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sgates
48 Posts |
 Posted - 03/27/2012 : 00:24:33
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Guys and Gals(bc I know for sure some of you are well informed moms of players),
Bottom line is that you must collect money from every single player that is on your team up front, period, no exceptions, if a coach does not, he is responsible for any outcome that arises. I do not and will not buy the “hard times” excuse and “helping a kid out” excuse. Over the years I have had families where both parents were out of work for periods of times, did they pay, every single penny. I put them on payment plans and if it took them to the final tournament (which one time it did) to pay the final dollar, then so be it. To this day, I have never had a player put on a Stars uniform that hasn’t paid up, never! Which means I know pretty much down to the penny as to how much it costs to run a season. My dues are right in line with everybody else’s so when 1,2,3 maybe 4 players get free rides, SOMEBODY is forking up the cash for the “scholarship”! I have lost players in the past for not willing to “match the deal” the other coach was offering. And I sleep very well every night!!! Try passing on some of these families that request freebe's and you'll get a good nights rest as well.
Collecting due’s is the only leverage we as head coaches have in today’s travel ball world of everyone looking for the best coaches, the best teams or just the team that Johnny can star on rather than being on a team where he has to compete. I have seen it all, players come and go for various reasons. I have picked up players mid-season for various reasons. I have lost a couple over the years for various reasons as well. It’s just the nature of the beast. You have to take it case by case, there is no way to generalize this “problem” as some call it. The only suggestion I have for those who don’t like it out there in the travel world, and I say this with no disrespect, but go to the only place that these type of problems don’t exist and that is back to rec ball. Most all rec -organizations around the area abide by Dizzy Dean Rules(or similar) and are strictly enforced.
Once you subject yourself to travel ball, there are risks and rewards, you got to weigh out if this is for you or not. And that’s as a parent and/or coach. This stuff isn’t for everyone, it is hard on us head coaches, It’s hard on the assistant coaches bc sometimes they get caught in the middle of the parent and HC on issues and its hard on the parents trying to make the best decision for their child. However, it is the hardest on the players, the pressures that some parents put on kids is just awful.
All I know is this is 12 year old baseball, it’s been said numerous times on here but I’ll say it again, just let the kids play. The number of incredible athletes from many sports walking the high school halls where I teach and coach will sicken you. Why, they are slap burned out. Don’t want any part of any organized sport. They have rooms full of trophy’s and medals and could possibly be helping their parents out by saving them, oh, say around $300k in college expenses. I wish I could get a couple of them to post on here and give their life story from age 6 to a freshman and why they don’t want to play sports any more. I guarantee some parents reading it would sit back in their chair take a deep breath and say what have I done! I have had the opportunity to sit and talk with some of the most well-known college Head coaches in the country on the recruiting trail, I can promise you one thing, what the kid did at 12 years old, will not, won’t be, and never will be discussed.
To this day, I have many positive relationships with families that I have released at the end of the season and families that have left on their choosing. No need to hold grudges, life’s to short, any day on this side of the dirt is a good day.
Gates |
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ecball
72 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2012 : 08:35:34
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ballfan - you would lose money on that wager - I promise you. We do not pay for kids which is why we have had one kid quit in 5 years of doing this. Skin in the game equals commitment from both parties. Some organizations have partial scholarships for those that really do need the help but that's it.
There is no way any organization that has 70+ teams will know what teams in what ages are paying for kids. That's not realistic. Again, teams have to make their beds and when things go south they shouldn't be suprised. One coach called me last night and he is learning how this goes as he is new to it. He lost a couple of kids and said he didn't buy them BUT they hadn't paid anything yet. They promised to pay! That and a dollar won't get you a pack of gum. If they haven't paid by April, they aren't usually paying so you can't be shocked. I had 37 kids call and email in a week and a half for one open spot. I was shocked to see how many are looking to jump ship and from what teams. One of my parents wants to shoot a reality show of travel baseball and in this area we have some guys who could make for a very interesting show. It's just nuts at the park some weekends. I heard that one kid played in the morning for one team, quit and played at another park that same night for another team. |
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ecball
72 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2012 : 09:25:44
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Gates summed it up well.
