Misc. Baseball Information - Baseball Article Summaries

Oakland A's & Elbows - Kenneth Bean (length=1922)
Hi Guys David Kreis made some pretty accurate observations in his last post. Thanks Dave. I have been keeping up with Oakland as best I can with Houston being a National League city. I watched them gi ...

Terms of Use for Youth Message Boards - TJ (length=1893)
Thought for you Al (and me to) Terms of Use for Youth Message Boards Communicating on message boards is different from face-to-face communication. Only the words are seen, not your facial expressions ...

Whipping The - Kenneth Bean (length=2027)
Thanks L Great pictures. Your point is more than well taken. Please note however: Picture 6: obviously jammed, note no arm extension, and chest high contact made. picture 3: Obviously outside, note co ...

Apology to all of you coaches out there - Kenneth Bean (length=1675)
Hi Mark Yeah, you better get out your copy of Bean's. My thought on curveballs at 45 feet is right there on page 134. Bottom line, a curveball thrown at forty five feet will wiggle a little, if the ki ...

Baseball Toughness - Phil (length=2765)
Case #1 - I coach a very competitive kid. He is very talented for his age and also volatile. He is 11 and just in the last year or so, beginning to understand the importance of controlling his emotion ...

Digital Camera Choice - Coach Bob (length=2551)
I have been on travel for the last 8 days and have been unable to follow the board and the threads. This one is of particular interest to me, because photography is my hobby, and digital photography i ...

Final Comments - Coach Bob (length=7048)
Final Comments: It is clear that my original thread regarding the "merits" of select/travel vs. LL. has caused a lot of controversy. I am making this a final response to the material posted below. Fi ...

I'm - Kenneth Bean (length=3352)
I am firmly against the whole mindset that some parents get into when their kids are involved in competition. Whether it be tennis, gymnastics, golf, football, or baseball, kids truly just want to hea ...

Me and Mine - Paul Faubert (length=2826)
I'm going to agree with you to a point. Firstly (is that a word?), no matter who you are, it's only natural to care more about your own child than someone else's. It's simply human nature. Does that m ...

My nomination (Best Pitcher) - Single L (length=3504)
More data and arguments in support of my nomination: Maddux posted the best strikeout-to-walk ratio ever (8.85 in 1997; 7.87 in 1995). Koufax, who is second in the category, topped out at 5.38 in 1965 ...

Replies Well Taken - Kenneth Bean (length=2818)
Hi Persons I wrote a reply to some replies on my post "I'm Agin' it". The board crashed right about that time and some of you might have missed it. I reconstruct here as well as I can. It's important. ...

Signs - Chip (length=4775)
I disagree with the strict simplicity approach. There are four main sign considerations: (1) What are your standard instructions (what should players do if they get no signs)? (2) What information d ...

Specializing Positions? - RADykstra SanDiego Sting (length=1904)
Well, as in most of life, Baseball has no clear cut answers! Making a 10 year specialize in one position is akin to telling him he can only be a fireman or carpenter or whatever when he grows up (or p ...

Trick Defensive plays - Chip (length=7978)
Trick plays depend on action in one area to distract a baserunner's attention from another area. Offensive trick plays are far more rare. The purpose for using them varies with the manager; they're us ...

Weighted Balls - Chip (length=1549)
Jose-- Like a lot of other approaches & fads, I've seen the kids and/or coaches bring these balls to the field. The ball immediately attracts a lot of interest, and everyone wants to use it. Thirty m ...

Youth Sport Web Sites & Child Safety - Randy Dykstra (length=1745)
To non computer literate..the internet is a place where Porn and criminals run amuck..... My local board just voted to not have any kids names nor pictures on the net.... Yet they have pictures, phone ...

Apology to all of you coaches out there - Kenneth Bean (length=1545)
I had absolutely no idea of the magnitude of response I would get when I mentioned Bean's About Baseball on the board. To all of you folks who e-mailed me, I apologise for not getting back to you more ...

Baseball Toughness - Kenneth Bean (length=1697)
Hi Sport :-D Your post brought back a delightful memory for me. My own son liked to do that. In fact he made some of the most dramatic crashes I ever saw, along with appropriate sound effects. (grenad ...

Humor in Sports - Al (length=549)
My coach pitch team (7/8 year olds) are in our end of the season double elimination tournament. We lost our first game and have won the next two. At our second game I told the kids a little humorous s ...

Just Venting... - Single L (length=907)
When their kids hit organized sports, parents go insane. It must be a law. Intelligent, reasonable people lose their grip on reality. Strikes are balls. Balls are strikes. My kid can't catch because y ...

the sadness after - Single L (length=980)
My 12-year-old son played on his first traveling tournament team this year. The team played well but lost in their district, dropping the final game in the bottom of the seventh when the opponents cam ...

Out-of-District Players - Chip (length=670)
Thought I'd ask you folks for some sanity and objectivity on a local question. Of course, reading some of Jon's posts, the insanity isn't limited to Florida. Next week, our all-star team plays its fir ...

This Should NOT be Respository for Attorney's Discovery Request - Lowell Steiger (length=1290)
I am certainly not minimizing the blame which the perpetrator holds in this matter. Furthermore, I am not looking to hold the coach personally responsible. That is why the organizationf or which he co ...

Baseball "Olympics" - Kathy (length=474)
Hi Darrell, The players love competitions at practice. We have used a lot of different drills that we turn into contests of some sort(including the one you just described). I like to give out baseball ...

Baseball Dad: The Good, the Bad, & The Ugly - Bear (length=2320)
Interesting Question, Mike. Here's other points of views, I will name it "the Good, the Bad, & the Ugly.", and post scipt with my own personal testimonial The GOOD a) Most outstanding freshman playing ...

