99blancoSS

iTrader: (115)

Ok here's the situation. I'm manager of a little leagfuie baseball team. I got my players and assitant coaches list yesterday.

So anyway I'm caling my team and I realize that one of my assistant coaches I dont like. I've never met him personaly but I coached against him last year and he was a cheater. Out right blatent cheating during a game. One of the mothers on my team has expressed concern over him coaching her son as well. We're not here to win at this level, we're here to teach all the kids and not just our own team.
I'm manager so its my call if he assists me or not. There arent a whole lot of volunteers who will take this responsibility on either and when you get someone who can actualy teach some skills its not an easy call to say no. AM I cutting off my hand to spite my face type of thing.

I can say no and take one of the mothers who doesnt know how to coach or teach but will do what I ask. OR do I take this guy and work with him and try and show him the light. He could be a good coach if he didnt try to win at all costs and needs some people skills accoeding to the mom who's son was on his team last yera. She said she wasnt alone in her feelings and that some of the other mom felt the same way.

The president of the league will support what ever I decide to do. I'm not sure what to do. One part of me says turn this guy into a good coach, another part tells me if he was willing to cheat in the first place then he's already not a good person to be a coach.

The Manalishi

iTrader: (3)

In these situations I always go with my first thought. It is the right choice 99.99 percent of the time. If you really think you could change him then maybe he falls in to the .01 percent. Think about what people here think about you before you judge. I can tell you that when I see a post from you I usually expect some rant or an argument. I don't know you so all I can use is this site as a measuring stick. I can say I wouldn't want you to coach my kids with what I have seen here. Just my .02.

Crisisman

iTrader: (1)

It's always tough to play politics in sports. I understand your reluctance to rush into a decision. My opinion on the matter is that kids sports are first and foremost meant to help the kids learn good sportsmanship and have fun at the same time, if they can win as well then that's a bonus. I wouldn't want my kids to be on a team whose coach didn't hold a similar point of view. A coach that taught my children to cheat would lose my children as players at the very least.

KTamez

Learning fundamentals in sport would be nice, but learning good morals is far more important. We don't see eye to eye on some things. Winning and competition IS important. But so is sportsmanship, it's a balance I wouldn't envy you having to deal with. Poor Sportsmanship, or winning in unethical ways especially when dealing with young children though is Untolerable.

My $.02 would be give the guy a chance, letting him know its your way or the highway.

BigDaddyBry

iTrader: (15)

I say only give him enough rope to hang himself. I think giving him a chance would be the best example you could set, and standing your ground by kicking him off the team would be the second best if it comes down to it.

If you see him attempt to cheat or do something unethical, correct him, let him know it won't be tolerated, then see how he responds. Some cheaters won't cheat when not given the opportunity.

I just believe I need to allow someone to fail before I can say they failed.

99blancoSS

iTrader: (115)

Good responses, I thought about it for a while and talked with the league president. I decided to talk him and let him know how I do things and give him the chance to come on board. Approach it more in a hey this is the way I do it , instead of a hey I saw you do this. Type of thing. He has two kids on my team so it would be nice if he got a chance to coach them. He is their dad.

Teaching fundamentals is what we're about. So they can have a chance to succeed at the next level. Heck I might even be able to learn something from him as I try to teach him something from me.


Manalish you just dont get it, no problem here though. I can have a difference of opinion with people and still like them. Like Don. He and I couldnt me further apart in our political views but I'd still buy him a beer or crew for him if he needed me. Stand in the rain and help him change a tire type of thing. He doesnt have to think my way for me to like him. I like him more for him standing firm in his beliefs. We're all different people so we're all going to have different views, but it doesnt mean we're enemies. .... I know unheard of in politics

But for your information I'm one of the most respected coaches in the league. You would be lucky if your kid were on my team. He would get respect, and fair and equal playing time at all positions no matter what his skill level. He would get personalized instruction. He would get compassion as well. There are times I have to wipe tears away from kids eyes who's parents just yelled at them or worse because they dont want to play ball. Then there are times I buy a glove for a kid who's parents cant afford one, and we make sure no one knows I did it. Tell them we have gloves donated for just such a cause. Kids and parents dignity is important.

