told his Mom that "today was the first day of the rest of his life.":) He's tried out for various travel teams and done well but the High School stuff is totally different. jima

[wrstdude]

I forgot to mention that I'll be attending my brother's tryouts today as well...and I'll be screaming and yelling from my car. ;)

[jima]

Maybe I could go in disguise.:cap:

[Baseball gLove]

Our coaches get very upset if any parent should leave their car during tryouts or practice. During a game, they do not want any parent talking or even providing refreshments to the kids. They are not babies anymore, they need to come prepared. There was a 12U club team out of Santa Clarita, CA that required each player to also carry a 1st aid kit in their bags. He would penalize them game time if their bags were not prepared.

[dw8man]

I would go. If the coach said it is not problem and your son doesn't have an issue with it, you should be there. My son just finished his try outs last week, and I am glad I got to see them. We have about 15 parents who show up to just about every practice, and our coach (who is very strict with the team and doesn't take any BS) has expressed his surprise and pleasure that so many of us take the time to see what our kids are experiencing.

I have really enjoyed it because it has allowed me to see what the coach is teaching and has helped me to understand why my son does certain things that I normally wouldn't have expected him to do. Also, it helps me to know what is going on during the game like if a coverage mistake is made or not.

[Jake Patterson]

I used to tell my HS players "Dad shows up -1 point, mom shows up -2 points, dad and mom shows up -5."

[kylebee]

I used to tell my HS players "Dad shows up -1 point, mom shows up -2 points, dad and mom shows up -5."

I understand this sentiment after my experiences in the Midwest, but luckily the parents in the PacNW are pretty reasonable and understanding. It's a shocking change.

[wrstdude]

I used to tell my HS players "Dad shows up -1 point, mom shows up -2 points, dad and mom shows up -5."

I would've probably responded, "You're addition isn't very good."

Which usually caused my coaches to :choke: me.

[CoachB25]

Daughter had her tryouts this morning. I didn't go. In fact, I was at the other end of the school since my school day starts at 6:30 a.m. However, I did see her across the hall. She didn't see me. VERY LONG FACE! Like a lot of kids, she's cut too close to the quick. Always has been. I have never had to get after her. She's already too hard on herself. Of course in a tryout, that kind of intensity can be good or bad. In either case, it tends to grow exponentially. In a few minutes, I'll get to talk to her. Then we'll find out if it's cheers or tears. :shrug:

[Jake Patterson]

I would've probably responded, "You're addition isn't very good."

Which usually caused my coaches to :choke: me.
Bonus points for the pair.

[wrstdude]

Bonus points for the pair.

lol

Oh, I get it. It just wouldn't stop me. :hp

[TG Coach]

I've been through this with the oldest. I never went to one tryout over twelve seasons of sports in high school. I don't think I ever saw a practice other than from the parking lot due to arriving too early for pickup.

The only tryout I ever watched, and it was from in the car in a parking lot across the street, was 7th grade baseball tryouts. It wasn't to see how my son was doing. I was curious to see how other players had made the transition to the big field.

I won't be at my son's varsity baseball tryout next week. Not only is it a distraction to him and the coach may not appreciate the hovering, it makes him look like a little boy having daddy watch, to the upperclassmen. Last year in 8th grade when a middle school game was rescheduled, he was sent to practice with the varsity. I really wanted to watch to see how he stacked up, but I stayed away. I may drive by the varsity field parking lot just to see if any parents are hovering.

Don't hover. Let your kids grow and mature.

[TG Coach]

Also, it helps me to know what is going on during the game like if a coverage mistake is made or not.

Won't his coach tell him if he makes a coverage mistake? Let go.

[TG Coach]

He's tried out for various travel teams and done well but the High School stuff is totally different. jima

My son is getting a tryout with the varsity as a freshman. It's the first time he's tried out for a team that he's not a lock to make it and start. In fact, the odds are against making it with so many returning players.

[TG Coach]

I forgot to mention that I'll be attending my brother's tryouts today as well...and I'll be screaming and yelling from my car. ;)

You shouldn't. The coach won't like it. You might embarass your brother.

[dw8man]

Won't his coach tell him if he makes a coverage mistake? Let go.

You misread or I miswrote my statement. I am not correcting him that is not my job nor would he listen to me anyway. He surpassed my baseballs skills a long time ago. What I meant to get across is that it makes the game more enjoyable for me because I know more of what is going on. By watching what the coach is teaching, I am able to better understand the coverages/plays/situations and how the kids are "supposed" to play. I can pick up on parts of the game that other parents are unable too. When a play is made and the players are in the "correct" positions, I notice it. I also notice when someone is not in the correct position and am able to determine what should have happened, for my benefit only. It make the game way more enjoyable for me. I like to know what is going on.

As to the other comments about hovering or trying to gain some kind of advantage with the coaches, I find them to be very sad. All of us that show up sit in the stands together and talk amongst ourselves. It is not always the same parents and just about everyone who has kid is on the team shows up every once in awhile. We have all become friends and enjoy watching our kids play ball. The parents are of seniors on down to freshman. A number of kids have been playing ball for many years together (in rec and travel ball) so we all kind of know each other. As a matter of fact, my son has been playing with the kids in the current Junior class for 4 years now. The more experienced parents have been very helpful in passing along advice on what to expect as far as communication and fund raising type things and passing along stories of their kids experiences to help us "newies" know what is going on.

I guess I am just part of the exception, but I thought that sports were supposed to be enjoyable for both players and spectators, and that a HS team is part of a community.


I have to add one more thing. I don't get the whole parent being a distraction thing either. Why are you a distraction? Do you yell at your kids when they make a mistake or are they just embarrassed by you? That is not asked to anyone in particular, but I don't get it. My son, and I think the other other players, are more worried about the coaches and playing ball then me or their parents in the stands. Do you not go to their games? People talk about letting the kids grow up. I see it as a sign of maturity that they can perform no matter who is watching. Heaven forbid if a scout shows up and they know they are there?

[Drill]

Well I have more cars than I really need, I have had one of my cars sitting up at shop for more than a month and I got a call today to come get it or they will start charging me rent.

What in the world does this have to do with JV try outs you may be asking yourself.

In another thread I started titled SHOULD I GO TO MY SON JV TRYOUT. I decided to not to go. But since I had to pick up the car I cruised the HS parking lot just to get a glimpse of what was going on. Not much, it looked like the coach was talking to them. So I just keep on going, I find it funny that I think I am more excited than my son. I guess you can call me a baseball junkie, I got it bad.

