| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| rippit |
Posted - 02/23/2011 : 12:24:08
13U team: we have a couple of kids doing baseball stuff 6-7 days a week between outdoor practice or scrimmage (3 days x 2-3hours), team cage BP (1 day x 1 hour) private hitting/pitching instruction (1 day x 1 hour) and another day with 1 hour of working on pitcher/catcher stuff with a private instructor.
These kids never complain about anything.
On the other hand, we have kids who miss 2 out of every 5 team practices between field time and cages (unless we are actually scrimmaging) and the excuses range from "big test", "big project", "sick", "sore" or "just tired and needs a break" because we "practice too much".
These kids DO NOT play on any other teams or do any private anything on their own.
Is asking kids to practice or do cages Tues/Thurs/Sat/Sun too much or are these kids soft? Or is it really the parents who have issues?
Amazing that a month ago they were all complaining about the weather not letting us practice and now the weather is "too good" and we aren't getting a break. I'm kinda perplexed. |
| 23 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| 11UFAN |
Posted - 02/28/2011 : 17:06:23
Rippit,
You can drive yourself crazy worrying about the other 10 or 11 players on your kids team OR...just make sure your kid has the right priorities. In my house it's school 1st-that's their job, not baseball, commitments where others are depending on you-this is where baseball practice falls etc..
Take care of your business and as long as your kid is getting to play and having fun don't worry about it. If your kid is not playing and the others that aren't as good as him or as dedicated are and your son is unhappy, find somewhere else to play.
I know as a father I can sometimes be unhappy with my kids situation but he's the one playing, not me. But as long as he is getting better and having a good time playing then it should work out fine. |
| Scorekeeper |
Posted - 02/28/2011 : 10:58:29
<We make a majority of our practices but many DOMINANT teams out there do a couple team practices and the rest of the work is done alone.>
Or in small groups relative to their location. Smaller practice groups = more repetitions and more focused individual instructions. Fundamental baseball is fundamental baseball, your player should be able to step from one team to another and still maintain all fundamentals necessary to succeed or help the team succeed.
Just as long as all participants are on the same page with team chemistry and goals. And it must be working for us, turnover is about 1 player per year thus far. Although some of them that attend all team practice are not going to be able to make the transition to 60/90 on defense well. Maybe if they practiced more and got more reps at home? |
| Spartan4 |
Posted - 02/27/2011 : 22:27:57
And for every regular player you had, there are players out there who do individual practices/lessons....I agree that distance will take its toll on teams, but many teams have "camps" where the entire team gets together and works on team oriented things. A majority of our practices involve fielding drills and batting work where most of the work is done individually. We make a majority of our practices but many DOMINANT teams out there do a couple team practices and the rest of the work is done alone. |
| rippit |
Posted - 02/27/2011 : 20:20:32
quote:
Originally posted by bbmom2
I understand distance but there is an inherent value in practicing as a team and coming together as a team that missing practice because of distance does not allow. We are on a 13U team and have players that miss practice because of school team commitments (playing games) during the week that are excused. It's still tough for the players to practice together and saw some of that at our first tournament last weekend. I can't imagine - whether the players are major or A level players, any team missing their catcher and other valuable positions constantly because they don't want to make the drive. When you accept a position on a team 1 - 2 hours away, it should be a given they are accepting the drive and make it for practices. As a parent, I would be upset that players aren't showing up because of the travel and I KNOW my son would be. He goes to practices and does the work involved outside of practices and games. But... he loves baseball.
Thank you bballMOM!!! What you described (kid accepting a position etc.) sounds like a couple of our guys. I hate to word it this way, but they are "pimping their kid out".
We have 2 extremes - the wusses...okay, it was a long weekend and I'm cutting to the chase, and the "studs" as y'all would call them, but who have parents who don't play fair.
Guess what we found out this weekend??? The "studs" were either not quite as prepared as the regulars, who showed up to every speed, agility and off-season baseball session, and we don't need the hotshots who have parents pimping them out BECAUSE OUR REGULARS showed up to every speed, agility and off-season baseball session and are quickly becoming STUDS.
Yep. I guess this might answer some of the questions about the bigger 13U field separating the men from the boys...dont' rest on your laurels guys. If you aren't practicing, somebody else is and will be READY to take your position.
We are still low on dedicated players, but I think some parents AND some players will come around after this weekend and just in case you were wondering, the coaches stepped up and said something at practice 2 days in a row about how we are a team and practice isn't "optional".
HELLO!!!!!!! |
| Scorekeeper |
Posted - 02/27/2011 : 19:02:05
Positions were accepted and team was put together with the full knowledge practices would be missed. People who had a problem with it aren't on the team.
It is possible to do. |
| AllStar |
Posted - 02/27/2011 : 16:22:55
quote:
Originally posted by bbmom2
I understand distance but there is an inherent value in practicing as a team and coming together as a team that missing practice because of distance does not allow. We are on a 13U team and have players that miss practice because of school team commitments (playing games) during the week that are excused. It's still tough for the players to practice together and saw some of that at our first tournament last weekend. I can't imagine - whether the players are major or A level players, any team missing their catcher and other valuable positions constantly because they don't want to make the drive. When you accept a position on a team 1 - 2 hours away, it should be a given they are accepting the drive and make it for practices. As a parent, I would be upset that players aren't showing up because of the travel and I KNOW my son would be. He goes to practices and does the work involved outside of practices and games. But... he loves baseball.