Bballnut - I knew from the moment the kid left my team, this wouldn't end well for me. I was only going to take a top player so it was going to hurt somebody's team. What do you do, pick up a kid that can't have success at the level you are competing at? How will that work out well? The only thing that I could do was post an opening, not call or email any kids and see who is going to leave that team anyway. Like I said, there are 37 kids ready to leave teams. Is that the perfect outcome for me - Nope! The best way is for everyone to stay on their team throughout the entire season but some coaches have to play the hand they are dealt. |
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eastcobbkreskin
143 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2012 : 11:02:35
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ecball is a straight shooter. So it just amazes me that there are 37 disgruntled parents that think their kids would be successful if they only were to move over and play for the Braves. If they are not happy where they are today, they better realize that their child better be real good to move onto the Braves and take a spot and playing time away from a team full of really good players. At this point in the season it will be quite the balancing act for both "team' and "player to be" of setting and meeting expectations. I would estimate that there might be 5 that would be a good fit for such a good team. What a pickle.
You got believe that many of the coaches at ECB and surrounding area are wondering which kid on my team is one of the 37? We all know who the 3-4 annual jumpers are, but 33 more that actually think their child would be a good fit? All ego. Just think if all 37 moved to a different team in the next two weeks, what kind of chaos would we have. Let's just hope that we do not see any such movement.
Maybe this week at practice some of the teams should consult with the CIA to help set up water boarding techniques in order to extract which parents are considering defecting from their team. Also, according to the mill, all coaches need to fall in line with the rest of the comrades. Do you think the moms or dads should go first? |
Edited by - eastcobbkreskin on 03/27/2012 11:27:37 |
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BballNut
73 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2012 : 11:14:58
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ecball, the only comment directed to you was in response to everyone wanting beating the Braves. With respect to how you find or replace a player, I agree with the way you are doing it. That being said I think a lot of folks on this board want to have it both ways; some days the kids are just 12U, and that's how we should all treat them and act and then other days, it's "higher level" baseball and we should all know what to expect. Well, in "higher level" baseball, kids are recruited, receive scholarships, transfer schools, coaches scout, etc., etc., etc. It's dirty business. By the same token, they don't get to just pick up a kid for the weekend to win a game or tournament.
I'd love to see these organizations (baseball programs as well as tourney organizations) take a stand and say:
1. Unless you have a documented injury or an acceptable parting of the ways, rosters as of a specified date are frozen.
2. If you have an opening and accept a kid, that kid can no longer play for another team or his previous team unless it falls under Category 1. No more of the bait and switch.
3. For end of season world series type tournaments, unless your frozen Roster has less than a specified number of players - let's say 10-11, or you picked up a kid because the situation fell under Category 1, you cannot add a player just for the tournament. However, if you pick up a kid and even if it falls under Category 1, that specific kid can only play in that tournament event for one team. So, Johnny could not travel to Cooperstown or Elite 32 during different weeks for different teams.
4. The baseball program director or in the case where teams are not part of a larger program, must confirm that all kids have either paid, are on a payment plan where a payment has been received, or actually qualifies for a financial hardship scholarship. There is nothing wrong with a true financial hardship scholarship. Fortunately, for most of us, this is not something we can understand, but there are some families that simply can't pay.
5. Regardless of whether it falls under Category 1, a player can never play for more than 2 teams during a season PERIOD. When it doesn't work out, the madness can start again for the following season.
Any variation of this would go a long way towards stopping the madness. Business was highlighted for a reason above. It's about money and wins and it's hard to root out the bad stuff when those are the key driving factors.
quote:
Originally posted by ecball
Gates summed it up well.
Bballnut - I knew from the moment the kid left my team, this wouldn't end well for me. I was only going to take a top player so it was going to hurt somebody's team. What do you do, pick up a kid that can't have success at the level you are competing at? How will that work out well? The only thing that I could do was post an opening, not call or email any kids and see who is going to leave that team anyway. Like I said, there are 37 kids ready to leave teams. Is that the perfect outcome for me - Nope! The best way is for everyone to stay on their team throughout the entire season but some coaches have to play the hand they are dealt.
