Misbehavior at Big League practice
 

Which makes me think of how "pro league" is defined. I've had the unfortunate experience lately of exposing Viet Babe to hot-tempered balding men with office butt who think their lame little lawyers/accountants/whatever league constitute a pro league so as to justify appalling behavior and language when they don't like the way things are going. Some of these fools act like they're HOCKEY professionals for goodness sakes.

It's usually some fat guy who doesn't like the ump's call, throws a hissy, cursing loudly in front of tons of children and Moms who've been dragged to come watch Daddies play their little boy games. Why, just last week we saw a church (!!) league dude go medieval when he disagreed with a call even though his team was already losing 15 to 1 and generally sucked. The guy yelled, "HE WAS FUCKING SAFE, DOUCHEBAG FUCK!!!" I looked over at the bench and saw all those kids (including his own) listening (what's worse for the Moms later: explaining what "fuck" is or "douchebag"?). You'd think the guy's teamates would have engaged in damage control vis-a-vis the listening children. But no. Instead, they all went over and "comforted" the fool (who by now was still steaming and all red about the face and neck and such).

IMHO, this sort of behavior makes an imprint on future poorly-behaved little leaguers. I really think it's not the tantrum that is the worst, but the way the other guys comfort the tantrum thrower which may send kids the wrong idea.

Um....is this a rant?

Vietmom
(Happy that Babe is too young to have to explain "douchebag")

http://www.aerieproductions.com/robb...eballFight.jpg

Elephant Wood
 

This reminds me of the time my sister saw a giant dog of some sort (I think it was a Great Dane) walking on the street in front of her. She was inspired to comment, "They should be required to wear underwear." I couldn't disagree.

My son knows I don't have a penis (he has asked about what my horse's penis was -- but as he has one, it wasn't a big deal to point out the corresponding anatomy on his equine friend), or, more accurately, he thinks I have a different kind of penis. It hasn't dawned on him that girls don't actually have one.

Elephant Wood
 

....actually, unless you were raised in a Muslim country, he is technically right, but that's another topic.

Elephant Wood
 

He refers to it as my "inside penis". How he knows that, I do not know.

Behavior at LL practice
 

I was a catcher for years and years, until my right knee popped in and out of joint a couple times while I was sitting in class. Plus -- Stand by the coach and shag balls during fielding practice. Minuses -- Hot equipment, fairly frequently nicked by bats and balls, deep knee bend on every pitch, and the occasional ball to the nuts.

Preferential treatment?

S_A_M

P.S. Pony, I think he's gotta sit the next time he tells the coach "No."

Behavior at LL practice
 

Oh SAM, you're viewing it through an old man's eye.

At this age (9-10 YO) the physical degradation and injuries haven't set in yet so they only see the 'glory' side --
more innings played/less bench,
more innings playing an infield position (outfield is still boring at this age cuz not too many hits out),
shin-wedges buffer against knee strain,
catcher is involved in almost every play,
catcher gets to run the game and tell the pitcher what to do (at least that's how the kids see it), and
when he picks off the steal there's lots and lots of cheering (half these little guys can't even hit 2nd from home plate) or,
even better, tag the runner coming home he's a hero with one play.

P.S. I don't 'waste' my catchers standing next to coach shagging balls. I don't see that as a 'catcher' skill, at best it's a basic defensive skill (catch the ball coming at you) that every kid needs to practice. I rarely have a kid standing next to coach but when I do that's another way I 'penalize' a kid with borderline bahavior (disrespectful goes to the bench, lazy shags balls).

Anyway, with 40-50 practice balls I have a bucket at 1st and 3rd so every ball goes into one of those rather than coming back to home. I want the basemen to get as much action as possible. I want the fielders thinking where to throw rather than autopilot throw back to coach. When the bucket at home is empty it gets refilled from 1/3.

Follow Up
 

Catching is such an odd thing at this age. I have one kid who has a quick release and can throw a strike to 2d in under 3 seconds (and who knows how to check and fake runners) but who struggles on throws back to the pitcher and is too small to block what he can't grab; I have 2 guys who can basically block anything within a mile of the plate but whose throws to second would be better off mailed and a 4th who is a combination.

It's frustrating when the first guy nails a guy going from second to third but then gets the ball back and sends it over the pitcher's head letting the guy from second come home.

Follow Up
 

Chuck Knoblauch's kid plays for your team?

Follow Up
 

I wish, then I would be striking out somewhere instead of sitting at this desk.

