How Ugly can Competitive/Tournament/Travel Ball get!

I have to say, Baseball Mom, there are always two sides to the coin. And I think there are those out there that will agree with me when I say this in response to your post. I apologize if I hurt feelings, but let me explain some truths on both sides of that coin called baseball.

I have been a coach in little league for 4-5 years now, and I have also played the roles as parent on the stands, and also, have been in the position as "the player" myself.

Every persons going to the field has a very important role to play...to themselves, to their children, and to their colleagues on the stands next to them.

Every parent, child and coach is well aware of what the players are capable of, both on and off the field. This will also include the parents and coaching staff.

As a parent, our roles are to be not only responsible for our childrens actions off the field, but on the field as well. We are to encourage good behavior, and good sportsmanship. We are our childrens biggest fans when it comes to the game. In truth, many a time, we, ourselves, believe that OUR child is the best and no other can stand a chance next to our little all star. We are oft times discovered "tooting our own horns", because that is what parents do for our "little Tommies and Janes". There are those parents who toot louder than some...and it is true, we can all watch the game for ourselves to see who the better players are...even if we may not talk about it. This is just being a parent.

Now, as a coach, our roles are to teach the young ball players the rules and regulations to a safe ball game, including those of good sportsmanship. These rules will also include the etiquette of baseball as well. Ofcourse, you may not find the "rules to the etiquette of baseball" in a little league rule book...but, rest assured, they are there. Baseball in some sorts, is indeed a "gentleman's sport". As a coach, we must teach our players to have good sportsmanship no matter if you win or loose, we must teach our players to encourage the other players on our team to do better if they are having a bad day...and that is to say, we are to teach them to be uplifting instead of discouraging. That as a team, we do everything as a team, that there is no single player that stands out above the rest, that everyone on the team has an important role and position to play, that each player (as a team) are equal to the next. That the game can not be played with only 8 players on the field, that there must be 9...and that makes the team...that those on the bench are there to relieve the next player to have their turn to rest. But, as I say, this is only a small part of the coaches work, more etiquette follows. The children must learn that as a responsible player, they will and need to pick up equipement both their own, and that which belongs to the team. And, to boot, they must learn to pick up their dug out as well. Eliminate all trash and place it in the proper receptacles. This is an unmentioned etiquette...but, a gentleman's rule.

I can go on about the coaches job, but, I think just a few things mentioned will get the point across.

Now, as a player, they must learn to have good sportsmanship. Learn to play a fair and descent game of ball, learn to respect their coaches, umpires, teammates and the opposing team as well. They must learn to have pride in their team, win or loose, and learn to have pride in their field that they play on, and pride for the game. Learn to encourage instead of discourage their teammates. And,learn that practice does eventually make perfect.

Again, every persons on the ball field have important rules to follow. If everyone followed the same rules, then everyone would be much happier.

I can honestly say, from a coaches point of view, that I have never seen a child kill over because they had to pick up the dug out after themselves, nor have they killed over from picking up equipement either. I believe that if they use it...they need to learn to put it in its proper place when they are done. No different than when they clean their own rooms or pick up after themselves at home.

Amazing how a coaches job and a parents job intertwines so delicately through the web of life at the ball field. If coaches, parents, and players all respect each other, themselves, and have pride in their little league field, and pride in the game; everyone would be much happier, especially when we are not so quick to redicule the next persons job.

Food for thought: are we taking care of our own jobs before we cast stones? Could it be that we live in a glass house and are afraid of having stones of ridicule cast our way?