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Started By
Message
T-ball coaching ethics debate.
Posted on 5/16/12 at 1:36 pm
Posted on 5/16/12 at 1:36 pm
So our team is the youngest in the league (No 6 yr olds, two 5 yr olds, and the rest 4 yr olds some of which just turned 4 only a month before season) and quite frankly we suck. The team we played last night is the best in the local area and is the oldest team on average (several 6 yr olds some of which actually turn 7 during the season and only one 4 yr old who will turn 5 during season).
League rules require the pitcher to throw the ball to the first baseman instead of running down the batter to get an out at 1st.
We have taught our kids to throw the ball in the air and are trying to get them to make the play at first with a throw and catch. We feel this prepares them for the next level. Sadly our kids are struggling with catching in the air and errors are common. In the end they are having fun though and learning the right way to do it.
Anyway, the players on team B are very capable at throwing and catching the ball in the air. However, despite a 15-2 lopsided score their coaches continued to call "alligator" prompting the pitcher to throw the ball overhand but directly into the ground thus rolling it to the 1st baseman to get outs.
Our kids didn't mind and had a good time, so nothing was really said at the game. However, I say it was total BS and unsportsmanlike behavior despite being completely legal.
What say you?
League rules require the pitcher to throw the ball to the first baseman instead of running down the batter to get an out at 1st.
We have taught our kids to throw the ball in the air and are trying to get them to make the play at first with a throw and catch. We feel this prepares them for the next level. Sadly our kids are struggling with catching in the air and errors are common. In the end they are having fun though and learning the right way to do it.
Anyway, the players on team B are very capable at throwing and catching the ball in the air. However, despite a 15-2 lopsided score their coaches continued to call "alligator" prompting the pitcher to throw the ball overhand but directly into the ground thus rolling it to the 1st baseman to get outs.
Our kids didn't mind and had a good time, so nothing was really said at the game. However, I say it was total BS and unsportsmanlike behavior despite being completely legal.
What say you?
25
Posted on 5/16/12 at 1:39 pm to Bleeding purple
No mercy.
If the kids had fun, then whatever. They have to learn to lose.
I play in a softball league during the week. We beat a team 24-3 in 3 innings last night. They had two weak spots and wherever they put them, we found them.
They took like men. Where'd they learn that? In T-Ball.
If the kids had fun, then whatever. They have to learn to lose.
I play in a softball league during the week. We beat a team 24-3 in 3 innings last night. They had two weak spots and wherever they put them, we found them.
They took like men. Where'd they learn that? In T-Ball.
Posted on 5/16/12 at 1:41 pm to Bleeding purple
I agree it's unsportsmanlike, but if it's legal you can't do anything. Get a rules committee or something to suggest changes.
Posted on 5/16/12 at 1:42 pm to Bleeding purple
T-ball for that age should be about everyone learning the basics of the game. It is the only age where keeping score should be optional.
I'm not big into participation trophies, but at that age group it is about learning more than winning. Some of the older/better kids should probably be playing up a level so they aren't bored/wasting their time.
quote:This seems counter to the purpose of t-ball. If they are capable of throwing and catching or even attempting, that is what they should be coached to do.
their coaches continued to call "alligator" prompting the pitcher to throw the ball overhand but directly into the ground thus rolling it to the 1st baseman to get outs.
I'm not big into participation trophies, but at that age group it is about learning more than winning. Some of the older/better kids should probably be playing up a level so they aren't bored/wasting their time.
This post was edited on 5/16/12 at 1:43 pm
Posted on 5/16/12 at 1:42 pm to Prominentwon
Its not the score (final 22-2) that I had issues with. It was the deliberate avoidance of throwing the ball in the air to prevent overthrows that I thought was poor taste. What are those kids going to do at the next level, roll the ball to first?
I don't like participation trophies either, and my boys know 2nd place is the first loser. One of our older players noticed the score board yest and asked "wow, how did they get so many points?" I answered with "remember when you were kicking the dirt and those 3 balls went right past you, well that didn't help, we have to pay attention"
The entire team gets snowballs after every game though.
I don't like participation trophies either, and my boys know 2nd place is the first loser. One of our older players noticed the score board yest and asked "wow, how did they get so many points?" I answered with "remember when you were kicking the dirt and those 3 balls went right past you, well that didn't help, we have to pay attention"
The entire team gets snowballs after every game though.
This post was edited on 5/16/12 at 1:46 pm
Posted on 5/16/12 at 1:43 pm to WDE24
quote:
T-ball for that age should be about everyone learning the basics of the game. It is the only age where keeping score should be optional.
and winning and losing is optional.
It's VERY important for these kids to learn to lose in the right way. Who wants a kid that's a sore loser?
