32 replies to this topic

[Cumberland Blues]

I'm coaching a 7-8yr old Little League team (mostly 7's) - machine pitch for now, kid pitch starting in a couple weeks. I feel like I'm having reasonable success helping the kids improve their skills - the kids who suck at least suck less now than they did a few weeks ago (and a couple of 'em have improved a ton), and I haven't messed up the kids who were already decent at catching, throwing & swinging. Great. But save for the three kids on the team who are little baseball junkies, none of these kids know the rules and getting them to understand force plays and such is proving a challenge. At our last game - I think every ground ball was fielded cleanly, but not a single one was turned into an out because the kid who caught it didn't remember where he was supposed to throw it, or if he did remember, the teammate he was supposed to throw it to forgot to cover the base. Maybe I'm expecting too much (and we are just 3 games in), but I'd hoped that just by the volume of repetition from practice it would start to sink in, but it hasn't.

So, anyone got any good simple tricks for drilling baseball IQ type things home for kids this age?

[LoweTek]

Make them watch three MLB games a week. Until I was 11, I learned everything about baseball rules and subtleties from Ken Coleman, Ned Martin and Mel Parnell. (I'm being semi-serious).

If you can do it, set up situations. Place them in position, roll a ball to the SS with a runner on first and ask what should he do with the ball. Go step by step. Explain why he should go to 2B (for example) when they get it wrong. Try to do this with one or two situations a week at practice. Start with the most common. Praise highly when they get it right in a game. One by one, step by step, situations.

If it makes you feel any better, teenagers know what a force play is and they still can't figure it out sometimes.

[behindthepen]

at that age, the play is either 1- throw to first or, 2- tag the runner.

[Cumberland Blues]

at that age, the play is either 1- throw to first or, 2- tag the runner.

Yeah, I'm not trying to do much more than this - save for trying to get the 2B & SS to make the shorter throw if there's a force at second. And I tell the kids all the time - if you're not sure, there's always a play at first (assuming my first baseman is actually watching the ball and not trying to tackle the runner to keep him from getting to 1B as happened on one play...I took solace in the fact that he at least knew he didn't want the other kid to get to the base).

And LoweTek - yeah after the last game I really wanted to send an e-mail to all the parents asking them to watch a couple innings of a game on TV with their kid. Some of the kids just have no frame of reference for how it's all supposed to work.

[JGray38]

I've got 8-yr olds, too. Fielding is what it's all about at this level- most balls in play are playable ground balls.

We've done a lot of situational drills during practice, as LoweTek says, using kids or coaches as runners, and we quiz them. We'll have half the team doing pitching/hitting elsewhere, and the rest on the field, at infield positions, and we'll rotate them through. We'll go over the situation, "OK, runner on first. If I hit this to the 2b, who covers second?" "If I hit this to you, what are you going to do?" Then one of us will hit a groundball - try to be random about it. They're going to miss a few, just work on having them get the ball back into the infield at that point. We mostly just cover runner at first, or runner at first and second. Repeat this often, because a couple of practices is not enough, it just won't be automatic at this age.

Sometimes they still have a hard time understanding when there is or isn't a force play, but the kids have all learned in the last month who covers the bag and when at 2nd (giving the kids who can't throw very far a chance at getting an out- this is huge), and when the 3B has to think about covering the bag. They've gotten much better about throwing to the right base. Still not 100%, (or even 70%) but much better. We made 0 plays in the field in game 1, now we get a few outs in the infield a game. It's coming along.

[Just a bit outside]

I coach at this age and agree that situations in practice will help. The other strategy is to get the kids to think about what to do before the pitch. I constantly find myself calling to the kids to look at the runners and call out to each other where they can make a play. Never tell them what to do, make them decide. The kids will look around and your baseball junkies will help the other decide where they can make a play. As the season moves forward more of the kids will be able to call out where they should go with the ball.

