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OT: Those of you with children who play sports
Posted on 5/6/16 at 8:36 am
Posted on 5/6/16 at 8:36 am
How do you do it, or how did you do it?
My about to be 5 year old daughter started T-ball this year. Yesterday was her teams first "scrimmage" of the season and their regular season games start on Tuesday. I nearly pulled all of my hair out yesterday.
Chaos is the nicest word I can use to describe what I witnessed yesterday. There aren't any problems with her development, because she can hit well and throw the ball well. She may not catch a ground ball perfectly at 2nd base, but she will stop the ball some how with her glove.
Anyway, when these kids hit the ball, both sides are screaming non stop. The kids running the bases have no idea what to do. The other team has coaches in the field, we have coaches on the bases. This is where the mass confusion comes in. Ive taught my daughter to do what your teachers/coaches/dad says. So, when she sees the other teams coaches pointing back at second base, she runs back when she should be running to third base. It was funny at first, but then it started really annoying me.
Also, there are a few kids out there who do not want to be there. One kid refuses to stand up. He just goes out to the field and sits down. Doesn't want to play. Another point, why do parents force their kids to play something they have no interest in? During some of our practices, this particular kid will scream and cry damn near one hour of the hour and a half practice. I literally dread the days I see that red headed arse at practice, because it is the same shite.
Anyway...rant over
My about to be 5 year old daughter started T-ball this year. Yesterday was her teams first "scrimmage" of the season and their regular season games start on Tuesday. I nearly pulled all of my hair out yesterday.
Chaos is the nicest word I can use to describe what I witnessed yesterday. There aren't any problems with her development, because she can hit well and throw the ball well. She may not catch a ground ball perfectly at 2nd base, but she will stop the ball some how with her glove.
Anyway, when these kids hit the ball, both sides are screaming non stop. The kids running the bases have no idea what to do. The other team has coaches in the field, we have coaches on the bases. This is where the mass confusion comes in. Ive taught my daughter to do what your teachers/coaches/dad says. So, when she sees the other teams coaches pointing back at second base, she runs back when she should be running to third base. It was funny at first, but then it started really annoying me.
Also, there are a few kids out there who do not want to be there. One kid refuses to stand up. He just goes out to the field and sits down. Doesn't want to play. Another point, why do parents force their kids to play something they have no interest in? During some of our practices, this particular kid will scream and cry damn near one hour of the hour and a half practice. I literally dread the days I see that red headed arse at practice, because it is the same shite.
Anyway...rant over
6
Posted on 5/6/16 at 8:46 am to Hawgeye
Five year olds trying to play an organized sport is more comic relief than anything else. Relax and have fun 
Posted on 5/6/16 at 8:54 am to Hawgeye
i coach my 4-yr old son's tee ball team along with a couple other dads. Look - i get it, i feel like i need a drink after being out there for an hour with them. Several have not one speck of athletic ability and it's frustrating. Just as frustrating are the athletic kids with great hand-eye coordination who can actually throw the ball who for some reason decide that they don't want to listen or participate that day...
It's tough. All this goes on under the watchful eye of each child's parent who watch me like a hawk whenever i give instruction or do any coaching. Looking to see if i lose my temper or same something objectionable.
My son is frustrating. When he doesnt do what i ask i feel like it's a negative reflection on me as a father. And when he doesnt hit the ball with effort or throw the ball correctly i feel embarrassed (for me). Because he should be able to do it all. I am 6'5" and athletic and played everything growing up and was always a standout in baseball and hoops, etc. My son should be good, dammit, and yet he's probably the 3rd best player on his team.
Then i realized something...he's 4.
I didn't start playing any sort of baseball until i was 6. Didnt start playing soccer until i was 8. Baketball i was 9. Frankly these kids are starting WAY too early. They've barely developed their motor skills well enough to play a game like baseball. They don't know how to be coached yet. it's not they're not listening or choosing to be defiant. They don't have a the basis of learning how to be coached at 4 yrs old.
I think it's good for them, though, to be on a team and learn what teamwork is and how do "do your job" on the field. Being introduced to coaching and instruction from an adult other then a teacher or parent is a good thing. How i look at it is that we're going through some lumps now for better performance and more fun later when he's a little older.
And fun is what it's all about. Take a deep breath and remember she's 4 yrs old. None of this sht matters. If she has a smile on her face it's worth it. She'll be 16 yrs old before you know it and driving you crazy in other ways. Cherish the kid stuff. It'll be gone soon enough.