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Edited by - BballNut on 03/27/2012 11:33:21 |
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Outtahere
43 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2012 : 11:52:49
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| Outtahere14 eating at a restaraunt and not liking the food is not the same as a travel team. Many valid points have been made here, I like sgates the best. Teaching your kid that there is always greener pastures elsewhere will catch up with you one day. I prefer to have my son play on a team as a team member. Teams that have sometime and every once in a while players is not our thing. Our coach only picks up at the end of the season for our big end of year tourney. If you can't win with what you have then what's the point., I have never understood parents that allow their son to wear himself out winning hardware for another team??! |
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bbjunkie
38 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2012 : 12:01:39
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| Hopefully one day these parents that are moving their kids for the wrong reasons and breaking commitments to teams will realize how ridiculous this is at 12yr old baseball. If they paid their money and are willing to walk away from it then I guess they have a whole lot more money than I do. If they didn't pay money in the first place then that is on the coach of their old team. I think I have said this before but I don't blame the coaches for picking up players since it is the parents who are making the decision to switch teams. I really think the coaches do need to be asking why they left their current team to get an idea of what type of parent issues may be ahead of them. |
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peashooter
297 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2012 : 12:26:38
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Guys, I love Guery B very much. Know his family well. I only had him a few years at ECB, and my brother had him forever. It is NOT ECB's fault. Somewhere along the way Johnny's parents figured they knew better and decided to jump ship when Johnny didn't get playing time. Instead of doing the right thing and finishing the season strong, they just quit. It is the 100% issue with society now IMO. Tough times...Just Quit...Participation trophies...you BET here you go!
Sorry for the RANT, but parents brought this on baseball. No one ever quit travel teams when I was growing up. I sat the bench on the 12U all star team, when I guarantee I should have been playing, but I didn't quit! When I played up at 13 with Guery on his 14's, I didn't play much, but I sure as hell didn't quit and go back to a 13U team. When I was 16 playing on the 18u team...same deal...OH YEA I had to walk up hill both ways in the snow too! |
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doubleplay11
45 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2012 : 13:37:40
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I agree players shouldn't be able to play for a different team each week of cooperstown, etc. But there is nothing wrong with playing with another team if your team isn't doing anything and a team honestly needs help. Lots of teams need help. Helping a team and a team loading up are two different things.
As far as players having to be locked into a team...no way. If the team is not what was presented, or it is a bad situation then you just have to get out. For many parents it is not a decision that is taken lightly. It is a long season. Your player needs to be able to grow. If a lot of players are leaving the team, don't you have to ask why? Don't get me wrong, I think team jumping for the wrong reasons isn't right and I think everyone needs to pay. If you can afford the new, latest equipment and the lessons you can afford to pay. It should be a team decision to pay for another player, not just the coach saying everyone needs to anti up. And honestly, I am not surprised that there are 37 families that have found themselves in the situation they are not completely happy with. Maybe they can find a better situation. |
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bbjunkie
38 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2012 : 15:24:36
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| There are lots of reasons people want to leave teams including the team not performing, player needs to be able to grow, etc that may seem legimate to some. But what is more important as a parent, having the team win games, growing some as a player, or actually teaching them about commitment and character and sticking it out with your team. Don't get me wrong if a coaches attitude or behavior is having a bad influence on my child then I will be the first one to jump ship but just because they may be sitting some, feel that they could play on a better team or maybe get a little better coaching somewhere else is not a legitmate reason to leave a team and break that commitment. We as parents have the offseason to make the decision which team our son plays on and if we made the wrong decision then that is on us. |
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SSBuckeye
575 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2012 : 15:54:59
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I am going ahead and breaking my New Year's resolution to not get sucked into posts on this forum, so here goes. It is off-base to lay this blame completely at the feet of the parents. Yes, the parents are driving the behavior. But coaches are the enablers. Any coach who allows certain players to play for free deserves what he gets. And, I'm not casting stones at any of the teams currently facing this problem, because I don't know their situation, and I don't care to know their situation. But, if they sold their soul to the devil to get those three studs to put them over the top, then it's hard to generate sympathy for them. I feel more for the remaining kids on those teams who just want to play ball.
It is fair to say that parents have gotten out of control. As a travel coach, I did not realize how many degenerates and low-lifes there would be in this business. Fortunately, I have not had any of that with the families I've coached, partly due to luck I suppose, but mostly due to prudence on my part. Every kid on my teams knows they're on my team mostly because of their family. I've never made an exception in that area, so I have not had these issues. I get to worry about things like why can't we hit a cut-off man or why we never seem to get that runner in from 3B when we really need it.