My dad coached the right way and I learned from him. Kids want to be treated fairly. They want to do good and not be embarassed or yelled at when they make mistakes. They want to have fun and learn how to play the game so they look good playing it.

I hold adults to a different accountability, maybe thats your issue, dont know, dont care..lol I know who I am and thats all thats important to me. I also know that getting other views is important to my constant development. You get those views by debating and arguing and exchanging ideas. Subscribing to one line of thought is not healthy.

I stir the pot so it may enhance your development Manalish, take advantage of it. Most people have to pay to go to college.., LMAO ok I whipped out the bullshit there but it sounded good..LoL

thanks for the help guys, I think I made the right choice.

The Manalishi

iTrader: (3)

I never once said I dislike you or that I wouldn't help you. I would and I do help you. I like a good political debate and I do not subscribe to the don't talk politics with friends. If I can't discuss it with them who can I discuss it with.

I also never said you were a bad coach. I said based on what I know at this moment based on this site I don't think I would want you coaching my kid. This may change if I knew you in a different arena. Please do not read into what I said.

Agreed except I think children expect to be corrected for mistakes. This may or may not require yelling in sports probably not.

I also hold adults to a higher standard than children. As long as you are comfortable being you thats all that matters. I agree that being one sided is not healthy.

The bullshit got pretty deep there but I get your points hopefully with the clarificatiuon I have made you get mine. I never said you were a bad person and I never said I knew you, except from here, you may be the greatest guy in the world I don't know but I stand by my opinion that as I know you right now i would guestion your ability to be a good coach for my kids.

99blancoSS

iTrader: (115)

LMAO! Well I certainly do not think I'm the greatest guy in the world and I can find quite a few guys in here to back me on that..LOL

As popeye said and it holds true for me..... I am what I am and thats all what I am.

If my coaching philosphy isnt good enough then I wouldnt want to coach your kid. Would not work out well and the fact is that I'm the evil overloard with absolute power at a game. If I feel your a hinderance I can ask you to and have you escorted from the field and banned. You sign an oath to this extent in order for your kids to play.


I talk to the parents on the phone and let them know what I'm about. They have the option of requesting a different coach before the season even starts. Hasnt happened yet.

Its cool. You really dont know me. You just see what I let you see.

KTamez

If I have you coach my son(s) will they learn the same morals as the little boy in your avatar? Sorry I couldn't resist.

99blancoSS

iTrader: (115)

LMAO! I thought that pic was priceless. Hey I'm just there to teach the game, not life. I dont impart political or religious views on kids.

Its baseball man. Just baseball. I love the game and thats all we talk about. Playing fair and trying hard. There isnt enough time in the day to cover baseball, let alone get distracted with something none ball related. Sports are and should be an escape.

I mean if you truely get into the game there is something exciting that could happen on each pitch. Each circumstance is different and each pitch brings a new one with it. It's so much more than just a boring game on TV if you break it down to its finite detail as its being done on the field. Its a thinking mans game. The strategies for each hitter and for each batter. Are you just taking pitches to wear down the pitcher and get to the bull pen.

You guys are adults an are supposed to be able to cut through the bullshit..lol I pile it on pretty thick at times..... thats just me. Its my way of probing others intelligence.

I've learned a few things from the guys and gals in here, I hoped I've opened a few minds as well.

crazylane

iTrader: (19)

I grew up in a baseball family, my dad coached my sister, and myself...

He had a full ride scholar ship to the University of Nebraska, spent one year in college and got drafted in the army, and after that he never went back to playing ball, except for Mens league softball and stuff.

I too had a scholar ship, but I didn't find out until after I signed the dotted line for the Navy, and then after I got out of bootcamp, I come to find out I coulda backed out on that. But that was just a bad call on my part for not looking further into my contract...

I have played since I was 5, started in t-ball, all the way up to senior year, and usually I was on two to three different teams growing up, meaning I was playing in my home town teams, and traveling teams.

I went to Australia my senior year to play ball, The high school I went to was only a AA, and we had three back to back State Championships.

I have had a lot of great coaches, and I have had some that wasn't worth the dirt they walked on. But I did learn some things, like not being to pushy with the fundamentals at a young age, Now I mean, try and teach them those things, but don't be so stuck on ramming it down there throats. Kids all learn at a different pace. Some faster than others, So when you coach, make sure you are very flexible on each kid..

