Criticism of minor children is not allowed

Rocketech1 said:

12u pitchers....

It pretty simple, if these young ladies were your daughters (or sons) how would you like them to be treated?

Click to expand...

Again, if they were commenting on pitching mechanics,hitting mechanics, etc then I have no problems with criticism.
If they were commenting on hair style, looks, e.g. anything not related to softball then it has no place.

quincy said:

I was thinking about this last night.

Entire game players and opposing coaches were giving DD a hard time. Yelling in downswing what not.

She left game and there was something said immediately to opposing team when our next P had to deal with it.

I am not sure how to deal with it, DD knows she is on her own.

Not sure if that is correct way to do it.

Being arrested in parking lot is probably a bad idea, come bail me out.

If you are on national TV, I do think some criticism is allowed.

It can get out of control sometimes, thanks for sluggers, Amy and Ken controlling it a little bit anyways.

Click to expand...

DD and I had a discussion about this when she was very young (at least by my definition). It first became noticeable at 11 year all stars (little league). Some of the things parents were saying were appalling to me. Especially towards 11 year old players (don't care if they were boys or girls). I guess people's standards are different... Anyway, I thought back to when I played baseball. As a 3b, I was always close to one of the dugouts and the stands. Yet I rarely heard anything. Somehow I was able to focus in a way that I heard everything that was happening inside the fence. But everything outside the fence was merely background noise. None of it was recognizable to me. DD developed this trait as well. I remember 12u travel ball. Another team was doing one of those annoying chants (I think it was low rider). DD took her mask off, stared at the other dugout for a few seconds with a smile on her face. Shook her head. Put the mask back on, and got back to work. Ultimately that garbage will only bother you if you allow it to bother you. You are always in control.

Rocketech1 said:

12u pitchers....

It pretty simple, if these young ladies were your daughters (or sons) how would you like them to be treated?

Click to expand...

Just my opinion: If the person is under 18 years of age, criticism should be kept at a minimum. Especially if the pictures/videos are posted without consent. Once they reach 18, the rules change somewhat. Then it is up to individuals to act in a mature manner. Unfortunately, there seems to be many definitions of "mature". Ultimately, the site has the rite to make and enforce whatever rules it wants to.

sluggers said:

The backstory:

Someone (not their parents) posted a YouTube video of a couple of HS age pitchers. He then complained that they were pitching illegally.

I understand the issue. But, we don't allow people to post videos of someone else's underage children.

Click to expand...

I agree with the rules about not posting other people's kids without the parents permission in particular when the videos are not publicly available. Posting a video
taken from ESPN or something would be a different story however as it is already out there anyway. Thanks for clarifying.

GunnerShotgun said:

I would keep in mind that they are amateur (student) athletes and not professional athletes. Certainly if they do something illegal they are open to criticism from the media and fans but short of that everyone should be mindful.

No one is saying that student athletes shouldn't be held accountable for their actions by their coaches and universities. I am specifically speaking about criticism by media and fans on amateur student athletes. I don't know that they need a safe space but they certainly don't need the crap that is being said at games, on radio, and on social media.

Those are just my sensibilities though. Now if it's your job and you are being paid that's just a part of it...

Click to expand...

There are hundreds of college football message boards that need to be shut down and turned into "safe spaces" for college athletes.

sluggers said:

A thread was started which named children and posted videos of the children.

You can't do it.

Any questions?

Click to expand...

If this is a response to the thread started about the future LSU pitcher who replants, she is 18 and has graduated from HS and will enroll at LSU in the fall. At what point in a players life is criticism allowed? Would love to go back and figure out at what age Kelly Barnhill was first called out for replanting. Was she still playing TB or was she a freshman at Florida?

FP26 said:

Just my opinion: If the person is under 18 years of age, criticism should be kept at a minimum. Especially if the pictures/videos are posted without consent. Once they reach 18, the rules change somewhat. Then it is up to individuals to act in a mature manner. Unfortunately, there seems to be many definitions of "mature". Ultimately, the site has the rite to make and enforce whatever rules it wants to.

Click to expand...

18 years of age is arbitrary. Why don't you just go by height? Once a player is 5'2 or taller they can be subjugated to the same criticisms as professional atheletes?

GunnerShotgun said:

18 years of age is arbitrary. Why don't you just go by height? Once a player is 5'2 or taller they can be subjugated to the same criticisms as professional atheletes?

Click to expand...

No argument here, but age is used for many other things.
* Driver's license
* Voting
* Drinking alcohol
* Even sports. I know some 15 year old players that are perfectly capable of competing at the 18u level. I know others that would struggle at 14u, yet the age requirements restrict them from playing there.

FWIW, I mostly agree with what you are saying, to a point. It is the primary reason I rarely post in the hitting threads anymore. Parents post videos asking for input. But then get offended when that input isn't in line with their own thoughts. It is just easier to stay out of it. DD is currently 17 and is entering her senior year in high school. She has been ridiculed for years. Sometimes because of her weight. Sometimes because she is the "coaches daughter". Sometimes because she is the coaches favorite (for another team/sport that I do not coach. Sometimes because she would rather focus on getting good grades rather than hanging out at college parties drinking beer with her other 17 year old friends. I could name several more. I can either help her and teach her how to deal with this garbage, or I can try to shield her forever. At some point in time, I won't be around anymore...

GunnerShotgun said:

18 years of age is arbitrary. Why don't you just go by height? Once a player is 5'2 or taller they can be subjugated to the same criticisms as professional atheletes?

Click to expand...

At 18 a person is considered an adult in a court of law, can vote in elections and enlist in the military, it is not arbitrary...

FP26 said:

It is the primary reason I rarely post in the hitting threads anymore. Parents post videos asking for input. But then get offended when that input isn't in line with their own thoughts. It is just easier to stay out of it....

Click to expand...

Come on man, I like your input and it can help others as well. Don't take the easy way out... If the parents aren't willing to take the criticism then they usually just disappear anyway. I suggest you get your mojo back by going to my DD's hitting thread ( https://www.discussfastpitch.com/so...6-year-old-dd-swing-issues-17.html#post442733 )
and criticize all you want..I'm a big boy I can take it J/k..kind of... I am getting good constructive criticism there but could always use more...