[Fred not Lynn]

One thing I found with coaches at this age is that sometimes they try to accelerate the "learn the game" part before the learn the skills part. Practices would be like 80%situational stuff - when what they needed were just enourmous numbers of skill reps. There's not much point in learning that you have to pick up a ground ball and throw it to first until you are able to pick up the ground ball, throw it to first and have the kid at first have a reasonable chance of actually catching it.

Actually sounds like your guys are doing OK on the skill front, though -- just don't get caught wasting too much time on "baseball IQ" when reps are what they really need.

I actually found with my son, and purists will hate this, that video games taught him the real basics of the game. He LOVED the "Backyard Baseball" game when he was little, where they have cartoon characters (including cartoon versions of major leaguers) play in funky backyard settings. I don't know of they still make it, but it was fun, and actually kind of useful.

[Cumberland Blues]

Today's game was much better - still only had one out on a batted ball in 4 innings (thank goodness for the 5 run rule - the other team could rake) - but there was much less hesitation - so it is sinking in. And I have one kid who's a total space cadet and never responds to anything - so I've no idea what's going on in his head - and he was right on everything to him and came up throwing - shocked the hell out of me.

The real downer today was 3 different catchers taking foul tips off their meat hand - and I was back there reminding them every pitch to keep that hand behind them.

[behindthepen]

I guess I would amend my previous statement. Maybe the first thing you should teach them is that every player has a responsibility on every play. If you insist on doing situational practice, make every player cover or back up a base on every ball. Then making those plays wil be a little easier.

My reservation with that, however, is that you're taking time away from what they really, really need at that age which is skills development, and it's pretty boring for most of the kids on the field.

[Just a bit outside]

Agree that skill development is most important at this age. If you are going to do situations in practice do it as a station with an infield while the other kids are working on something else. That way you don't have a lot of kids standing around.

[Cumberland Blues]

To be clear - I totally agree that skills come first here, I basically just want the kids who have decent skills to be able to pull off the odd 4-6 or 6-4 when the opportunity presents itself. Given what I saw in yesterdays game, I think they will eventually get a few of these. And the league is pretty laid back - so I think the games are really the best venue for learning the situations - the coaches are in the field and we can stop the game to explain things whenever we see a good learning opportunity.

Still, quick & easy things we can do in practice to reinforce what to do in some basic situations are helpful (traditional infield practice with kids this age is too slow - the kids get bored and they don't get enough reps to improve skills). One simple drill I've been doing to get the 6-4 and 4-6 down is we'll take a group of kids (no more than 6) - half line up at 2B, half at SS. Coach stands near the mound and rolls balls to the 2B, SS covers and each kid then goes to the end of the opposite line. Once everybody's done each end of the 4-6, we switch to rolling to the SS with the 2B covering. Once everyone's done both ends of the 6-4 we go through the line a couple more times not telling them which line is getting the grounder. It moves pretty quick and the kids get excited if they make it through the whole line without a miss (rare, but happens enough to keep 'em motivated). At our last practice before the first game, the kids kinda groaned when I made them do this one again - but then in our first game when I shouted from the OF to remind the 2B & SS what to do when the other team got their first runner, the CF turned to me and said "oh, this is why we do that drill all the time" - nice little aha moment for a kid who's a pretty good athlete but knows shit about baseball.

[loshjott]

Yeah, that 6-4, 4-6 drill is a staple of my practices.

Not much to add here - more kids doing more reps all the time is the key to good 7-9 yr old practices. No standing around.

I'm coaching my 9 yr old's team this spring mostly because I was so disgusted at how badly his practices were being run last season.

And my 3 boys, all baseball players, loved Backyard Baseball.

[JimBoSox9]

I like to put a defense out there, yell a situation, and have everyone run to the proper position. "Runner on first - ground ball to short - GO!" sort of thing. One thing I'm a huge stickler for at the lower levels is to instill the concept that all 9 guys are moving every single time a ball is in play. A lot of that doesn't really translate to the big diamond, but it gets them mentally involved. After about 15-20 minutes of that, I'll introduce live baserunners and throw the ball in play rather than call something out. If someone makes a bad rules/mental play, I explain it to them, have them explain it back to me, and run the same play at least two or three more times.

