Things Coaches Hate

[Grizzly]

In no particular order, here are some things coaches hate:

1. Players who show up late for games.

The problem with this is, that if less than 9 players are there at the start of the game, we do not have enough to play. The rule:

1.01 Baseball is a game between two teams of nine players each...

2. Popups caught by the other team.

The problem here is, if the other team catches it, it is an out. The rule:

6.05 A batter is out when—
(a) His fair or foul fly ball (other than a foul tip) is legally caught by a fielder;

Feel free to add your own.

[bbb3601]

LOL..I hate it when umpires show up late to a 6:00pm start time. I also hate it when the food court runs out of cheez whiz, but most of all I hate crooked foul lines!!!!!

[wogdoggy]

I HATE playing baseball in cold weather..and i hate an umpire who squeezes up the strike zone in the last inning

[baseballdad]

I hate calling time to tie shoelaces.

[Baseball gLove]

I HATE playing baseball in cold weather..and i hate an umpire who squeezes up the strike zone in the last inning

I especially hate umpires that squeezes up the zone in the last inning when it's freezing weather.

[wogdoggy]

I especially hate umpires that squeezes up the zone in the last inning when it's freezing weather.

you you,,thats even better...lol :thumbsup:

[bbb3601]

I hate calling time to tie shoelaces.

Careful as I have been reminded you must ask for time never call it!! :radio:radio

[AgentX]

LOL..I hate it when umpires show up late to a 6:00pm start time.

2nded.

I know that they don't need to warm up or anything, but I don't think it's too much to ask that they arrive a few minutes before game time.

Come on, blue. Get a watch already.

[DerekD]

2nded.

I know that they don't need to warm up or anything, but I don't think it's too much to ask that they arrive a few minutes before game time.

Come on, blue. Get a watch already.

The better ones do.

[Baseball gLove]

I hate umpires that make up their own rules. Don't tell me you are not going to call the OBR strike zone in the pregame.

OBR 2.0 The STRIKE ZONE is that area over home plate the upper limit of which is a horizontal line at the midpoint between the top of the shoulders and the top of the uniform pants, and the lower level is a line at the hollow beneath the kneecap. The Strike Zone shall be determined from the batter’s stance as the batter is prepared to swing at a pitched ball.

If that is not your zone please don't tell me. I'm a big boy and I can figure out if you're nose to toes or a tissue box.

Also not calling pitches that cross your strike zone "strikes" because the catcher dropped the ball is bunk. I don't know of any umpires that do that. That is why there is a dropped 3rd strike rule.

[bbb3601]

I also cant stand it when a parent brings Billy hot dogs and pop to the dugout because he hasn't had dinner yet, and gets mad when the coach says no food in the dugout......and don't get me started on plastic gloves, bats so heavy I cant even swing, and the I can't find my hat coach do I really need it?

[MrUmpireSir]

LOL..I hate it when umpires show up late to a 6:00pm start time.

We are required to show up 30 minutes before game time, or we are not paid.

Great thread by the way. I'm always trying to figure out how coaches think....

[wogdoggy]

I also cant stand it when a parent brings Billy hot dogs and pop to the dugout because he hasn't had dinner yet, and gets mad when the coach says no food in the dugout......and don't get me started on plastic gloves, bats so heavy I cant even swing, and the I can't find my hat coach do I really need it?

I dont mind the food in the dugout..lol...as soon as the kid gets in the field whatever he couldnt finish becomes fair game..

[songtitle]

We are required to show up 30 minutes before game time, or we are not paid.


hahahaha, all umps would be broke here.:happy:

[bbb3601]

I dont mind the food in the dugout..lol...as soon as the kid gets in the field whatever he couldnt finish becomes fair game..

True. I guess I have finished off my share of half eaten nacho's!!

[bbb3601]

We are required to show up 30 minutes before game time, or we are not paid.

Great thread by the way. I'm always trying to figure out how coaches think....

We are not that different...most of us anyway. I will try that next game. If our umpire's arent at the field 30 minutes prior to 1st pitch I will refuse to pay them. Of course my doctor may have to post the results because i may be unable to type.

