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As I've mentioned many times, I am coaching two teams in Little League (Juniors 13-14y.o. and Farm 6-8y.o.). My juniors team is undefeated and my farm team is winless. My rant is more towards the Farm team.
I don't mind the losses at all. I have a younger team (only one 8y.o. who has never played and the rest are 6's and 7's). The other teams are mostly 8's with a few 6's and 7's. I explain this to the parents in the beginning of the season and explain that we are building these players to learn the game and give everyone a chance to play both infield and outfield, whereas several other teams keep their best 5 players in the infield the whole game and sub out their weakest players every game.
The other teams play very aggressive base running. Some have their kids hit and run around the bases and then call them back to second or first once the play is over. They have their runners run to second when the second baseman has the ball and throwing to first, knowing that if its caught the player is out but if they drop it, then there is no chance the first baseman will make the throw to second. It got so bad that the the league president had to send an email to the coaches explaining that they should not be running non-stop like this, but to play as if the defense will make the play and only go extra bases once the ball is over thrown (one base on over throws, then the ball is dead). He also made it a point to tell coaches that every player should get a chance in the infield and not just the 5 studs.
The first 8 games or so we were getting 10 runned every game. Now with some of the new rules in place we are still losing but hanging in their within 2, 3, sometimes only 4 runs down.
I tell the parents not to worry about the score but to look at the progression. We weren't getting more than 3 hits a game at first, but now everyone is making contact and getting 10+ hits a game. We weren't getting any outs at first, but now making 3-4 outs a game.
Anyways, today we played one these aggressive teams. Our second baseman fielded a grounder clean, was about to throw to first and the base coach sent their runner to second. Our player made the throw and 1B dropped it, but had no chance of throwing him out at second. In other situations the ball was hit to the pitcher with a runner on second and they sent the runner from second all the way home.
Its just frustrating, it feels like these coaches are taking advantage of the smaller teams when we should all be learning. The scores are not recorded (except for 5 run limits or 10 run mercy rule) and wins and loses don't matter until the end of season tournament (seeding is determined by hat pick), yet all these other teams are not only playing to win but seemingly to win by mercy rule every time.
Then to top it off I had a parent of a young 6 y.o. tell me that he has noticed his son sit the bench 5 games in a row. My players don't sit more than 2 innings a game and I always double check the previous game to see who sat so that they don't sit a second time in a row. His kid would be a permanent outfielder and sit the bench every game if he was on any other team. Today he sat for 2, played Left Center for 2 and played second for 2. Just like all my other players. And I know for a fact he hasn't sat in more 2 games in a row let alone 5! My only exception is that I need players who focus and can catch at 1B, 3B and Pitcher - for safety reasons, since these positions get the hardest hits and throws at them.
I just feel like I am getting taken advantage of from the other teams for having a younger team and then I'm getting it from the other end from this parent. And I also feel guilty for some of these players who are really trying hard, but not getting any wins. I don't care about the wins, but I know the kids do to a small degree.
I don't know. Just frustrated and needed to vent.
Thanks for listening.
I don't mind the losses at all. I have a younger team (only one 8y.o. who has never played and the rest are 6's and 7's). The other teams are mostly 8's with a few 6's and 7's. I explain this to the parents in the beginning of the season and explain that we are building these players to learn the game and give everyone a chance to play both infield and outfield, whereas several other teams keep their best 5 players in the infield the whole game and sub out their weakest players every game.
The other teams play very aggressive base running. Some have their kids hit and run around the bases and then call them back to second or first once the play is over. They have their runners run to second when the second baseman has the ball and throwing to first, knowing that if its caught the player is out but if they drop it, then there is no chance the first baseman will make the throw to second. It got so bad that the the league president had to send an email to the coaches explaining that they should not be running non-stop like this, but to play as if the defense will make the play and only go extra bases once the ball is over thrown (one base on over throws, then the ball is dead). He also made it a point to tell coaches that every player should get a chance in the infield and not just the 5 studs.
The first 8 games or so we were getting 10 runned every game. Now with some of the new rules in place we are still losing but hanging in their within 2, 3, sometimes only 4 runs down.
I tell the parents not to worry about the score but to look at the progression. We weren't getting more than 3 hits a game at first, but now everyone is making contact and getting 10+ hits a game. We weren't getting any outs at first, but now making 3-4 outs a game.
Anyways, today we played one these aggressive teams. Our second baseman fielded a grounder clean, was about to throw to first and the base coach sent their runner to second. Our player made the throw and 1B dropped it, but had no chance of throwing him out at second. In other situations the ball was hit to the pitcher with a runner on second and they sent the runner from second all the way home.
Its just frustrating, it feels like these coaches are taking advantage of the smaller teams when we should all be learning. The scores are not recorded (except for 5 run limits or 10 run mercy rule) and wins and loses don't matter until the end of season tournament (seeding is determined by hat pick), yet all these other teams are not only playing to win but seemingly to win by mercy rule every time.
Then to top it off I had a parent of a young 6 y.o. tell me that he has noticed his son sit the bench 5 games in a row. My players don't sit more than 2 innings a game and I always double check the previous game to see who sat so that they don't sit a second time in a row. His kid would be a permanent outfielder and sit the bench every game if he was on any other team. Today he sat for 2, played Left Center for 2 and played second for 2. Just like all my other players. And I know for a fact he hasn't sat in more 2 games in a row let alone 5! My only exception is that I need players who focus and can catch at 1B, 3B and Pitcher - for safety reasons, since these positions get the hardest hits and throws at them.
I just feel like I am getting taken advantage of from the other teams for having a younger team and then I'm getting it from the other end from this parent. And I also feel guilty for some of these players who are really trying hard, but not getting any wins. I don't care about the wins, but I know the kids do to a small degree.
I don't know. Just frustrated and needed to vent.
Thanks for listening.
. Our other catcher is less enthused but he can handle half the innings for half the game before we shuffle. This approach has allowed them to better grasp the responsbilities of their position without locking them into one or relegating the weaker players to spots with less action.
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