If I spend 45 minutes on that every practice for a couple weeks, it's been effective in getting the team to make smart basic baseball plays.

[Skiponzo]

Sounds like you are getting good advice in this thread. I've coached this level for the last 2 years and all the situational stuff really does work...you just have to give it time and constantly drill it into them. During games I'm always yelling out "Infield...Where's the play?" It takes about 1/2 of the season (we are almost done here in So Cal) but most of them will eventually get it (at least the ones who will go onto the upper levels will). Another thing I do is have the kids who get it start yelling out "where's the play or the plays at third" that way they hear it coming from a peer...it seems to resonate more.

When I'm doing situational stuff during practices I call out the situation quickly ("runner at first") and then hit the ball to an infielder right away to get them used to making quick decisions and I position my assistant coaches around the infield to ask each fielder individually "What are you going to do with the ball if it comes to you?".

[doc]

Today's game was much better - still only had one out on a batted ball in 4 innings (thank goodness for the 5 run rule - the other team could rake) - but there was much less hesitation - so it is sinking in. And I have one kid who's a total space cadet and never responds to anything - so I've no idea what's going on in his head - and he was right on everything to him and came up throwing - shocked the hell out of me.

The real downer today was 3 different catchers taking foul tips off their meat hand - and I was back there reminding them every pitch to keep that hand behind them.

I always teach kids to put their freehand behind the catchers mitt web and even grip it, I think it helps balance and stamina holding the damn thing up there.

I would also second the baseball watching and baseball videogame as teaching tool.

[twothousandone]

My 10-year son believes he “lost” the game last night. (He had a force play, but instead went for the tag, and missed it. He thinks he got it, but even if he did it was way too close.)

I’ve showed him the video from Pirates Braves last year (ump missed the call, but it was closer than it had to be.) I’ll be googling and searching on youtube. Anyone know where I’ll find a video of Eck after he gave up Gibson’s HR? Any other examples I should seek out? Ideally, the goat in an early WS game returns to be the hero.

[Cumberland Blues]

That's a tough one 2k+1....last year our 10yr old tournament softball team got eliminated cuz the pitcher forgot how many outs there were - threw to first for what she thought was the 3rd out while the winning run scored from 3rd. Poor kid felt horrible. Hope your kid had a GWRBI in his next game.

My kids still haven't had a clean 4-6 or 6-4, but I'm definitely seeing progress - and we're getting the 1-3's and 4-3's semi regularly. Did get an awkward 4-6 one game - the ball kicked of the 2B's foot and rolled right to the bag where the SS picked it up for the out. And in our last game a kid at SS scooped a grounder and the 2B forgot to cover, but the SS didn't panic and ran to the bag for the out.....that kid got the game ball for having his head in the game.

[wutang112878]

Any other examples I should seek out? Ideally, the goat in an early WS game returns to be the hero.

Its probably impossible to find because MLB wont allow their videos to be on youtube, but how about Mariano blowing the save in 04? If you could explain that he is probably the greatest closer we have ever seen and even he blew a huge game once that might help your son understand that you cant win them all.

And to add some comedy maybe you could show him the clip of the fans cheering Rivera at introduction thing the following year???

[twothousandone]

Hope your kid had a GWRBI in his next game.

Closed it for the save, thanks. Wanted the ball the whole time. And thus secured the top seed in the playoffs for his team. He has recovered better than me, and much better than I feared. (FTR, he was pitching with a 1-run lead. Bases loaded. He got a dribbler in front of the plate and rather than throw to first, he scooped it and ran toward home for the force out the win the game. Then he turned a step from the plate to make tag and missed it. He later told me he started wondering if there was a guy on second, and he didn't want to blow the game by assuming a force. Henceforth, he will tag every runner immediately after he believes he gets the third out on a force play.)