Don't get me wrong my son is excited but does not show it. I have seen him get up with bases loaded and take the pitcher to a 3-2 count and he is smiling up there at bat, while I am dieing with anticipation.

So I ask him how was try outs when he got home, all he said was ok. I swear I really feel like he is playing me at times. Well I ask what did you do and did you do ok? He said he went 5 for 8 in the batting cage with 4 line drive. He went 5 for 5 for bunts. He did not miss any ground balls hit to him and caught all the fly balls hit to him. He loves the catcher position but will play most any position just to be able to play.

So again I ask him how he thought he did again, he said he did OK.


Well my son did OK, in typing this I am now thinking that my son is teaching me how to be humble. I am proud of how he is handling life on his own now.


try outs taught me a lot,


drill

[Jake Patterson]

Well my son did OK, in typing this I am now thinking that my son is teaching me how to be humble. I am proud of how he is handling life on his own now. try outs taught me a lot,
drill
And isn't this what it's all about? It used to kill me not going.

[son who is sidearm]

well i know what u going thru drill. i have to pull teeth from my son just for him to tell me what went on at practice, how he did and if the coaches said anything to him. i know we as parents are no longer in control when it comes to their playing and how they do on the field. we can't correct them when they do thing wrong cause they are now in the hands of the coaches.

i just know i am proud that he still enjoys the game and wants to practice with me on the weekends when we have time too.

[TG Coach]

As a high school freshman after preseason "optional" practice ...

ME: How was practice?
SON: OK

ME: What did you do?
SON: Same stuff as usual.

ME: How did you do?
SON: OK. What's for dinner?

I think "OK" and "stuff" are in the teenage handbook they all work out off.

After winning the U10 travel soccer championship when he was nine ...

ME: What did the coach say after the game?
SON: He said we played well. What's for lunch?

ME: He must have said more than that.
SON: He said congratulations. May I have a PlayStation for Christmas?

Nothing has changed. Very composed on the surface. Burning inside on the field/court of competition.

[TG Coach]

I have to add one more thing. I don't get the whole parent being a distraction thing either. Why are you a distraction? Do you yell at your kids when they make a mistake or are they just embarrassed by you? That is not asked to anyone in particular, but I don't get it. My son, and I think the other other players, are more worried about the coaches and playing ball then me or their parents in the stands. Do you not go to their games? People talk about letting the kids grow up. I see it as a sign of maturity that they can perform no matter who is watching. Heaven forbid if a scout shows up and they know they are there?

I've been through this once with a daughter who lettered in four sports (changed from basketball to track). My son is a freshman now. I've seen high school kids who still look to dad/coach if he's in sight. Sometimes it's for approval. Other times it's for instruction. These parents still coach from the sidelines in high school. There are parents who try to influence the coaching staff.

I go to most of my kid's games. They play(ed) three sports. One spring/summer between the two of them I watched and/or coached about 115 baseball and softball games. One year I watched about 70 basketball games. Worse, the following year I watched track meets. Unless I'm coaching I stay away from practice. As a player I found baseball practice boring from a baseball aspect other than BP. As a social event it was fun. By high school and college there's a lot of standing around in the outfield. I have no desire to watch a baseball practice. I run enough of them in travel ball.

[Dirtberry]

Out here, CIF southern section, the coaches are not allowed to instruct during tryouts. They get 10 days any amount of time in same day. Most HS cut 10 very good potential players so they don’t seem to mind CUTTING a few parents. Stay away!

[kylebee]

First day of tryouts are over for JV/Varsity (just basic review of infielders, outfielders, and pitchers/catchers, plus tons of BP); the Freshmen will get an extra week or so to determine the final roster before sending up 2-4 players to JV or Varsity. Our Freshmen class has 25 kids trying out to make a roster of 14 (perhaps 15). Some of them are very good and can easily compete on the JV squad; none are good enough to play Varsity, IMO. The Varsity pitching staff has 2 very good pitchers who are both RHP with low-mid 80's fastballs and good secondary offerings as well (they train together in the offseason and have developed curve/straight change and slider/split-change). They held up last year in limited JV action, but they're facing an innings jump, so we'll see how they hold up going forward. I'll probably be involved in their conditioning.

Varsity also has a 6'2" LHP (89-94 FB+,82-83 CU+, 80-81 SL+) who likes to hit, and hit it well. Line drives as far as the eye can see, towering fly balls, he makes the game look easy. Good but not great height for a pitcher, largely mitigated by the fact that he is a lefty. Comes off Tommy John surgery this year. Says he feels good and can hit long toss limits as well as throw a short bullpen. I saw him a bit, his fastball command was superb, and it had a lot of movement - up to 8" or so of lateral break in on the hands. Chris O'Leary would like this kid. :) Inconsistent slider (not uncommon in HS and also from lefties) and a change that he uses too infrequently. At 1-2 vs. opp batter, he wants to blow them away with a fastball. Fortunately, that's the second best option when scouts show up to see him. but his change is a solid out pitch vs. wrong-hand hitters.

Besides those three freaks of nature :), Freshmen has a few pitchers of their own who are no joke. I've developed them for 2 years now, so we'll see what happens when I get more control and more equipment for them to work with. It's likely that we have to send up a few arms for JV, but I hope we get to keep a comparable amount of talent around to compete. We have 15 official games on the record, which is good, but we're trying to find 5 more scrimmages if possible. They'll include northern Seattle schools, like the Woodinville/Jackson area. Time to give the kids a real test of strength. :)

[wrstdude]

You shouldn't. The coach won't like it. You might embarass your brother.

unpossubull :dance

[Kevkey]

Gentlemen

Just wanted to let you know it is no different with girls.
Daughter just came back from freshman tryouts the other night

Dad: Well...How did it go?
DD: Fine, did anyone call for me?

Dad: I don't know. What did the coach have you do
DD: Dad don't start the inquisition!

Off to her room and left me standing in the kitchen dying for any tidbit of information.

Drill, welcome to what appears to be a very non-exclusive club

[virg]

skip over to the thread "who's killing youth sports", read the words on adults. Now read between these lines. The game belongs to the kids as does some privacy.

[jima]

Its clear that coaches see tryouts differently. Our varsity coach invited parents to come out! Not only that, he likes to see parents in the stands watching practice. I resisted going out to the first part of the tryouts and got there for the last 1/2 hour...pretty boring actually.

[dw8man]

skip over to the thread "who's killing youth sports", read the words on adults. Now read between these lines. The game belongs to the kids as does some privacy.

