Me and Mine

I'm going to agree with you to a point. Firstly (is that a word?), no matter who you are, it's only natural to care more about your own child than someone else's. It's simply human nature. Does that mean we only coach to our child and make all decisions to benefit them, of course not. I would be very surprised if any of those "coaches" frequent this board.

I think the emphasis on winning and losing depends on what level people are involved in coaching. I'm going to name names without the intent of offending anyone. If Kathy, RAD, and JT--all travel coaches--are not concerned about winning, then there is a problem. They are involved at a level where winning is important and "fun" is better left in the house league. I'm not implying their teams don't have fun, but I bet they work alot harder than most.

On the other hand, Coach Bob-from what I can gather, works with house kids and that should be about fun and development and fair play(ing time). House league should be for everyone and all the kids should get the opportunity to experience "Little league".

I coach both. I make no bones about the fact I prefer the travel levels. It's so much more fun for me when all my players can throw and catch and hit. I enjoy developing the mental aspects of the game with these kids and that is so much easier when they have a good grasp of the physical. I love my house teams because they really help me keep it all in perspective and challenge me as a coach. Jon Toner obviously prefers developing the younger kids as he spends most of his time in the minors. I'm sure none of us would have a problem with Jon coaching any of our travel sons.

I could be way off base here, but I doubt Bear spends much time with "Johnny No Arm", but none of us would question his dedication or passion for the game.

I also believe that people who coach don't necessarily have to be in it for "all kids", but should be able to concentrate on what's best for "their kids" (the team). I am a league administrator, so I have to weigh what I like against what is best for the league and the kids. I have often voted for things I do not really like, but make the league a better experience for the players. Sometimes these decisions have affected my sons negatively, but I still back them as they stregnthen our program as a whole. If only the best kids played baseball, it would be a sad day indeed. The beauty of this game is that you don't have to be good at it to love it--I am living proof of that.

Most coaches are not responsible for making the rules, but merely have to operate within them. House coaches should develop, travel coaches should win. If that's not taking place, then neither one is really doing what they set out to do. If the coaches do their job, the players will have fun. It's a self-fullfilling prophecy.