Little League Politics

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is very true in our experience.

Also, for some sports, the criteria for what make a kid talented are more subjective. In a sport like baseball there may be less room for judgment calls--if a player never gets any hits, it would be tough for even his most ardent fan to argue that he should be playing in place of a kid who gets home runs every at bat. But in a sport like soccer, you have less sophisticated coaches who will happily pick a tall kid who runs fast but is utterly incapable of trapping a ball or making a smart play over a smaller more skillful kid who could well help the team a lot more if the coach knew how the game is meant to be played.

Basketball and football have been the worst, in my experience. The varsity basketball coach preaches defense, effort, crisp passing, and low turnovers. My son is more of an athlete than a basketball player but he is a willing defender, has decent handles, and gets a fair number of steals and rebounds. IMO- he's a solid role player who can do everything well except score. The coach mostly plays low IQ chuckers who score 10 points on 15 shots, commit stupid fouls, and turn over the ball. Basically the opposite of what he says he values. Those kids' parents are constantly in the coaches ear, often at the local watering hole. The team is single-digit win bad. Again- my kid isn't great at basketball but neither are those kids. They all just suck in different ways.

Football is pretty bad too- especially on the OL and DL. Any of the "unskilled" positions where stats are difficult to quantify, I've seen blatant examples of favoritism. Coaches will overlook holding penalties and personal fouls by some kids because in their minds, the kids are great despite evidence to the contrary.

Sorry about that--the squeaky wheel gets the grease, and in basketball, that means those who are solid scorers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. At that age and level they want to win. You son is likely not as much of the top as you think he is.

If he was the top you wouldn't be complaining about no playing time. Unless he is kot playing as much because he has a bad attitude. I could see that happen.

Of course they want to win. In my experience, the problem is that coaches- just like parents- have a distorted view of kids' abilities. They're much more likely to overlook errors by some kids and give them a long leash while other kids get yanked quickly. Its basically confirmation bias. They honestly believe their kid can pitch out of a jam but have no faith in another kid.

As for kids with attitude problems- some of the worst have been the sons of the daddy coaches. Years of entitlement play leads to lazy practice habits and poor performance. And over time, most kids can't skate by on natural ability- especially if they're old for their grade. Eventually the regress to the mean. At least that's what I've seen.

In my son's case, he was sometimes passed over for the select teams while the daddy coaches' kids went. Now he's 17, started on varsity, played corner outfield and batted 4th. For the season he went .368 with an OPS of 1.064. Most of the daddy coach kids didn't play varsity. But a couple kids still had a much longer leash than others- especially the 1st baseman who had a TON of fielding errors at 1b.

So, its not so much that my kid is so super awesome- its that their kids aren't all that great either.

All of the quoted post was my response to the person who said that high school, varsity and "and beyond" (college) coaches don't play the best players in order to play favorites. Very different from what you are describing.

I stand by my argument that high school and college coaches want to do what they can to win, and will play the best players they have, unless that kid has such a poor attitude that they need some time on the bench.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry about that--the squeaky wheel gets the grease, and in basketball, that means those who are solid scorers.

I completely agree that solid scorers are important in basketball. But a team of low %, inefficient shooters who play bad perimeter defense is a recipe for disaster. Bad, forced shots and no rebounding leads to fast break opportunities for the other team. So IMO- there's a place for defense-first kids who pass the ball within an offensive system. Instead, they allow dribble penetration which leads to easy baskets or fouls on the helping defender. They suck. It is what it is.

The sad thing is that two kids (and their parents) still think they're destined for scholarships despite poor grades, bad stats, and few wins in a small school conference.

I'll take my son who's #4 in his class, 3.95 GPA, a 29 ACT with average athleticism every day and twice on Sunday.

[Anonymous]

Does your son play fall ball? The more coaches that see him the more likely he is to be drafted by a coach who will appreciate his talent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You need to volunteer to coach or make friends with them. It's not all about skills, same with life #LifeLessons

OP here. Yeah, DH and I are not baseball coaching material. That's why we contribute to the team in other ways. And we are friendly with the other parents -- we just don't see them outside of baseball because we aren't in the same school district. Little League should not be limited to kids whose parents know enough about baseball to coach.

Yes, but that is life, especially in this town. If you want your child to have the best chances, you need to be involved in the "politics". Not saying it is right or wrong, but there it is. Also you don't have to coach, just get involved.

Her DH does field maintenance and helps at practice and she scores the games. Those are two important ways to be "involved."

OP, what scoring system do you use? Are you keeping a paper book? I recommend looking at Gamechanger. It's a good way to keep the stats cumulative and help illustrate your points about how players are performing.