Bear Attacks Are Making Me Sick!! - Randy Dykstra (length=864)
He, who has not sinned ... Please cast the first stone!!!! GENTLEMAN! and LADIES.... I feel like I'm in the middle of a LL Board meeting!!! HOW DARE WE? even suggest CENSORSHIP or BANNING of ideas, c ...

Bear's tried out for 48 yr old Team - TJ Bear (length=5099)
Bear's tried out for 48 yr old Team last week. Yep, as unbelievable as that is would you believe this bad body ol' man tried out for a 48 & over the hill Baseball League last week. And I got a phon ...

Better read the fine print - Randy Dykstra (length=942)
EXCUSE ME But I have been on this board for a very long time... And one of the reasons I like this board is becasue of the insightful responses and the total concern for each and every poster. From ti ...

Boys vs Girls....equal field of play (Update). - Scott R. (length=721)
Kathy, The N.Mexico Big League Softball team with 5 boys are packing their bags this morning after Antelope Valley, CA beat them 5-3 last night. One of the N.M. boys did hit a line drive 2-run home ru ...

Boys vs Girls....equal field of play?? - Scott R. (length=1765)
Although this is a softball situation it will effect all divisions of LL eventually, plus I feel I'll get better feed-back at this site...... Big League Softball is the 16-18 year old division of LL ...

Boys vs Girls....equal field of play?? - Scott R. (length=1202)
RAD, When the N.H. team saw they couldn't touch the Antelope Valley pitching (had never seen pitches that were moved around with speed, etc.) the attitudes came out big time. A lot of thrown bats and ...

Congratulations Eric Milton - Bear (length=1709)
Congratulations on your performance, Eric. We think of you often. Eric (24 yr/old)) is developing quite a history for leaning toward the unexpected. Having grown up in State College, Pa, where his fr ...

Did umpire overreact? Yes, Yes, Hell Yes - Bear (length=714)
The term of the 90's for the youngsters is.......suck. It's a heck uv lot better than the ones in the 60's. To this ol' timer, the word is fairly amusing to me. And the word is not profane. In the si ...

Elway & Winfield, Some Good Stories, and a Great One About One of the First of the Multi-sport Professional Student Athletes - Bear (length=1583)
John Elway was born to throw something. His arm strength served him well for both college football and college baseball. After being drafted in baseball, Elway quickly learned of his 'challenges' tow ...

How much is too much? - wrb (length=345)
David, Take the valuable advise from KJB and somehow convince your son to TAKE A BREAK MAN! Young boys are very bright and capable of making reasonable decisions if they have some information to back ...

I'll hook the wagon up, boys. Someone get the saddles. - Bear (length=1169)
A great baseball tale and ps for you, JT. Tom Seaver continued to work on his 5th pitch. A change. Tom also could not sit down Dave Winfield (of SD in those days.) Seaver knew what he wanted to do ...

Legally, you're right, but... - Al (length=567)
I have always had the idea that when a league signs up with Little League and becomes sanctioned by Little League then that league is permitted to use the Little League logo and other trademarked term ...

Legally, you're right, but... - Gordon (length=464)
Hi Rich, in our league it works as a choice as for the league there is a min. and for that amount you get a company banner on the outfield fence, plaque with A team picture and a thank you business ca ...

Legally, you're right, but... - Gordon (length=752)
Hi folks, I agree, I hear you but now you know I have to play Devils Advocate on this one, I trying to figure out where future money will come from ,if not Corporate America. What I would like to thin ...

Maryland 15U , Central Md ...Baseball Into the next Millenium - Bear (length=1210)
Central Maryland Quad County Area (Montgomery-Howard-PG-Arundel), travel baseball program accepting information from serious baseball players turning fifteen (15) after 1 Aug 1999 for year round baseb ...

Medals for the "losers" - Kathy (length=1052)
I agree that all the kids deserve a comemerative medal for their effort and hard work for the season. As a parent I watched all of the boy's practices and games. Win or lose I enjoyed every minute of ...

My 2 cents worth... - Randy Dykstra (length=3546)
Our baseball club actually encourages participation in both travel and rec up through 12 yo. The benefits to the travel players are they get the "BIG FISH in small pond" glory and they get the prime p ...

Need Advice on "problem" player - TJ (length=2565)
Oh my Goodness, ........... 1. Who is buried in Grants Tomb? 2. Was that the Forest Before the Trees? 3. Did the Washington Post get here? Maybe Kathy will loan her Carol King 'Tapestry' album (or th ...

Ouch JT, A Couple of stories back at ya! Stay Focused ! - Bear (length=4206)
Ouch, JT. Not to divert, but can you ask Roberts if he is planning to attend (or send a rep) to the 1999 Bear Classic Tourney, a Maryland Showcase for Our National Pastime? Going back to your story. B ...

Ouch On the BO........ it's BS? - Bear (length=1422)
About 3 or 4 yrs ago, a microphone was put in front of a number of 12 yrs ol during the LL World Series. What I remember most, is the MC got the answers he was looking for THE QUESTION was: What do y ...

RAD/Baseball World/Robert - iceman (length=956)
Robert Dash's information may not have been entirely correct, but you are way off base. First, there is supposed to be a Hall of Fame inductee on the Basebal World sight each week within instructional ...

Rad - For the Record....Some Rhetoric....And a Great Baseball Story (That's being in Teddy's Ballgames Hometown, have already hear !) - Bear (length=3370)
Hey Rad, I don't think it is a "Do as I say not as I do???" KC, at 10, did not play at the 12U, Kids at 10 must play baseball, not sit. Herego: BIG MISTAKE was made. KC, at 13, did not play at the 1 ...