Sorry, but that make no sense to me. The game doesn't belong to anyone, it belongs to everyone (players and spectators). And don't get me started on the privacy part. It is not like you are watching them change clothes or showering for crying out loud. They are playing baseball on a baseball field. They have people watching them all the time. What privacy are they expecting? I understand that some parents are idiots (and tend to hang out in baseball forums :noidea), and do not know how to behave themselves in pubic, but why should the majority who can, be punished? Should colleges/minors/pros lock up their training facilities and practices? What is the difference?

There have been a number of players from our area to go on a play college (all levels) and minor league ball. Over the past two years, some of us have gone to visit them and have been privileged to hang out and watch them practice. Was this an evil thing for us to have done. Should we get them counseling to help them avoid us hovering, bad parents? I find it to be real arrogance on some people's part to tell someone to not go and watch their kid do something.

[Jake Patterson]

Its clear that coaches see tryouts differently. Our varsity coach invited parents to come out! Not only that, he likes to see parents in the stands watching practice. I resisted going out to the first part of the tryouts and got there for the last 1/2 hour...pretty boring actually.
Jim, I would love to learn more about the coach and why he does this. I do see some merits.

[CoachB25]

There are no rights and wrongs here UNLESS specified by the coach. I never held private tryouts. Here is an excerpt I hand out on tryouts and proceedures to the players:

7. Hey coach, my Dad wants to come and watch. Well, ok but he WILL NOT TALK TO ANY OF THE COACHES AND HE WILL STAY OUT OF THE WAY! Lobbying will not help. Insecure parents are typically an omen of problems to come. There are four experienced coaches making these cuts and so, we don’t need any help with anything at anytime ever when it comes to coaching!

While perhaps offensive to some, this is exactly how we view the role of parents during tryouts.

My child is going through tryouts for the first time as a freshman. I have taught and coached at this school and so, it is very hard for me to stay away. Stay away, I MUST! Really, I'm not sure you help at all and could be a hinderance. As I've always preached to my child, "The Hay is in the Barn." It's time to let her stand on her own. If she makes the team, great. If not, we'll get back to work. BTW, first cuts posted today. She made first cuts. Tomorrow is the final cuts. Maybe I can stroll down the hall and:choke::shhh::choke:

[Jake Patterson]

Coach,
The problem I had with this was the fact that the players can't be themselves. I have found parents become a distraction to the players.

[dw8man]

Coach,
The problem I had with this was the fact that the players can't be themselves. I have found parents become a distraction to the players.

Jake, I really respect your opinion so can you elaborate on this. If the kids can't practice with the parents in the stands, how can they play a game?

[kylebee]

Jake, I really respect your opinion so can you elaborate on this. If the kids can't practice with the parents in the stands, how can they play a game?

That's what I was thinking, too.

They might get more nervous at tryouts, though.

[Jake Patterson]

Jake, I really respect your opinion so can you elaborate on this. If the kids can't practice with the parents in the stands, how can they play a game?

Talking school ball and higher.

Practice and try-outs belong to the players and coaches. I have found over the years that players,especially the younger ones tend to focus, at varying degrees, on mom and dad and not the task at hand. How does this help the player?

I also coach school basketball and do not allow parents in the gym during practices, few coaches do. It becomes too much of a distraction. There is nothing positive a parent can bring to a practice. You are not there to root them on as they are there to learn not play. Your job as a parent is to support them during games. If a parent feels the have the "right" to be there then it becomes more about them than it does the player.

Too many parents feel they have a vested interest in their son's baseball. This again makes the process more about them the parent than the player, especially when you are no longer his coach.

If you choose to watch then do so from a distance.

Make sense?
Jake

[jima]

Jim, I would love to learn more about the coach and why he does this. I do see some merits.

Jake, I think his position is more in response to a local crusader who has been picking on local HS baseball coaches. The crusader used to run about 5 different age group travel teams for a profit. A few years ago one of his coaches became a HS coach and organized his own "feeder" teams. Anyway, the crusader was P.O'd. because his former coach didn't send players his way and got the coach fired by suggesting that it was a conflict of interest for a HS coach to oversee travel teams and clinics for profit. The whole issue blew up even bigger when the crusader suggested that players who tried out for HS teams would not make the team unless they played on certain feeder teams and attended specific clinics. He wrote protocol on how HS's should conduct tryouts, etc. and contacted the all the athletic director's in our district....a big broohaha.

Now, if coaches only select players that play on their feeder teams and attend their clinics, that is clearly wrong. But many of these coaches are young men trying supplement their rather meager income by overseeing teams and conducting clinics. Tough call.

[Dirtberry]

Tally the merits and demerits.

For the parent merit?
Have some amo to bring to the coach for playing time lobbying or just on the cut bubble.
For the parant demerit?

For the coach merit?
For the coach demerit?

For the player merit?
For the player demerit?
One of my parents is a Type "A" personality and he may say something in the stands
or to one of the coaches that may not be received well. "Loose lips sink ships".

[metropop]

I have few years to go but I feel pretty confident that if either of my boys plays baseball in high school, they can practice without me in the stands. Not that I think they would care, but high school baseball practices are not exactly riveting if the coaches are drilling fundamentals over and over. Had my time, it'll be there turn. You couldn't keep me from the ballpark during a scrimmage or game, but practice is their time to work it out.

I had one high school coach tell me if a dad was in the stands for practice, they probably fell into one of these catagories.
a. didn't trust the coaches and always thought they knew more.
b. There to try to brown nose coach
c. didn't trust his kid enough to let him do it alone
d. was terrible as a ballplayer and was trying to save face through son
e. Loved shagging foul balls

Basically he said there was about an 80% chance that Dad being in the stands wasn't productive, but said the % was probably higher because the foul ball shagger was usually a closet brown noser waiting for an opportunity.

Please take this tongue in cheek because this coach would gripe about about free money if you let him. Just thought it was funny because the guy was serious when he said it.

[Drill]

I did not go to try outs even though i cruised the parking lot, doing a drive by, just to see what was happening.

My biggest reason I did not want to go was it's time for my son to shine on his own now. For years coming up through little league teams, and all star little league team I have put up with so much daddy ball and coaches ball, the last thing I want to be perceived as is a parent trying to suck up to the HS coach. My son knows I support him while working with him and getting him coached up when I felt like he needed professional help. Yes I was one of the parents that had to grind my teeth, when he was as good if not better than the leagues presidents kid and other board members kids. Yes there was time I even confronted the daddy's and the coaches who got there kid into a position to play more ball I might as well talked to the wall. It was at that time that I told my son that if he wanted to continue to play ball he better get as good as he can get. He did not miss a year of all stars after that one year, he just got so good that they could not deny him a spot.

