| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| WC_Dad |
Posted - 10/18/2010 : 14:02:32
Most of you probably dont know me. I've lurked on these boards since moving to the Marietta area a few years ago, and have gained alot of knowledge and insight from the many baseball savy folks who frequent this board. I'm a pretty quiet guy in person and obviously on these boards as well. But after this weekend I feel the need to point out a concern and remind people that some things are bigger than the game of baseball.
This year has been eye opening for me. I've seen the good, the bad, and the ugly of travel baseball.
Being great at what you do and love(baseball) is a good goal for players and developing those players to be the best players in the country, a good goal for coaches. Youth baseball organizations provide the means for some people to meet these goals and in return develop a reputation and philosophy of their own as being the "best".
But I will never measure a man, young man, or organization solely by their baseball related skill and reputation. Playing for, coaching, or running the best team/organization around does not make you a good man if your actions are morally unexcuseable. Basic right and wrong, politeness, courtesy, respect for elders, women, other human beings, treating others the way you would want to be treated... these are not hard things to figure out. Baseball should be an avenue to teach young men how to be good men not just how to throw the sickest curveball! And if someone is obviously lacking in this area, or does something rude and disrespectful in front of you, correct it, don't excuse it! Regardless of wether he's one of the best(players, coaches, administrators), of the best(team or organization), or if he's just the batboy.
Players should be held accountable by their parents, coaches, and organizations.
Coaches should be held accountable by the parents and organizations.
Baseball organizations should be held accountable by the parents.
What's better, a good baseball player that gets a scholarship to a small school, gets a good education, and goes on with his life... or...
A stud player who is morally bankrupt but has been excused and praised by everyone around him because of his athletic skill, and ends up in jail or worse?
I realize I'm touching on things that really should be addressed at home first and foremost(with regards to players). But it seems that at a certain level baseball is a big part of a player's and his family's life. Why not pay attention to the bigger issue of being a good person while we are out and about doing the travel ball thing?
Parents,
If you are part of an organization or team that puts a value on teaching young men to be good men while they reach towards their goals of being the best ballplayer they can be, then please let them know you appreciate it. Personally, I have seen both ends of the spectrum this year from players, coaches, and organizations.
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| 1 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| bballman |
Posted - 10/18/2010 : 15:51:41
WC, I agree with you wholeheartedly. I am happy to be a part of one of those organizations. It's funny you bring this up now. This weekend after a long showcase tournament at the University of Tennessee, I came down from the stands to the side of the dugout and listened to what the coach was talking to the kids about. I caught part of it and what I caught was very good. He was talking about how important it is when the team is out at these kind of events to be respectful and show that you know how to play the game and how to act. He said it is more important that the scouting coaches see what type of person/team you are as opposed to whether you win or not. He mentioned how he has had many comments from coaches talking about the character of our team and that it is very important. I can't remember and didn't catch everything he said, but that was the gist of it. He then told the kids to pick up every piece of trash on the dugout floor and make sure the place was clean before anyone left. He said it was a matter of respect for the UT coaches letting us come play at their facility.
I'm not sure what you have seen this year that prompted you to make that comment, but I just thought I'd share my experience from this weekend and how it relates to your point. And you point is a valid one. Every player, coach and parent should treat the game and those around them with respect. |
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