It's tough. All this goes on under the watchful eye of each child's parent who watch me like a hawk whenever i give instruction or do any coaching. Looking to see if i lose my temper or same something objectionable.
My son is frustrating. When he doesnt do what i ask i feel like it's a negative reflection on me as a father. And when he doesnt hit the ball with effort or throw the ball correctly i feel embarrassed (for me). Because he should be able to do it all. I am 6'5" and athletic and played everything growing up and was always a standout in baseball and hoops, etc. My son should be good, dammit, and yet he's probably the 3rd best player on his team.
Then i realized something...he's 4.
I didn't start playing any sort of baseball until i was 6. Didnt start playing soccer until i was 8. Baketball i was 9. Frankly these kids are starting WAY too early. They've barely developed their motor skills well enough to play a game like baseball. They don't know how to be coached yet. it's not they're not listening or choosing to be defiant. They don't have a the basis of learning how to be coached at 4 yrs old.
I think it's good for them, though, to be on a team and learn what teamwork is and how do "do your job" on the field. Being introduced to coaching and instruction from an adult other then a teacher or parent is a good thing. How i look at it is that we're going through some lumps now for better performance and more fun later when he's a little older.
And fun is what it's all about. Take a deep breath and remember she's 4 yrs old. None of this sht matters. If she has a smile on her face it's worth it. She'll be 16 yrs old before you know it and driving you crazy in other ways. Cherish the kid stuff. It'll be gone soon enough.
This post was edited on 5/6/16 at 8:56 am
Posted on 5/6/16 at 9:13 am to Hog Leg
I am not saying I do not enjoy it, but some parts do drive me nuts.
It bothers me when parents force their kids to do something they do not want to do. This ruins it for all the other kids and the parents there watching. When the red head throws his fits, these other kids just watch him and so no instruction is done.
Another thing that bothers me, is at this age they don't need to learn proper technique in throwing. As in, step with his foot when throwing, etc. At least, from the research I have done they say just let them throw the ball in a way that feels comfortable. Ive always told my girl, throw the ball as hard as you can and try to hurt daddy. That always works. She throws great and we can play a bit of catch about 15 feet apart. When she went to Tball practice the first day, one of her coaches told her to step with a certain foot. When this happened, she focused more on her foot placement and would pause, then try to throw the ball from a still position with her foot in front of her. She would throw the ball straight in the ground.
Ive told myself I will coach when she gets to pitching machine, but not tball. I do not have the patients for that many turds on the field at once. I commend you for what you are doing, because there is no way I could pull it off. Ive been a few seconds from telling the red headed kids grandmother that he doesn't want to be here and it is ruining it for everyone else. I have been hoping the kid would just quit, but so far that has not happened.
It bothers me when parents force their kids to do something they do not want to do. This ruins it for all the other kids and the parents there watching. When the red head throws his fits, these other kids just watch him and so no instruction is done.
Another thing that bothers me, is at this age they don't need to learn proper technique in throwing. As in, step with his foot when throwing, etc. At least, from the research I have done they say just let them throw the ball in a way that feels comfortable. Ive always told my girl, throw the ball as hard as you can and try to hurt daddy. That always works. She throws great and we can play a bit of catch about 15 feet apart. When she went to Tball practice the first day, one of her coaches told her to step with a certain foot. When this happened, she focused more on her foot placement and would pause, then try to throw the ball from a still position with her foot in front of her. She would throw the ball straight in the ground.
Ive told myself I will coach when she gets to pitching machine, but not tball. I do not have the patients for that many turds on the field at once. I commend you for what you are doing, because there is no way I could pull it off. Ive been a few seconds from telling the red headed kids grandmother that he doesn't want to be here and it is ruining it for everyone else. I have been hoping the kid would just quit, but so far that has not happened.
Posted on 5/6/16 at 9:40 am to Hawgeye
Coaching tee ball was one of my favorite ages, it is an organized cluster frick but a lot of fun. The worst thing about coaching little league are parents that sit in the stands talking about how they can do it better, but don't get off their arse and on the field to help.
Posted on 5/6/16 at 9:42 am to Hawgeye
It's T ball. Good luck getting anything BUT that to happen.
My first grader plays softball and it's night and day this year. We don't see any of that and it's definitely more organized. Not sure about where you are, but in Plano 1st grade moves up to coach pitch and we have 3 coaches, so they are all literally working on some kind of drill at all times. There's no time for the t-ball antics.
