GON
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Came across this short video- that is was worth a minute to view:
Coaching little league was a mistake
- Thread starter GON
- Start date
You couldn't pay me to do that with parents the way they are today.
I coached T-ball, which is what the videos are, little league baseball, and pre-Jr High football. It was mostly rewarding and sometime frustrating. We had one kid in football that would crab walk off the field, because he "wanted to get off the field the weirdest way possible". Have it your way.
One thing many T-ball coaches learn the hard way is to hold the bat as you place the ball on the T. There is nothing to be learned from the second strike of the bat.
One thing many T-ball coaches learn the hard way is to hold the bat as you place the ball on the T. There is nothing to be learned from the second strike of the bat.
I did a few years of house league baseball with a couple of other Dad's, not really knowing what we were doing. We were trying and the kids were having fun so no one had any issues, it was good fun really. We "didn't hear" a few things said(mostly from grandparents!) but I wasn't there to coach them, and the kids have to go home with them, so we just kept doing our thing.
Another thing I did is umpire a ton of little league games, because the kid umpires sometimes didn't show up. You want to talk about a difficult and thankless job. You better learn quick to not hear the garbage coming from the parents. Until you've umpired baseball, you really have no clue how complex the game is and how hard it is to see everything when you are the only umpire on the field. Single umpire baseball is kinda like single pilot IFR. The pilots here will get that 
The criticisms flow almost non-stop. Between innings, one parent started lecturing me on the rules of baseball in a condescending way, so I handed him the mask. He handed it back to me and walked away. He understood my point. He probably knew the rules better than me, but he wasn't the guy putting the work in behind the plate.
The criticisms flow almost non-stop. Between innings, one parent started lecturing me on the rules of baseball in a condescending way, so I handed him the mask. He handed it back to me and walked away. He understood my point. He probably knew the rules better than me, but he wasn't the guy putting the work in behind the plate.
Another thing I did is umpire a ton of little league games, because the kid umpires sometimes didn't show up. You want to talk about a difficult and thankless job. You better learn quick to not hear the garbage coming from the parents. Until you've umpired baseball, you really have no clue how complex the game is and how hard it is to see everything when you are the only umpire on the field. Single umpire baseball is kinda like single pilot IFR. The pilots here will get that
Yep, did a few myself. Never had an old lady threaten me before……
JHZR2
Staff member
I’ve coached a lot of tee ball and coach pitch minor league. Never saw such bad behaviors.
The only issues I’ve faced are kids with behavioral issues whose parents didn’t keep close enough on the child (most do). That could be disruptive, but fortunately nothing like the videos!
The only issues I’ve faced are kids with behavioral issues whose parents didn’t keep close enough on the child (most do). That could be disruptive, but fortunately nothing like the videos!
I remember my father who coached our cub scout softball league. Then he tried umpiring. He regretted both and said the parents were very difficult way back during the 70's..
I'd rather watch paint dry! OTOH I did enjoy teaching Jiu Jitsu.
Officiate youth hockey and high school Lacrosse.
My favorite hockey games are low level U10 games. The kids are out there just having fun, and the parents are glad they aren’t sitting in front of a video game.
My least-favorite games are high level U12. There is no body checking, and every kid thinks he’s going to the NHL. Once puberty hits, all bets are off.
U14 games can be challenging. Often tell coaches “You know, there is a reason these kids can’t vote.”
By U16 and U18, they are committed to the sport and there is less nonsense.
USA Hockey rules have very strict Codes of Conduct so we don’t tolerate any nonsense. Parents are much better than past but already warned one team’s parents and kicked out two parents. Coaches are a mixed bag, about 20% jerks.
Last year kicked out a parent and the coaches thanked me. “You only had to listen once, we have to listen every game.”
My favorite hockey games are low level U10 games. The kids are out there just having fun, and the parents are glad they aren’t sitting in front of a video game.
My least-favorite games are high level U12. There is no body checking, and every kid thinks he’s going to the NHL. Once puberty hits, all bets are off.
U14 games can be challenging. Often tell coaches “You know, there is a reason these kids can’t vote.”
By U16 and U18, they are committed to the sport and there is less nonsense.
USA Hockey rules have very strict Codes of Conduct so we don’t tolerate any nonsense. Parents are much better than past but already warned one team’s parents and kicked out two parents. Coaches are a mixed bag, about 20% jerks.
Last year kicked out a parent and the coaches thanked me. “You only had to listen once, we have to listen every game.”
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Another thing I did is umpire a ton of little league games, because the kid umpires sometimes didn't show up. You want to talk about a difficult and thankless job. You better learn quick to not hear the garbage coming from the parents. Until you've umpired baseball, you really have no clue how complex the game is and how hard it is to see everything when you are the only umpire on the field. Single umpire baseball is kinda like single pilot IFR. The pilots here will get that
God Bless ya!! Extremely difficult. My 16 & 18 year old sons have played since 4 (yes, admit we fudged birthdates so they could start a year earlier). From 8 onward to now was Rec & travel. I never realized how blessed we were to have the coaches and parents we had. Everyone got along and we often had drinks together during the games and dinners at night when away. I've seen some of the other teams and oh my, fights all over.
I was blessed with 2 kids that were good and I noticed the worse parents seemed to be on the B divisions and A teams that were great B level but struggled in A. At 11 and up my sons teams went Elite level and chirps to the umps were valid but respectful. No profanity but more along the lines of "Come on Blue, you missed that one!" Pokes for sure but respectful. "It's ok Blue, your only human!" type of comments.
Some Umps are really solid too. This last July my 16 was in Atlanta for Perfect Game World Series. First game was IIRC top 10 nationally ranked Cobb (solid team year after year with many past players in MLB, like Bichette for Toronto). Great game into last inning and our 3B makes a bad throw and the play was close. The two umps realizing the call was the game got together to discuss and safe was the call, we lost. These two umps were so good on the bases and behind the plate; despite a tough loss, no negative word was said to the umps. I would pay $$ to have these guys for all our games.
I did a lego club for kids once. Every kid there had some sort of behavior issue that the parents hoped would straighten out by being in an organized club. Was like walking on eggshells trying not to offend anyone, whilst not disciplining kids that weren't mine.
JHZR2
Staff member
Yes it’s a challenge. Especially if you live in a place where folks are professionally offended over everything.
Nice guys finish last.... it's instrumental agression to get what they want, and people cater to it. If it didn't work, they would learn not to do it.
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