Freese, just last year, was one example I came up with. And Chris Webber (the time-out), in addtion to the Pirates (where the catcher could have made the tag more clear). But really, he answered the important question the right way -- would you rather play and lose, and maybe be blamed for the loss, or not play at all? Playoffs start tomorrow.

even he blew a huge game once

it was more the error/mental mistake (I think) that got him. I've tried to prepare him to get beat (we talk about Eck a lot), it was the "why didn't I just. . . ?" that had him wound up for a day.

A day. I wish I was that resilient.

Edited by twothousandone, 01 June 2012 - 11:34 AM.

[HomeBrew1901]

A bit of set up... Since this is my son's first year playing baseball he is one of the worst 3 or 4 players on the team, seeing as he hadn't picked up a bat in about a week because of all the rain I took him out on Monday night to the town batting cages to work on his swing to build up his confidence.

Last night during the semi-final game it was a 1-1 game in the 5th inning, 1 out and 2 runners on when my son comes up to bat. Got 4 balls from the 8yo pitcher and the coach came in to pitch. First pitch and he hits a screamer down the first base line that was easily his best hit of the season. A hit that would have been a double or triple and scored what would have been the winning runs. Absolutely a coach's dream for what he wants to see out of one of the worst kids on the team, builds confidence and a bragging moment that he helped his team win a game.

Instead as he is rounding first and the second run is rounding third the ump makes a bad call and calls it foul even though it went right over the bag and landed in fair territory. Coach was pissed, parents were pissed, and my son was upset because he eventually struck out after another foul and he thought he blew the game for his team. I pulled him aside and so did the coach to let him know that it was fair but sometimes umps make mistakes and you need to go by what they say.

In the end I had a great teachable moment that sometimes 13 year old Umps make mistakes and there is nothing you can do about it. It helps that they won 2-1 in the 6th and he still got a game ball for what would have been a game winning double, but damn it would have been great for him to have won that game for his team.

At least he has another chance on Saturday in the finals.

[Cumberland Blues]

Playoffs for a quasi-coach pitch league seems pretty counter-productive to me - puts too much emphasis on results for kids that really aren't equipped to handle it. That sounds like the same set-up we use (tho we have a machine take over after ball 4 instead of a coach) and half the time we don't even keep score. I prefer we do keep score - just because the kids can all count and I think it's sort of insulting to them not to, but we really try to keep the emphasis off the scoreboard and on the play that's happening. Half these kids can't hit or catch with no pressure on them, why add playoff pressure to the mix?

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

Ahh playoffs are fine. The problem is that the parents and some of the coaches take the entry levels of kid pitch baseball way too seriously. We pull everyone aside before each season and try to manage their expectations. However like anything, there are always a few people who go way overboard.

But playoffs are fine as long as the kids are having fun with it. Baseball is so unique in that there is no hiding - everyone gets an AB and the ball has a habit of finding even the weakest players. An important game trains them to perform under pressure and is one of those life-lessons that we love about the sport. Even the most serious kids are usually fine with a horrific, season-ending loss about 10 minutes after the game is over.

Some of the parents and coaches, on the other hand, tend to suffer lasting effects. These folks spend a lot of time second-guessing plays and decisions as if it were a Sox playoff game.

Finally, you are right about keeping score. Any kid who is interested in the game keeps score, even if its in their head.

[HomeBrew1901]

That's exactly it DeJesus, I'm still a little disappointed that his hit was called a foul but I can just about guarantee he hasn't thought about it since that night but with the way the coach and I handled it, I think he got just as much confidence and enjoyment out of it anyway.

It's definitely harder on the parents and coaches though, I'm even nervous right now thinking about the Championship Game tomorrow morning at 8:30 and these are just 7 and 8 year old kids for crying out loud. If they lose, unless it is a blow out, I can also guarantee that 2 hours after the game my son will be over it and I'll still be thinking about how cool it would have been if they had won.

Edit: Something I just realized a few minutes ago is that the coolest thing about tomorrow's game is that it is going to be my son's first real taste of victory or defeat because this is the first sport that he has played that keeps official score and only has one winner. He's been in soccer tournaments for the Rec League but win or lose everyone got a participation trophy while the tourney winner got 2, tomorrow only one team will be walking away with a trophy.