[wogdoggy]

True. I guess I have finished off my share of half eaten nacho's!!

see! lol :thumbsup:

[soceric]

Overbearing parents who coach their kids from the stands while they are at bat. :thumbsdown:

[songtitle]

Overbearing parents who coach their kids from the stands while they are at bat. :thumbsdown:

Hey, come on. There's nothing wrong with "you better hit the ball" or "you better not strike out" or "keep your eyes on the ball" is there? :rolleyes:

[AgentX]

Hey, come on. There's nothing wrong with "you better hit the ball" or "you better not strike out" or "keep your eyes on the ball" is there? :rolleyes:
A few of the coaches I've coached with took to telling their kids that they wouldn't get any dinner or would have to sleep outside with the dog if they didn't get a base hit. Some threaten beatings. :D

Parents usually get the hint when they see you mocking this behavior.

[Grizzly]

Great thread by the way. I'm always trying to figure out how coaches think....


And you didn't think us dumb coaches could complain about the umpire without you knowing it...

[songtitle]

The winner for me is "don't change by boy's swing". I had this happen in T-ball (and older)

I later learned to tell dad that his son could learn 2 swings - his and mine.

[MrUmpireSir]

And you didn't think us dumb coaches could complain about the umpire without you knowing it...

There's a difference between being dumb, and acting dumb. ;)

[soceric]

Hey, come on. There's nothing wrong with "you better hit the ball" or "you better not strike out" or "keep your eyes on the ball" is there? :rolleyes:

"LETS GO!!"... "YOUR BAILING OUT".. "BACK ELBOW UP".. "HEAD DOWN"... "LETS GO!!!" :faint:

[cubsphill]

keep your eye on the ball and head down do more good than harm from my experience.

i prefer to hear and use "you have to see the ball" or bluntly, "see the ball all the way"

[Newyouthcoach]

Parents with unrealistic views of their kids ability. Every team has that dad who makes 50 excuses on why little johnny isn't playing his normal allstar self. We hate when a kid misses 50% of all practices and his parents tell us that we are not giving him a fair chance. You discuss the practice issue and they continue to miss 50% of practices, and now your an ass for mistreating their angel.

The dad who knows nothing about baseball, but has decided that you know even less than he does. He will constantly spout out nonsense that others with no knowledge of baseball will flock too. YOu have to eventually call this dad out. Usually it ends with you ask him to help coach a practice. Better yet, if he is the loud mouth type, ask him publically how much baseball he has played.

[bbb3601]

Parents with unrealistic views of their kids ability. Every team has that dad who makes 50 excuses on why little johnny isn't playing his normal allstar self. We hate when a kid misses 50% of all practices and his parents tell us that we are not giving him a fair chance. You discuss the practice issue and they continue to miss 50% of practices, and now your an ass for mistreating their angel.

The dad who knows nothing about baseball, but has decided that you know even less than he does. He will constantly spout out nonsense that others with no knowledge of baseball will flock too. YOu have to eventually call this dad out. Usually it ends with you ask him to help coach a practice. Better yet, if he is the loud mouth type, ask him publically how much baseball he has played.

While I agree with most of this.. playing the game in the past doesn't qualify you to teach it. You can be a student of the game having never played it. My best High School Coach (Basketball) played tennis so go figure? I am not saying this is you in any way no dissrespect intended.

[Newyouthcoach]

bbb, you are correct, but most of the time, this type of guy is not a student of the game. He is mostly one that senses that he knows a little more than his "followers". He uses that to his advantage. You ask for his playing experience because it causes his "followers" to have doubts since they know less than he does.

[bbb3601]

bbb, you are correct, but most of the time, this type of guy is not a student of the game. He is mostly one that senses that he knows a little more than his "followers". He uses that to his advantage. You ask for his playing experience because it causes his "followers" to have doubts since they know less than he does.

Fair enough, and true....we call them "Daddy Ballers" They have been known to ruin many good teams.

[rkbenn]

How about parents using coaches to babysit their kids, and not being on time to pick them up. This led to a contract with parents here in our league.

[wogdoggy]

How about parents using coaches to babysit their kids, and not being on time to pick them up. This led to a contract with parents here in our league.

lol,, its amazing isn't it? you volunteer to get taken advantage of

[rkbenn]

lol,, its amazing isn't it? you volunteer to get taken advantage of

It is. I also had a parent tell me it was my job to teach his kid how to pitch. I told him I only work with kids who's parents take an active interest/role in helping teach their son how to pitch.