It gets better. Just suck it up this year....and do what we do. Bring your cup filled with your adult drink.
Posted on 5/6/16 at 9:43 am to Hawgeye
My son is 4 and a half, and I really wanted him in tee ball this year but I begrudgingly realized he wasn't ready.
Four is a fairly difficult age in terms of their concentration and listening skills, and I just didn't want to put him in a situation where he obviously isn't ready or interested and end up ruining his passion for sports in the long term by forcing something now.
Four is a fairly difficult age in terms of their concentration and listening skills, and I just didn't want to put him in a situation where he obviously isn't ready or interested and end up ruining his passion for sports in the long term by forcing something now.
Posted on 5/6/16 at 9:46 am to Hawgeye
oh, and now we practice 2 nights a week still...but, they are 2 hours long. That part fricking sucks for ME. they do team building one night a week, too. a non ball event.
my point is, hang in there...it becomes more of a "sport" next year.
they do team building one night a week, too. a non ball event. my point is, hang in there...it becomes more of a "sport" next year.
Posted on 5/6/16 at 9:52 am to hoginthesw
In Fayetteville it was tee ball coach pitch then machine pitch. Nine years old was first year of kid pitch.
Posted on 5/6/16 at 11:18 am to Person of interest
Just realized his kid is only 4.
Mine is 7. He's got a ways to go for sanity
Mine is 7. He's got a ways to go for sanity
Posted on 5/6/16 at 11:23 am to Hawgeye
(no message)
This post was edited on 5/28/16 at 1:41 am
Posted on 5/6/16 at 11:42 am to Hawgeye
I have my 10 year old daughter in golf right now. We go out to the range and the course together but she also takes private lessons. She will have the build and strength for it as she is 5'tall right now.
Biggest thing right now is keeping her focused for the time we are out there. She loves doing it, but not so sure it's not just for dad. I don't see that competitive spirit I had so I've thought about this lately of whether I'm making her do something she doesn't want to do?? Still up in the air..
Now, if they had a minecraft league then we might be on to something
Biggest thing right now is keeping her focused for the time we are out there. She loves doing it, but not so sure it's not just for dad. I don't see that competitive spirit I had so I've thought about this lately of whether I'm making her do something she doesn't want to do?? Still up in the air..
Now, if they had a minecraft league then we might be on to something
Posted on 5/6/16 at 3:00 pm to hoginthesw
Yea. She will be 5 in September.
I guess I enjoy watching, but our group of coaches are about as disorganized as they come. I've gotten her ready and taken her to practice...waited ten minutes and text the coach asking where everyone is at? "Oh, I cancelled practice, did you not get the text?" Type of stuff.
She has a blast and that's all I care about. Just like last night...scrimmage was supposed to start at 5:30...didn't start til 6:20 and we were done after 7:30...I try not to let petty shite like that bother me...but to me, if you're on time you're late...probably just a personal problem I need to work on.
I guess I enjoy watching, but our group of coaches are about as disorganized as they come. I've gotten her ready and taken her to practice...waited ten minutes and text the coach asking where everyone is at? "Oh, I cancelled practice, did you not get the text?" Type of stuff.
She has a blast and that's all I care about. Just like last night...scrimmage was supposed to start at 5:30...didn't start til 6:20 and we were done after 7:30...I try not to let petty shite like that bother me...but to me, if you're on time you're late...probably just a personal problem I need to work on.
Posted on 5/6/16 at 3:36 pm to Hawgeye
That's not cool for coaches to be late and have bad communication. The weaker coaches will be weeded out as the years go on. I usually set up a Web page for announcements and practice schedules. Calling every parent is a pain in the arse. Coaching baseball can be a lot of fun especially watching the kids development through the years. Getting a couple of dad's together that are on the same page and give continuity over the years is a big plus. The biggest drag when they get older are the off night calls from parents that think little Johnny should be playing 1st base and he is the next Albert Pujols.
Posted on 5/6/16 at 3:40 pm to Hawgeye
Yeah even at that age the coaches need to be more responsible and respectful of time. And organized. That's actually one of the valuable lessons they need to learn at that age IMO. I would be pissed, too.
Posted on 5/6/16 at 5:20 pm to Hawgeye
Coaching kids at that age is like pushing a rope. Sure your getting somewhere, but it's a slow mess.
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