Edited by HomeBrew1901, 15 June 2012 - 11:16 AM.

[Fred not Lynn]

Ahh playoffs are fine. The problem is that the parents and some of the coaches take the entry levels of kid pitch baseball way too seriously.

I don't mind the concept of playoffs, but only if the format still results in each team getting the same number of total games. Especially for this age level, and really even as they get older, I hate any sort of elimination playoff that ends some kids season a week or two earlier than other's.

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

First, good luck to the mini-Brew tomorrow. I know he got jobbed by the ump last game but the fact is the kid hit the ball hard (and fair). In those cases, I typically emphasize the contact and not the result of the play. BABIP is extremely high in kid baseball for a reason so even when the defense makes a play, I congratulate my players on hitting the ball. And the fact that he recovered from it is even more awesome. Kids are the best when it comes to moving on...

Regarding FnL's comment about the playoffs disqualifying teams from more baseball, I agree that any format, such as pool play or double-elimination is better than a one-and-done situation. We run both in our local little league (depends on the age group) and that's after every single team makes the playoffs. That said, logistics are such that some teams will keep playing for weeks after others. Its just the nature of how scheduling kids sporting events works (I've done this, amongst many other jobs for our local league and its complicated). Furthermore, its kind of cool to reward kids who play well with more baseball.

I have been coaching baseball for going on six years now (my son is 12 and in the last year of small field for LL - we are just starting the all star season now - I coach on his travel team as well) and its amazing how well most of these kids will respond to the right approach. Even the least athletic and, in some rare cases, least interested kids will work extremely hard to improve when the coaching is focused and organized.

The problem, as I stated upthread, is the adults. Some coaches are disorganized, behave poorly or simply don't understand coaching. And the parents are often some combination of deluded, neurotic, overly-competitive, meddling, hyper-protective and unrealistic. If any of these conditions are present, they can take what is supposed to be a fun, learning experience and ruin it.

The trick in teaching the game is to keep that noise to a minimum. Its easier said than done...

[Cumberland Blues]

Scheduling is a freakin' nightmare - you're a good man taking that one on hotrod. Especially when you figure in the already short season and weather...playing in Northern VT we had to reschedule a bunch due to rain - today was our last game and was a game that had been rained out twice previously. And we're a small town league (3 small towns actually) and have to play some games against teams from neighboring towns a few times because they have even fewer teams than we do (our league only has 5 teams at this level, and usually only 2 or 3 teams each for minors & majors). There's no way we could organize playoffs even if all the coaches kept score.

[HomeBrew1901]

7-8 Year Old AA Champs. Great game, his team was leading 2-1 with two outs in the 6th that would have ended it but the other team got two big hits off of my son's team's best pitcher so it went into extra innings and they squeaked out a run in the 7th to win it (on the same type of hit that was called a foul on my son no less).

I liked that the other team ended up getting trophies too because it was a really good game to end the season.

My son got one of the game balls too.... for doing a lot of cheering while his team was up but also for being one of the team's most improved players. At the start of the season he could barely throw a baseball and certainly couldnt' catch one, now while not great, he can hold his own and just needs a little more work.

Edited by HomeBrew1901, 18 June 2012 - 08:24 AM.

[bakahump]

My 7 yo is starting player pitch this year.  It was a weird situation but he made the team.

 

During the course of "tryouts" (actually presented as "Clinics" part of the strangeness....I was under the impression at x age you advanced to the next level) I noticed at one point he was having a very "adult looking and animated" conversation with one of the "coaches" (he was actually a guy who was helping with the clinic....not sure if he is going to be a full time coach or an assistant).  The coach had a very funny look on his face said something and walked away.

 

Curious I asked Lil Baka  what he said "Well I told him that the other kids in my group where not paying attention and that they could get hurt and would not be learning if they are messing around".

I hadnt realized at the time (as all the groups had kids messing around) but he was right. 4 of the 6 or so where doing what 7 and 8yos do....screwing around.  He was trying to be serious and told the coach that he should talk to the others.