I agree with you, but today's travel ball in many cases is a distant relative at best to a "team game" as we understood it when we were growing up. |
| bbmom2 |
Posted - 02/27/2011 : 11:47:22
I understand distance but there is an inherent value in practicing as a team and coming together as a team that missing practice because of distance does not allow. We are on a 13U team and have players that miss practice because of school team commitments (playing games) during the week that are excused. It's still tough for the players to practice together and saw some of that at our first tournament last weekend. I can't imagine - whether the players are major or A level players, any team missing their catcher and other valuable positions constantly because they don't want to make the drive. When you accept a position on a team 1 - 2 hours away, it should be a given they are accepting the drive and make it for practices. As a parent, I would be upset that players aren't showing up because of the travel and I KNOW my son would be. He goes to practices and does the work involved outside of practices and games. But... he loves baseball. |
| Scorekeeper |
Posted - 02/25/2011 : 00:22:44
If you are on a top level team there are going to be many cases where the best players live hours away. Might even have several that are hours away in different directions. Those kids are not always coming to practice no matter what the 8th, 9th, and 10th players parent on the teams wants. Its not practical to spend that much time driving, when it could be spent at home doing drills seperate from the team.
We have parents committed to playing at the Major level. And they understand fully that to play at that level succesfully you have to have similarly committed parents.
We have 4 kids out of 10 that seldom come to practice. They live one hour, two hours, two hours again, and 1:45 away. One plays Short, One catches, One is the #1 Pitcher. All start. All bat 1,3,4,5. Been doing it for 3 years now, and it works well because each one is long time committed to the team and practicing hard at home on thier own.
Teams more local to their area continually ask them to come play and get turned down because these high level players want to stay together on gameday. |
| rippit |
Posted - 02/24/2011 : 17:08:04
Alter: I've been trying to pinpoint ONE chief complaint and I guess it's mostly not trusting the other players to do their part. Everybody wanted to keep the roster at 12. When 3 guys can't make a tournament game bc of "other" committments, I begin to worry about injury to just 1 of the 9 that are playing causing a forfeit down the road.
If their practice track record/trend has been shotty so far, who is to say they won't continue the pattern? We already have issues with who is playing on what day in our first 2 tournaments and it's still February.
Then, you see that "well we only have 9 that can play next week, so why should MY son come to practice??" He'll have to play regardless and then you have 6 at practice and it's a vicious circle. So nobody ends up getting the practice and the games may be a giant waste of time.
I apologize for being so negative this early in the season, but I guess it just got close enough to an actual game to realize it's NOT getting any better. |
| Spartan4 |
Posted - 02/24/2011 : 15:27:00
I believe if we could secure the field time our 11U team would practice that much! I have to disagree with one poster that practice time is earned during practice not during games. We had a post not too long ago about kids who have to travel 40-50-60 miles each way to practice. Sometimes missing a practice or two is unavoidable, it just has to happen. We live in South Gwinnett and play for an East Cobb team. Myself and the coaches went over the distance before we were offered/accepted and so far it hasn't been an issue. Not ever area has great teams, there wasn't even a comparable option anywhere close for us. But for the most part I completely agree that players who routinely miss practices aren't going to last or help the team, but some teams have players from as far as 4 hours away. While this isn't the norm it happens more than most would think. |
| excoach12 |
Posted - 02/24/2011 : 14:12:12
There was a discussion here last year about players moving from team to team in the spring. This is another example of why it happens.
We too had a meeting with each family, individually, to explain costs, practice and game time. We were very honest that every kid is competing for his spot during every practice and game. When a starter is passed up by another player then that player becomes the new starter. When your sons batting hits a slump and he becomes unproductive he drops in the batting order.
Everyone was pleased as punch that their son had an honest shot and they were finally on a team with no daddy ball (they saw two of the four coaches sons lose starting spots and three dropped to middle/bottom of the batting order). Now, after a bunch more practices and several scrimmages, THEIR son has lost his starting spot and he has dropped in the batting order. All of a sudden they are unhappy with the team and starting to get loud about how much they pay and where their son should play and in which slot he should hit and they might just leave, etc.
We have 4 practices a week. Some do additional work at home, some do not. The vast majority of our starters take outside lessons and do additional work at home. The vast majority of our non-starters show up to practice moments before it starts or even late. |
| Alter-Ego |
Posted - 02/24/2011 : 13:34:55
rippit,
Is your biggest complaint:
- that the players don't put in the work to have a good team. OR
- that the parents complain about the extra time and don't bring the kids to practice all the time, but the players still play. OR
- that the parents are complaining because their kids are not playing, which is due to them not bringing them to planned practices?