Follow Up
 

One of these 4 (not my kid) plays the outfield when he's not catching. He hates outfield and bugs me every inning to play the infield. The times he's played infield, he's had balls go through his legs, bounce off his glove, and generally throws 6 feet over the base that the runner has just left. In the outfield, he generally runs down the balls or stops them.

So I'm thinking next time he asks to play infield, say OK smarty pants and put him between short and third and leave only 2 outfielders.

Follow Up
 

What happened to "show me you can do it in practice before you play in the game"? Seriously, if in practice he can't do it, even with an opportunity, why should he play infiled in the games?

Follow Up
 

Oh, this kid doesn't come to practice. And the fucking kid's old man gave me yap which totally pissed me off. Plus, it's not like the kid's dad ever practices with him.

Follow Up
 

I preempted this with a beginning of the season letter to the parents that stated my position on playing time, showing up for practice, bad behavior by parents, etc.
This kid and his dad violate 2 of my 'rules' for getting to play. If this kid were on my team the decision would not be whether the kid plays infield v outfield it would be whether he gets to play at all v bench until they (father and son) realign with the team rules.
They seem to have forgotten that baseball is a TEAM sport.

P.S. I don't go so hard on kids whose dad doesn't practice with them bet practice/games. There are lots of valid reasons this father/son (or mom/son) practice doesn't happen. However, I often suggest to these parents that they try to set up play dates with other kids on the team so that the kids can drill together as a substitute for dad/son or mom/son. Most of the kids on my team go to the same school and attend the same after school day care so I've also talked to the daycare people about letting the boys drill together during their outdoor play time.

Follow Up
 

This has only happened to me once a few years ago when I was the 'dugout dad' during an allstar game (i.e. the kids were from several regular season teams). The guy got right into my face and was yelling at the top of his lungs about how I was abusing his kids (I told them to stop climbing the fence, running around the dugout, and watch the game).

When he was done I calmly told him that on our team we taught the boys that sportsmanship included speaking respectfully to the coach, assistants and officials. Then I left the ballpark.

Now I'd be afraid that someone might shoot or knife me.

Follow Up
 

I agree but if a kid finds a way to take 200 grounders between Tuesday's practice and Thursday's game he has a better chance at making a play than someone who missed Tuesday's practice, is bored playing outfield and just WANTS to play infield.

Follow Up
 

It wasn't yap, but just like "He wants to play, can't you just let him?"

I have had other coaches ask me "Is PJ ok with playing third? Or would he rather catch?" and I say "Coach -- play him where you think he will best help the team."

Follow Up
 

OK, now this guy "demanded" his kid pitch. Kid isn't bad but the guy I kept in was hot in a very close game.

:confused:

I got a little short with him :mad: and regret not sending a letter at the beginning of the year.

What's the best way to handle?

Follow Up
 

You'll play the players where they play the best and help the team the most. Kid hasn't pitched yet, and hasn't done it in practice at all, so you can't throw him into a game.

If you want to throw the old man a bone, have the kid pitch some during a practice to see how he does. When it's obvious he can't do it (assuming it is), then you can say you gave him a shot but right now he doesn't seem ready to pitch. Maybe if he throws a lot with dad in the offseason he'll be ready next year. (Ideally dad comes to that practice to see his kid pitch not well).

Or put him in in a rout.

Follow Up
 

Bottom line is that the coach/manager, not the parent or kid, is in charge of the team. You decide when and which position. Tell the dad that if he wants to talk about his kid's playing time/positions then the time to do it is during practice, not during or after a game.
Then tell him that sportsmanship includes showing respect to the kids, coaches, and officials. That includes speaking in a level voice and when/where it is appropriate. You're trying to 'model' that behavior for the kids and expect him to also.
If he's too much trouble, invite him to change his son to a new team.

Follow Up
 

The kid has pitched in practice and in a game and has done fine though he isn't a seasoned pitcher -- for that age anyway. My reason for not pitching him is that he was basically holding us in the game behind the plate, and the guy who was pitching was our best guy who was looking like Josh Becket during last year's playoff run.

The need to go with what was hot -- as well as the importance of a catcher who can block the plate -- was obviously lost on dude.

Follow Up
 

Seems like a pretty good explanation. "Your kid's a good catcher, and he's helping the team the most there. But I'll ask him if he wants to pitch some more, and if there's a chance to get him to pitch some more I'll try to get him in there. No promises though."

Follow Up
 

We're the only show in town.