 

The coach either A. was not offically a coach or B. just not wanting to get involved with kids not on HIS team didnt say anything other then "Errr ummmm thanks....".

 

On one hand I am proud that he takes his "tasks" so seriously and expects those around him to as well. His teachers have said things like "he just wants the world to follow rules".

 

On the other I wonder if the perception of him by the coaches (when he places them in an uncomfortable position like that) is "WTF you lil Brown nose just play and have fun". And also I can see where other players might find him a "tattle tale".

 

I was curious if any coaches here had had similar situations?  How would you feel? Excited that he wanted to work....or annoyed at the "teachers pet" aspect?

 

He seems like a coaches joy.  In the past they have all loved working with him (as far as I can tell).  He hasnt always been the best player at his sport but coaches (and assistants) have seemingly taken him aside special to work on things. In my estimation often alot more then other kids.  I suspect this is because they recognize he wants to learn and pays attention.

 

Should I try to dial him back in?

 

He is really one of the reasons I havent asked to coach (or assist).  I cant imagine working with kids who wont "pay attention" after working with one who really is "dedicated".

 

I am not a "Stage Dad" either. I am NOT pushing him to take 10000 swings a day or anything extreme.  I think its just his personality. Same reason he is very good at Karate. He wants to be told, learn and perfect to the best of his ability. For an hour or for 20 mins however long practice is he works and works hard.

 

Just a strange situation and wondering how common this is.

 

 

PS:  he doesnt constantly report back on Jimmy not doing X and tommy not doing Y.  I think he was just a little over zealous this time as it was the "first Clinic" after advancing to Player Pitch.

Edited by bakahump, 26 March 2013 - 10:14 AM.

[Cumberland Blues]

Coaches love kids that pay attention.  I'll take a crappy player who listens over a stud player who does his own thing every time.  That said, re the "wants everyone to follow the rules" thing - he's gotta learn to let the grownups deal w/ that stuff.  I coach in a 7-8yr old league and I had a couple kids last year I had to constantly remind to "let the coaches do the coaching."  It'll bug his teammates more than the coaches - one of those kids pretty much alienated the whole team by the end of the season.  Thankfully both of those guys moved up to the 9-10 league for this year. 

[Just a bit outside]

I am not a "Stage Dad" either. I am pushing him to take 10000 swings a day.  I think its just his personality. Same reason he is very good at Karate. He wants to be told, learn and perfect to the best of his ability. For an hour or for 20 mins however long practice is he works and works hard.

 

I really hope you didn't mean ten thousand swings a day.  I would be careful about pushing him to do a thousand, which I think you meant.  A kid will get tired after about 10-20 swings and start to lose his mechanics.  Make sure he is taking a break and not just swinging a thousand times.  He will start to develop bad habits from being tired.

[bakahump]

Whoops!!   I originally meant....   I AM NOT a  "Stage Dad".....and (for instance) I AM NOT making him take 10000 swings a day (used as an extreme example).

 

Sorry bad at the englishness.

 

Yea I am not pushing him at all. I love that he seems to want to play and I love that he seems to have some talent hitting. (throwing and catching is another matter...on those skills....he is what i would consider a 7yo talent....we are working on a bit). I try to play with him as much as I can but basically on his terms.

 

But No I am not making him do any radical repetition drills.  Sorry for he confusion....suprised DHS isnt knocking already...

 

Cumby....I think the teacher was talking more about his "Personality" then actions he takes if that makes sense.  I think "he wishes everyone followed the rules"  is probably a better way to put it then "he wants everyone to follow the rules (and takes it in his own hands to see that they do)".

 

His "actions" when people dont "follow rules" are not "Hey YOU you need to do X!"  Rather he gets "upset" (emotional Maybe is a better term....and no not crying...just disappointed/dejected I guess) that others cant see the rational of doing what needs or should be done.  I think the "talking to the coach this time" was due to it being the first clinic and the "newness of Player pitch".  I think he was really concerned that their fooling around could put them in danger.  He certainly doesnt pull rank and say the "Joey your dropping your hands and you need to step towards the target" thing.  He seems more concerned about soaking in what the coaches say to him (though at Karate where he is a green belt he is a great teacher when asked to do so).