Now I am hearing about those same kids who either dropped out of baseball or cannot catch a ball during the first day of try outs. I see those same parents hovering at the best possible places to get the coachs attentions. But at least at HS its a different level, a separation. I know there may be politics, but at least it will be different people.

Yes it was hard and yes I did a drive by. I never stopped just looked.

After he said he did OK his first day of try out it took me an hour to pry out any further information.


respectfully yours,

drill


PS thanks for your above advice,

The man above gave me good advice to believe, pray and have faith. And not sit around and think you will be great, it take a lot of hard work to be able to draw our blessing out of ourselves from the man above. Its up to the individual with help from above.

[BoardMember]

Can someone explain to me the "pressure difference" between performing in front of dad in the stands at tryouts, vs. performing in front of Mom, Dad, Sis, Bro, and 50 other Moms, Dads, Sis's and Bro's, Grandma's and Grandpa's, Umpires, Coaches and Players of Both teams during a game?

I don't buy it...........

The kid's either got it or he/she doesn't...........

Some kids even perform better when they have something to prove to big daddy..............

Failure will hurt whether "dad's" watching or not........

I have few years to go but I feel pretty confident that if either of my boys plays baseball in high school, they can practice without me in the stands. Not that I think they would care, but high school baseball practices are not exactly riveting if the coaches are drilling fundamentals over and over. Had my time, it'll be there turn. You couldn't keep me from the ballpark during a scrimmage or game, but practice is their time to work it out.

I had one high school coach tell me if a dad was in the stands for practice, they probably fell into one of these catagories.
a. didn't trust the coaches and always thought they knew more.
b. There to try to brown nose coach
c. didn't trust his kid enough to let him do it alone
d. was terrible as a ballplayer and was trying to save face through son
e. Loved shagging foul balls

Basically he said there was about an 80% chance that Dad being in the stands wasn't productive, but said the % was probably higher because the foul ball shagger was usually a closet brown noser waiting for an opportunity.

Please take this tongue in cheek because this coach would gripe about about free money if you let him. Just thought it was funny because the guy was serious when he said it.

[Jake Patterson]

Can someone explain to me the "pressure difference" between performing in front of dad in the stands at tryouts, vs. performing in front of Mom, Dad, Sis, Bro, and 50 other Moms, Dads, Sis's and Bro's, Grandma's and Grandpa's, Umpires, Coaches and Players of Both teams during a game?

I don't buy it...........

The kid's either got it or he/she doesn't...........

Some kids even perform better when they have something to prove to big daddy..............

Failure will hurt whether "dad's" watching or not........
I think it's more about the distraction..

[Jake Patterson]

Jake, I think his position is more in response to a local crusader who has been picking on local HS baseball coaches. The crusader used to run about 5 different age group travel teams for a profit. A few years ago one of his coaches became a HS coach and organized his own "feeder" teams. Anyway, the crusader was P.O'd. because his former coach didn't send players his way and got the coach fired by suggesting that it was a conflict of interest for a HS coach to oversee travel teams and clinics for profit. The whole issue blew up even bigger when the crusader suggested that players who tried out for HS teams would not make the team unless they played on certain feeder teams and attended specific clinics. He wrote protocol on how HS's should conduct tryouts, etc. and contacted the all the athletic director's in our district....a big broohaha.

Now, if coaches only select players that play on their feeder teams and attend their clinics, that is clearly wrong. But many of these coaches are young men trying supplement their rather meager income by overseeing teams and conducting clinics. Tough call.
Boy talk about what's wrong with youth baseball....

[BoardMember]

Like I said, if they can't handle distraction at tryouts, I feel sorry for them in a game environment..........

I think it's more about the distraction..

[BoardMember]

Wow, I guess I'm all wet.

I'd rather deal with "that" dad at practice then when he's up in the stands during a game and his kid is riding the pine..........

Talk about a distraction........



If I were a high school coach, I would prohibit parents from coming to practice.

Unlike track or swimming, playing time judgements in baseball are not tied to stopwatch performances. They are mostly based on subjective judgements that sometimes can be called hunches.

While it may not apply to the guys who post here, most dads who attend their son's practices have an agenda. They're looking out for their son.

The past three years, only one dad attended our local HS practices. When his son was a soph JV player, the dad attended the Varsity practices. When the boy made V as a jr., his dad continued. I'm convinced this was intended to be a head game relative to the head coach, as well as to the other boys who were competing with his son for the same position.

This stuff will happen. You don't want to deal with it case-by-case. Instead, you make a rule, no parents at practice.

[Williamsburg2599]

Can someone explain to me the "pressure difference" between performing in front of dad in the stands at tryouts, vs. performing in front of Mom, Dad, Sis, Bro, and 50 other Moms, Dads, Sis's and Bro's, Grandma's and Grandpa's, Umpires, Coaches and Players of Both teams during a game?



For me, It's the 5 months of waiting for tryouts. I've played in hundreds of games, but have only been to a handful of tryouts in my life.

[Gap_Finder_08]

As a 30 year old, who's baseball career now consists of the lowly MSBL, I'm glad that I can look back and say that my father never went to my tryouts or my practices. That was my time to learn my own identity as a baseball player and be myself. He never missed a baseball game though. And the baseball games were my time to show him and my family who I became as a baseball player.

Players like myself never understood why certain parents would come to tryouts or practices and, in some sense, believed that the father was there to influence the coach.

Your intentions might be in the right place by attending, but the impressions it gives off might not show it.

[Jake Patterson]

Wow, I guess I'm all wet.

I'd rather deal with "that" dad at practice then when he's up in the stands during a game and his kid is riding the pine..........

Talk about a distraction........
Why deal with either??? I don't.

[Jake Patterson]

Like I said, if they can't handle distraction at tryouts, I feel sorry for them in a game environment..........
I look at practice as a class and we are there to learn/teach. We wouldn't have people in and out of an algebra class, why would it be OK for my class?

[dw8man]

If I were a high school coach, I would prohibit parents from coming to practice.

Unlike track or swimming, playing time judgements in baseball are not tied to stopwatch performances. They are mostly based on subjective judgements that sometimes can be called hunches.

While it may not apply to the guys who post here, most dads who attend their son's practices have an agenda. They're looking out for their son.

The past three years, only one dad attended our local HS practices. When his son was a soph JV player, the dad attended the Varsity practices. When the boy made V as a jr., his dad continued. I'm convinced this was intended to be a head game relative to the head coach, as well as to the other boys who were competing with his son for the same position. This guy could describe in detail every real or imagined flaw of every kid on the team (except his own). Multiply that times 15 parents. It's not healthy.

