Quote Originally Posted by The Uncoach View Post
I don't think anything is learned at the t-ball level in a team format (community rec level) other than how to socialize in a team setting, which direction the bases are run and "I had fun going for ice cream with the team after the game."
This is true in many, many cases but what the coach is willing to put into it makes all the difference in the world. I presently coach a group of 5/6 t-ballers that without question "AS A TEAM" are head and shoulders more advanced than the other teams in the league. It was a random selection of kids from the surrounding area so this isn't the USSSA GA National Championship travel team we are talking about here, just a bunch of kids who for the most part come out and give everything they have for 1+15 minutes of scheduled practice and a 1 hour game each week. I know my son sees a lot more baseball activity throughout the week than what is typical player might (practices with his older brother's team and always wants to go catch fly balls or hit) , but for the most part a random draw is what we have based on geographical location. I will tell you that at least half of them are capable of catching a hard thrown ball, will rotate to cover the base, understand that there is more than one play to be made and are willing to TRY to get an out at any base throughout the game. We throw the ball to record outs and have thrown out 3-4 kids already on plays at the plate.

Am I bragging a little (1st post I figured what the heck) but my bigger point is that all of the kids on our team are TRYING to make plays, they want to get better and help their teams, and although they have a blast socially doing things that many kids enjoy doing (eating ice cream after games and wrestling during water breaks), they get down and dirty and are playing the game hard attempting to turn double plays, block home plate and run bases just like they see on TV. I believe we need to give kids more credit for what they are capable of achieving instead of always thinking they just want to stand around and enjoy the landscape or kick the dirt in the infield. That is where coaching comes in. Finding a way to tap into what drives a child to enjoy this great game and helping them improve will drive the enjoyment factor way way up.