Really need some expertise on . . . - TJ (length=1253)
Might I get a reply to the following? What HS? What State? What LL Program? Was the words 'Completely pointless to teach 9-10 yr old how to pitch' actually used (or paraphrased.) a) I do not believe ...

Rec/Travel Cooperation--parents, too! - Jeff T (length=1730)
Alright, how about another spin on this debate: cooperation from an independent travel team and the league (or really, the parent). I know it comes down to an individual decision, but a travel team de ...

Rumors for Griffey trade - Gordon (length=1094)
What do you give a man that has everything? "Nothing"! What he's looking for is piece of mind. A rich man doesn't thurst for money he craves for the things money can't buy, watching his children grow- ...

Running off those who don't agree, or who are "different." - WRB (length=320)
I'm fairly new to this board, but i have searched BEARS' knowledge base and read his articles. I don't agree with all his material,however,he has a LOT OF GOOD INFORMATION. Is it possible that there m ...

Scorecard for SuperRegionals- Matt 7/8 Picks are Possible: And Bear Could Go Eight for Eight. Wow! - Bear (length=798)
(Matts 'winners, 2nd) Actuals SuperReg 1. Miami, Va. Tech Miami vs WF 2. Fla. St., Auburn Fla St vs Auburn 3. Cal St.-Ful, Ohio St. Cal St vs Ohio St 4. Wichita St., Minnesota Baylor vs Minn 5. Ala ...

THE BEST THERE IS/WAS - The Mother of All Debates! - Kathy (length=172)
I vote for Nolan Ryan! His pitching speed, long career, and the fact that he is a great role model (my son wears his number34) definately earns my vote for Nolan. Kathy ...

The Great GAME of Baseball is For Everyone. - Bear (length=2096)
Interesting Question: Here's a breakdown of # of Games for various levels of play: From T-Ball , to Rec: to Rec Select, to High School, to American Legion, to College to Summer & Fall Leagues. And c ...

Venting about T-Ball, question for Coach Bob - Kathy (length=529)
Bob, Keep doing it your way (the right way) and your team will have the advantage when the players can no longer race the batter to first for the out. You will have already trained your kids to make t ...

We've been Promoted! - Al - InfoSports (length=1138)
I wanted to share with you an email I received this morning. > > The Snap Directory team is pleased to inform you that a site you > submitted to Snap LiveDirectory: > > http://infosports.com/baseball ...

Why do kids play both? Rec & Competitive - Don C (length=584)
581 Well Paul the problem the way I see it is if players are going to play both. There is an injustice because their also going to want to play All Stars and play competitive (AAU) and are going to mi ...

defensive players in foul territory - Walter Kiriaka (length=634)
My interpretation of the rule is the same as yours. The other coach wants his player in this position to make it harder for the other player to come to the bag, (I've seen collisions with the baserunn ...

winter reading NEED A GREAT BASEBALL BOOK?????? - seadog (length=856)
Some of you have been asking about pitching charts,hitting charts,etc. Well I just picked up a new coaching book called Baseball Coach's Survival Guide by Jerry Weinstein and Tom Alston. and it is gr ...

you're right--NOT - Jeff T (length=1004)
Tradition and costs should NOT be a reason to change to make a game safer. The NBA has widened the lane twice (I'm sure younsters wonder why its called the "top of the key"), and other sports have cha ...

14-Player Batting Order - Brad Huotari (length=781)
I agree that 14 is too many on a team. 12 seems to work out the best for me. I coach a traveling team and support full roster batting as a wonderful solution for youngsters to stay active in each game ...

14-Player Batting Order - Carroll L Wood (Woody) (length=991)
The most prevalent reason most managers in St Louis use the bat the roster method is: they no longer have to manage... all kids play so he doesn't have to get ripped by an unhappy parent. What also ...

14-Player Batting Order - Carroll L. Wood (Woody) (length=2609)
Whoah! Let's not misunderstand the original question. When I answered I didn't give MY opinion I spoke of my experiences. I'm still not sure (now speaking as a manager) that I agree with the masses of ...

14-Player Batting Order - Jeff T. (length=1392)
Jon, be careful about what you do. As sanctioned Little League, you, as I'm sure you know, must be VERY CAREFUL when varying from the LL rule book. We tried to change our substitution rule to 3 outs+ ...

14-Player Batting Order - Jerry Hart (length=2386)
Jon, Your question is related to previous discussions you and I have had about the 3 different constituencies that Little League officials must try to serve: (1) a small number of strictly recreation ...

14-Player Batting Order - Joe Zander (length=3318)
In our league we have 3 divisions: Minor for kids 8 and 9, and Major 1 and Major 2 for kids 10-12. Next season, we are adding a fourth level for 6-7 coach pitch. We have batted the roster in all divis ...

14-Player Batting Order - Joe Zander (length=1213)
John, you are right to challenge your players to EARN more than the minimum. If I were a parent of a kid on your team, I'm sure I would be comfortable with your approach. The only reservation I have i ...

14-Player Batting Order - John Saunders (length=1925)
Jon, I coach Dixie Youth Majors (11-12) here in Columbia, S.C.We've used the continuous batting order for the past several years. It *does* make it easier on the coaches. Now, the only thing you have ...

14-Player Batting Order - John Saunders (length=660)
Sorry Joe, but I'm going to have to disagree with you on this one. I tell my kids and their parents at the first meeting of the season that what they pay their money for gets them a slot in the battin ...

14-Player Batting Order - John Saunders (length=472)
Tom, Your point about spending time with the 9-12 kids in the batting order is well taken. As a practical point, we've found that it is *really* important for those kids, especially early in the seaso ...