This stuff will happen. You don't want to deal with it case-by-case. Instead, you make a rule, no parents at practice.

How about deal with the problem parent instead of punishing everyone. It is funny how we expect our kids to deal with situations in a grown up, rastional way, but when it comes to making rules at schools the extreme is almost always taken.

[Jake Patterson]

How about deal with the problem parent instead of punishing everyone. It is funny how we expect our kids to deal with situations in a grown up, rastional way, but when it comes to making rules at schools the extreme is almost always taken.
Would you let parents in your basketball HS practice??

[dw8man]

I look at practice as a class and we are there to learn/teach. We wouldn't have people in and out of an algebra class, why would it be OK for my class?

I was waiting for this type of response. First off, I completely agree that sitting next to a kid in class is not okay. The proximity of being right there would be a huge distraction and would dictate your involvement. I would even have to say sitting in a gym, with it close confinement, is very board line. However, a baseball field or football field is rather large and a parent sitting quietly in the stands will probably go unnoticed by most. I asked the question earlier about watching practices at a higher level then HS and got no response on it.

It is a sad time we live in where everyone thinks that someone who is interested in watch practice has some kind of ulterior motive. All I know is that I love watching mine and other kids play ball. I love the game and really enjoy learning more about it. Who knows, in a few years, I might tire of the practices and stop dropping by but I will always be grateful for getting the chance too!

I am also very thankful ....
1. I can take the time to see what is going on and that other parents are there for me to talk with and get to know. It is quite a social event.
2. our coach allows and encourages it.

Some back fill.....

Our coach really does encourage us parents to spend as much time participating with our kids. He lost his mother at a young age and realizes how important it for a family to appreciate each other and spend time together.

When I was in HS, I lettered in 4 sports (Basketball, tennis, golf and track). I participated in state tournaments in 3 of the 4 sports. Except for basketball, my parents never came to practice or games/matches. I noticed and it really bothered me. I have talked with my son about this topic because I don’t want him to feel uncomfortable and he thinks it is great that I get to watch him play.

So I say again, if a coach and the player have no problem with it, the parent should not be made to feel like they are wrong for wanting to go watch their kid do something.

[Jake Patterson]

I was waiting for this type of response. First off, I completely agree that sitting next to a kid in class is not okay. The proximity of being right there would be a huge distraction and would dictate your involvement. I would even have to say sitting in a gym, with it close confinement, is very board line. However, a baseball field or football field is rather large and a parent sitting quietly in the stands will probably go unnoticed by most. I agree... I establish rules.. and you are right sitting way up in the stands minding your own business isn't the problem parent. The problem parents usually hangs over the first/third base fence kibitzing with parent number two. BUT I think we originally were talking about tryouts... To me this is a different beast.

I asked the question earlier about watching practices at a higher level then HS and got no response on it. The college coaches I know do not like parents at practices.

It is a sad time we live in where everyone thinks that someone who is interested in watch practice has some kind of ulterior motive. the unfortunate reality is those with ulterior motives out-number those who sit silently and enjoy.
All I know is that I love watching mine and other kids play ball. I love the game and really enjoy learning more about it. Who knows, in a few years, I might tire of the practices and stop dropping by but I will always be grateful for getting the chance too! My youngest plays in the NABA - Northeast Baseball Association or something like that - Men's league made of college kids and ex-pros trying to hang on - and I still get a charge watching him play. I hope that feeling never goes away.

I am also very thankful ....
1. I can take the time to see what is going on and that other parents are there for me to talk with and get to know. It is quite a social event.
2. our coach allows and encourages it.

Some back fill.....

Our coach really does encourage us parents to spend as much time participating with our kids. He lost his mother at a young age and realizes how important it for a family to appreciate each other and spend time together. When done properly You are right.. There fewer things in life more important.

So I say again, if a coach and the player have no problem with it, the parent should not be made to feel like they are wrong for wanting to go watch their kid do something.So maybe we agree as long as the parents let the coaches do their job.. Agree??

[dw8man]

I don't care if your son has nerves of steel. He knows your there, and you're intruding on HIS time.
Let's say he screws up and the coach wants to chew him out. Does the coach need to have your eyes boring into his back? Does your son need youto know he got chewed out? It's better if your chewed-out son hops in the car and says "Good" when you ask him how practice was. Give the kids some space. It 's supposed to be mothers that smother, not dads.


Wow, I hope you really think this make sense. So because I like to watch my son's team practice I am smothering him?

My son has been chewed out like there is no tomorrow the past few weeks. The coaches stay on his butt becasue they know he can do better. Their way to make him better is by pushing him. They don't have to ask my permission or forgiveness. While he is on that side of the fence, he is their's. Not once have they looked at me before or after correcting him and not once have I, or any other parent, said anything to them about what was said or how it was said.

As for our conversations after the practice, my son doesn't have to lie to me about not getting his butt chewed on. As a matter of fact, it has lead to some very good conversation about why he is getting chewed on and how if he wasn't, that would be a bad thing. I don't correct his mistakes, the coaches do, but I am there to offer advise and insight as to why a good butt chewing is good for him. If I didn't know that he was getting chewed out and what that really means, he could get very frustrated and might even give up. Because we can talk to each other and I see what is going on, I am able to pass along some insights that have helped him to adapt/adjust to difficult situations.

He will get to where he is going because he has the tools and knowledge pass on to him from many differnt people and experiences. I am still a part of that and will be for about 3 more years (when he hits 18, he is outa here!!!).

I know that a hovering parent sucks and have had to deal with them when coaching youth sports. There is a hugh difference between a hovering parent and an involved active parent. I think that a teenager needs a parent just as much or more then a younger child. The have to deal with dating, drugs, driving and all the other wonderful things that teenagers have to deal with. It is my job as a parent to help him/her navigate through this time and become a well adjust, responsible adult. That to me doesn't mean not being there.

