Parents Roadmap (one persons opinion)

Roadmap for parents (in my opinion) of players who want to play at a high level:

1. Be supportive of your player. Encourage him, help him identify his strengths and weaknesses and find the positive in his efforts. When you have to point out a negative, do so in the framework of positive reinforcement. "Johnny, if you keep (insert fault) then the result will always be (insert outcome). If you just (insert correct technique) then you will be in a position to (insert desired result). I have seen how hard you work, let's just apply a little more effort to this aspect and you will see the result you want....I know you can do it."
2. If you don't know the game, then get your player aligned with people who do. Players cannot excel if they are not fundamentally sound....it will show up some day and then it is too late.
3. Keep your eye out for better opportunities. Many programs sound good on day one and way under deliver over time. Your journey will likely involve several "moveups" to better instruction and more focus on effort, results and the pursuit of quality baseball execution.
4. Money is a big factor in baseball today, as it is in most everything. Many people make their entire living or a part of it from their baseball endeavors...don't begrudge those folks their need to do so (team fees, cost of lessons, etc). But there are a lot of other costs to be considered. The big thing to avoid is committing $$$ to a program that winds up just being another version of watered down travel ball and your player got very little instruction and spent a lot of time with the silly stuff that he could do back home with the local rec organization....meanwhile you have the hotels bills, food, gasoline and maybe even airfare to be offset by "all the fun we had". Nothing wrong with fun, but it can be had a lot cheaper if that's all you are in it for.
5. Be HONEST. With yourself, with your player, with the coaches. An honest appraisal of what your son can do and where it could take him is worth a lot.....$$$ and otherwise. I've seen many postings about Freddy Suggs and they almost always reference the importance of the truth. We all love our kids and want to see them happy and successful. Teaching them about honesty in your own actions will help them be happy and successful in life.
6. Let the coaches and other evaluators make their own assessments of your player...they know what to look for and they are looking in places you don't even know about. Leave the spreadsheet at home and the stories about how Johnny struck out 10 in a row when he was 12 are not for the ears of high-level coaches, scouts and others who make things happen as you move up through the system. Trust me, they can tell if your player has what it takes.
7. Stay away from the dugout....allow your player to be a teammate and to make his own way. Gatorade, seeds, sunscreen (the most embarrassing thing a parent can bring a player) are the responsibility of your player. You will be surprised how they learn to fend for themselves when you let go a little bit.
8. Put them in the best places to succeed and to be seen that you can afford.
9. Enjoy the journey and soak in each moment...savor them for what they are....the little single to left field off a tough curveball is a big win for your player who has been struggling to pick up the pitch and make his adjustment. When he does, make it a grand slam for him and for you in your own private moment.
10. Love your player, regardless of the outcomes. He and you are making lasting memories....make sure they are the kind that you both will want to revisit many times over the years.

 

Fantastic advice

This is so awesome!

 

I hope you will give more of your opinions on this board. I wan't to thank you and to let you know I can learn alot from your words. This is great stuff.

 

Great comments.....even though it is hard sometimes to always be positive, I was told once that the measure of a good player was how he reacted and played when he didn't have his best stuff! I guess that goes for parents too!

 

Awesome Post!!!!!!

Thanks Low & Slow......

 

GREAT POST

 

Flaws and Weaknesses Show Up

This is it in a nutshell. Every year that goes by it gets harder and harder to hide poor mechanics. Most of the time it's poor throwing mechanics that limit players.

 

Bravo

 

Great advice. But, missed one small thing. Covered the ball. Forgot grades most important these days. But Great advice.

 

Very well done! Thank you.