Little League and parent arrogance

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many of the problems outlined in this thread could be easily solved if the league itself established ground rules that all teams must follow.

Every kid gets 50% infield and outfield positions, batting orders must give each kid 1/3 in the top 4, 1/3 in middle 4 and 1/3 in bottom 4, etc.

Yeah, maybe it shouldn’t have to be this way…but it solves a lot of problems if every team has to compete on the same basis.

The coach of my daughter’s kid pitch little league softball team (minors) told them at the beginning of the season that everyone was going to play every position including pitcher and catcher. It sounded nice in theory, but there are some girls that have no interest in pitching and, more importantly, he has provided 0 instruction on how to pitch.

His daughter pitched 2 innings last game. She had an illegal pitch almost every time - a double wind up, or swinging her arm back and forth a couple of times or pulling the ball in and out of her glove. He said nothing and the umpire and other team’s coach let it go while she walked in the max runs (5) each inning and recorded no outs in 2 innings. Everyone else (batter included) stood around.

How is that good for anyone? Especially the girls on the team who really want to pitch! My daughter’s worked at pitching since last summer. Her coach last year (same level) primarily pitched the experienced girls and she wasn’t there yet. She worked in the off season on it, did evals as a pitcher and was placed on this team as one of the pitchers. She was the starting pitcher in the first game, but doesn’t think she’ll have another chance until everyone else has their “turn.” It’s a short season, so she may get 1 more chance.

It’s incredibly frustrating especially when hers is the only team like this.

In short, make sure your players have a clue before putting them in certain positions.

Exactly. It is not realistic to say everyone should have a chance to play every position. You can't put a kid who can't catch at first base. It is dangerous for the kid who can't catch and it isn't fair to tell the shortstop don't throw so hard to the kid playing first base, just lob it in. That is what clueless dad who was coaching said to a kid on my nephew's team who could throw field the ball with ease and make a laser throw to first. The coach also thought everyone should play every position. It was the first season of kid pitch. When my nephew pitched he often put his son who couldn't catch and was afraid of the ball at catcher. My nephew would pitch a strike and the catcher would stand up and immediately block the umpire's view of the ball. The umpire repeatedly would tell the catcher to stay down, which he wouldn't so he would just call it a ball because he couldn't see. Or the catcher would jump out of the way leaving the umpire to be hit by a ball. The coach also let his son pitch who couldn't throw strikes because he could not throw hard enough to reach the plate 9 out of 10 times. He eventually sat down on the mound and started crying. The coach wanted the whole team after the game to congratulate his son for trying his best.

[Anonymous]

A coach for a baseball or softball little kid team is NOT going to teach your kid how to hit, or throw the ball, or catch the ball. You need to do that. Yep - you. Don’t know how? Figure it out. Plenty of instruction on YouTube. Or, hire someone to do it for you.

Figure it takes 100 hours of practice on each of those skills to get decently competent for a kid who has average athletic ability and pays attention. A coach with say 12 kids on a team and 4-5 preseason practices is NOT going to do anything to make an individual kid “better”.


The practices are for is to figure out the skill level of the kids. Knowing that, I can make up a lineup and get kids into positions where they are less likely to get hurt. No - if your kid sucks - he/she is not going to pitch, or play first base. Depending on who is pitching, I can put a kid who sucks at 2nd or SS or 3rd. Most teams will have 1 “good” pitcher. If kids hit the ball it is more likely to be on a late swing so I need a decent fielder at 2nd base. That means kids who are not very good can play SS. 3rd is pretty much always for weak players. I could put the best fielder with a decent arm at 3rd and they still will be unlikely to get an out on a ground ball.

When a weaker pitcher is in - batters at the top 1/3 of the order will be less likely to swing late so now I need a better fielder at SS. Outfield I always need a decent center fielder to chase down balls the right fielder and left fielder miss. Faster pitcher - right fielder has to be better. Slower pitcher - left fielder. But, still dependent on batting order.


It’s fine if your kid sucks. As long as he/she tries and is reasonably happy to be playing it’s cool. The only thing parents did that really ticked me off when coaching is be late, or a no show, and not tell me. I cured that after a couple years. Email - if you’re late and don’t let me know, or if your kid is a no show without letting me know. You are making the lineup for that game or next game if no show.

Try it. 12 kids - get them in positions they can play. Outfield/infield. Now pull out one kid. Re-adjust everything in 15 minutes.