[CoachB25]

First, I don't know how this went from Tryouts to "that dad." Every coach has had to deal with "that dad." I have. However, it is easy enough if the coach has a plan. During Tryouts, we make it plain that all dads can watch. They can come into the gym IF we are inside as well. Here, it is typical for tryouts to be inside since we have such poor weather. However, we make sure that they know the parameters. Board Member, you make a good point about pressure and the child. What you might be missing is the pressure of making the team along with the look of dejection on a parent's face when their son messes up. That look, at times, is hard for the kid to over come. They aren't just trying out for themselves. It is some type of badge of honor to make THE TEAM and certainly they don't want to let the people they love the most down. Some kids can handle all of that in games but not with the added pressure that they will not make a team. After the team is made, we issue a handout to our players entitled, Now that you have made the team. You've probably read a similar one. We've made one for our community and parent base. At that meeting, we hand out a presentation that is approximately 6 pages long. It has all kinds of info including something I received years ago in a handout from Coach Don Meyer (If you wish to read some good stuff, go to CoachMeyer.com. ) entitled, How to Deal with an Athletic Child. While the current handout on his site is half of what it used to be, it still is to the point. We also make our position clear about parents and channels for communication. Really, that's something all coaches should do and so parents are at ease more since they know that there is a way for them to discuss concerns with you.

Finally, I have a good friend of whom I had the pleasure of coaching his two sons. I laid the rules out for him on day one. I told him for the next four years, he and I would never have a converstion. We would not play on the same ball team anymore. We would not entertain each other's family for social occasions. His feelings were hurt. I knew his sons were both going to be 4 year starters. Heck his oldest son hit a home run in his first varsity at bat. That young man is tearing it up at a JUCO this year. His youngest son graduated last year and is off to a tremendous start at Missouri State. He is also one of the fastest kids in the nation. Last night my friend called. He thanked me and now realized why I laid those rules. No one could ever claim that I gave those boys any breaks because we were good friends. He said he never understood but now realized that I had done his boys the biggest favor I could do. People who live in really small towns understand what I've just posted. I apologize for being so long in this post.

[dw8man]

So maybe we agree as long as the parents let the coaches do their job.. Agree??

I completely agree.

I know this started out with tryouts but others were saying that parents are a no no even at practice. I ran with it .:dance

[Jake Patterson]

I merged the two tryout threads. So be aware the flow between the two conversations may seem a little weird.
Jake

[dw8man]

Would you let parents in your basketball HS practice??

That is a big depends. I address this some in the other thread, but because of the close proximity to the court, I really do not have a problem with it being closed. However, if the gym was big enough for the parents to sit out of the way, I wouldn't mind it.

[dw8man]

I merged the two tryout threads. So be aware the flow between the two conversations may seem a little weird.
Jake

Okay, that makes my last post a little goofy now......:)

[Drill]

Ok, son comes home from second day of JV try outs, It was indoors because of weather.

Again I ask and again I get OK, but trying a different tactic I ask him a question about what kind of drills did they have you do indoors. I got a full sentence answer, plus.

They did agility drills. He said he did OK
some kind of curtain drill they do again the divider in the gym, Fielding work. He said he did alright.
Bunting he said its hard to improve on 5 for 5 from yesterday.

Hitting he said he did better than anybody else. I almost fell out of my chair he said it in such a monotone voice I had to ask again, he said yea after watching the rest he said he felt like he hit better than anyone else. Oh yea he said they gave him a longer batting practice than anyone else. I ask him what he saw, pitch wise, he said fast balls and change ups. I said did they throw you low and out side he said yes and he took it the other way. He said he hit good.

So my wife starts asking questions about who was pitching to him. He said it was varsity coachs he thought. He knows all the JV coachs it was not one of them. But in the end he said he could not understand why he got more batting time than anyone else.

Day two of try outs and learning how to ask my son questions.

Tomorrow is cut day.

prayers requested,


drill

[Go Cardinals]

Ok, son comes home from second day of JV try outs, It was indoors because of weather.

Again I ask and again I get OK, but trying a different tactic I ask him a question about what kind of drills did they have you do indoors. I got a full sentence answer, plus.

They did agility drills. He said he did OK
some kind of curtain drill they do again the divider in the gym, Fielding work. He said he did alright.
Bunting he said its hard to improve on 5 for 5 from yesterday.

Hitting he said he did better than anybody else. I almost fell out of my chair he said it in such a monotone voice I had to ask again, he said yea after watching the rest he said he felt like he hit better than anyone else. Oh yea he said they gave him a longer batting practice than anyone else. I ask him what he saw, pitch wise, he said fast balls and change ups. I said did they throw you low and out side he said yes and he took it the other way. He said he hit good.

So my wife starts asking questions about who was pitching to him. He said it was varsity coachs he thought. He knows all the JV coachs it was not one of them. But in the end he said he could not understand why he got more batting time than anyone else.

Day two of try outs and learning how to ask my son questions.

Tomorrow is cut day.

prayers requested,


drill

Only 3 days before cuts? thats a little short IMO...

I guarantee he won't get cut... if I was religious I'd pray...

[BoardMember]

As a coach I've always encouraged parents to attend, both tryouts and practice.

I deal with "agendas" there, before they get into the stands during games and become a cancer........

I had a dad wander onto the field at an 18U Gold tryout once. It was the best thing that ever happened to him, and his kid.

I instantly took the opportunity to take him aside and nicely but firmly tell him that while is daughter was on my field, she was mine. And that included when he was in the stands at a game. I told him if he didn't trust me, he was at the wrong tryout. I also told him when I needed his help, I'd ask.

That dad sat in the stands quietly cheering for the entire team the entire season. He also drug and watered the field before every practice from that point on, because he just wanted to help.

The mom and the daughter thanked for allowing the kid to have the most successful season she'd ever had.

I love dealing with, and using parents. And I love them to see the priase, and the way I hold players responsible for their actions.

Parents are a huge asset IF you set the tone from the get go. You need new uni's. Get em involved and watch the action happen.

You want to be "on your own" and play tough guy coach? Ban em from tryouts and practices.

IF you are "un-approachable" as a coach, including closing tryouts and practices, you are a weak coach IMO..............

Hell, I send the parents at tryouts to 7-11 for ice cream for the kids after tryouts.

They love it. And they love me..........Mostly.......:dance

I completely agree.

I know this started out with tryouts but others were saying that parents are a no no even at practice. I ran with it .:dance

[TG Coach]

Only 3 days before cuts? thats a little short IMO...


Going into tryouts coaches have a pretty good idea on the makeup of the roster. Players may compete for a position, but both make it. There may be a new player or one that drastically improved. Mostly it's the end of the roster that's competing for spots.

Our high school is just wrapping up almost two months of "optional" workouts. Anyone who no-showed made a bad decision. A lot more impression can be made over two months than in a few days. For anyone wondering about athletes playing winter sports they were excused. But two workouts a week were before school. My son made them.

[Drill]

Only 3 days before cuts? thats a little short IMO......

that's what I thought, but looking at the weather calender the weather is iffy for the rest of the week. I thought I heard them say a full week but maybe they want to get in as much work as they can and do an early cut.



thanks go Cardinals hope things are going good for you, it sure sounds like it and good for you and your work ethic.