14-Player Batting Order - John Saunders (length=543)
Woody, Couldn't agree with you more. There is no question that the good player is hurt at the expense of the less talented when you bat the roster. Actually, our numbers showed, as I said in a previou ...

14-Player Batting Order - Jon Toner (length=761)
As a minor league manager, I teach my kids the basics of all positions and find their strengths. You never know where they will end up excelling. The best SS I ever coached was an even better CF in th ...

14-Player Batting Order - Jon Toner (length=800)
I love this forum - it's a great sounding board for opinions that I can use at upcoming board meetings. One of the ideas put forth is using a 14 (or whatever) player batting order throughout the game ...

14-Player Batting Order - Mike Errante (length=879)
I believe that batting the roster at the younger ages in league play is ok but once boys reach the age of 12 or older it is time to play nine bat nine. By this time the boys who demonstrate the abilit ...

14-Player Batting Order - Neill Riddell (length=1921)
Our association (Riverview Michigan) is independent. We have used the "bat through the order" rule for years at all age levels for "house" teams. Because we view house play to be essentially recreatio ...

14-Player Batting Order - Paul Faubert (length=625)
We use the continuous batting order in our league and we even have a vote next month on whether or not to expand it to our senior division. It really is better in that it keeps kids involved, but 14 p ...

14-Player Batting Order - Ron Sewell (length=899)
We have been using the bat thru 14 in ages 5 -12 for 4 years. It works great. The kids and parents of the younger two leagues care much more about getting to hit than playing left field. In the lower ...

14-Player Batting Order - Steve C (length=1292)
When I coached in the minor leagues we batted 9 and I drove myself crazy working on substitution schemes designed to get each player in the game for 4 innings and at bat at least twice per game. (We h ...

14-Player Batting Order - Steve (length=1898)
I agree that at the 9-12 yearr old level, managers should begin to reward players with more skill. The key word in the last sentence is "begin". Positional decisions at this age should not be made sol ...

14-Player Batting Order - Tom Cornelius (length=1013)
We play in a Pony affiliated league. Bat the roster for our American League teams has been a rule for several years. I haven't heard much negative feedback from coaches. We just started batting the ro ...

14-Player Batting Order - Wayne (length=724)
The Youth league I was involved with for many years used a standing batting order. 14 players on a team is too many, we had 12. Every player had to play 2 innings before the start of the 5th (defined ...

20 Questions for the Baseball Player - Youth too. - Bear (length=1156)
Let's Do a Baseball Profile for Our 'Baseball' Teenagers (Make sure you get's mom's permission if under 13U) Here's a list of Questions for them to Answer Full Name: Age, DOB, Ht., Wt.: Grade: Hom ...

40-yard dash For Anybody...60 yards for Baseball - Bear (length=1199)
Typically, it's 40 yard dash for football players. Whereas, it's 60 yard dash for baseball players. One of the questions I get asked a lot is what do I look for when timing a kid running from home to ...

A Bear Soap Box...Life is in the Details. Roger & George. Curt Schillings "Christmas Morning at First Day of ST", What Did Mick Say to Seaver about Hitting ? ......& Invest GM ? After the Correction - Bear (length=3354)
A little foggy about the 'grand master' slant. Thank-you just the same. I have lot's of "F" stock. It appears that 'GM' stock is 'bullish'...again... (that is after this three month 'recent' correct ...

A Good Story via net of Sisters.....& A Tearjerker ! - Bear (length=3469)
Just thought for a moment about my brother in Fla, his wife, and an Aunt, whose a Mother Superior at a HS in Florida. And a Good Story to get over hump day & before starting a new one. ALL GOOD THIN ...

A Great Great Time Last Night - Bear (length=2523)
Hey, I took a stroll down memory lane last night. Ol' time baseball boys swapping stories and telling bigger & better long and longer tales. a) Kenny Singleton (ML Player OF) 22 yr b) Ross Grimsley ( ...

A few questions - Paul Faubert (length=2324)
First, Tammy what city do you live in and is your son signed for next year? The hitting lessons cost the exact same here which I thought was interesting. Anyway, I'd have to agree with you, at least i ...

AAU Baseball - Is it worth it? - Coach Tony (length=661)
I am looking to start a team to play after league and all-star play is over. In our area their is Moose Baseball (all-stars of all-stars), but that is impossible to break into considering the same peo ...

An Ode to Loving Our Children Playing Baseball - Bear (length=1463)
An Ode To Our Loving Children Playing Baseball...... In Heaven By Bear Near the wooden Dugout He sat, Squeezing into stiff shoes For his tiny feet. Shiny black ones with cleats, Almost ready to perfo ...

BC to AD..., Politics, & Somethings Never Change - Bear (length=2233)
'Some Things Never Change' ! While browsing through material in the reccesses of the Roman Section of the British Museau, a recearcher came across a tatered bit of parchment. Afer some effort he tran ...

Baseball or Softball?.........choose the competition level. - Scott R. (length=1529)
Steve, I went through this with my daughter from 7 - 11 years old. She stayed with baseball because I was coaching but also because the competition was better in baseball at our LL. Her strong arm and ...

Bear's Motivational Baseball Words or Lore - Bear (length=1468)
Bear's Motivational Baseball Words (as provided To O's Batting Practice Pitcher (T.Vaith) who gave them Bullpen Coach (Ellie Hendricks) You can't steal second if your foot is still on first. Practic ...

Bear's Motivational Baseball: The Father's Eyes - Bear (length=5265)
The Father's Eyes This teenager lived alone with his father,and the two of them had a very special relationship. Even though the son was always on the bench, his father was always in the stands ch ...