I am just trying to pinpoint the specific complaint that would make you leave a team this early in the season. what age group is this? |
| rippit |
Posted - 02/24/2011 : 12:01:38
quote:
Originally posted by tfb
What expectations speech did the coach give to the players and parents pre training? - i.e. practice time equals playing time. With out this you are asking for disgruntled parents. Your practice schedule is great for the players and parents with the right attitude. Players and parents who want a lesser schedule should find another team that matches their committment.
They were informed of expectations and signed paperwork to that end. Unfortunately, I think they may feel it doesn't apply to them. I'm surprised with the entitlement attitude.
I'm giving it this weekend and next. If the same old same old involving the same people continues, it will be up to my son to decide to hang in or branch out for the NIT and going forward. |
| mom4baseball |
Posted - 02/24/2011 : 11:07:05
I agree rippit. The issue is the kids AND the parents. I had said more but after I read it I decided to just leave it at this. I agree with you 100%! |
| Hiredgun |
Posted - 02/24/2011 : 09:33:28
Rippit,
If the parents / kids are not into the practice schedule set up by the coaches then maybe that may not be the team for those who are not committed 100%. Playing time is earned at practice and not in games. |
| rippit |
Posted - 02/24/2011 : 09:27:35
quote:
Originally posted by bmoser
rippit,
Did you hear the Coach explain to all the parents what the practice frequency will be, or was it put into writing and distributed at tryouts? Maybe they were not told and compounded the potential problem by not asking?
When considering a new team, this is a must ask question if the coach doesn't offer up the info. 5 practices a week is more than the average from what I've seen. 2-3 is the norm unless you are at East Cobb or playing on a very high level team.
They knew. The also had the opportunity to work out indoors all winter doing strength and conditioning so they would HAVE the endurance to play 3 day weekend tournaments with the possibility of playing 6-7 games. They blew off a lot of these.
A code of conduct was also signed by everyone citing more than one unexcused absence would come with penalties. So, the creative juices are flowing coming up with "excused" absences.
I don't think they take things as seriously as the majority does, but the majority is less than 9 players which is disturbing going into tournament season. This poses a problem for us personally. My son wants to not only play, but win. Takes a full team to win. Hate to go look for another team at this late date. Rock, hard place, rippit and rippit's kid.
|
| tfb |
Posted - 02/24/2011 : 08:45:59
What expectations speech did the coach give to the players and parents pre training? - i.e. practice time equals playing time. With out this you are asking for disgruntled parents. Your practice schedule is great for the players and parents with the right attitude. Players and parents who want a lesser schedule should find another team that matches their committment. |
| rippit |
Posted - 02/24/2011 : 08:17:35
quote:
Originally posted by excoach12
I think I know who's gonna be riding the bench pretty soon. And their parents will complain that their kids don't get a chance to play and that they are playing "daddy ball".
I'm afraid you're right on target with your statement. I think we (some parents) are starting to see the ones who put the time in widen the gap in skills and confidence, but only because we stay to observe every practice/lesson/cage session etc. It's obvious now who is the best infielder/outfielder/pitcher/catcher. Guess who the odd men out are??
Yep. And I've already heard one comment about it from a parent who was upset her precious was on the bench at the start of our last scrimmage.
I think the common thread I see is these kids have parents who never played a sport in HS or college and just don't get it. The "IT" I'm referring to is sacrifice. Players sacrifice, parents sacrifice and coaches sacrifice. Sacrifice or find another team...
I guess the attitude/actions of the parent might be helping weed out the competition for the freshman team in a couple years. (And yes, one IS an 8th grader already...)
Strangely enough, we are 8 days away from the first spring tournament, but I believe our coaches are starting to think about who will get replaced come fall ball.
It's too early for the soapbox, but at least I got it off my chest. Thanks. |
| bmoser |
Posted - 02/24/2011 : 08:02:31
rippit,
Did you hear the Coach explain to all the parents what the practice frequency will be, or was it put into writing and distributed at tryouts? Maybe they were not told and compounded the potential problem by not asking?
When considering a new team, this is a must ask question if the coach doesn't offer up the info. 5 practices a week is more than the average from what I've seen. 2-3 is the norm unless you are at East Cobb or playing on a very high level team. |
| excoach12 |
Posted - 02/24/2011 : 00:43:28
I think I know who's gonna be riding the bench pretty soon. And their parents will complain that their kids don't get a chance to play and that they are playing "daddy ball". |
| Alter-Ego |
Posted - 02/23/2011 : 22:49:15
I can tell you that my son's HS team is practicing 6 days a week right now. If you have any 8th graders on the team, they can look forward to it next year.
If you were asking about 10 year olds I would agree, but at 13u, it is not uncommon. |
| AllStar |
Posted - 02/23/2011 : 22:27:47
quote:
Originally posted by rippit
Is asking kids to practice or do cages Tues/Thurs/Sat/Sun too much or are these kids soft? Or is it really the parents who have issues?
That is a great schedule for a 13U Travel Team. Lots of teams would love to have your field time.
When they get to HS it's 5 or 6 days a week for at least 2 hours. If they can't manage their schoolwork with your schedule, they are really going to struggle if/when they get on the HS team. |
| bbmom2 |
Posted - 02/23/2011 : 18:16:03
Rippit - your team sounds like my son's idea of heaven! |