[HYP]

I HATE playing baseball in cold weather..and i hate an umpire who squeezes up the strike zone in the last inning

I hate when they squeeze the strike zone up on the team that is clearly better because they want to try to even out the game.

[epic]

How about parents using coaches to babysit their kids, and not being on time to pick them up. This led to a contract with parents here in our league.

RAW nerve-even after all these years. We had a practice field (with backstop) at our house, and one mom always arrived 30 minutes after dark (no lights on our field) to get her two kids (10 year old twins). I have no idea how many times I fed her sons and helped them with their homework...

[Jake Patterson]

Fair enough, and true....we call them "Daddy Ballers" They have been known to ruin many good teams.Look guys... for every Daddy Baller out there, especially in rec leagues with volunteers there are three idiot parents who would rather b!tch about the Dady Baller than get involved and help.

[wogdoggy]

Look guys... for every Daddy Baller out there, especially in rec leagues with volunteers there are three idiot parents who would rather b!tch about the Dady Baller than get involved and help.

the thing about travel and daddy ball is that if you JUST ACCEPT it for whatever reason you will have alot less stress in your life..lol..our coach's kid played ss alot ,he wasnt the best there but he got the job done.he did give the other kid time there when his son was pitching so it did somewhat even out.. The coach gave an incredible amount of his time over 5 years of travel.He picked kids up brought them home, fed them, etc etc..in the long run it didnt matter one bit if he favored his kid a wee bit..the high school coach will put you wherever he wants..To me the fact he may have favored his boy a wee bit was the price of getting in a good poker game so to speak..

[coach scotty]

The winner for me is "don't change by boy's swing". I had this happen in T-ball (and older)

I later learned to tell dad that his son could learn 2 swings - his and mine.

As a coach I agree with you. As a parent my response would have to be if you don't like my boys swing then bench him or cut him but don't mess with it. I have seen very well respected hitting instructors argue over swings both having their own OPINION of how it should be. The way I look at it I have been working with this swing since it was 2. I know the swing, the body making the swing, and the way the mind controls the body way better than a coach that sees it a few hours a week.

[coach scotty]

Look guys... for every Daddy Baller out there, especially in rec leagues with volunteers there are three idiot parents who would rather b!tch about the Dady Baller than get involved and help.


Yeah in my experience in youth sports most of the time daddy ball is cried out it come from a delusional parent who believes there own kid is better than the coaches kid and saying "he only plays that position because he is the coaches kid" is a lot easier than saying "I'm just to lazy to get outside and work with my kid to make him better"

Now I have seen some obvious cases of daddy ball but from the majority of the ones I have personally seem called out. The coaches kid was better.

[coach scotty]

My top 10

1. Shoelaces
2. Rain
3. Shoelaces
4. Catchers equipment (putting it on)
5. Shoelaces
6. PARENTS (not all, most are great but you know the ones I am talking about)
7. Shoelaces
8. Clueless umps
9. Shoelaces
10. Shoelaces

[hawkiirock]

I agree. If the dad doesn't want his swing messed with than you should leave it alone IMO. Most dads would want the swing changed if the kid isn't hitting good but maybe i am way off baseAs a coach I agree with you. As a parent my response would have to be if you don't like my boys swing then bench him or cut him but don't mess with it. I have seen very well respected hitting instructors argue over swings both having their own OPINION of how it should be. The way I look at it I have been working with this swing since it was 2. I know the swing, the body making the swing, and the way the mind controls the body way better than a coach that sees it a few hours a week.

[Ursa Major]

"Of course my 105 pound son who's learning to switch hit for the first time has to hit with his new 33/30 Synergy because I paid $350 for it! If he's a little slow getting it around, just tell him to start his swing sooner!"

Parents who think your kid got on the All-star team because you're a coach. (Honest - I found out about his selection the same time as everyone else.)

Parents who don't see that their kid has a problem when he picks fights with his teammates and opponents at least once a week.

Managers who wonder why the team has trouble focussing on the game when it's their own kid who's (a) starting the seed throwing fights, (b) telling the hypersensitive kid at the end of the bench that he sucks, and (c) passing around on the bench a dog-eared old Penthouse that he found buried at the bottom of Dad's old tool chest in the garage.

[azmatsfan]

LL parents who complain about being asked to work a one-hour shift in the snack bar when there are other parents donating hours and hours each week to coach, serve on the board, plan events, organize fund-raisers, stock the snack bar, etc.

