Most out of touch parent story

[KrisHur]

I think the "most out of touch" parent is one who puts everything they've got into their kid's sports, but not the academics. I've seen some pretty good HS players who have decent grades, but terrible SAT/ACT test scores. Their parents seem to have no interest in raising them to even marginally acceptable levels. They shrug and say "my scores sucked too". They'd rather see their kid go from one sport season to another while not giving their kid the time and means to academically qualify for a decent school and perhaps some non-athletic scholarship money. I've seen a couple of these kids actually get to a Div1 school, and not be able to handle the classwork. Most seem to end up playing at a JUCO or a lower-level state college or leave the game completely.

Yup, quite the opposite in this house. For DD it's all about the academics and best college she can get into. If she's lucky enough to play ball awesome but she's not going to base what college she goes to on who (if any) offer her a scholarship or just a spot on a team. She loves softball but knows it's not going to pay her bills after 21, her education will.

 

[Northball]

One of the dads of a girl on my DD's team played pro ball. It took months of knowing him and talking to him for it to finally come out, mostly because of my questions.

His DD is a stud -- such a good athlete and good girl.

He never brags about her.

You can always tell, right? Act like you've been there before.

I said "Dude, do you have a baseball card with you on it?!" and he kinda smiled and nodded. How cool.

My nephew played for a major leaguer at 10U Rec. No surprise they won more than they lost, but what made everyone happy was his ability to make it fun for the kids.

 

[_MIA_]

I got one, but it is second hand. Kid was getting lit up on the mound, a bunch of hits in a row, 5 or 6 runs, etc. Kid gets taken out and the kid's mother says out loud "Why is she being taken out, she is throwing 70% strikes.." Did I mention how much I love youth sports parents??

 

[BT3100]

I think most of the disillusionment happens prior to parents seeing top 10 type teams play. Once a parent watches in person then they get it.
I'll never forget the first time I saw a real 68mph pitch thrown by a 16 year old (now a freshman in the SEC). I knew at that very moment that my kid would never be good enough for SEC ball.

 

[Lightning]

I got one, but it is second hand. Kid was getting lit up on the mound, a bunch of hits in a row, 5 or 6 runs, etc. Kid gets taken out and the kid's mother says out loud "Why is she being taken out, she is throwing 70% strikes.." Did I mention how much I love youth sports parents??

In 10U rec all-stars DD played for a coach who had that philosophy. DD was the #2 because coach's kid "throws strikes." Never mind that she basically threw batting practice for the other team, she threw strikes. He actually lectured DD (after she threw two perfect innings with five Ks) that strikeouts were from bad pitching because it means that the pitcher isn't throwing pitches consistently enough to be hit.

 

[Greatdaytobeawildcat]

In 10U rec all-stars DD played for a coach who had that philosophy. DD was the #2 because coach's kid "throws strikes." Never mind that she basically threw batting practice for the other team, she threw strikes. He actually lectured DD (after she threw two perfect innings with five Ks) that strikeouts were from bad pitching because it means that the pitcher isn't throwing pitches consistently enough to be hit.

"Strikeouts are boring! Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls – it's more democratic.”

 

[Orange Socks]

I think most of the disillusionment happens prior to parents seeing top 10 type teams play. Once a parent watches in person then they get it.
I'll never forget the first time I saw a real 68mph pitch thrown by a 16 year old (now a freshman in the SEC). I knew at that very moment that my kid would never be good enough for SEC ball.

That Penta girl is pretty good huh?

 

[BT3100]

That Penta girl is pretty good huh?

Can't wait to see her throw next week!
A great player and even better mentor to her teammates.

 

[Vertigo]

Can't wait to see her throw next week!
A great player and even better mentor her teammates.

That’s great to hear! Watched her pitch down at D9 - yeah, pretty amazing!

 

[diamond14]

"We had a parent tell us her kid got a 4 on a test. "

Maybe it was an AP Calc BC or one of the AP Physics tests, in which case, nothing to cry about.