Bears (& 'Yogi') Baseball Resolution to 'Multi-Sport' Conflict Kids' - Bear (length=1333)
Situation asked by PF 'What do when he's a travel soccer player and can't miss that for baseball, but still wants to play. Remember, it is a R. League.' Bears "Yogi" response: "One of the hardest thi ...

Big Animals versus the Little Animals - Al (length=2347)
Once upon a time there was this football game that pitted the Big Animals (lions, giraffes, elephants, tigers and such) against the Little Animals of the forest (chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits and the ...

Blowouts - Bear (length=1340)
Blowouts. (ugh). Good topic for discussion on this board. And believe me, all can tell a lot about the 'experience' and 'makeup' of a team during one. From what I read, not many would condone the op ...

Can You Believe It? (Shh -- Don't Answer this One) - Chip (length=1068)
Boca Raton -- Paul Tamboe claims it was a simple case of "plumbers butt", but the Police say what the youth baseball coach did on the pitching mound was downright criminal. Tamboe, 38, of West Palm Be ...

Cooperstown Dreams Park - DanL (length=2362)
Kathy, we've taken a team to Dreams Park for the last 3 years, and will go again this year. My son has a chance to be the 1st player to attend for 4 straight years. Our team was 9-10's the 1st year, a ...

Cross Training, Other Sports, and Burnout - Dan Long (length=2076)
Around here, most of the kids my son and I know play football, wrestle in winter, and baseball in spring/summer. The conditioning for football and wrestling seem to carry over well to baseball. Most c ...

Cross Training, Other Sports, and Burnout - Paul Faubert (length=1032)
What other sports do you guys (no offense Kathy and/or Haley is you're still out there) have your kids play and how do you think it benefits their baseball? What about the burnout factor for all the y ...

Cross Training, Other Sports, and Burnout - Tony (length=1912)
I think a kid should be able to play whatever sports he wants to until he is about 13. It is at this age that a kid needs to think about what sport is his best or he likes the most. By this age you ha ...

Digital Camera - A Whole Lot of Shakin & Compression Going On. - Bear (length=1507)
Good Info......but...... a) Jon & co. Don't worry if you don't own Adobe Photoshop. "Many" digital camera's manufacturers bundle software to download to a folder. e.g. Olympus, Konica, Agfels etc inc ...

Does anyone have a favorite youth org?(CABA, NBC,USABA,etc.) - Bear (length=388)
The largest org. is AABC. AAU has been doing the right thing the last 3 years with Disney. Lot's of talent shows up in CABA since recruiting is world wide. LL is changing......again. Babe Ruth and Di ...

Early Season Drills - Roger (length=811)
Man, you guys are great!!! Ok, here goes again. In early season or even pre-season in my case I like to start off with alot of muscle memory drills that teach proper fundamentals before moving on to ...

Early Season Drills - Roger (length=1049)
For hitting we do lots of tee drills to check proper body movements. Hip-turners are used to teach rolling up on back foot. Bat whips are used to increase bat speed. Short hop drills for proper catchi ...

End of Season Awards....another option. - Scott R. (length=1225)
Ed, As a "league" your correct but as a "team" I've always given out 3 individual awards... ...MVP (self explanatory), Most Improved (current year, not from past ), and Coaches Award (practice, attitu ...

End of Season Awards - Coach Molly (length=657)
Sal During the season I keep track of players accomplishments ( batting - going 4 for 4 or hitting to the right side to move the runner to scoring position, great defensive plays, or hustle in the ou ...

Gym Practices for Winter - Paul Faubert (length=1604)
I've been working in the gym with those ages for the past couple of winters. You can really do alot of work with good organization. 1) Pitching, pitching, and pitching-I've built a small pitching rub ...

HELP!!!-Need indoor drills! - Jeff T. (length=1219)
Here are some ideas: 1) Soft-hands drill- A company (check Anaconda Sports Catalog (on line http://www.anacondasports.com) and they have the "soft hands". This drill will work on hand-eye co-ord. 2) ...

HELP!!!-Need indoor drills! - Joe Zander (length=2054)
This winter, I will also be spending some weekly gym time indoors with my team. The main purpose is to work with our pitchers. Like you, the space we have is a bit small. I have blocked out some stati ...

HELP!!!-Need indoor drills! - Joe Zander (length=2054)
This winter, I will also be spending some weekly gym time indoors with my team. The main purpose is to work with our pitchers. Like you, the space we have is a bit small. I have blocked out some stati ...

HELP!!!-Need indoor drills! - Jon Toner (length=1058)
Indoors is perfect for a lot of the supplemental throwing drills (ie: backhand flip, underhand (no arc)), as well as pitchers and catchers. Unfortunately the gym sounds too small for some other throw ...

HELP!!!-Need indoor drills! - Ron Sewell (length=854)
drills: for catchers see "the art of catching" for pitching see Jon Toner's site, it is excellent. you can practice outfielders backing up each other and there responsibities on infield ground balls. ...

Hang on a second - Paul Faubert (length=2284)
I too saw the Mudball page and was aghast that he was taking it. My oldest son is 14 in Decenber and I would never even dream of letting him think about taking it. I have a problem letting my 11 take ...

Happy 84th ? Birthday - Where has it Gone Joe D'Maggio? - Bear (length=270)
Our Nation Turns It's Lonely Eyes To You. I've just heard Joe's lung tumor is gone ! cheers Bear p.s. & Bobby & Ted Kennedy just roll-over........(shakin' w/ Bee...thovan, cause Joe's gonna ge ...

House League Batting Order - Doug (length=1416)
I coach in two leagues: One is extremely competitive; the other is more recreational-comprised of "town teams", but never-the-less a higher than average talent league. It is in this town team league t ...