 

I will remind him that the Coaches are pretty good and will keep everyone moving.

 

As a player I have always encouraged him to pay attention and root for his teammates. I figured those where the true lessons of Little league/team sports.  I think he has just grown up doing that rather then flinging his hat at his teammates and sticking fingers in each others ears on the bench.

 

Overall a great kid I am so lucky to have (arent we all).

[Al Zarilla]

My 7 yo is starting player pitch this year.  It was a weird situation but he made the team.

 

During the course of "tryouts" (actually presented as "Clinics" part of the strangeness....I was under the impression at x age you advanced to the next level) I noticed at one point he was having a very "adult looking and animated" conversation with one of the "coaches" (he was actually a guy who was helping with the clinic....not sure if he is going to be a full time coach or an assistant).  The coach had a very funny look on his face said something and walked away.

 

Curious I asked Lil Baka  what he said "Well I told him that the other kids in my group where not paying attention and that they could get hurt and would not be learning if they are messing around".

I hadnt realized at the time (as all the groups had kids messing around) but he was right. 4 of the 6 or so where doing what 7 and 8yos do....screwing around.  He was trying to be serious and told the coach that he should talk to the others.

 

The coach either A. was not offically a coach or B. just not wanting to get involved with kids not on HIS team didnt say anything other then "Errr ummmm thanks....".

 

On one hand I am proud that he takes his "tasks" so seriously and expects those around him to as well. His teachers have said things like "he just wants the world to follow rules".

 

On the other I wonder if the perception of him by the coaches (when he places them in an uncomfortable position like that) is "WTF you lil Brown nose just play and have fun". And also I can see where other players might find him a "tattle tale".

 

I was curious if any coaches here had had similar situations?  How would you feel? Excited that he wanted to work....or annoyed at the "teachers pet" aspect?

 

He seems like a coaches joy.  In the past they have all loved working with him (as far as I can tell).  He hasnt always been the best player at his sport but coaches (and assistants) have seemingly taken him aside special to work on things. In my estimation often alot more then other kids.  I suspect this is because they recognize he wants to learn and pays attention.

 

Should I try to dial him back in?

 

He is really one of the reasons I havent asked to coach (or assist).  I cant imagine working with kids who wont "pay attention" after working with one who really is "dedicated".

 

I am not a "Stage Dad" either. I am NOT pushing him to take 10000 swings a day or anything extreme.  I think its just his personality. Same reason he is very good at Karate. He wants to be told, learn and perfect to the best of his ability. For an hour or for 20 mins however long practice is he works and works hard.

 

Just a strange situation and wondering how common this is.

 

 

PS:  he doesnt constantly report back on Jimmy not doing X and tommy not doing Y.  I think he was just a little over zealous this time as it was the "first Clinic" after advancing to Player Pitch.

It may sound corny but one of the greatest feelings of accomplishment in coaching kids is with the kid that starts out not caring, not wanting to play, not getting along with the other kids (his parents pushed him out there). As the season moves on, he begins to care and at the end he's one of your best team players. Not saying this always happens, but if it does, maybe you had something positive to do with a kid growing up. 

[Skiponzo]

Just want to add that I have coached both my boys teams (currently in 7-8 rookies and 9-10 minors) since they started T-Ball and I LOVE kids that listen and want to do the right thing.  I'm constantly telling my teams that I don't care if they make a physical mistake, I just want them to know what they're supposed to do and try to do it.

 

Can I coach your kid?  Please?  :-)

 

Side note:  My older son is really having a tough time this season.  His team isn't very good and they keep getting beat up. He gets really depressed and says things like "Why do we even play? It's no fun. I just want to hide."  I've been telling him that he needs to stand up to his feelings about hiding and keep trying (perserverance being the #1 quality I want them to learn) and to just have fun playing the game but it doesn't always work.  If anyone has advice for me it would be greatly appreciated.