Cause really, if you are more concerned about teaching them the fundamentals, then they wont be having as much fun..

Mikey 97Z M6

iTrader: (37)

That's exactly what I was going to say.

99blancoSS

iTrader: (115)

Yep, thats what we try to do. They are there to have fun but at the same time they can get hurt real easy. We use a pitching machine at this level and the usual speed to get a decent pitch is 50-53 mph. When these kids connect with their thin walled $300 DeMarini's the ball is moving off the bat. SO really preparing these kids for that is what I'm trying to do. This is the small diamond so they really need to be paying attention during the games and being able to protect themselves is the main priority. It think 50 is like 80 to the kids at I forget 45 -60 ft? whats the rubber to plate length in little league?
And these are are 6,7 and 8 not the kids you see on tv. SO 50 mph when the ball is driven down the third base line and your 60 ft away .. the ***** get there quick. There are times I'm glad I'm standing behind the pitching machine.


I never played past little league, really. Wasnt the body type for a serious baseball player. Was more of a football player. SO I take it all a with a lot lighter attitude than most of the coaches in this town. Little league is to St Helens what high school football is to Texas...lol

At the next level is where it gets madening and coaches are cheating with pitchers and stacking teams and the whole ugly side of the game. Honestly I'm not sure I'll follow my son to that level.

Thx for the advice though, to bad your not close I'm sure there are a million things you could teach me that I could impart onto the kids. I'm always looking for good drills and someone to instruct me...lol

crazylane

iTrader: (19)

If they are playing on a small diamond, it is 45, 60 is when you get up to the minors and so on...

A really good drill you can use, is playing salt and pepper with a wiffle ball.

It goes like this, You have one guy with a bat, and three people spread out in front of him, maybe 10 to 15 feet, have them toss the ball to the batter, and were ever it goes they need to catch it, and hurry and throw it back, It builds eye and hand cordination with both the batter and the feilders.


If you have someone that is scared of the ball coming to the plate, put a baseball bat behind there feet, pitch them the ball, and if they step away from the plate they will trip on the bat and eat dirt, they learn fast not to step back words.

For someone that is scared to catch the ball, put them in front of a brick wall and humm them some *****, either they catch it, or the ball hits the walls and comes back to bite them in the ***. lol..

If they slap at the ball when they are going to catch it, tie a peice of small rope or what ever is availible, maybe a shoe string, to the tip of there glove, and tie the other end to there wrist, It will prevent them from slappen at the ball with it gets close there glove.

crazylane

iTrader: (19)

Now hold on a sec before someone says something. lol.

I know a couple of the things I told you are probibly not the best for younger ball players.. ha ha. All those things, I actually had to do, when I was 9... Maybe if you don't feel comfortable about it, then don't do it, until they are older, but if you do do it, make sure you talk with the father, not the mom. The mom will freak out, ha ha, but the father would more than likely give you permission to do it.

99blancoSS

iTrader: (115)

LMAO!! Mom's dont even think their sons should wear cups.... because the kid doesnt want to. Some women understand the feather and kick explanation some dont...lol unless your a guy you just dont understand ... just as there are things men dont understand about women.... hehehehehe

GEARHED

iTrader: (5)

Oh daym! We played salt n' pepper in a cow pasture - you step backward and it was going to get messy real quick!

Entire families playing baseball in a cow pasture where a fresh paddy was any base and home was definitely not for sliding into... Probably the most fun learning to play baseball for all us kids and our parents couldn't get mad, they were always laughing too hard.

I'm sure there are still some pastures in the Helen's area to practice in?

99blancoSS

iTrader: (115)

LMAO! thats great, we use have dung fights in the corral when ever I visited my cousins farm.... rule was no wet ones.....

GEARHED

iTrader: (5)

No wet ones? You guys were wusses. We looked for the ones still steaming

Talk about hand/eye/foot coordination developing real fast

crazylane

iTrader: (19)

Ha ha, thats some funny ****,

We as in my sister and friends, and myself did that... We would try to come in the house, but mom would say other wise, and would break out the garden hose.. lol

Well some moms are pretty cool I guess, but I know alot of moms would not like to put there kids in danger, thats the reason I said that.