House League Batting Order - Jerry Hart (length=2388)
Neill, You didn't miss anything. I did. The old saying should be modified in my case to "engage brain before operating fingers." Regardless of the number of batters or innings, no Batting Position(B ...

House League Batting Order - Jerry Hart (length=3719)
Paul, I think all coaches wrestle with this. I have done it both ways(scattering vs. clumping your hitters) and have decided there are no hard and fast rules. Many factors must be considered. Some a ...

House League Batting Order - Joe Zander (length=881)
Paul, this is a fun scenario. Typically, I bunch 'em. My philosophy is that you have to play for the big inning. Outs are precious, so I don't like to space hitters through the order. In many games ...

House League Batting Order - John Saunders (length=978)
Paul, 1) How do you guys set up the order-dump the first five together and sacrifice for an inning or 2? Answer: We typically put a kid with really good eye in the lead off spot. Good bunter in the tw ...

House League Batting Order - Neill Riddell (length=1049)
I like the theory, but I wonder if it works because of the higher quality of your house league. When I last coached 11-12 house, I had a 12 man team and we batted the lineup (which I definitely believ ...

House League Batting Order - Paul Faubert (length=1004)
If your house teams are anything like ours, on a typical 12 player roster you have something like this: 1-stud (.500+) 4-competent hitters (.350-.500) 5-average players (.200-.350) 3-weak hitters (.20 ...

House League Batting Order - Steve Martin (length=918)
Against a very good pitcher, I'll place my best hitters up front. If the pitcher is only going to allow four or five base runners in a game, then the best bats need as many appearances as possible. A ...

How the pros ballplayers are supposed to be . . . - Paul Faubert (length=454)
I went to HS with Trevor Hoffman's wife and his mother in law lives down the street from me. whenever he's in town, he's great with the kids. I've seen him out playing catch in the street with the nei ...

I will use an'ol expression to keep your Dandruff at bay. - Bear (length=553)
a) Get a better shampoo b) I read lot's of Appetisers (hand pos, trigger, foot pivot), but No Real Meal (hit the ball) c) You provided no tastes on the main course such as 'loud outs' vs. 'quie ...

INSURANCE FOR LITTLE LEAGUE - Randy Dykstra (length=730)
Most organizations require thier own insurance. The most universal (I've found) is AABC. For more info call American Specialty in Indiana....800 245-2744. (Ask for Susan Oden she was in charge of BB i ...

Is this an error - It Depends - Bear (length=931)
This is frequently chatted about with scorekeepers that know the rules (far and between), and here's what I recall about the conversation for both Note (1) and Note (2). Together they are confusing. ...

JD Drew & Eric Milton: Another Great Baseball Story - KC (length=9273)
Another Great Baseball Life story, by "KC" Casey Baron #24 (age 12), of Fairland, Maryland, as edited by his Dad (Bear -former HS Coach & MLB scout) & as told by Associate Head Coach Kelley Kulina ...

Kids' top 10 list for parents - Jeff T (length=3211)
I found this on the SI for Kids web site. This will be a great handout for all parents (of course those that also coach are exempt from items 1,2,4,5, and 10! JT TEN THINGS PARENTS DON'T GET ABOUT KID ...

Knowing The Game - Ron Bing (length=1788)
The first thing that your son must learn, and learn completely, is when there is a force play at a base, and when there is not. He needs to know what a force play is, and he needs to know that when th ...

Many Pro Players Grew Up w/ Fastpitch - Bear (length=1908)
Two of the 'dominant' fastballers were known by all in the 40's, and then 70's. In the 40's the game was played at 34', then eventually moved to it's present distance of 46'. At the right side of th ...

Motivation - Bear (length=1548)
Seadog, First, congratulations to you, for you observations, and 2nd on the ability to ask. Two 'Energy' area's to explore: 1. Physical Energizing 2. Mental Energizing Why is it when the 'pink' bunn ...

No Wins - Ron Bing (length=4089)
Halfway through the season and it's only the beginning of April. How's Hawaii this time of the year anyway!! Seriously though, we've all been there. Some teams are in leagues over their heads, and th ...

One Liners for the Umpires - Bear (length=1096)
Taxation WITH representation isn't so hot, either! Madness takes it's toll. Please have exact change. EARTH FIRST! We'll strip-mine the other planets later. Your child may be an honor student ...

Paul, Some Notes - Bear (length=2522)
Hi Paul, Hope you are well. The term extension is frequently parlayed by baseball people and others & is an interesting concept. The term is used by both pitching and hitting guru's, & frequently mis ...

Practical Student Athlete Guidelines and Policies - Repost to Include all Text in Archive - Bear (length=11868)
An Approach for Developing Your Teaching Concepts and Defining Practical Student Athlete Guidelines and Policies for Amateur Baseball & Fastpitch Programs by Karan Flanigan and Bear Baron original 197 ...

Practical Student Athlete Guidelines and Policies - Bear (length=4975)
An Approach for Developing Your Teaching Concepts and Defining Practical Student Athlete Guidelines and Policies for Amateur Baseball & Fastpitch Programs by Karan Flanigan and Bear Baron original ...

Relax -- Not to Worry about Copyright - Chip (length=1176)
Normally wouldn't address this issue, but I know many people have misconceptions about taping & copyrights and some folks might feel badly or alter their behavior if they felt they were breaking the l ...

Responsiblity and Life - Karen (length=754)
I would also like to add that too many parents are sending the message to their kids that they can do everything. I don't know how it works in your community, but in ours kids are signed up for baseba ...

Responsiblity and Life - Tim (length=1107)
A commentary: I have noticed a disturbing trend in kids (and parents) inability to accept and deal with failure. Baseball is a GAME designed to beat you most of the time. Many of the games aspects are ...

