"If you can hit a rock you can hit a baseball"

Hi Single L,

Great story, but it could have easily had a different ending.

What if you had believed your son's coach when he was 9? Where would your son be today as a baseball player? As an athlete in general?

So many parents do take a coach's word as gospel. They don't know any better not to. How many 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 year old kids are given up on before they even really begin? How many are prejudged by their coaches and then labeled as "not athletic", "too clumsy" , "will never be a ball player"? I know too many kids are labeled at too young an age and then given up on by their coaches and unknowing parents. They don't get the time devoted to them in practice that the "naturals" get so they keep slipping further and further behind. And you know what? The kid even starts believing it too and finally quits - much to the coach's relief. This is a scenario all too familiar in our house league here. And I see potential in 95% of those kids. What a waste.

I'm glad your son had you to make the difference. I wish more kids had that opportunity.

(Sorry, I finally had to vent on this subject)
Kathy :-)