Yes the coaches kid gets some benefits. But, they also get the fun of racking up puddles on the field 3 hours before the game. And, picking up trash before and after the game, and laying the bases, and getting the equipment ready. Always fun going under the stands to grab the dirty diaper and candy wrappers. Want your kid to have those benefits? Volunteer.

[Anonymous]

I’m coming at this from a parent’s perspective, not a coach’s. I think that individual skills are developed outside of practice, while team skills are developed during practice. I’ve seen this in Little League and in travel ball as well. Some travel teams get only one 2-hour field practice a week- they need that time to practice team drills and trust that players are putting in the time at home working on their individual skills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A glorified babysitter for a baseball or softball little kid team is NOT going to teach your kid how to hit, or throw the ball, or catch the ball. You need to do that. Yep - you. Don’t know how? Figure it out. Plenty of instruction on YouTube. Or, hire someone to do it for you.

Figure it takes 100 hours of practice on each of those skills to get decently competent for a kid who has average athletic ability and pays attention. A coach with say 12 kids on a team and 4-5 preseason practices is NOT going to do anything to make an individual kid “better”.


The practices are for is to figure out the skill level of the kids. Knowing that, I can make up a lineup and get kids into positions where they are less likely to get hurt. No - if your kid sucks - he/she is not going to pitch, or play first base. Depending on who is pitching, I can put a kid who sucks at 2nd or SS or 3rd. Most teams will have 1 “good” pitcher. If kids hit the ball it is more likely to be on a late swing so I need a decent fielder at 2nd base. That means kids who are not very good can play SS. 3rd is pretty much always for weak players. I could put the best fielder with a decent arm at 3rd and they still will be unlikely to get an out on a ground ball.

When a weaker pitcher is in - batters at the top 1/3 of the order will be less likely to swing late so now I need a better fielder at SS. Outfield I always need a decent center fielder to chase down balls the right fielder and left fielder miss. Faster pitcher - right fielder has to be better. Slower pitcher - left fielder. But, still dependent on batting order.


It’s fine if your kid sucks. As long as he/she tries and is reasonably happy to be playing it’s cool. The only thing parents did that really ticked me off when coaching is be late, or a no show, and not tell me. I cured that after a couple years. Email - if you’re late and don’t let me know, or if your kid is a no show without letting me know. You are making the lineup for that game or next game if no show.

Try it. 12 kids - get them in positions they can play. Outfield/infield. Now pull out one kid. Re-adjust everything in 15 minutes.

Yes the coaches kid gets some benefits. But, they also get the fun of racking up puddles on the field 3 hours before the game. And, picking up trash before and after the game, and laying the bases, and getting the equipment ready. Always fun going under the stands to grab the dirty diaper and candy wrappers. Want your kid to have those benefits? Volunteer.

FIFY

So pathetic for a grown adult to blame little kids because he thinks coaching a little kid’s team is basically picking players in a fantasy league and moving them around the field to show off how well he strategizes.

I’m so thankful my son has only had two coaches like you in all his years of rec and travel sports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like you should have volunteered to coach.

One is not required to coach to have an opinion on the coaching their kids receive, esp. if it is blatantly unfair. I know some of you feel that way but you are incorrect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A glorified babysitter for a baseball or softball little kid team is NOT going to teach your kid how to hit, or throw the ball, or catch the ball. You need to do that. Yep - you. Don’t know how? Figure it out. Plenty of instruction on YouTube. Or, hire someone to do it for you.

Figure it takes 100 hours of practice on each of those skills to get decently competent for a kid who has average athletic ability and pays attention. A coach with say 12 kids on a team and 4-5 preseason practices is NOT going to do anything to make an individual kid “better”.


The practices are for is to figure out the skill level of the kids. Knowing that, I can make up a lineup and get kids into positions where they are less likely to get hurt. No - if your kid sucks - he/she is not going to pitch, or play first base. Depending on who is pitching, I can put a kid who sucks at 2nd or SS or 3rd. Most teams will have 1 “good” pitcher. If kids hit the ball it is more likely to be on a late swing so I need a decent fielder at 2nd base. That means kids who are not very good can play SS. 3rd is pretty much always for weak players. I could put the best fielder with a decent arm at 3rd and they still will be unlikely to get an out on a ground ball.