I've read what's been said here, and I think Kirksey & Gates are mostly dead on. I don't think bballnut's ideas would ever work. Well intentioned, but unrealistic. What needs to happen is the coaches who do these things need to be outed on a forum such as this. Of course, that's not going to happen either for various reasons. So, we're left with this underground, back-channel system where coaches talk and maybe even some more seasoned parents tap into. And, if you're a parent reading this, coaches DO TALK. It's the only protection we have. Now, not all coaches talk, I imagine. Some don't care about such things. But the teams you should want your son to play on do talk. My advice to any parent is to get as much info up front as you can and stick to your commitment. If the coach flat out lies to you, then, sure, you should consider all options. Otherwise, honor your commitment, teach your son a good life lesson, and leave the team at season's end if all does not go as wished.
This is a great sport. America's game. It's hard when good people get pulled into bad situations by people who are driven solely by greed and ego. And the lifecycle of a youth travel baseball player is only 3-4 years before they hit that 13u season where things change so dramatically. It's hard to completely "out" all the bad coaches in that 3-4 year window with the tools we have. The result is the bad coaches will continue to pull their shenanigans and the unfortunate family who doesn't have that back-channel pipeline will continue to get sucked in before they learn that hard lesson.
I just wasted a lot of words to say there is no real solution to the problem that I can see. It cannot be legislated. The flow of information is too imperfect. Until the "market" values honesty, integrity and player development above winning, exposure and status, nothing will change. So, as a coach, all I can do is worry about my own business. Make sure the twelve families on my team this season get what they expected. Sure, there will be bumps in the road, but if everyone is on the same page and treats each other with respect, then we should all get what we need at the end of the day. So, to all the great coaches out there, keep on doing what you're doing, and let the 5% who do it wrong wallow in the mire.
Best of luck not letting them take you down with them.
Andy |
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okie
4 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2012 : 16:32:02
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As one of the parents whose son was left stranded on that baseball field this past weekend, embarassed and humiliated because his teammates parents told him they would be there but decided to play for another team instead, I could NOT care less how many teams you "jump" to every year. That is your choice. However, I am choosing to raise my child to be a better person and that is why 20 years from now he will be successfual at whatever he chooses. If I had to bet, I would say yours probably won't, but then again that is your choice. I've got no problem with you wanting to play for another team. But, tell the truth about what you are doing, pay the money that you owe, then leave!
My son's only comment after the weekend, "All I want to do is play baseball, why do the adults have to make that so hard?" Can anyone out there answer that question? |
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BravesFan
533 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2012 : 22:47:32
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| Paying or scholarshiping players is a common practice, surprised some teams are bringing it up claiming they have never done it but the truth of the matter is they have. It kind of takes away from their clean and sqweaky clean image as most know what teams do it and have done it in the past. It's knid of that old saying, those that are making the accusations are usually guilty themselves |
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bbjunkie
38 Posts |
Posted - 03/28/2012 : 09:04:08
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Okie,
In the long run you will be better off because people that do this only care about their kid and not the team (and certainly don't give a second's thought to what it will do to the other 12 yr olds on the team). Hopefully you will find two great boys and families to fill these spots and your season will be more enjoyable because of it. If they still owe money your coach should not release them from your USSSA roster until they have paid. The funny thing is I have heard of people actually thinking the team owes them money back when they quit on a team like this. You learn every day exactly how small minded and selfish some people are. |
Edited by - bbjunkie on 03/29/2012 09:20:06 |
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doubleplay11
45 Posts |
Posted - 03/28/2012 : 09:22:14
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| If everyone on your team, including your coach, was expecting a player to show up and they didn't, then I think everyone agrees, that is wrong. |
Edited by - doubleplay11 on 03/29/2012 09:20:14 |
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ATLDEE
41 Posts |
Posted - 03/28/2012 : 10:34:20
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Wow and I thought 9U was cutt-throat ...but this "Trophy Chasing" syndrome is very contagious and is running rampant in all youth sports. As a coach and a parent I am a die hard committment person, in that once a season starts we are in in for the duration.. I may not like all the decisions coaches make but I never go to a coach asking can my kid play here or bat here or discussion about playing time because those are things I can't control. The one thing that I have absolute control over is who coaches my kid the following year. Always reminding my son that this is a marathon and not a sprint. Besides I would rather my son learn how to compete for a starting spot now at his young age than to not understand what it takes once he is outside of his parents circle of influence... Those will be the kids that will fold up under the pressure...
