I was on the phone with my friend tonight who was sharing his experience with his son’s baseball team. None of my guys play baseball, but it all sounds the same, just a different sport. His son plays on 10 year old travel baseball in the Pittsburgh area.
He told me:
- This year was supposed to be an open try-out for an A team and a B team and when he showed up for the try out, they found out that the 7 coaches all had sons trying out – who turned out to make the A team. Coincidence?
- Typically they play 10 players and form teams of 12. Well, in this year, 25 kids tried out, but they didn’t want to cut anyone. There was one child who was afraid of the ball and didn’t know the first thing about baseball, but since the club didn’t want cut him, they added him to the roster.
- Before the teams ever practice together, their positions are already figured out based on who their coaches are and where the coaches sons want to play.
- Coaches kids will play the key positions regardless of how many errors they make or how many runs they let in.
- Coaches use inappropriate behavior with and in front of the kids.
- The behavior of some of the kids – such as throwing tantrums, bats on the ground and crying. The coaches never say anything.
- Umpires swear in front of the kids.
- Parents fight and or threaten fights with one another.
At the end of our conversation, he told me his son will be skiing next year.