When a weaker pitcher is in - batters at the top 1/3 of the order will be less likely to swing late so now I need a better fielder at SS. Outfield I always need a decent center fielder to chase down balls the right fielder and left fielder miss. Faster pitcher - right fielder has to be better. Slower pitcher - left fielder. But, still dependent on batting order.


It’s fine if your kid sucks. As long as he/she tries and is reasonably happy to be playing it’s cool. The only thing parents did that really ticked me off when coaching is be late, or a no show, and not tell me. I cured that after a couple years. Email - if you’re late and don’t let me know, or if your kid is a no show without letting me know. You are making the lineup for that game or next game if no show.

Try it. 12 kids - get them in positions they can play. Outfield/infield. Now pull out one kid. Re-adjust everything in 15 minutes.

Yes the coaches kid gets some benefits. But, they also get the fun of racking up puddles on the field 3 hours before the game. And, picking up trash before and after the game, and laying the bases, and getting the equipment ready. Always fun going under the stands to grab the dirty diaper and candy wrappers. Want your kid to have those benefits? Volunteer.

FIFY

So pathetic for a grown adult to blame little kids because he thinks coaching a little kid’s team is basically picking players in a fantasy league and moving them around the field to show off how well he strategizes.

I’m so thankful my son has only had two coaches like you in all his years of rec and travel sports.

The “glorified babysitter” part came on a bit strong, but did you read the rest of his post? He’s not saying that he doesn’t try to teach the kids things at practice, but that it takes more time than is available during a little league season. He’s also explaining how he moves kids around the infield and outfield to let kids play different positions while also being strategic about it. Many of the things he described a parent wouldn’t pick up on unless they know the game. They just see that Larlo’s getting a chance in the infield. I’ve seen it done well sometimes during my son’s LL years. After the game, the “worst” kid is excited that he played LF and 3rd even though he didn’t touch the ball.

I’m the PP of the softball player who’s not getting much of a chance to pitch because the coach is putting everyone in even if they’re not interested or ready. I’d much rather have this guy coach my kid. The games would be more fun for everyone and she’d learn something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A glorified babysitter for a baseball or softball little kid team is NOT going to teach your kid how to hit, or throw the ball, or catch the ball. You need to do that. Yep - you. Don’t know how? Figure it out. Plenty of instruction on YouTube. Or, hire someone to do it for you.

Figure it takes 100 hours of practice on each of those skills to get decently competent for a kid who has average athletic ability and pays attention. A coach with say 12 kids on a team and 4-5 preseason practices is NOT going to do anything to make an individual kid “better”.


The practices are for is to figure out the skill level of the kids. Knowing that, I can make up a lineup and get kids into positions where they are less likely to get hurt. No - if your kid sucks - he/she is not going to pitch, or play first base. Depending on who is pitching, I can put a kid who sucks at 2nd or SS or 3rd. Most teams will have 1 “good” pitcher. If kids hit the ball it is more likely to be on a late swing so I need a decent fielder at 2nd base. That means kids who are not very good can play SS. 3rd is pretty much always for weak players. I could put the best fielder with a decent arm at 3rd and they still will be unlikely to get an out on a ground ball.

When a weaker pitcher is in - batters at the top 1/3 of the order will be less likely to swing late so now I need a better fielder at SS. Outfield I always need a decent center fielder to chase down balls the right fielder and left fielder miss. Faster pitcher - right fielder has to be better. Slower pitcher - left fielder. But, still dependent on batting order.


It’s fine if your kid sucks. As long as he/she tries and is reasonably happy to be playing it’s cool. The only thing parents did that really ticked me off when coaching is be late, or a no show, and not tell me. I cured that after a couple years. Email - if you’re late and don’t let me know, or if your kid is a no show without letting me know. You are making the lineup for that game or next game if no show.

Try it. 12 kids - get them in positions they can play. Outfield/infield. Now pull out one kid. Re-adjust everything in 15 minutes.

Yes the coaches kid gets some benefits. But, they also get the fun of racking up puddles on the field 3 hours before the game. And, picking up trash before and after the game, and laying the bases, and getting the equipment ready. Always fun going under the stands to grab the dirty diaper and candy wrappers. Want your kid to have those benefits? Volunteer.

FIFY

So pathetic for a grown adult to blame little kids because he thinks coaching a little kid’s team is basically picking players in a fantasy league and moving them around the field to show off how well he strategizes.