Shadown Pre-Game Inf/Of or "Phatom" :>) - Bear (length=1786)
It's a 'trick' that always brought a smile to my face. It's also an East Coast Pre-Game infield/Of tool. I have typically use this 'tool' after about three games into a weekend tourney. To stay lo ...

Sharing a Letter from the Balkans with My Baseball Web Friends. - Bear (length=4530)
Happy Easter Bear From The Balkans Happy Easter Homefront! For those of you in the US or Northwestern Europe I hope the day has gone well and the Easter Bunny brought you lots of eggs. In reality we ...

Sometimes you can't win for trying......... - Coach Tony (length=1022)
Max, To be honest when I first started reading your post I thought, "what a jerk!". HOWEVER, as I finished reading I realized that the use of specific names was not meant to offend. I may be wrong, bu ...

Son not excited about baseball - seadog (length=436)
You never stated whether he asked to sign up for ball or if you encouraged him to. If it was his idea to join this year I would ask him to finish the season and to give 100% when asked, but if it was ...

Speakin' of the Prayer Chair - Bear (length=2496)
We can all learn from the prayer chair. A man's daughter had asked the local minister to come and pray with her father. When the minister arrived, he found the man lying in bed with his head prop ...

Specializing Positions? - Darrell (length=727)
I firmly beleive that every kid needs to have a primary and secondary positions that they become proficient at. However I feel every kid should be taught the basics of both infield and outfield posit ...

Specializing Positions? - Jeff T. (length=1422)
A great deal will depend on your "teaching" philosophy and how competetive you wish to be (as well as how your minor league is run: competetive vs non-competetive). In our league we have the luxury of ...

Specializing Positions? - Jeff T. (length=1048)
As per my other response, focusing on "house" leagues, my travel team (10-U)also faces a similar "problem"--almost everyone is a middle infielder/pitcher. In this case we have "trained" our players to ...

Specializing Positions? - Jerry Hart (length=1708)
Hi Randy. Welcome back! You've been missed. On the subject at hand, every fall I take one(12U) or two(10U & 12U) teams up to Greeley, CO to participate in a Fall Instructional League run by Greg Riddo ...

Specializing Positions? - John Saunders (length=1269)
Ben, I'm going to answer first and then go back and read the other responses. I like kids to have a primary position and a secondary position. If his primary position is infield, I try to make his sec ...

Specializing Positions? - Jon Toner (length=716)
I teach all my kids all the positions. We use the first 2/3rds of the season to see who plays best where, and use the last 1/3 to get ready for playoffs. One thing I do with the kids and they LOVE it, ...

Specializing Positions? - Mike K. (length=962)
In our regular league, we have the kids (8-9 years old) play all positions, especially in practice. We specialize a bit more in games - e.g., only volunteers catch, and are careful who plays first sin ...

Specializing Positions? - Paul Faubert (length=826)
When you say minors, what ages are you talking about? I feel kids should start specializing around age 10. 8 and 9's should still get the benefit of moving around a bit. Obviously if you have all thes ...

The Necessity of TWO Worlds - Coach Bob (length=3018)
As most of you know, I've been coaching youngsters since most of your DAD's were youngsters, and I have noticed a couple things along the way relating to the competitive levels at each age - things th ...

To: Darrell, Hat's Off to Land Of Lakes, Wisconsin. - Bear (length=1239)
To My Dear Friend, Darrell The youth group, and I received your letter today. On behalf of the Silver Spring Christian Sports Association (SSSA), I want to extend my appreciation, and say thank-you. ...

Todd Walker put's my arguement to shame. - Bear (length=1287)
I always wanted understand an opinion about cross training for hitting a baseball. I recall the question about a year ago. Once answer I got was.....swinging a Hockey Stick. Since that time, I heard ...

Twas the night before...with artistic freedom! - Jeff T (length=1787)
Twas a night in December, we were all in the racks, not a creature was lurking, not even a Max. The boys were all nestled, all snug in their beds, while visions of Swimsuit Issues, danced in their hea ...

What do we like best about the game? - Jeff T (length=931)
The way the game tickles our senses: the sounds of the rawhide hitting leather of the crack (or ping) of the bat of "hey batter-batter" of the cheers for a kid's first hit of "play ball!" the s ...

What should I expect?? Real Field this year - Bear (length=771)
Like a boy becoming a man from his first deer hunt at 12, it is the right of passage for the 13 yr old to finally play baseball. Look for: a) New Cleats b) Proper Baseball Clothes c) Fashion State ...

Wonderful First Day at Terpville - Bear (length=1298)
A Great & Wonderful First Day at Kelly Kulina's Winter Baseball Camp. I met a lot of nice Dad's, incl. - Maryland 3A Head Coach 1998 Baseball Champs. - 12 yr old Frederick PONY Md Champs Coaches. - A ...

video tapping BP - Tony (length=745)
I have done this with my baseball team the past couple of years and I think it really helps. I tape a totale of 15 swings from each boy (5 from pitcher's perspective, 5 facing batter [I guess you coul ...

where can we go? any ideas? - Paul Faubert (length=459)
I live in the weather-challenged Buffalo area so I can sympathize with your plight. Last year I found out that town residents could reserve time in the gym at one of the local community centers for FR ...

.....................61*........................... - Bear (length=1277)
Hey, I just heard about a new baseball movie coming out. It's title: 61* Gee, it just made me think about Roger Maris's 61 HR in 1961. Who remembers all the skuttlebutt about Roger Maris breaking Bab ...

