Monday's Tryouts

This point should not be minimized. No matter how good a coach you may be, at some point, you are not the best coach for your son. You may spend money to have an instructor tell your son the same thing you have always preached, but it doesn't matter. They will be very excited after the instructions to tell you how much they have learned...and you find out it's the same thing you have said for years.

There is good news, though. When they get older, one day they tell you something surprising, "Dad, you were right"

 

Providence Numbers

A player from Providence told me that the tryout numbers were way down. He thinks it's because the Rec League kids have finally gotten the word that they have no chance. The boys that make this team are the ones that are very dedicated to the game of baseball. So I guess coach 27 is right. The word gets out and the boys "cut themselves."

As for instructors. My approach is to work with my son "One on One" ONLY! At games I leave him completely alone NO MATTER WHAT I SEE. I also have paid another hitting instructor for lessons and sure enough my son hears what he's always heard! But he likes the variety and it's worth it.

 

When your son plays HS baseball leave it to the coaches. I agree it is time to let go. I also have a paid pitching coach for my son and we work only 1 on 1. If you think you know more than the HS coaches, and yes some us might and have tons more experience, the only thing your son will experience from the dads interfering will be an embarrassment among his peers and his peers families. Let the kids play baseball and enjoy their high school years. I cringe alot during games, but you know what my son is mostly smiling while playing with his friends and that is important to him. I had my fun with him when we played the AAU, USSSA circuit. Time to let go and let him grow and be a MAN! A lot changes from the 10,12,14 year olds to the time they begin playing as freshman and sophomores. Good Luck everyone. I hope you enjoy your sons playing as much as I do. I love this time of the year.

 

High School is a good breaking off point

My 10th grade son already knows more than I do. So what we do when I'm helping him is I ask him what he trying to work on and what should I watch for. he gets his instructions from his coaches and then he goes and works on it. Sometimes by himself, sometimes with me. But I quit telling him anything on fundamentals a 18 months ago. I turned him over to the coach. I just try to encourage and be there if he needs me.

 

I respectfully disagree. If you are a knowlegable in baseball parent you probablly know your childs tendancies better than anyone. How he hits, throws, catches, ect. You've already seen what works and don't work through the years. Then again another opinion can help and don't be afraid to use some new advise. A perfect example was several years ago Atlanta's Chipper Jones was going through a hitting slump and the hitting coach for the Braves couldn't figure out what had went wrong. He said he went home for a day and had his dad watch him and in no time he recognized what he was doing wrong in his swing, After seeing him for so many years easy to see a change whether it is for the good or bad. I say listen to the coach and don't be a no it all but be willing to help also

 

The key part of that statement is "if you are a knowledgable baseball parent". I think the coaches know more than the parents most of the time. I know they do at my house.

Our coach made a few changes to my son this year. he's a little uncomfortable with it but he's going to work hard at it and see if he gets better. If he gives it an honest effort and doesn't feel comfortable he'll go back and discuss with his coach. You never know, he might get better. In fact, he probably will. His velocity picked up. Now comes the control part.

If I do see something that looks off instead of telling him what I think, I ask a question. Like, have you thought about this? Or, how do you feel about such and such and then let him mull it over.

 

Putt

your son has one of if not the best coaching staffs in the state working with him. I would say he is in good hands. Kids have alot on them. They go to school all day then its up to the field where they spend alot of time working hard at the game. Then its homework , supper , study and time for bed. The last thing they need is some more coaching imo. If they feel they need to talk they will. If they feel they need some advice they will ask. But you can drive them totally away from you by trying to coach them up away from the field.

 

You're exactly right............AGAIN.

His schedule is exactly as you say, his coaches are very knowledgable, and i just need to encourage and leave him alone.

I'd be lying if I didn't say it's a little different. Interesting how a father/son relationship evolves. It appears as the get older they need you less and less. I guess that's the way it's supposed to be.

 

They are no different than we all where

We all thought as we got older we knew everything and didnt need our parents as much. Then we reached the age where we finally understood that we always needed them but we thought we didnt. In my opinion there comes a time when they have to figure out some stuff on their own. If we give them that space they will. And they will also figure out we were not as dumb as they once thought either.

 

Not less... just for different things and in a different way. Take it from one that has a kid gone and grown...it's an awesome thing and the relationship becomes even more special! You don't have all the responsibilities of parenting, but you still have all the pleasures!