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FiveToolEvals
31 Posts |
 Posted - 11/30/2015 : 20:42:03
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Dear Parents – It’s time to cut the cord:
I know it’s tough mom & dad. It’s especially tough for dad to back away from the area near the on-deck circle.
Hey, we were his first hitting instructor! Who else knows my son’s swing better than I do? I had to learn to let my son walk on his own two feet. If we have to yell out instructions and directives during a young player’s at-bat, then we’ve done an inadequate job of preparing him for the game.
Here are the remarks that I hear from the stands while I am scouting young prospects:
Swing the bat!
Why did you swing at that pitch?
Come on, let’s go!
THROW STRIKES! (This one really gets me. The young guy isn’t purposely trying to walk the ballpark so he can have an extremely quiet ride home, only to have to relive each pitch sequence at the dinner table)
Catch the ball!
It’s hard enough to step on the field and make the routine play. It becomes even harder to have to tune out negative support from the stands. Now if a player isn’t giving his full effort, then by all means, make an adjustment.
Remember, if you are doing most of your teaching during the game, then your practices (or lack thereof) aren’t as productive as they should be.
It’s very hard to carve out regular practice time. It will be up to the player & his family to supplement the gaps in his practice schedule.
Push yourselves hard during practice guys. Don’t lazily shag fly balls and don’t just step into the cage to get in a few swings. Power shag at all times, and always hit with a purpose!
Let’s begin by making a few New Year’s Resolutions, starting with:
We will not yell negative reinforcement from the stands in 2016!
We can all make improvements.
All the best…
www.FiveToolEvals.com |
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bfriendly
376 Posts |
Posted - 12/01/2015 : 14:11:50
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Just what exactly are you trying to say? |
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FiveToolEvals
31 Posts |
Posted - 12/01/2015 : 19:44:22
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quote:
Originally posted by bfriendly
Just what exactly are you trying to say?
Ha! It's a tough game and it's sometimes even tougher for us as parents to release our grasp slightly - especially when we can see the mistake before it happens. |
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DecaturDad
619 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2015 : 08:24:26
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| When my son was 15, he and some of his team mates were invited to tour the Ga Tech facilities. At one point during an informal talk with head coach Danny Hall, Danny told the boys "Your mama is not coming to school with you." His point was that he wanted to know the boys could handle the pressure of school and baseball on their own. Sure, most of the parents reading this have younger kids, but that really hit home with a lot of the boys. |
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ohand2
22 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2015 : 11:27:29
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| Was recently told by a D1 coach that when he scouts a player he does not wear clothes with his school logo on it, so he generally goes un-noticed.. also said that when he sees mom or dad constantly hanging out by the dug-out and getting junior a gatorade or water that player is scratched off his list... I believe him... |
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FiveToolEvals
31 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2015 : 12:29:14
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Coach Hall made a great point. It's a tough transition for all parties involved.
That's sounds like it was a great experience for your son and his teammates! |
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FiveToolEvals
31 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2015 : 16:42:41
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quote:
Originally posted by ohand2
Was recently told by a D1 coach that when he scouts a player he does not wear clothes with his school logo on it, so he generally goes un-noticed.. also said that when he sees mom or dad constantly hanging out by the dug-out and getting junior a gatorade or water that player is scratched off his list... I believe him...
I never wear my organization's logo to high school games. I won't scratch that player off my list (because he obviously has talent); I just make detailed notes regarding the parents. Some families aren't informed. I like moms who care. The head coach of the high school team should address that situation (parents around the dugout). I'll never turn my back on a young player. It's my job to inform when necessary. I do blend into the crowd and take notes on the "helicopter parents" though. |
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hshuler
1074 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2015 : 17:08:10
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I can hear it now..."Yeah, we passed on David Price because his mom kept bringing him Gatorade to the dugout at Lakepoint because they didn't alllow coolers. I could sure use a do-over now that we need stadium renovations"
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Edited by - hshuler on 12/02/2015 17:36:21 |
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bballman
1432 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2015 : 17:34:13
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quote:
Originally posted by hshuler
I can hear it now..."Yeah, we passed on David Price because his mom kept bringing him Gatorade to the dugout."
The top studs obviously get more leeway. However, that is the top 5% or so. And my experience has been that the parents of those top 5% players are not the helicopter parents. They tend to stand or sit away from the rest of the parents and remain unobtrusive. MANY more kids fall into the "replaceable" category. In these situations, every little thing counts.
The problem is, most parents think that their kid is one of the top 5%. Be on the safe side and make sure you are not perceived as one of "those" parents... |
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turntwo
955 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2015 : 18:28:44
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quote:
Originally posted by hshuler
I can hear it now..."Yeah, we passed on David Price because his mom kept bringing him Gatorade to the dugout at Lakepoint because they didn't alllow coolers. I could sure use a do-over now that we need stadium renovations"
Or, "Yeah, Harper's dad was such a helicopter parent, and always yelling from the stands. Didn't need that in our organization. We passed on him." |
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FiveToolEvals
31 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2015 : 22:14:07
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quote:
Originally posted by hshuler
I can hear it now..."Yeah, we passed on David Price because his mom kept bringing him Gatorade to the dugout at Lakepoint because they didn't alllow coolers. I could sure use a do-over now that we need stadium renovations"
Hey Herb, I don't think the David Price story would pass in my office... lol! Immediate rule amendment and a new job posting in my region.
At times we are extremely fatigued (road weary) and you want to cut the investigation short, but we must complete the vetting process. I have to give a young man the benefit of the doubt. I think I would let David Price's mom walk out to the mound with a Capri-Sun and a Lunchable... |
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hshuler
1074 Posts |
Posted - 12/03/2015 : 06:28:43
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@ballman - As usual, you are correct, Sir and obviously I was kidding. Even if my kid was in the top 5%, which he's not, I couldn't see myself being the psycho dad that stalks my own kid during the game.
@turntwo - Obviously, Harp was in the top 1% so I am sure they just tried to manage his dad.
@FiveTool - My former college coach is a current scout in TX/LA so I hear the good, bad and ugly when I can catch on a car ride. He always provides some great perspective.
Lastly, I consulted a college coach this summer regarding some local organizations and he told me two things: 1) find good leaders with high character because they will have obviously have influence on your son & 2) Release the "experience" to your son or, in other words, "cut the chord!"
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Edited by - hshuler on 12/03/2015 08:49:31 |
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hshuler
1074 Posts |
Posted - 12/03/2015 : 09:41:15
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| Cord, not chord...lol! |
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Time to cut the cord...