But on another note what about coaches who are influenced by lesser skilled players parents who are former major leaguers, higschool or college coaches and slight another player only to please the parents that to me is just as bad as "Trophy Chasing" team jumpers... |
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5220 Fans
112 Posts |
Posted - 03/28/2012 : 10:52:28
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Okie, I`m going to take a stab at the question...I really believe when you see whats going on in 10u-12u baseball these days it ALL boils down to the "PARENTS!!!" Its ALL about them and whatever is going through their mind, ie...living through the kid, bragging rights, swollen ego. Most parents on the "hired gun" teams honestly believe that their kid is the only one on the field, dont mind the other 8 or 2-3 that may be in the dugout, or subs. Sure, everyone has a keen eye on their kid, but like I have said in other recent posts, it takes 9 to win as a "TEAM"
quote:
Originally posted by okie
As one of the parents whose son was left stranded on that baseball field this past weekend, embarassed and humiliated because his teammates parents told him they would be there but decided to play for another team instead, I could NOT care less how many teams you "jump" to every year. That is your choice. However, I am choosing to raise my child to be a better person and that is why 20 years from now he will be successfual at whatever he chooses. If I had to bet, I would say yours probably won't, but then again that is your choice. I've got no problem with you wanting to play for another team. But, tell the truth about what you are doing, pay the money that you owe, then leave!
My son's only comment after the weekend, "All I want to do is play baseball, why do the adults have to make that so hard?" Can anyone out there answer that question?
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peashooter
297 Posts |
Posted - 03/28/2012 : 14:10:28
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| Start calling people out. That is the only way to affect change. I would say the 30-50% of the people say they are coming for a tryout/workout actually show up. 99% of them never have the decency to call and cancel. That is why I no longer to special meetings, and invite them to scheduled workouts. |
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in_the_know
985 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2012 : 10:43:07
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quote:
Originally posted by peashooter
Guys, I love Guery B very much. Know his family well. I only had him a few years at ECB, and my brother had him forever. It is NOT ECB's fault. Somewhere along the way Johnny's parents figured they knew better and decided to jump ship when Johnny didn't get playing time. Instead of doing the right thing and finishing the season strong, they just quit. It is the 100% issue with society now IMO. Tough times...Just Quit...Participation trophies...you BET here you go!
Sorry for the RANT, but parents brought this on baseball. No one ever quit travel teams when I was growing up. I sat the bench on the 12U all star team, when I guarantee I should have been playing, but I didn't quit! When I played up at 13 with Guery on his 14's, I didn't play much, but I sure as hell didn't quit and go back to a 13U team. When I was 16 playing on the 18u team...same deal...OH YEA I had to walk up hill both ways in the snow too!
You know ECB program and Baldwin's far better than I ever will, but to give them no accountability in this is wrong. I completely agree that the cause of this problem lies on the shoulders of the parents and coaches. But to not put rules in place to stop it from continuing lies on ECB. If they allow this to continue, even if they didn't CREATE the environment under which it began, then they ultimately choose to be held at fault along with the parents and coaches. No free pass to them on this. |
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Catch3dad
90 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2012 : 10:58:03
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quote:
Originally posted by BravesFan
Paying or scholarshiping players is a common practice, surprised some teams are bringing it up claiming they have never done it but the truth of the matter is they have. It kind of takes away from their clean and sqweaky clean image as most know what teams do it and have done it in the past. It's knid of that old saying, those that are making the accusations are usually guilty themselves
My son has played for a team that had this approach. Once we figured out that I was not only paying for my kids but for others we moved on to a different team.
This is worse than traditional Daddy ball. Call them "Disney packages" or helping out or straight out cash. Just wrong for any parent to ask for money for their kid to play for a coach or on a certain team. Just as wrong are the parents that bankroll this type of arrangement.
I also wonder about the kids losing their amateur status for extra benefits. NCAA is a messed up orgainization but kids have been ruled ineligible for much less. Often happens for things that happen before they reach college.
I'm just say.
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Edited by - Catch3dad on 03/29/2012 13:02:50 |
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Beaux
23 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2012 : 12:28:15
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In general I don't agree with kids or for that matter parents, jumping from one team to another during the middle of the season. Once a parent/kid commits to a team, they should be in it for the duration. The only exception I would make is if the coach was not honest or misled in order to get that kid on the team. Ex: If a coach promised a player a certain position, playing time or over stated the coaching staff’s ability, etc., and then I think a parent should have the opportunity to do what is best for their kid. They are only 12 once. Although I agree that it’s usually “parents” that are the main problem in youth sports, we all knows that there’s are a lot of incompetent coaches coaching youth baseball….that includes the ones being paid to coach.
