Organized Sports for Kids, Discussion on how bad parents and coaches can be... Options

[Jaffa]

ok I need to rant....

I coach with my wife a girls softball team for 6th - 8th graders (my step-daughter plays)

I hate it when parents and other coaches take advantage of rules or lack or rules.

A lot of these girls have never played anything before and are really trying to find themselves and see if this game is something that they like.....but.....

we played a team last nite, who feels the need to exploit the "stealing bases" rule

when the catcher throws the ball back to the pitcher, and the pitcher misses the ball......the coaches steal all over the place. Now I have no problem with stealing on a pitch or a wild pitch.....but to me, at this level I think it's only fair that the play be dead.

Then I have 3 girls on this team who are terrible and really have no ability, but are always there trying.
I try to teach them as best I can and to have fun but the parents also piss me off. Parents of MY girls.
Well ya know what fuck-o, if you don't like the job we're doing......why don't you get up off the creaky lawn chair, and you can take over and deal with pre-pubescent girls who are starting to learn about boys and beginnging to get regular visits from their new "Friend" and having mood swings etc etc.
I was 1 comment away last night from telling one of the parents to FUCK OFF.
I'm standing there caoching 3rd base wondering if I'd make the news if I started a fight.

anyway....feel free to discuss.

(sorry about the rambling.....it's early....need coffee)

bottom line......people suck. Hope we don't see those assholes in the playoffs.....cause we did beat them once already.....fuckers

[sixpinelbow]

Kid's sporting events would be much better if parents were banned from them. I don't envy your job, but hang in there because kids do need good role models who do things for the right reasons and not just to win trophies.

[ImIdaho]

I feel for you. Both of my young children (11 and 9) play sports year round. I'm not sure when sports at this age level got so serious. It's kind of ridiculous. Parents yelling at their kids while they're on the field and what not. They always ruin it for me cuz all I can hear is their big fat mouths. It's one thing to cheer, it's another to sit there coaching from the bleachers. A-fucking-noying. Try not to let the few bad apples get to you. Most parents think you're awesome for the time and effort you put in. Kudos to you.

[Jaffa]

It's not always about good vs. evil and it shouldn't be.

This is supposed to be fun.

Last night, was not fun.

I hope we meet those suckers in the playoffs...........I want 1 more shot at them........the rubber game.

[La India Luba]

Kid's sporting events would be much better if parents were banned from them.

Or, you know, if parents actually acted like adults.

[Charlemagne]

Can't you send an agreement letter/contract home to all parents indicating your coaching philsophy? In other words, indicate to each parent/guardian that you want the children to - first and foremost -learn the game and have fun playing it. Also, maybe you could also note to the parents that you are the coach and your decisions are final (to soften the parents up you could also say that you respect their opinions but you need to coach and thus are the final decision maker). Have each parent sign the contract. Those parents who don't sign the letter/contract should geta phone call. In calling the parents, you can reiterate your philosophy and stress the need for this contract to run the team in a way in which parents opinions are respected but not put above the needs of the team and coach.

[Jaffa]

Bottom line.....it's called POOR SPORTSMANSHIP

I have no problem losing.....it's when you lose to dipshits.

[Jaffa]

Can't you send an agreement letter/contract home to all parents indicating your coaching philsophy? In other words, indicate to each parent/guardian that you want the children to - first and foremost -learn the game and have fun playing it. Also, maybe you could also note to the parents that you are the coach and your decisions are final (to soften the parents up you could also say that you respect their opinions but you need to coach and thus are the final decision maker). Have each parent sign the contract. Those parents who don't sign the letter/contract should geta phone call. In calling the parents, you can reiterate your philosophy and stress the need for this contract to run the team in a way in which parents opinions are respected but not put above the needs of the team and coach.

that's actually a very good idea.....unfortunately, there are 4 games left in which 2 of them the 8th graders are going away for a school trip, so there really is no time for that now.

but I think that is a fantastic idea.

This is our last year coaching as the next level for my step daughter is High School and she won't play at that level....and I won't be coaching there either.

BUT I do have a baby on the way in Sept....so in 6 7 or 8 years I could be coaching again.....or maybe I should just get my kid a guitar....or drums.........

[fil]

If you want I can bring the bullies by and stand between the field and the parents.

[Jaffa]

If you want I can bring the bullies by and stand between the field and the parents.

THAT would be good......scare the shit outta everyone..........

Next Monday, Wed and Thursday if you like.........

Have PANG run over everyone.

[VMan]

THAT would be good......scare the shit outta everyone..........

Next Monday, Wed and Thursday if you like.........

Have PANG run over everyone.

