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Hi "This Ruins Most Youth Leagues" 'Swing It! Vol.120 March 20, 2014 |
This Ruins Most Youth Baseball Leagues
I came across this story about a sign that is posted at a youth league ballpark. It really makes a bunch of sense especially if you follow my writings. The sign is posted on a suburban Chicago youth ballpark fence: "Of hundreds of thousands of children who have ever played youth sports in Buffalo Grove, very few have gone on to play professionally. It is highly unlikely that any college recruiters of professional scouts are watching these games; so let's keep it all about having fun and being pressure-free." You know what ruins most youth baseball leagues? Yes, I think you do. It's those loud mouth parents. No, not you. Its the rest of these over-involved, over-competitive, win-at-all-costs type baseball parents. What makes normally well mannered, calm, and collected level headed adults lose it at youth baseball games? I think the adults treat youth league baseball like a miniature major league or major college team. That is the only model that anybody knows how to use in sports. Player development is never really mentioned or even on the radar screen. No one trains the trainers so how would we expect the dad and mom baseball coaches to really know how to operate as a player development model. Epperson & Selleck wrote in their book, 'Beyond the Bleachers', "Youth sports should be a time for families to share some relaxing time with their friends and escape some of every day stresses of our daily lives." Instead it is often the opposite. Winning and losing become the ultimate goal (along with playing time). The ride home becomes an absolute nightmare as dad and mom begin the play-by-play breakdown of the the games. Visions of college and pro careers seep into the mindsets of parents across the land. In reality very few kids will ever play high school baseball much less any thing higher. Parents: sit back, be quiet, and enjoy it! Tell your kids you really enjoyed watching and appreciate the effort they put out and you love them. Emphasize to them to try to be the best teammate possible. Then let it go.
Play some catch with your kids as much as possible! Throwing Impossible: Catch & Throw Make-OverWhy do baseball coaches shy away from coaching players when it comes to throwing?I am taking a deep look into throwing. I have a new video in production to attack this problem. I have a system to develop throwing and fostering a 'team culture' on your team that builds throwing into your team skills. I always said, "players will go as far as their bat takes them." Well, it sure helps to be able to throw the ball accurately, hard, and get rid of it quickly, too. My throwing system will empower coaches and players to take throwing seriously. Coaching Certification: Are We Ready to Certify Everyone?If you have not had a chance:Please take the survey from the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) to give us your input on your thoughts about coaching certification. American Baseball Coaches Association Survey Let me know what you think. Thanks Dave Holt ABCA certification committee Charleston, SC daveholt3@gmail.com Are You Ready for another season? New rookie coach? Veteran but need some new tricks? Baseball parent? Brush up with all four of my guidebooks for baseball coaches, players and parents.
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