If I just sent the kids out with no coaching and no planning, it would be chaos. And the kids would not have fun. I teach the kids what to expect in the games. I teach the kids that on every play, there is something for them to do, even if the ball is not hit to you....and, if there is a butterfly in the infield, it is okay to stop and notice how pretty it is.

I teach the kids that every team member matters.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shouldn't take that much planning/strategizing at this young age ~ play the kids.

Strategizing no, but planning yes. I need to make sure the kids play each position more or less equitably. No one wants to be in the outfield in tball, but I only have 6 infield spots.

Thanks, Coach. Some of the parents are really stupid (and ungrateful) about the time required to coach at all levels, even House K baseball. Your planning is appreciated by the rest of us!!

Anonymous wrote:Shouldn't take that much planning/strategizing at this young age ~ play the kids.

Strategizing no, but planning yes. I need to make sure the kids play each position more or less equitably. No one wants to be in the outfield in tball, but I only have 6 infield spots.

Shouldn't take that much planning/strategizing at this young age ~ play the kids.

Anonymous wrote:With afterschool sports, there will always be someone willing to take your money to tell you what you want to hear about your kid, regardless of how good or talented they actually are. These are businesses.

Most leagues, including those mentioned in the thread, are interested in the sport and not the money. The money collected goes for the cost to run the league: equipment, field/facility rental, insurance, refs. The league officials are volunteers. The coached are volunteers.

This us not a money making venture.

Anonymous wrote:With afterschool sports, there will always be someone willing to take your money to tell you what you want to hear about your kid, regardless of how good or talented they actually are. These are businesses.

Sure. But there are also organizations that act altruistically to support a sport and interest in it.

Anonymous wrote:My husband is a coach. He sets the "show up" time so early because most of the time, more than half the families show up late. Unfair for everyone, but it's the only way to ensure you get enough kids to field a team.

My husband coaches another sport, does the same thing. If he says "show up 20 minutes early," people will show up 10 minutes early, which is enough for him to come up with a game plan based on who's there. If he says "show up 10 minutes early," families are showing up AT game time, which delays the start time, prevents planning/strategy, etc.

With afterschool sports, there will always be someone willing to take your money to tell you what you want to hear about your kid, regardless of how good or talented they actually are. These are businesses.

Can't stand it when "dedication" is tied to an unreasonable schedule.

My husband is a coach. He sets the "show up" time so early because most of the time, more than half the families show up late. Unfair for everyone, but it's the only way to ensure you get enough kids to field a team.

That's only three times a week. Some kids only do one activity at a time because anything more is "too much" but I have super hihg-energy kids who'd be like "so I only just do softball 3 times and that's it?"

Anonymous wrote:I understand, OP. Thats house for five year olds for baseball. I'm the PP with four boys....trust me, anything beyond house is much worse. And baseball (like soccer and basketball) are typically the easiest sports in terms of time commitment and traveling to/from games because everything tends to be local (as opposed to football, LAX and hockey which require lots of travel and longer practices...even for house leagues).

Thanks - my kids also want to continue golf tennis and swim - violin is new but they really actually. Play and go on you tube trying to learn easier songs to play. All of these sports originated from exposure since we (parents) play these la bit but also taking just short classes. After a year and a half of taking seasonal classes and seeing them play in the backyard was well as WIi - I know they are dedicated - I just wish baseball/softball would have a good intro schedule. For example - soccer was once a week practice wire first year- then moved on to one practice and one game. Completely reasonable. Thanks again and best wishes exhausted mom of 3 boys

Thanks= OP here- obviously I (not my kids) decided not to do tball/softball. Thank you for all the input. There is a summer tballish camp that my youngest can do but at these ages, I need to see a solid dedication before diving in this much.

OP- I'm one of the Pps who thinks 3x/week is a lot of K aged kids - one suggestion is to look for a baseball skills clinic like kidball this year, which probably would only meet once a week but there wouldn't be actual games, and to join a team next year.

I understand, OP. Thats house for five year olds for baseball. I'm the PP with four boys....trust me, anything beyond house is much worse. And baseball (like soccer and basketball) are typically the easiest sports in terms of time commitment and traveling to/from games because everything tends to be local (as opposed to football, LAX and hockey which require lots of travel and longer practices...even for house leagues).