ok, so this is a GREAT example of how I think all of us are abusing the sport. Baseball is no different. I live and breath Softball. I TIVO games not only to watch, but at times to slowmo for teaching aspects. I attend clinics and talk softball much of my week.....
** THAT SAID... TOO MUCH PRESSURE and FAR too much time is invested in today's sports. A sport is a SPORT AND at young ages you have to believe is probably played till 17-18 for many and for most no later then 22sh.....
I still believe Family comes before any sport and I've been fortunate enough to coach with coaches that agree, one week in the summer, even missing one tourny is absolutly ok.... I love the fact the athlete can spend family time and the week break is good for her anyway! (Now coordinating vacations around College ball schedules is understood, but 10U thru 16U - let the kids spend time w/ their FAMILY!)
** Too many coaches and parents are NOW acting as if Softball/Baseball is PRIORITY...... WRONG..... grades in school, family, their religion.... those are all more important.
** SIMPLE TEST.. WHO agrees our players should miss a test in school? should miss Confirmation?, should miss a family wedding/funeral or family member in the hospital????
THOSE are IMPORTANT things in life and those Social skills and priorities should be CLEARLY understand over any sport...........
---I wish we could get parents and coaches to put the sports back in perspective and insist on priorities - one to two weeks in the summer to spend family time is fine.....
(Well managed teams usually coordinate with parents when making tourny schedules and this alleviates most issues.)
** THAT SAID... TOO MUCH PRESSURE and FAR too much time is invested in today's sports. A sport is a SPORT AND at young ages you have to believe is probably played till 17-18 for many and for most no later then 22sh.....
I still believe Family comes before any sport and I've been fortunate enough to coach with coaches that agree, one week in the summer, even missing one tourny is absolutly ok.... I love the fact the athlete can spend family time and the week break is good for her anyway! (Now coordinating vacations around College ball schedules is understood, but 10U thru 16U - let the kids spend time w/ their FAMILY!)
** Too many coaches and parents are NOW acting as if Softball/Baseball is PRIORITY...... WRONG..... grades in school, family, their religion.... those are all more important.
** SIMPLE TEST.. WHO agrees our players should miss a test in school? should miss Confirmation?, should miss a family wedding/funeral or family member in the hospital????
THOSE are IMPORTANT things in life and those Social skills and priorities should be CLEARLY understand over any sport...........
---I wish we could get parents and coaches to put the sports back in perspective and insist on priorities - one to two weeks in the summer to spend family time is fine.....
(Well managed teams usually coordinate with parents when making tourny schedules and this alleviates most issues.)