You knew what I meant.

No, actually, I didn't. Because you seemed a bit clueless when you wrote it. I didn't know what you meant. At all.

Yet several other posts are saying the same thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry about that--the squeaky wheel gets the grease, and in basketball, that means those who are solid scorers.

I completely agree that solid scorers are important in basketball. But a team of low %, inefficient shooters who play bad perimeter defense is a recipe for disaster. Bad, forced shots and no rebounding leads to fast break opportunities for the other team. So IMO- there's a place for defense-first kids who pass the ball within an offensive system. Instead, they allow dribble penetration which leads to easy baskets or fouls on the helping defender. They suck. It is what it is.

The sad thing is that two kids (and their parents) still think they're destined for scholarships despite poor grades, bad stats, and few wins in a small school conference.

I'll take my son who's #4 in his class, 3.95 GPA, a 29 ACT with average athleticism every day and twice on Sunday.

Scholarships sound like a stretch, but possible. Lots of teams out there. Wish them luck.

[Anonymous]

All stars is not about the best players. 2 of our top 6 please batted under .200, voted in by their peers. The mangers only select players 7-12. Even then it's not truly about talent. Politics always has and always will be about more than the best talented players. You can debate this all you want but that is the truth sadly

[Anonymous]

Test

[Anonymous]

OP-so sorry this happened to you! It’s a very commonly reported occurrence in rec ball. It can be so damaging if it’s a toxic environment, but hopefully you were able to make it a teachable moment and DS emerged stronger for it. How is DS doing now two years later? Did you decide to leave Little League? Did you stay and coach? What type of team did you leave for and in hindsight did it work out for the best? Hopefully y’all have not given this bad LL experience much thought and moved onto a professionally coached travel ball team or to a Pony league or other rec ball league with more tolerable dynamics and with baseball rules where kids can have fun stealing bases and they learn to not balk on the mound, pick off runners for example. Kids love these aspects of the game.

[Anonymous]

You are replying to a topic that is 6 years old.

[Anonymous]

I know how old this thread is. Here to say its unbelievably sad that this happens and still does. We come fr a great town hut a big one
If you live on the north side ..no way your kids makes MS baseball. South side more of a chance. I was actually told that i should have my son attend south though we live in north
Parents paying 9k for traveling teams. The majors don't play on saturdays because AAU teams are saturdays. My son was minors 21 and fall ball majors division A which is hard core 80-90 mph pitches because the minors in other town he's a too old. Turned 12 september. They made him play this spring in minors(technically no 2 years in minors) though 10 y r olds made it and he did well at try outs intended for placement only. He was defeated all if this beet friends were on majors. Long story short or not his minors 21 didn't get him pitch
Allowed him maybe 4 innings where he struck out all but 2 walked 1 abd one got a single. Now his spring coach he's the starting pitcher and had hit two in park HR (not on errors) and we are about to win championship. Other coaches show up to watch games. They talk about him. I hear it. Thru messed up. Still now 11 nit able to be picked for all stars. Unfortunately I believe most towns are the same. My hubby says its not who you know its who u b***. Not kidding these group of men make me sick. I have in person spoken with my disgust. I have emailed hoping maybe just one will go to bed and think about what they're doing to some of these kids. To gave an all star coach show up.to play off field to collect checks for the all star team in front of these kids while their kids are wearing their all star jerseys. Its gross. Guess what your child will blow his arm out by 12 in two travel and one little league team. Im.not sure on travel team experiences. Is is the sane.? My 10 year old is average hitter amazing fielder and starting to connect with the ball. He gas not played against fast ball pitches until recently. My almost 12 year old can finally after 6 years connect the bat. Pitchers amazing (self taught lol) I mean often 1,2,3 innings. Always knows what's going on where they play is going and calls it out makes dome amazing in field plays. I have no thoughts my kids nor any of these others with get College scholarships considering only so many can make a team nevermind MLB. I just want their potential used and as boys stay engaged as long as possible to keep them active and out of trouble.im 39 it was similar in my town. I played sports. I feel so many dads are living thru their kids and its really sad for the kids and the league itself. Any input on how to bare it (Im a gemini with a bit mouth who speaks from my heart before thinking) sorry long once.#frustratedmamabear

[Anonymous]

Mom get a grip. I dont believe 11yo are throwing 80-90 mph pitches consistently as you say. The best pitcher in our entire league 12u is throwing 65-70. And he’s a standout. Stars show the average pitches for 12 yo is 55.

[Anonymous]

There is a reason they call it Daddy Ball. You need to find a select team with a professional coach.

[Anonymous]

I coach 10U softball at the travel level.

I often wish I had a team of orphans.