I’m so thankful my son has only had two coaches like you in all his years of rec and travel sports.

The “glorified babysitter” part came on a bit strong, but did you read the rest of his post? He’s not saying that he doesn’t try to teach the kids things at practice, but that it takes more time than is available during a little league season. He’s also explaining how he moves kids around the infield and outfield to let kids play different positions while also being strategic about it. Many of the things he described a parent wouldn’t pick up on unless they know the game. They just see that Larlo’s getting a chance in the infield. I’ve seen it done well sometimes during my son’s LL years. After the game, the “worst” kid is excited that he played LF and 3rd even though he didn’t touch the ball.

I’m the PP of the softball player who’s not getting much of a chance to pitch because the coach is putting everyone in even if they’re not interested or ready. I’d much rather have this guy coach my kid. The games would be more fun for everyone and she’d learn something.

DP, and in our house softball league the coaches are told by the league that a kid who isn't practicing pitching doesn't get to pitch in games. Pitching's a specialized skill and a kid who won't put in any work can do another infield position as part of their infield rotation. The team needs a shortstop or a second baseman too. A kid who is practicing pitching but not getting it should get a couple innings (and yes, the coach is welcome to make those be in a blow-out or something). A kid who is trying and getting it, whatever that looks like for her level, should get the bulk of the innings. They try to ensure each team has at least two girls who are at least somewhat trying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like you should have volunteered to coach.

One is not required to coach to have an opinion on the coaching their kids receive, esp. if it is blatantly unfair. I know some of you feel that way but you are incorrect.

Ok, so have an opinion.

Don't expect things to change unless you coach.

[Anonymous]

IMO one of the biggest problems in youth ball (and is the root of most of the complaints about playing time, positions etc on this thread and IRL) is the lack of outfield instruction & lack of emphasizing the importance of outfield play.

In 10U or under ball (especially rec), I get it. Not a lot happening in the outfield. But in travel by 11U and in LL “majors” level, outfield play is hugely important. My youngest DS (13U) moved up to big field recently- and most kids aren’t good enough or fast enough to play outfield. The weakest fielders play corner IF or are on the bench, depending on their hitting. Lots of “best overall fielders” on the teams at this age are in CF- if they aren’t at SS.

I don’t know how one “fixes” this issue but the “OF is a punishment” viewpoint seems to be the root cause of nearly all complaints about playing time at the youth level. Frankly, if your kid is a bit of a newer player but has good speed and the attention span to back up plays and make a fairly accurate throw to the cutoff - the outfield is an excellent spot for him or her to start (as opposed to being a punishment).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like you should have volunteered to coach.

One is not required to coach to have an opinion on the coaching their kids receive, esp. if it is blatantly unfair. I know some of you feel that way but you are incorrect.

Ok, so have an opinion.

Don't expect things to change unless you coach.

I will have opinions, thanks for allowing me to have one. But, yes, things can change? Do you not know how things work? I know entire clubs that collapsed b/c people complained and then voted with their feet and left.

[Anonymous]

Having a kid that is getting some interest from D1 schools in baseball, here is my $.02 on youth baseball:

1. I now appreciate the European soccer style of player development. They focus entirely on building fundamental skills until kids are like 13. They don't play any games, just do some scrimmages...often just internally, but sometimes against a different team. They don't keep track of score and may often stop the game in order to teach kids what they are doing right and wrong. Only at 14+ do they start playing real games.

2. Very few baseball coaches at any level try to develop players. I actually give credit to LL coaches (good ones)...they actually do try to teach some skills although their abilities may be limited based on their experience.

3. In my experience, travel coaches are just managers. They care far too much about winning games. Their teams may be different from season-to-season. My kid never played on a team that developed kids through the team...although the coaches were of course available for private lessons.

4. The older the kid gets and the better the travel team...the less any player development happens. At that point, you make the team because of your skills and coaches really only care about winning games and making sure college coaches scout and recruit from their teams. The best programs care more about the latter because honestly that is what truly matters. It is weird, but my kid is on a team where 2/3 of the team are D1 commits and their attitude is that once the college coaches are no longer at the tournament (those coaches tend to by 9-5 M-F people)...then they don't care much more about the tournament.