Follow Up
 

Ya, what he said.

fun flying with kids
 

• It should not surprise you that making a c.1 year-old boy watch the in-flight TV system for six hours of a Sydney-to-Los Angeles flight would lead to emotional problems (viz, crying, screaming, kicking) for the following six hours. It seemed to surprise the parents of the c.1 year-old boy sitting next to us, however.

from Crooked Timber

Sydney to LA with a one-year-old? Just shoot me.

fun flying with kids
 

I have a friend who just flew here with a 10mo old and a 3yo from France - alone. And survived. I don't even think she drugged the kids, but I would have seriously considered it.

fun flying with kids
 

We're going to take a long flight in August, and are planning to take a red-eye in the hopes that wee people sleep.

fun flying with kids
 

I (mistakenly) thought you only had a wee person. What is this about people - or is your wife really short?

Wait it gets better
 

So I let this kid pitch today and he gets absolutely pounded to hell and back. The dad isn't there but the mom is (nasty bloody divorce) She goes on and on about why I let him pitch.

Wait it gets better
 

Sometimes, it's about letting them try something and learning that way where their talents are.

fun flying with kids
 

Never underestimate the power of Benadryl about 30 minutes before the flight takes off.

Wait it gets better
 

Surely she was very receptive to your explanation that his dad insisted that he pitch.

Wait it gets better
 

She thought that he and I should both be crucified on crosses next to each other.

Wait it gets better
 

It's good for him. When I think back to experiences in my life to give me strength to handle life's adult challenges, it isn't the games standing out in the outfield that mean something. It's the [seemingly at the time] soul-crushing defeats. Fortunately, my 5th grade little league team was able to provide me with an ample supply, as I think we went 1-[a big number] that year, with at least half the games ending under the ten run rule (is that still around? - good rule). I caught that year, and I remember the game we won was the worst one. The other team's major fault was they had three or four players who for some reason took a step back just before swinging ineffectively at the ball. I took five or six shots to the head (fortunately, all glancing) and by the end of the game was ready to kill someone. Sometimes, you just have bad days.

The thing that made it tolerable is that after each game my dad gave me a big hug and a stop at the Dairy Queen regardless of the outcome. I don't remember him once yelling at my coach, although he may have expressed some outrage at the ref on the third or fourth beaning.

Wait it gets better
 

The kid has started to develop a good attitude. He was really let down in the field but just shook it off. I think my constant acknowledgement of his great play behind the plate has helped him. But this is a perfect example of two selfish adults putting a kid in the middle.

The ten run rule is alive and well and saved the day.

Wait it gets better
 

Gosh, I got all verklempt reading that last paragraph. (not kidding)


I think my older boy would really like playing baseball. He's only six (I don't know when little leagues start), but he loves playing in the yard. He hates hitting lefty (he's right handed), but it's like he can't miss! He doesn't hit line drives 100% of the time, but nearly always makes contact. He's very proud when he hits a good one, and I think it would be great for him.

So, anyone know about LL in TCOTU?

Wait it gets better
 

Yeah, well, I wrote it just before lunch and my bloodsugar was a little low, so it may have been more mushy than helpful. And I just spent the weekend with my dad, so, you know.

Just an observation to push the mushiness: there is something very cool about your kids getting to be old enough to express being disappointed that their grandparents had to go home. It's even better if they manage to do it in the grandparents' presence.

Wait it gets better
 

Most little leagues start in the spring. Some may have fall leagues.

Does he hit well lefty but not like to? Hitting lefty is a great asset. Most pitchers are totally uncomfortable pitching to lefties. We have one lefty on our team and he walks 3x a game.

I bat lefty though I throw righty because I am left eye dominant. Check to see if he's left eye dominant.

Wait it gets better
 

Apparently I am too. Cool. This could explain maybe 10% of my total lack of ability to do anything sports-related? Or maybe not.

Wait it gets better
 

Chunky Monkey
 

So my kid is huge and I'm bit worried that he's gonna be wider than he is tall. Right now he is 95% for height and off the chart for weight, which is about proportionate for now. If our bathroom scale is right, he is about 26lbs at 8mos. He drinks milk and a little water and eats mostly veggies and fruit with some cereal for iron. He gets no sugar or juice whatsoever. I make almost all my own baby food, so he's not getting any fillers or added starchs.

Other than keeping the sugar away and keeping him active, any ideas how to keep him from being one of those 80lb 2yos on Jerry Springer? The ped has expressed some concern and hubby was a chubby kid. I am thinking more about what to do in the future since I *think* I am doing all the right stuff now.

-TL