Youth sports: the good, bad and ugly

[Money99]

Re: Youth sports: the good, bad and ugly

This should be a no-brainer but don't give officials, especially in Little League, any crap. Most of these umpires are only HS kids looking to make some extra spending money and don't want to work at the local grocery store. They usually are only 13 or older and probably don't have a grip on the rules completely. Hell I have been umpiring for 7 or 8 years and don't even know all the rules.

I'm assisting on my 10yo sons ball team.
The season is underway and we travelled out of town last week for a game.
First two innings the strike zone was great for both teams. Maybe a bit large, but I'd much prefer that to a small k-zone as a larger one forces kids to swing.

Anyway, two innings later and suddenly our pitchers aren't getting any calls.
The head coach on our team, who's been chirping the 14yo umps the entire game can't figure out why.
I just laugh and say "I'm confused too. I would have thought all the helpful tips you've been providing the last two innings would put us in good graces with the umps."

Took him another inning to understand, but he finally clued in.

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[GritSnSpeed]

Re: Youth sports: the good, bad and ugly

This is a good example of the lack of effort from my sons coaches this spring in baseball. End of the year party, water balloons and squirt guns with pizza. Kids have a lot of fun. Then he hands out personalized baseball's to all the boys. They spell my sons name wrong. It's Mason. No Y needed. They had favorites and played daddy ball all year. Really took the fun out of it this year.

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[VDusen04]

Re: Youth sports: the good, bad and ugly

This is a good example of the lack of effort from my sons coaches this spring in baseball. End of the year party, water balloons and squirt guns with pizza. Kids have a lot of fun. Then he hands out personalized baseball's to all the boys. They spell my sons name wrong. It's Mason. No Y needed. They had favorites and played daddy ball all year. Really took the fun out of it this year.

That's a bummer about the name. But as a teacher and coach, I have to say that despite my best efforts, misspellings happen from time to time. I admit that one's a weird one because "Mason" seems to be the standard spelling, whereas mine tend to be more "Is it Donnie or Donny? Katrina or Katrynna?" but at least the thought was there.

Good on them for throwing an end-of-season party though (or whoever threw it together). The social aspect outside of games and practices was always my weak spot. Kids tend to love stuff like that, especially at young ages (any age really).

[GritSnSpeed]

Re: Youth sports: the good, bad and ugly

Had our first official game of the season tonight. The other team was not nearly as good as us. They had a couple of lady's who did their bests to coach em up, but they will be a bottom half finisher this season. We scored at will and after the first 2 tds and 2 defensive stops I started getting everybody in to carry the ball. Final score was 18-6, and it was never that close.

We've got to get our passing offense in check, we didn't complete a pass tonight. Dropped a TD in the endzone and missed 5 more. Practice is Monday.

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[GritSnSpeed]

Re: Youth sports: the good, bad and ugly

..........

[GritSnSpeed]

Re: Youth sports: the good, bad and ugly

Well we had a tough close game but pulled out another win. Final was 32-30. Last second diving stop to seal the game with no time left and stop a 2 point conversion. We were missing 6 kids including 3 of my top 4 most athletic. My backup qb had to be my running back. Stuck a kid in as qb about 5 mins before the start of the game.

Next game is at home against the other Spartan team (gray). We should route them. Had some kids step up and make plays while playing both sides of the ball all game. Awesome team victory.

3-0 looking for 4.

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[GritSnSpeed]

Re: Youth sports: the good, bad and ugly

Used some rewards I had from Dicks Sporting Goods to get a break on the visor, and I ordered the helmet/snug pads /extra Jaw Shocks from SportsFanOutlet.com for the cost of the helmet alone. It looks so tough. I love the style, I picked out the facemask for him and the whole look of the helmet is awesome. I told my wife if he doesn't play good, at least he'll look good. Lol

Our offseason practices start the 11th. The weather has been absolutely dreadful for about a month now. Raining multiple days every week. Hopefully that slows down for us and we can get in some good work before the season starts.



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[GritSnSpeed]

Re: Youth sports: the good, bad and ugly

Well the Flag Football season is over. We ended up 5-2 with a ton of rain outs and a championship victory. I had an absolutely stacked team, that wouldn't have lost a game if it weren't for the fact that I couldn't get parents to show up. Great year and next week we start Fall Tackle football practice. Ready for pads and the real deal. Can't wait.

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