Posted by: SBK () on Tue Mar 23 07:54:11 2004

Hi Everyone,
>
> In my estimation, Little League baseball has evolved into a political showcasing, which is shown most clearly in the favoritism of a coach's son above all others, even though others may have higher credentials. On this site, people often talk about how proper hitting mechanics can be beneficiary--and, for the hitters accumulating statistical significance, can lead to dreams of "going somewhere"--but their dreams are quashed the instant the coach reveals that his son is the predestined favorite. At this point, the team disregard all useful techniques, and garner an apathetic attitude toward these coaches. More importantly, other coaches may feel that their children were used and discarded in order to help one person become famous.
>
> What is needed, then, is a way to revamp the entire youth league system so these conflicting interests do not deprive the deserving from being given credit for their accomplishments.
>
> The only way to achieve to this goal is to elect friendly, nonpartisan coaches who judges these children on what they do with they God-given ability, rather than whether they the son of a patrician, politician, or an actor who attracts a great deal of popularity.
>
> Sincerely,
> BHL
> Knight1285@aol.com
>
> P.S. I left out another important idea. Instead of "benching" those with the least amount of athletic talent, these coaches will play all nine players for six innings, but also do what certain coaches do by bringing up great athletes from the lower levels of the league. It is important that that upper and lower leagues have different schedules, so it allows the gifted athletes (3 or more) to dress for game day. That way, if a player on either team gets injured, they will have "deserving" substitutes on either side.




Perhaps we could end all favoritism by hiring qualified coaches who don't have kids on the team. It probably wouldn't cost more than a $500 - $1000 a player.

I personally have more of a problem with a lot of the parents of the kids that think they are the ones being discriminated against. I'm referring to the parents that don't want to volunteer their time coaching but want to coach from the stands during games. Or maybe they just want to bitch about their kid's playing time, where they bat in the order or anything else they can come up with.

It sure is nice to work on Saturday mornings and make a couple bucks or go golfing while a volunteer coach is spending time coaching, and in many little league cases, babysitting their kid. The same people have no problem showing up a couple minutes before game time. They are probably not aware and probably don't give a hoot that the coach has already been there for an hour.

I'll bet if they ever observed a practice, they would really have a problem when the coach threw his kid a couple of extra pitches during bp. They certainly wouldn't consider that the coach just threw bp to everyone for a couple hours. Every other kid on the team has the opportunity to drag their dad to the cage for more bp. Except of course the coach's kid whose dad's arm is about falling off.

On most teams that I have observed, the coaches kid also happens to be one of the best players. I remember a quote years ago from the late Al McGuire, former basketball coach at Marquette. This was back when his son was playing. A player came up to him and said, "Coach, how come I am not playing instead of your son? I'm just as good as your son". Coach McGuire told him the problem is that you're just as good as my son and I really like you. I love my son.

To all of you that feel life's not treating you or your kid fair.

Quit having a pity party and volunteer.