Last week, two games left in the schedule, 10U Fall Rec baseball. Parent approaches me, saying "I don't want to be THAT parent but..." and tells me his kid is bored out of his mind playing the outfield and he wants me to let him play 1B or 3B, essentially being exactly THAT parent. I told him I would think about it for the last game.
I was forced by skill limitations to relegate this kid to the outfield after a few innings at 3B early in the season. I would never play him at 1B as I hope my explanation makes clear why it would be an irresponsible safety risk.
This kid can't catch the ball above his waste because he has not learned to turn his glove upward. He attempts to catch the ball, every time, with his glove in the underhand position. He usually misses it completely unless it's below his waste.
He made one put out all season. He was in LF and got a low looping can of corn hit right to him. It was slightly to his left (glove) side, slightly behind his shoulder. He did not move his feet to try to position himself to catch the ball. He reached up above his glove shoulder, glove in the underhand position (like a 1B would if scooping one in the dirt), and nearly falls over backwards catching the ball underhanded.
Despite repeated coaching all season long, this kid would never turn his glove fingers up to catch a ball, never. I encouraged him to try to play 3B in practice because he said he wanted to play 3B. We do an infield drill where a grounder is hit to each position and the base to throw to is called out as the ball gets to the player. The idea is to get the kids to cover their bags and to always be in the play and pay attention (by far the biggest challenge at this age).
So for example, a grounder is to the SS, "get one!"
He throws to 1B. As the 1B gets the ball, "Go three!" He throws the ball across to the 3B, etc. Sometimes we call out several bases in one play during the drill.
Kid in question is in the rotation of two or three kids at 3B. Thrown ball flies by him 90% of the time if he's paying enough attention to get to the bag and even see it coming. My assistant coaches completely agree, other coaches in the league completely agree this kid can't be in the infield.
So it turns out the last game of the year has playoff seeding implications. In this league, starting at 10U we begin to gently introduce merit based competition to the kids. E.g. best player at a position plays the position. I still have all kids in the batting lineup regardless. All kids regardless of skill, take their turn on the bench. Not all coaches do this.
I decide I can't put this kid in the infield. I arrive at the game, post the lineup, kid and Dad see it and quit on the spot, leaving the premises. I get a very sarcastic if not hateful, "Thanks a lot coach," from the parent as they depart.
I report the incident to the Board later in the day. I receive their full support.
I start getting text attacked by the mother later in the day. She is shocked at my expression of concern for her kid's safety. She wants to argue. I provide an explanation and do not engage further.
Two days later, text attack from the father accusing me of ignoring his wife and playing the "safety card." I tell him It's very clear to me he does not agree with my decision. I consider the matter closed and will no longer be responding to either he or his wife. I block both numbers from my phone for texting and calling.
I report this incident to the Board. Once again, they are in full support of my actions and pledge to contact the parent again.
Today, I get forwarded text of a complaint the father input online. He continues to 'mis-remember' important details and is quoting various sections of the web site. Board is satisfied the matter has been handled.
Not meaning any self back patting but I have been coaching (usually the manager) in this league for over 13 years, more than 20 Fall/Spring seasons all together, every age except T-Ball: 18U, 15U, 12U, 10U and 8U. I've never had my own kid on any team. I've never had anything close to this happen before.
I'd like to hear the thoughts of some of the coaches out there. Thanks.
I was forced by skill limitations to relegate this kid to the outfield after a few innings at 3B early in the season. I would never play him at 1B as I hope my explanation makes clear why it would be an irresponsible safety risk.
This kid can't catch the ball above his waste because he has not learned to turn his glove upward. He attempts to catch the ball, every time, with his glove in the underhand position. He usually misses it completely unless it's below his waste.
He made one put out all season. He was in LF and got a low looping can of corn hit right to him. It was slightly to his left (glove) side, slightly behind his shoulder. He did not move his feet to try to position himself to catch the ball. He reached up above his glove shoulder, glove in the underhand position (like a 1B would if scooping one in the dirt), and nearly falls over backwards catching the ball underhanded.
Despite repeated coaching all season long, this kid would never turn his glove fingers up to catch a ball, never. I encouraged him to try to play 3B in practice because he said he wanted to play 3B. We do an infield drill where a grounder is hit to each position and the base to throw to is called out as the ball gets to the player. The idea is to get the kids to cover their bags and to always be in the play and pay attention (by far the biggest challenge at this age).
So for example, a grounder is to the SS, "get one!"
He throws to 1B. As the 1B gets the ball, "Go three!" He throws the ball across to the 3B, etc. Sometimes we call out several bases in one play during the drill.
Kid in question is in the rotation of two or three kids at 3B. Thrown ball flies by him 90% of the time if he's paying enough attention to get to the bag and even see it coming. My assistant coaches completely agree, other coaches in the league completely agree this kid can't be in the infield.
So it turns out the last game of the year has playoff seeding implications. In this league, starting at 10U we begin to gently introduce merit based competition to the kids. E.g. best player at a position plays the position. I still have all kids in the batting lineup regardless. All kids regardless of skill, take their turn on the bench. Not all coaches do this.
I decide I can't put this kid in the infield. I arrive at the game, post the lineup, kid and Dad see it and quit on the spot, leaving the premises. I get a very sarcastic if not hateful, "Thanks a lot coach," from the parent as they depart.
I report the incident to the Board later in the day. I receive their full support.
I start getting text attacked by the mother later in the day. She is shocked at my expression of concern for her kid's safety. She wants to argue. I provide an explanation and do not engage further.
Two days later, text attack from the father accusing me of ignoring his wife and playing the "safety card." I tell him It's very clear to me he does not agree with my decision. I consider the matter closed and will no longer be responding to either he or his wife. I block both numbers from my phone for texting and calling.
I report this incident to the Board. Once again, they are in full support of my actions and pledge to contact the parent again.
Today, I get forwarded text of a complaint the father input online. He continues to 'mis-remember' important details and is quoting various sections of the web site. Board is satisfied the matter has been handled.
Not meaning any self back patting but I have been coaching (usually the manager) in this league for over 13 years, more than 20 Fall/Spring seasons all together, every age except T-Ball: 18U, 15U, 12U, 10U and 8U. I've never had my own kid on any team. I've never had anything close to this happen before.
I'd like to hear the thoughts of some of the coaches out there. Thanks.