Posted on 5/16/12 at 1:45 pm to Bleeding purple
quote:
It was the deliberate avoidance of throwing the ball in the air to prevent overthrows that I thought was poor taste.
Now that's cleared up, I agree. That's pretty terrible. My first thought was that you were also magnifying the loss.
Posted on 5/16/12 at 1:45 pm to Bleeding purple
frick t-ball... my playground started coaches pitch at 5.
Posted on 5/16/12 at 1:46 pm to Prominentwon
quote:It is, but a 4 year old just learning the game needs to be taught everything. I don't care one way or the other if score is kept as long as kids are getting better and learning the way the game is played.
It's VERY important for these kids to learn to lose in the right way.
I'm fine with winners and losers. I am not fine with strategy by coaches that teaches bad fundamentals and habits just to win at that age. I'm guessing you haven't taught many 4 year olds how to play a sport.
This post was edited on 5/16/12 at 1:49 pm
Posted on 5/16/12 at 1:47 pm to Bleeding purple
I agree with you that the opposing coach sounds like a lame arse loser who seems to care more about winning than teaching the kids the fundamentals of the game.
In all honesty I wouldn't even want my kid playing for somebody like that.
I'd rather they learn how to throw and catch properly than run up the score by bending the rules in a t-ball game.
In all honesty I wouldn't even want my kid playing for somebody like that.
I'd rather they learn how to throw and catch properly than run up the score by bending the rules in a t-ball game.
This post was edited on 5/16/12 at 1:48 pm
Posted on 5/16/12 at 1:47 pm to Bleeding purple
quote:
What say you?
I think 4 year olds and 7 year olds have no business being on the field together.
Posted on 5/16/12 at 1:48 pm to Bleeding purple
When they call alligator, you say pussy.
Posted on 5/16/12 at 1:48 pm to Prominentwon
quote:
Now that's cleared up, I agree. That's pretty terrible. My first thought was that you were also magnifying the loss.
No, I was just pointing out that since it was legal I had no real issue the first inning but when you have the game clearly in the bag, you should be teaching your kids good mechanics instead that BS.
Posted on 5/16/12 at 1:50 pm to Bleeding purple
quote:Not that it was your issue, but if I was a parent of a kid on that team I would have an issue with it at anytime. Winning is fun and they should be coached to do their best to win. But it has to be balanced with learning the right way to play the game at that age. Obviously this changes progressively as kids get older.
since it was legal I had no real issue the first inning
I would want my kid to learn how to throw and catch the right way and not use some tactic that makes it easier in the short term.
This post was edited on 5/16/12 at 1:51 pm
Posted on 5/16/12 at 1:52 pm to Bleeding purple
quote:
However, despite a 15-2 lopsided score their coaches continued to call "alligator"
We just try to get our kids to throw the ball in the general direction of 1st base. We don't keep score either. I'd say if someone has code signals in T-Ball they are a bit too serious. After T-Ball, it is acceptable.
Posted on 5/16/12 at 1:53 pm to Bleeding purple
quote:
T-ball coaching ethics debate.
Did you stop and really think about this title.
It's t-ball who cares? Be lucky if your OF is even looking at the game.
Posted on 5/16/12 at 1:56 pm to Bleeding purple
Teach your kids to quit hitting to the fricking pitcher, set them up to hit down third base line and when you have runners on 2nd & 3 rd, hit it behind the runners. But it is t-ball teach them to catch throw and catch the right way, I have never heard anyone brag about that t- ball championship they won years ago:)
Posted on 5/16/12 at 1:58 pm to Bleeding purple
its shitty move by their coach but it's t-ball. Let the kids have fun. Who cares who wins or loses at the end of the day.
Posted on 5/16/12 at 1:58 pm to WDE24
quote:
I would want my kid to learn how to throw and catch the right way and not use some tactic that makes it easier in the short term.
Sadly I got fussed at by a parent a week ago for sending their kid unforced from 3rd to home when the ball was overthrown to first and he got tagged because he was walking/jogging instead of running. Gotta learn to run.
quote:
I think 4 year olds and 7 year olds have no business being on the field together.
I agree but it is the local rules. Must be 4 at time of first game to play but can still play if you turn 7 after May 1 which is only the 4th game. Way too big of gap. The coordination and size differences are staggering. We had opponets cranking pop flys to the outfield the other day, and we have a kid who has to use a special small T to get the ball down in his stike zone.
Posted on 5/16/12 at 1:58 pm to rmc
that is the way to go. Don't keep score
if they are competitive enough to be doing what they are doing, they shouldnt be playing TBall. Ive never heard of 6 or 7 year old playing TBall to begin wtih
if they are competitive enough to be doing what they are doing, they shouldnt be playing TBall. Ive never heard of 6 or 7 year old playing TBall to begin wtih
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