Because of a teachers meeting after school they had a late try out. I smiled to myself when my son wanted to get over to the high school 35 mins. early.

drill

[Jake Patterson]

prayers requested,drill
Done .

[jima]

OK, based on alot of what I read here, I stayed away from his tryouts yesterday. As far as his performance, he said that his timing and tempo are off hitting (he hates pitching machines) but that he threw the ball well during the pitching portion. He took it as a positive indicator that the pitching coach wanted to know what grade he was in after he threw. He seems confident of making JV but believes his hitting will cost him a shot at varsity. We'll see...if he makes either team, reps are most important. We only have 3 days of tryouts also....today is the last day. jima

[wogdoggy]

Ok, son comes home from second day of JV try outs, It was indoors because of weather.

Again I ask and again I get OK, but trying a different tactic I ask him a question about what kind of drills did they have you do indoors. I got a full sentence answer, plus.

They did agility drills. He said he did OK
some kind of curtain drill they do again the divider in the gym, Fielding work. He said he did alright.
Bunting he said its hard to improve on 5 for 5 from yesterday.

Hitting he said he did better than anybody else. I almost fell out of my chair he said it in such a monotone voice I had to ask again, he said yea after watching the rest he said he felt like he hit better than anyone else. Oh yea he said they gave him a longer batting practice than anyone else. I ask him what he saw, pitch wise, he said fast balls and change ups. I said did they throw you low and out side he said yes and he took it the other way. He said he hit good.

So my wife starts asking questions about who was pitching to him. He said it was varsity coachs he thought. He knows all the JV coachs it was not one of them. But in the end he said he could not understand why he got more batting time than anyone else.

Day two of try outs and learning how to ask my son questions.

Tomorrow is cut day.

prayers requested,


drill

good luck,sounds like he's in a good position

[TL_Dad]

Keep putting up what is happening, please. We are not allowed to have any organized practices or tryouts until March 10th (for High School). I am sooo ready to start the season. I will be drafting my team (8 & 9's) March 7th. I need something to keep me from going crazy. At least I have my sons AAU basketball games, but I want to get outside.

[metropop]

First, I don't know how this went from Tryouts to "that dad." Every coach has had to deal with "that dad." I have. However, it is easy enough if the coach has a plan. During Tryouts, we make it plain that all dads can watch. They can come into the gym IF we are inside as well. Here, it is typical for tryouts to be inside since we have such poor weather. However, we make sure that they know the parameters. Board Member, you make a good point about pressure and the child. What you might be missing is the pressure of making the team along with the look of dejection on a parent's face when their son messes up. That look, at times, is hard for the kid to over come. They aren't just trying out for themselves. It is some type of badge of honor to make THE TEAM and certainly they don't want to let the people they love the most down. Some kids can handle all of that in games but not with the added pressure that they will not make a team. After the team is made, we issue a handout to our players entitled, Now that you have made the team. You've probably read a similar one. We've made one for our community and parent base. At that meeting, we hand out a presentation that is approximately 6 pages long. It has all kinds of info including something I received years ago in a handout from Coach Don Meyer (If you wish to read some good stuff, go to CoachMeyer.com. ) entitled, How to Deal with an Athletic Child. While the current handout on his site is half of what it used to be, it still is to the point. We also make our position clear about parents and channels for communication. Really, that's something all coaches should do and so parents are at ease more since they know that there is a way for them to discuss concerns with you.

Finally, I have a good friend of whom I had the pleasure of coaching his two sons. I laid the rules out for him on day one. I told him for the next four years, he and I would never have a converstion. We would not play on the same ball team anymore. We would not entertain each other's family for social occasions. His feelings were hurt. I knew his sons were both going to be 4 year starters. Heck his oldest son hit a home run in his first varsity at bat. That young man is tearing it up at a JUCO this year. His youngest son graduated last year and is off to a tremendous start at Missouri State. He is also one of the fastest kids in the nation. Last night my friend called. He thanked me and now realized why I laid those rules. No one could ever claim that I gave those boys any breaks because we were good friends. He said he never understood but now realized that I had done his boys the biggest favor I could do. People who live in really small towns understand what I've just posted. I apologize for being so long in this post.

CoachB25,
I am "small town" through and through and I see your point clearly. In small towns you just don't have that autonomy that you have in larger classifications. You see people at the supermarket, getting gas or grabbing lunch whether you want to or not. OL Dad will grab you and want answers why son is not playing because he coached them growing up and the kid playing in front of him "really aint that good"

I have several friends coaching in high school and there still seems to be so much more meddling at smaller schools still today. Its like "Hoosiers" only a different sport.

[wogdoggy]

what if DAD hid in the bushes and nobody knew he was there,,when he gets home he then gives lil johhny some tips..like you better get some more on your throw or get your butt down more when your fielding or i notciced you werent following your throws?????:shhh:

[Drill]

what if DAD hid in the bushes and nobody knew he was there,,when he gets home he then gives lil johhny some tips..like you better get some more on your throw or get your butt down more when your fielding or i notciced you werent following your throws?????:shhh:

I can see the head lines now, stalker found in bushes by High School baseball field.


grin,

drill

[CoachB25]

CoachB25,
I am "small town" through and through and I see your point clearly. In small towns you just don't have that autonomy that you have in larger classifications. You see people at the supermarket, getting gas or grabbing lunch whether you want to or not. OL Dad will grab you and want answers why son is not playing because he coached them growing up and the kid playing in front of him "really aint that good"

I have several friends coaching in high school and there still seems to be so much more meddling at smaller schools still today. Its like "Hoosiers" only a different sport.

Metropop, you understand! Here is what I say at the Parent's meeting. Suppose your child is really working hard, has paid attention to detail, is very coachable and ready to move up the pecking order for playing time. Now, you stop me and want to "talk." Someone in our community will see it AND they will get on the phone as soon as possible. Now, I go ahead and start your child. Will your son get the credit he deserves? NO! What will be said is that he was promoted because you and I talked. Now, others will want to "talk." However, when their child doesn't climb the ladder, they will insist that it must be due to that previous parent socializing with us. THE KID NEVER GETS THE CREDIT REGARDLESS OF SCENERIO I CREATE. BTW, don't think that it is fun for the coach to be this way. I don't enjoy it. However, I do it for those kids.

