Top 10 Reasons Parents Spoil the Little League Experience
Image by Getty Images via Daylife Top 10 Reasons Parents Spoil the Little League Experience
10. They are too competitive
9. They think their kid should play every inning
8. They think other coaches know better than their coach
7. They dwell on losses
6. They think Johnny/Janey cares whether his/her team wins or loses
5. They over pitch their kids
4. They question every move their coach makes
3. They complain for the sake of complaining
2. They show up late and wonder why that matters?
And the top reason that parents spoil the Little League Experience?
1. They feel that they know better than (insert board member, umpire, coach, concessionaire, any other person in charge) but when asked to help make the problem better they respond "I don’t have time for that".
Have another to add to this list? I am happy to compile another.
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What’s Wrong with Teaching Competition?
Image via Wikipedia
The Minor Divisions
Everyone knows that the major divisions of Little League are competitive. But what about the Minor League Divisions? The rule book identifies them as instructional, but does not reference competitive. How is a local board of directors supposed to interpret that? It says instructional, not non-competitive.
Teaching Competition is Instructional
My opinion is that teaching competition IS being instructional. That said, this should be VERY carefully monitored by the local leagues. The way our league set the season up this year is we had a 2 game round robin end of the season seeding for a minor league tournament.
It was our opinion we were taking 9 and 10 year olds with NO competitive experience and throwing them into the highly competitive 9/10 Little League International Tournament. They were getting creamed! So we decided to start the season instructional, make the last 2 games against each team count ONLY for seeding our end of year tournament, and then play a double elimination tournament in which ALL teams competed.
The Board’s Creation
In our opinion, this created the best of both worlds. We played games early in the year that didn’t count at all. We also play other leagues in our district, those games don’t count towards the standings either. Some of those intersperse with the round robin as well, so this gives the teams a minor respite.
Then we play games that count, but only towards seeding in the end of year tournament. So, while they count, they really don’t. Then, just before all-stars, we are holding a double elimination tournament between all the teams that is intended to be competitive.
We have successfully melded instruction and competition and taught both.
How do you run your minor league program? What suggestions do you have? Please let us know!
Must Push Girls To Be Agressive Attacking Fly Balls
Rein in the Boys
I spend my entire practice with the minor boys baseball team trying to rein them in! One of the funniest things I have ever seen happen was when our 8U travel ball coach turned around to ask the parents a question. He had a few to answer also, and slowly the boys crept away from him. Not intentionally, they just started a little wrestling, then a little chasing, then like a swarm of bees they slowly led their way away to a full out run all around the field! One of the mothers said, "this can’t end good".
That all happened in a matter of seconds, boys are just rambunctious. Girls on the other hand, start off timid. They seem to have to fully understand what they are expected to do before they will go "all out" doing it. I don’t have any idea why this is, it is simply my observation.
Teaching Girls Aggression
That said, we spend a fair amount of time trying to teach our girls to be aggressive! One of the areas this comes into play is catching fly balls in the outfield. Any semi-talented girl can catch a ball hit right at her, but how many times have you watched them let a ball you know they have the talent to catch just drop in front of them? Frustrating!
Aggressive Outfield Drill
Today we attempted to overcome this. The method I chose was to line them up in the outfield and hit balls that they could catch if the ran in, quickly attacking the ball. If they hesitated at all, they had no chance. At the same time I wanted them to practice our fire play, a throw to second, a throw to third, and a throw home. All we needed for this drill was some motivation!
Keeping with the concept of keeping everything fun and competitive at the same time, I told them they had to run 10 laps at the end of practice, but that they could take 1 lap off for every time they turned a double play. I told them a double play was a clean catch of the fly ball and a fire to whichever base we were throwing to at that time.
The Motivation
At first they didn’t catch anything. Then, as often happens, someone made a shoestring catch and motivated everyone else. Suddenly they were all attacking the ball and making catches. In fact, we had to reset at five more laps. It was very encouraging.
Finally, when they all were at their last station in left field, I told them if they caught 10 in a row I would run a lap! Talk about getting their attention! They got up to 7 one time, but I wouldn’t have let them get to 10 no matter what. I did have the bat in my hand after all!
Anyway, they were very aggressive and confident by the time practice was over. Hopefully it will transfer to our game tomorrow.
Have a great way to get your girls to play more aggressive? Please share it with us!
Practice Ending Throw Around
You should always end your practice with something that encompasses
- Running
- Fun
The thing a child remembers about their practice is how they felt when it ended. Therefore, it is very important to end practice with something fun, competitive if possible, but definitely fun. Running is important also because the arms have been stressed and oxygen flow is the best form of repair for a sore arm.
Today we ran a modified run, throw-around, catch, slide, accuracy drill to end both the softball and the baseball practice.
Here is how it works:
- Set the 3B in position to field
- Set the 1B ready to field the 3B’s throw
- Set the C at home
- Set the SS strattling 2nd base
- Place the 2B backing up the SS in short outfield
- Any extra players line up at C and jump in line as the rotation continues
Once the players are in position, follow this procedure:
- Hit a grounder to 3B
- 3B throws to 1B for the out
- 1B throws home to the catcher who simulates a tag
- C throws to SS covering 2nd who simulates a tag
- SS flips back to 2B
- 2B throws home to C who simulates a tag
- C flips back to next in line
- 3B runs and slides into home plate and gets in line with catchers
- SS runs and slides into 3B then gets ready for the next play
- 2B moves up to SS position covering the bag
- 1B runs and slides into 2B then moves to 2B backup position
- C runs through first base and returns to cover 1st
- Batter/Coach hits a grounder to new 3B and the process starts all over
This whole thing should be run a the fastest speed possible to increase speed, accuracy, arm strength, base running skills, and teamwork. Both teams found it very fun and their success rate was impressive.
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