re: Parents of future HOF athletes, let me press my question upon you...UPDATE IN OP

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Seems like they learn to hit, then catch, then field.

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Yep. One thing our park is doing this year (and I don't agree with it) is they're putting the 5's & 6's in coach pitch even if they've never played tee ball. Sure they're going to learn to hit the ball but they're not going to be able to develop good swing habits. Instead of only having to focus on making a good swing, they have to focus on hitting that ball coming at them. That's why I held my daughter down in Tee ball despite the fact she is 5. I understand some kids are more developed than others but most at that age need to be in Tee ball.

What park?

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What park?

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North Alabama... (think big lake without me having to name names)

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at the park we used to be at the 5/6 were in coach pitch for the 1st 5 or 6 pitches then they got a tee if they didnt get a hit off the coach. They used the soft baseballs so no kid could get seriously hurt.

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They use to do that here but now the 5&6 kids are strictly coach pitch.

I think they should at least evaluate all the 4's, 5's, and 6's and if a kid is ready for coach pitch then let that kid play up. But if they need a year in tee ball, then put them in tee ball. Little league after all is about teaching and developing kids and making the game fun for them.

And as someone who has been at the 11&12 level the last couple years I can tell you there are a lot of younger kids coming up who are great at making contact on a ball, but their swings are horrid. They have to have their bad habits untaught and replaced with proper swing mechanics.

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Like shorts and a Tshirt? It really wasn't until I got to middle school that you started seeing kids at practice in pants.

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No matter if I'm coaching 11&12 or Tee Ball I tell my parents that proper baseball attire is required at all practices. That means cleats, baseball pants, head gear, and shirt (withe old jersey or t-shirt). You for sure don't want a kid wearing shorts.

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OK. Thought you meant around Birmingham.

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No, I work in north Bham but live outside of town.

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the OP's 2 year old team has practice onesies

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And matching bloomers for road games.


(That was your 32,000th post BTW)

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We always wore shorts to practice growing up. Perhaps because we never practiced sliding.

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It's actually a rule now that if a play is being made at a base, the runner has to slide. Kids learn to slide early. And from what I've seen, they love it.

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we practice in shorts several days a week. The only days we wear pants is when we're practicing base running.

this is very common among many of the older leagues as well as may high school teams

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Our infields are crushed brick. It's several years old now and well worn in. But I remember when they first put it in, it looked like a kid would need stitches if they did not have anything on their legs.