5. If you really want your kid to get better, find good private instruction and pay for that. It's harder to do than it sounds, but be picky. Try to find a flexible travel team that will let you play...again, just to see if your kid is getting better in true game day situations. Until your kid is 16, don't waste $$$s on travel programs that are going to crazy tournaments...unless it is one of these premier national teams...in which case, your kid is so good that these teams find your kid.

It is hard to go against the prevailing sentiment...and can't say I abided by my lessons above all the time...but I tried.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:IMO one of the biggest problems in youth ball (and is the root of most of the complaints about playing time, positions etc on this thread and IRL) is the lack of outfield instruction & lack of emphasizing the importance of outfield play.

In 10U or under ball (especially rec), I get it. Not a lot happening in the outfield. But in travel by 11U and in LL “majors” level, outfield play is hugely important. My youngest DS (13U) moved up to big field recently- and most kids aren’t good enough or fast enough to play outfield. The weakest fielders play corner IF or are on the bench, depending on their hitting. Lots of “best overall fielders” on the teams at this age are in CF- if they aren’t at SS.

I don’t know how one “fixes” this issue but the “OF is a punishment” viewpoint seems to be the root cause of nearly all complaints about playing time at the youth level. Frankly, if your kid is a bit of a newer player but has good speed and the attention span to back up plays and make a fairly accurate throw to the cutoff - the outfield is an excellent spot for him or her to start (as opposed to being a punishment).

Coaches always say...get good at OF or Catcher to make sure you make and play on your HS team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like you should have volunteered to coach.

One is not required to coach to have an opinion on the coaching their kids receive, esp. if it is blatantly unfair. I know some of you feel that way but you are incorrect.

Ok, so have an opinion.

Don't expect things to change unless you coach.

I will have opinions, thanks for allowing me to have one. But, yes, things can change? Do you not know how things work? I know entire clubs that collapsed b/c people complained and then voted with their feet and left.

How was your new club? What did you blame your problems on then?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A glorified babysitter for a baseball or softball little kid team is NOT going to teach your kid how to hit, or throw the ball, or catch the ball. You need to do that. Yep - you. Don’t know how? Figure it out. Plenty of instruction on YouTube. Or, hire someone to do it for you.

Figure it takes 100 hours of practice on each of those skills to get decently competent for a kid who has average athletic ability and pays attention. A coach with say 12 kids on a team and 4-5 preseason practices is NOT going to do anything to make an individual kid “better”.


The practices are for is to figure out the skill level of the kids. Knowing that, I can make up a lineup and get kids into positions where they are less likely to get hurt. No - if your kid sucks - he/she is not going to pitch, or play first base. Depending on who is pitching, I can put a kid who sucks at 2nd or SS or 3rd. Most teams will have 1 “good” pitcher. If kids hit the ball it is more likely to be on a late swing so I need a decent fielder at 2nd base. That means kids who are not very good can play SS. 3rd is pretty much always for weak players. I could put the best fielder with a decent arm at 3rd and they still will be unlikely to get an out on a ground ball.

When a weaker pitcher is in - batters at the top 1/3 of the order will be less likely to swing late so now I need a better fielder at SS. Outfield I always need a decent center fielder to chase down balls the right fielder and left fielder miss. Faster pitcher - right fielder has to be better. Slower pitcher - left fielder. But, still dependent on batting order.


It’s fine if your kid sucks. As long as he/she tries and is reasonably happy to be playing it’s cool. The only thing parents did that really ticked me off when coaching is be late, or a no show, and not tell me. I cured that after a couple years. Email - if you’re late and don’t let me know, or if your kid is a no show without letting me know. You are making the lineup for that game or next game if no show.

Try it. 12 kids - get them in positions they can play. Outfield/infield. Now pull out one kid. Re-adjust everything in 15 minutes.

Yes the coaches kid gets some benefits. But, they also get the fun of racking up puddles on the field 3 hours before the game. And, picking up trash before and after the game, and laying the bases, and getting the equipment ready. Always fun going under the stands to grab the dirty diaper and candy wrappers. Want your kid to have those benefits? Volunteer.

FIFY

So pathetic for a grown adult to blame little kids because he thinks coaching a little kid’s team is basically picking players in a fantasy league and moving them around the field to show off how well he strategizes.

I’m so thankful my son has only had two coaches like you in all his years of rec and travel sports.