[TG Coach]

what if DAD hid in the bushes and nobody knew he was there,,when he gets home he then gives lil johhny some tips..like you better get some more on your throw or get your butt down more when your fielding or i notciced you werent following your throws?????:shhh:

This reminds me of a Woody Allen movie (Bananas, I think) where he's camoflaged as bushes. Guess what happens! :) It could happen at a baseball field if there isn't a porta potty.

[TG Coach]

THE KID NEVER GETS THE CREDIT REGARDLESS OF SCENERIO I CREATE.

Exactly why I turned down a volunteer assistant position in high school softball and middle school baseball.

[Drill]

Metropop, you understand! Here is what I say at the Parent's meeting. Suppose your child is really working hard, has paid attention to detail, is very coachable and ready to move up the pecking order for playing time. Now, you stop me and want to "talk." Someone in our community will see it AND they will get on the phone as soon as possible. Now, I go ahead and start your child. Will your son get the credit he deserves? NO! What will be said is that he was promoted because you and I talked. Now, others will want to "talk." However, when their child doesn't climb the ladder, they will insist that it must be due to that previous parent socializing with us. THE KID NEVER GETS THE CREDIT REGARDLESS OF SCENERIO I CREATE. BTW, don't think that it is fun for the coach to be this way. I don't enjoy it. However, I do it for those kids.

THE KID NEVER GETS THE CREDIT REGARDLESS OF SCENERIO I CREATE.

Oh how true.


That line will stay with me through the seasons to come.


There is an old movie called "Apocalypse Now" There two lines in that movie, the first line that everyone of that era knows is "the smell of Napalm in the morning smell like victory"

The second line that I remember happen when they were taking a gun boat up a river and one of the soldier on board and depicted as a chef in real life want to pick some mango's, so they stop the boat and went back in the jungle and the chef just makes it back to the boat before getting eaten by a tiger. His line was "never get off the boat" "Dam right never get off the boat" the main character said to himself. There is more danger in the jungle than tigers.

There are times in my life that "I never got off the boat” and I am glad I never did. One was last night when I went to pick up my son from JV try outs. I wanted to go inside since it was another indoor try out due to weather in our area. As the young men exited from the lockeroom/back door area, I saw one of the little league board members come walking out the door. This did not surprise me, because in the past I would say with love, that he is the king of daddy ball and politics in our local little league. I mean if it looks like a duck and talks like a duck, it’s a duck, It is my hope that you will under stand me that I am not judging this gentlemen sight unseen.

Jake this board member would be the perfect poster boy for some of the research you are doing. In fact a poster boy for a few threads going on the board right now.

So my son jumps in the truck and being what I thought was the last night of tryout and I thought it was going to be cut night I ask how he did. He said since the tryout has been inside 2 out of 3 days that the coach wants to see them outside, which is understandable one more day.
I ask my son if he saw "You know who" He said yes he was there for the whole time they had try out. I almost started my rant, but caught myself because my son has heard it all before and did not want to go that way again. Hence the line. "Don't get off the Boat." There are some thing's that no matter how much you try to improve on through conversation or meetings, it will just not happen.

I find myself becoming closer to God during theses times, not to get my son on the team or make him a better hitter or for me to be calm. But its people like that, that I want to show no matter how they act that I want Gods glory/the right way to show through so I can be an example to my own son and to other people during situations that I know will arise. I find we have two choices in life take the high road or the low road. We have seen heard and read about what happens when we make the wrong decisions.

Not trying in this post to push my ideas on anyone, just trying to point out what keeps me on the straight and narrow during times when I could lean the wrong way.


Try out last night for my son; he said he did not hit as good and that he had an alright night. So 2 good nights and 1 average night at tryouts of my son, and a good night for Dad not talking crap about "You know who" in front of my son again, on the way home.

I did ask how you know who son did in try outs; all he said he "is the same". My son said a whole lot with only three small words. Don't get me wrong I don't wish anything bad on board member son, it's that I feel kind of sorry for all the stuff the kid has had to go through because of "You know Who" Sometimes I wounder if the boy is just playing ball because he has to. His other son is cool, he knows how to blow his dad off and be respectful about it. But the older son takes it to heart.

You know who, was talking to me during a clinic and we were watching his younger son trying to catch the ball and it keep popping out of his glove. He leaned over to me and said. "He couldn't catch the clap in a whore house" There are so many lines to remember in life. Just remember the right ones, and be a good example this season.


baseball season has started gentlemen,

drill

[CoachB25]

I find myself becoming closer to God during theses times, not to get my son on the team or make him a better hitter or for me to be calm. But its people like that, that I want to show no matter how they act that I want Gods glory/the right way to show through so I can be an example to my own son and to other people during situations that I know will arise. I find we have two choices in life take the high road or the low road. We have seen heard and read about what happens when we make the wrong decisions.

Not trying in this post to push my ideas on anyone, just trying to point out what keeps me on the straight and narrow during times when I could lean the wrong way.


drill

drill, in the example, you were a good Dad and you did set a good example. Your reference to your belief system proves it. JMHO!

[Drill]

Son made the JV team

here we go,

drill

[jima]

Son made JV team. I agree Drill, here we go. jima

[Jake Patterson]

Congrats guys!! Enjoy it while it lasts.

[Go Cardinals]

Son made the JV team

here we go,

drill

Congrats...

[Dirtberry]

Drill,

The horror, the horror, the horror!

[old perfessor]

In my opinion, any parent who attends any practice of any HS sport is doing the wrong thing. It's over the top. You're acting like stage mothers. Don't rationalize it, it's not normal.

It's time to cut the apron strings, guys. I don't care if your son has nerves of steel. He knows your there, and you're intruding on HIS time.
Let's say he screws up and the coach wants to chew him out. Does the coach need to have your eyes boring into his back? Does your son need youto know he got chewed out? It's better if your chewed-out son hops in the car and says "Good" when you ask him how practice was. Give the kids some space. It 's supposed to be mothers that smother, not dads.

Parents in the 1960's had one rule: ride your bike wherever, just be sure you're home for dinner.
Parents in the 1980's became afraid of mythical kidnappers, so they started keeping close tabs on their kids.
Now we've got parents going to practices of their teenaged offspring. This is not progress.

I can't agree more with this.

My 13 year old son has been having tryouts for his 7th grade team last week and into this week. This weekend he mentioned that 4 or 5 Dads of boys trying out watched everyday from the parking lot next to the field. I was floored at first, but then I remembered perusing this thread a few weeks back and realized that there are others just like that in this world.

Folks, just let your kids go out and play baseball. Let them have all the fun and maturing process that comes with the experience of succeeding or failing in the endeavor. It's a game for crying out loud.