[Deemax]

Parents....

[PhilliesPhan22]

"My son can't come to the game this afternoon because I feel that he needs a nice, stress-free afternoon."

[bbb3601]

Look guys... for every Daddy Baller out there, especially in rec leagues with volunteers there are three idiot parents who would rather b!tch about the Dady Baller than get involved and help.

True, but there are also many cases where the DB"S out number the B!tchy parents no matter how much they help. I have never had a problem with helping out. Not all DB's are coach's they have troops in the parent ranks as well.

[CoachW]

Things I "dislike" as a coach:) or pet peeves

1. rainouts
2. kids going to the stands during innings w/parents
3. catchers that drop strikes
4. players walking/jogging on and off the field
5. kids playing grab butt in the dugout
6. kids playing with their bats in the dugout
7. umpires that have a "painfully slow" ball or strike call
8. players that never say a word in the field
9. slow working pitchers
10. some parents

CoachW

[goblue94]

It has to be the parents good and bad. How about the dad who tells his boy from the stands don't bunt swing. When you have given him the bunt sign and his son is 0- for the century in hitting situations.

[RodCarew]

NO SHOW UMPIRES.

2 home games this year - 2 no show Umps.

[goblue94]

how about umpires that forget that the game is about the kids and not themselves. we have two umpires here that insist on teaching the kids lessons.

[wogdoggy]

how about umpires that forget that the game is about the kids and not themselves. we have two umpires here that insist on teaching the kids lessons.

the worst...you'd think they would just be happy getting away from the wife for a few hours,,but no..

[Ursa Major]

Things I "dislike" as a coach:) or pet peeves

1. rainouts
2. kids going to the stands during innings w/parents
3. catchers that drop strikes
4. players walking/jogging on and off the field
5. kids playing grab butt in the dugout
6. kids playing with their bats in the dugout
7. umpires that have a "painfully slow" ball or strike call
8. players that never say a word in the field
9. slow working pitchers
10. some parents
CoachW
Great list, Coach. In that vein:
1. Kids who walk out to the outfield at the beginning of the inning, then in the warm-up, (a) throw the ball over their teammate's head, (b) don't make an effort to catch the return throw, (c) make a face at said teammate for not making a perfect throw, and (d) walk after the throw they let go by, so that it's time for 'balls in!' after only those two throws -- and then wonder why the one throw that either of those kids has to make the next inning is a three bouncer dribbling fifteen feet to the left of their cutoff man.
2. Pitchers who tell an infielder after he makes an error, "You shoulda had that..."
3. Batters who step in the bucket and take a called third strike on a pitch five inches inside the outer edge of the plate, then storm back into the dugout claiming the umpire is blind.
4. Kids in the dugout who insist on telling jokes to the on-deck batter.
5. Players who forget where they are in the batting order.
6. Baserunners who turn their back on a fly ball when returning to their base while the ball is still in the air.
7. Third baseman who don't cut-off slow bouncers into the hole, with the excuse to the shortstop, "It was going towards you."
8. Second basemen who don't bother to cover the bag on a two-out grounder to shortstop or third with a runner on first, forcing the fielder to make the longer and riskier throw to first.
9. Outfielders who don't back up the infield on steal and pick-off throws until after the throw gets past the fielder.
10. Anybody who doesn't know how many outs there are and is afraid to ask.

[wilson68]

1. Kids who don't come to practice, or show up one minute before game time, which is plenty of time to eat that bag of McDonald's and get dressed for the game. Although, at eleven, that is really a parent complaint.

2. Umpires who do not actually know the rules.

3. Sixteen year old rec softball players who have nothing left to learn.

4. Other coaches: Second baseman doesn't mean she stands on second base. Your girls throw like girls. No, that is not a rule, even if the umpire from #2 agrees with you. I know you lost because I cheated and the umpire is blind and it has nothing to do with the fact that I have never heard you utter one piece of advice about actually playing ball to your team. Sorry, did you just say, "That's the worst F'ing swing I have ever seen," to that ten year old?

One that I like: Parents who take over the team the next year because it is going to get done right! And watching the yelling and the push-ups inspire exactly one win.

A note on coach's kids. They quite often are the best player. Which is a sign of how much of an impact practice has, as opposed to natural ability. See complaint #1.