I took my newly rebuilt 12u team to their first tournament as a new unit this weekend. Everyone gets along great until the 1st game starts. Negative Nelly never shut up. This kid that, that kid this, that coach this, that coach that, my kid is the best etc....
I made it VERY clear that the new team is built on the foundation of positive and encouraging coaching. I will correct mistakes, but I refuse to be negative and treat them like dogs. I expect no less from the parents. Golden Rule, always...or don't bother coming back. Negativity is not welcome here! My dd is on the team, but don't ever think I'm a daddy ball coach. Half the new team members didn't even know the 3B was my dd until the tournament.
If your kid is on 2B and she doesn't cover 1 on a bunt, I WILL correct her! I'll remind her that's not acceptable play and she can fix it or warm the bench. If that's too harsh....don't bother coming back. However, if you dd is the SS and a weakly hit ground ball comes her way, she attacks it hard, runs through the scoop of the ball, sets her feet, and then happens to make an errand throw, I'm not going to correct her for doing everything perfectly leading up to the accuracy of the throw. She and everyone there knows she's gotta make that throw. So, don't think I'm showing favoritism towards her when I didn't correct her.
Bottom line is, I'm sick and tired of these people who think we have to coach these kids like they've joined the Marine Corp. and are in basic training....all the time. At what point do we step back and remember that this is a game and should be fun for everyone?
Sorry for the rant...
I made it VERY clear that the new team is built on the foundation of positive and encouraging coaching. I will correct mistakes, but I refuse to be negative and treat them like dogs. I expect no less from the parents. Golden Rule, always...or don't bother coming back. Negativity is not welcome here! My dd is on the team, but don't ever think I'm a daddy ball coach. Half the new team members didn't even know the 3B was my dd until the tournament.
If your kid is on 2B and she doesn't cover 1 on a bunt, I WILL correct her! I'll remind her that's not acceptable play and she can fix it or warm the bench. If that's too harsh....don't bother coming back. However, if you dd is the SS and a weakly hit ground ball comes her way, she attacks it hard, runs through the scoop of the ball, sets her feet, and then happens to make an errand throw, I'm not going to correct her for doing everything perfectly leading up to the accuracy of the throw. She and everyone there knows she's gotta make that throw. So, don't think I'm showing favoritism towards her when I didn't correct her.
Bottom line is, I'm sick and tired of these people who think we have to coach these kids like they've joined the Marine Corp. and are in basic training....all the time. At what point do we step back and remember that this is a game and should be fun for everyone?
Sorry for the rant...
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