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Coaching Problems
By: Cary
If you ask any of your seven-year-olds why they are playing, I guarantee you will not get a single response of "To win games." I ask this question to every player every year. The answers I get are that they want to have fun, that they want to be with their friends, and that they want to get better at baseball. So, why are you even using scorebooks at this level? BAN THEM, period. Let a coach use a slip of paper for his lineup and do not allow scorekeeping. Note that I would not say the same if these kids were older -- they should learn to handle winning and losing, at an appropriate age and in an appropriate way. They should be learning fundamentals now, and having fun. As for the coaches, document on paper the behaviors you see (so you'll have to see some of their games), remind them of the reasons the rules are there, and get rid of them this season if they don't comply. Better to work a little finding a new coach than to let a coach such as you describe influence and berate your kids. I'll bet there are some unhappy parents on those teams that might be willing (and competent) to take over.
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