The “glorified babysitter” part came on a bit strong, but did you read the rest of his post? He’s not saying that he doesn’t try to teach the kids things at practice, but that it takes more time than is available during a little league season. He’s also explaining how he moves kids around the infield and outfield to let kids play different positions while also being strategic about it. Many of the things he described a parent wouldn’t pick up on unless they know the game. They just see that Larlo’s getting a chance in the infield. I’ve seen it done well sometimes during my son’s LL years. After the game, the “worst” kid is excited that he played LF and 3rd even though he didn’t touch the ball.

I’m the PP of the softball player who’s not getting much of a chance to pitch because the coach is putting everyone in even if they’re not interested or ready. I’d much rather have this guy coach my kid. The games would be more fun for everyone and she’d learn something.

I think maybe YOU didn’t read his post. He explicitly said that practices were for him to *assess* the skill level of the kids, but that the kids on his team will only *learn* skills through parents and youtube…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A glorified babysitter for a baseball or softball little kid team is NOT going to teach your kid how to hit, or throw the ball, or catch the ball. You need to do that. Yep - you. Don’t know how? Figure it out. Plenty of instruction on YouTube. Or, hire someone to do it for you.

Figure it takes 100 hours of practice on each of those skills to get decently competent for a kid who has average athletic ability and pays attention. A coach with say 12 kids on a team and 4-5 preseason practices is NOT going to do anything to make an individual kid “better”.


The practices are for is to figure out the skill level of the kids. Knowing that, I can make up a lineup and get kids into positions where they are less likely to get hurt. No - if your kid sucks - he/she is not going to pitch, or play first base. Depending on who is pitching, I can put a kid who sucks at 2nd or SS or 3rd. Most teams will have 1 “good” pitcher. If kids hit the ball it is more likely to be on a late swing so I need a decent fielder at 2nd base. That means kids who are not very good can play SS. 3rd is pretty much always for weak players. I could put the best fielder with a decent arm at 3rd and they still will be unlikely to get an out on a ground ball.

When a weaker pitcher is in - batters at the top 1/3 of the order will be less likely to swing late so now I need a better fielder at SS. Outfield I always need a decent center fielder to chase down balls the right fielder and left fielder miss. Faster pitcher - right fielder has to be better. Slower pitcher - left fielder. But, still dependent on batting order.


It’s fine if your kid sucks. As long as he/she tries and is reasonably happy to be playing it’s cool. The only thing parents did that really ticked me off when coaching is be late, or a no show, and not tell me. I cured that after a couple years. Email - if you’re late and don’t let me know, or if your kid is a no show without letting me know. You are making the lineup for that game or next game if no show.

Try it. 12 kids - get them in positions they can play. Outfield/infield. Now pull out one kid. Re-adjust everything in 15 minutes.

Yes the coaches kid gets some benefits. But, they also get the fun of racking up puddles on the field 3 hours before the game. And, picking up trash before and after the game, and laying the bases, and getting the equipment ready. Always fun going under the stands to grab the dirty diaper and candy wrappers. Want your kid to have those benefits? Volunteer.

FIFY

So pathetic for a grown adult to blame little kids because he thinks coaching a little kid’s team is basically picking players in a fantasy league and moving them around the field to show off how well he strategizes.

I’m so thankful my son has only had two coaches like you in all his years of rec and travel sports.

The “glorified babysitter” part came on a bit strong, but did you read the rest of his post? He’s not saying that he doesn’t try to teach the kids things at practice, but that it takes more time than is available during a little league season. He’s also explaining how he moves kids around the infield and outfield to let kids play different positions while also being strategic about it. Many of the things he described a parent wouldn’t pick up on unless they know the game. They just see that Larlo’s getting a chance in the infield. I’ve seen it done well sometimes during my son’s LL years. After the game, the “worst” kid is excited that he played LF and 3rd even though he didn’t touch the ball.

I’m the PP of the softball player who’s not getting much of a chance to pitch because the coach is putting everyone in even if they’re not interested or ready. I’d much rather have this guy coach my kid. The games would be more fun for everyone and she’d learn something.

I think maybe YOU didn’t read his post. He explicitly said that practices were for him to *assess* the skill level of the kids, but that the kids on his team will only *learn* skills through parents and youtube…

If you read the parent of the kid who might play D1 above, it seems like showcase teams work this way. It is insane to me that some coaches try and take that attitude to rec. Where, exactly, do they expect 7 year olds will learn anything if not at practice? Even if you expect parents to practice with their kids, they have to learn the drills to practice from, you know, practice.