I did want to add or respond to the whole playing time idea. Several folks have said “that back when I was a kid I didn’t even step on the field” or “I rode the bench”, etc….Well although I understand and agree why those statements are made…The idea that we need to teach our kids/parents that playing time is earned not given, etc. The reality of the situation is that back when most of us were playing our parents didn’t have to spend $2500 plus for us to play. You can’t expect parents to shale out that kind of money to see their sons sit the bench all 5 games during a tournament. Call it what you want, at the end of the day its bad coaching period. If you as a coach picked a kid to be on your team and make your roster you need to play him. I don’t give a flip how much coaching that kid receives during the week, he won’t get better without game reps. Don’t kid yourself, you are not teaching those kids anything. The better lesson would have been to not pick him, and let him know what he needs to work on so that next year he actually has a chance to not only make the team but be a contributor. At 12U, a contributor actually begins by stepping on the field of play not just cheering from the bench or warming up the next pitcher, etc….IMHO.
Don’t get me wrong I totally understand carrying 14 to 15 plus players in 14U or higher. Not only makes perfect sense, but is truly the only way to be competitive, but when you have 12U or younger teams with the same 5 to 6 kids sitting the entire tournament, that’s just crappy coaching. Those 5 to 6 extras kids are essentially used to fund the cost of the team. As coaches it’s up to you to pick the right kid, teach the kid and yes play the kid. As parents it’s up to you to be honest with yourself about your kids’ abilities, if your kid is the worst of close to the worst kid on the team, you need to understand he probably won’t get a chance to play and ultimately improve. So don’t fall for the fancy name brand, the uniform or slick coach, pick a team where not only is he going to get the right coaching but also will get a chance to play.
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peashooter
297 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2012 : 14:02:04
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Beaux, your costs are wrong. We certainly paid that much when growing up in the 80's to play travel ball. Problem was only the best played travel ball, and the rest played little league. Little League back then was 2 defensive innings and 1 AB. Now you have taken little league blown it up and pushed (IMO) kids to play the expensive travel ball. In little league every team had 2-3 kids who could hit the 200' home run every game. That was with sharing 9U-12U together.
Even way back in the day you would have kids on teams, 80% because of money they provided and 20% talent. You just have to deal with it. You also had parents who refused to pay dues to the team.
At 12u you almost have to carry 14 because of the flight risk at all times. Why carry 11-12 kids when you are hosed if 2 leave?
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RACGOFAR
208 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2012 : 14:11:04
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"So don’t fall for the fancy name brand, the uniform or slick coach, pick a team where not only is he going to get the right coaching but also will get a chance to play."
Amen. Playing time does not have to be perfectly balanced, but it should not be too lopsided either. At the higher levels you see players taking on more of a specific role on a team and playing time generally starts to follow that role.
At 13u and lower the whole roster should play in every game IMHO because development is the priority. Others have winning as the main priority for their teams and I have no problem with that. Its just that in my experience the winning is generally the byproduct of the other things that we do as coaches and players and parents. It seems to me that all the drama and crazy stuff happens to the teams who put winning as the priority and have players that regularly sit out/don't bat on Sundays.
If you focus on developing your players, being fair with all your players and honest with your parents, and making your team the best it can be rather trying to make it the best team in your class, then players wanting to jump mid season becomes a very, very rare occurrence.
I love winning as much as anyone, but winning doesn't trump the feeling I get when I see one of my players perfectly executing during a game something we've worked on in practices. |
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in_the_know
985 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2012 : 16:16:59
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quote:
Originally posted by peashooter
Beaux, your costs are wrong. We certainly paid that much when growing up in the 80's to play travel ball. Problem was only the best played travel ball, and the rest played little league. Little League back then was 2 defensive innings and 1 AB. Now you have taken little league blown it up and pushed (IMO) kids to play the expensive travel ball. In little league every team had 2-3 kids who could hit the 200' home run every game. That was with sharing 9U-12U together.
Even way back in the day you would have kids on teams, 80% because of money they provided and 20% talent. You just have to deal with it. You also had parents who refused to pay dues to the team.
At 12u you almost have to carry 14 because of the flight risk at all times. Why carry 11-12 kids when you are hosed if 2 leave?
Dude, some of us grew up in the late 60's - early 70's  |
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gafan
66 Posts |
Posted - 03/30/2012 : 17:33:09
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| Reading through this topic just shows me how important it is to play more than one sport. Too much emphasis put on one sport makes parents and coaches act crazy, No? |
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