I think it would be less scaring the shit out of everyone and more distracting them as they say, "Hey, look! It's Spuds Mackenzie!"

[fil]

I think it would be less scaring the shit out of everyone and more distracting them as they say, "Hey, look! It's Spuds Mackenzie!"

A desired result either way.....

[anatomicallyincorrect]

Can't you send an agreement letter/contract home to all parents indicating your coaching philsophy? In other words, indicate to each parent/guardian that you want the children to - first and foremost -learn the game and have fun playing it. Also, maybe you could also note to the parents that you are the coach and your decisions are final (to soften the parents up you could also say that you respect their opinions but you need to coach and thus are the final decision maker). Have each parent sign the contract. Those parents who don't sign the letter/contract should geta phone call. In calling the parents, you can reiterate your philosophy and stress the need for this contract to run the team in a way in which parents opinions are respected but not put above the needs of the team and coach.

Ice cream and pizza for everyone!

[Charlemagne]

Ice cream and pizza for everyone!

I'm down with that.

[fil]

Ice cream and pizza for everyone!

and beer!

[lusting_kay]

ok, I guess I will play the role of contrarian here.

I sucked. There was no 2 ways about it, I was in right field for a reason, and we had one of those...everyone gets to play coaches.

He sucked too. By 8th and 9th grade its time to start learning lessons. Don't want people stealing on you because you missed the ball? Embarrassed because you are losing the game for your teammates? Practice. Simple life lesson, work harder, improve your faults so you won't be taken advantage of next time.

You aren't 'exploiting' a rule if its a rule, you are using it to your advantage to try to win. Sure, we had the coach that tried to be all goody goody and help our egos and shit, but you know what helps the ego more than a superficial stroking? Putting in hard work to acheive a desired result.

[Charlemagne]

ok, I guess I will play the role of contrarian here.

I sucked. There was no 2 ways about it, I was in right field for a reason, and we had one of those...everyone gets to play coaches.

He sucked too. By 8th and 9th grade its time to start learning lessons. Don't want people stealing on you because you missed the ball? Embarrassed because you are losing the game for your teammates? Practice. Simple life lesson, work harder, improve your faults so you won't be taken advantage of next time.

You aren't 'exploiting' a rule if its a rule, you are using it to your advantage to try to win. Sure, we had the coach that tried to be all goody goody and help our egos and shit, but you know what helps the ego more than a superficial stroking? Putting in hard work to acheive a desired result.

There is nothing wrong with this at all. A-hole parents though must be stopped regardless of the team dynamics.

[the other dave]

There was always some coach trying to stretch the rules, bend the rules, or merely take advantage of one that other teams and players weren't aware of. Back in little league I remember one team that when one of their batters walked, he would trot up to first base and immediately make a bee-line for second. We always figured a walk entitles you to first base and requires you to stay there until at least the next pitch. Apparently this is legal but in 3 years of LL I only saw one team try it, and they did it about 10 times to us before we got wise and threw one of their guys out in a rundown.

[Jaffa]

There was always some coach trying to stretch the rules, bend the rules, or merely take advantage of one that other teams and players weren't aware of. Back in little league I remember one team that when one of their batters walked, he would trot up to first base and immediately make a bee-line for second. We always figured a walk entitles you to first base and requires you to stay there until at least the next pitch. Apparently this is legal but in 3 years of LL I only saw one team try it, and they did it about 10 times to us before we got wise and threw one of their guys out in a rundown.

see, that's taking advantage and poor sportsmanship

[T-Bone]

My step-dad helps coach youth soccer - I think like 4th-6th grade. After one of the games some parent came up to him and called him a dickhead, so he replied, "That's Richard Cranium to you, sir!" and walked away.

I thought that was pretty awesome.

[Jaffa]

My step-dad helps coach youth soccer - I think like 4th-6th grade. After one of the games some parent came up to him and called him a dickhead, so he replied, "That's Richard Cranium to you, sir!" and walked away.

I thought that was pretty awesome.

that is pretty bad-ass

[Bubbles]

Ignore the parents and focus on your girls. Your job isn't easy, I'm a softball mom and I see what goes on.

[His Daddy]

I don't see what the problem is here.

[James Fucking Mason]

My cousin is 8 and is starting to get into team sports so I told my aunt I'd help him with some baseball drills and whatnot as his dad is less than athletically inclined. I've been having a good time doing it and his mom told me that he keeps saying he wished I was his real coach, and she said I should look into it.

I considered it for a minute, then I thought of all the snotty jerk-off kids and entitled parents I had to deal with just in his neighborhood and I quickly realized that my career in coaching youth sports would most likely come to an end with lawsuits and jail time.

[Headtap]

Any of the 8th graders hot?