11U Mental meltdown - Coach Dave (length=1112)
I’ll probably get blasted for this, but… We played 86 games this year. 55 as 9U and 31 as rising 10U in the fall. We traveled all around Georgia and played some tournaments in South Carolina and Flori ...

11u - time to groom players for one position? - Old Ag (length=2515)
Pathfinder, here are my words to your son. With every year that goes by, the outfield becomes more important. I realize at 9/10YO in a rec league, outfield doesn't seem as important and there are not ...

20 Years Ago The Kids Had It Right - Daque (length=3451)
BOYS, BASEBALLS, AND HAPPY MEALS It had been a long season of umpiring semi-professional baseball and had finally come to an end with a tournament 250 miles from home on a dusty, hot, and humid field ...

A Nice Time of Year - Kenneth Bean (length=3200)
Hi Everyone I'm sitting here, looking out the window at a quiet autumn rain. It was quite blustry last evening when the cold front came through, but now it is misting down, a lot like a curtain coming ...

A Wild Weekend - roddnet (length=1362)
I have talked with my son and told him to work as hard as he can that way when the season ends in 7 more weeks the HC will know exactly how much he is losing. the HC the first week took an un tested ...

A story for Ag. - Scorekeeper (length=3726)
I don't know what to say! All I know is, my kid is going to have to be like Jesus himself to have any kind of peace on this team, and then the coach will probably crucify him. I don't understand why s ...

A story for Ag. - Scorekeeper (length=3733)
Please forgive me, but I can't help telling this one for Ag. I feel like I owe it to him. 1st fall ball practice today. HC introduces the new pitching coach he hired to the team. This new PC is new to ...

A survey of sorts - Scorekeeper (length=2167)
My kid didn't fall in love with baseball! Baseball was something that dad always talked about, followed and paid attention to. Opening day was a big deal as was the World Series. All of the other spor ...

A whole team of PITA parents !!! - roddnet (length=1601)
Last night I was asked to help get two of our Fall season LL teams off the ground. No problem.. Unfortunately both teams did not have any coaches as the parents that were going to coach had to back ou ...

A winter ball story - some observations - Neill Riddell (length=9346)
Scorekeeper: I see many problems facing youth baseball. Some are self inflicted. Some are not. But they all contribute to a scary decline in the popularity of the game that you and I love. Participat ...

A winter ball story - some observations - Scorekeeper (length=5169)
I read lots of stories like that one, but it seems that there can be 10 stores like that which will start to make everyone think, but before they have a chance to do something to make things change, o ...

A winter ball story - some observations - Scorekeeper (length=3523)
Long? Shoot Neill, I was just getting comfortable and enjoying what you were saying when you quit! VERY NICELY DONE! I don't know what I could add to what you said about participation other than to ad ...

A winter ball story - Scorekeeper (length=4550)
This afternoon I ran into a perfect example of one of the things I think is wrong with youth baseball today. I had been working on the big field for a couple days, trimming it up and making it all pre ...

AAAAARRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH! - Scorekeeper (length=1334)
I have been raped and pillage by the money hungry, commie SOBs who run the airwaves in the world! Those scum sucking, dirtbag, lower than whale dung in the Marianas Trench AHs didn't broadcast the Ame ...

AMAZING... - Scorekeeper (length=2814)
Heck Ag, there can be short term and long term benefits from hitting yourself in the head with a 2X4 too, but I doubt that many people would stand in line to do it. But seriously, unless someone is th ...

AMAZING... - Scorekeeper (length=1112)
I know I've said this before, but I don't think we all keep it in mind enough, so I'll say it again. We often beat each other up on this BB over everything from some of those extremely fine points to ...

AMAZING... - Scorekeeper (length=3878)
Just a hint from another dad. Sometimes, not all the time, but sometimes, us dads think we're seeing something that isn't true. If a parent works with their kid and has any kind of "baseball sense" at ...

AMAZING... - Scorekeeper (length=2525)
Unfortunately, with the metal bats, its tough to get the weight you want with the length you want. I have had a lot of dads and coaches tell me they just had the kid choke up and it worked out correct ...

AMAZING... - Scorekeeper (length=3141)
What I did is exactly what RAD said. I made as sure as I could that he used the biggest bat he could swing with control. But that took one heck of a lot of throws from the old man at different speeds ...

AMAZING... - Scorekeeper (length=2906)
You'd get an argument out of me except that you added the magic words, "can still control". The secret formula everyone's looking for is to get max acceleration with max mass with greatest control. Th ...

Al-----National Database - Scorekeeper (length=3748)
Every idea is doable! The question is, does it make sense. Assuming Al decides that he wants to do this thing, there are several ways to go. One is for him to go through the time and trouble to write ...

Al-----National Database - Scorekeeper (length=1746)
Well, at least you've gotten away from the small field and all of the problems going with it. The biggest advantage of sticking with only the big field is, if a kid has lasted long enough to get there ...

Al-----National Database - Scorekeeper (length=4078)
You really are serious about this aren't you? Just so you know, I think the idea itself is a great one. I just don't see how it would be feasible to put into place. There are a lot of very significant ...

Almost the End of the Season - Scorekeeper (length=7189)
Baseball Mom, Your post points out what many of us old farts have seen coming down the road for years now, and it seems to be getting worse. Somewhere along the line, the basic fundamentals of playing ...

Almost the End of the Season - Scorekeeper (length=2634)
His reality is exactly what all but about 6 players on every team's reality is! Would be Casey Stengals often have no idea why they are the coach. I've gotten into this same philosophical over and ov ...

Almost the End of the Season - Scorekeeper (length=3114)
Ya know, when a couple of very knowledgeable people gave my boy advice during those early years of pitching, and other's later on, one constant piece of advice was to show as little emotion as possibl ...

Another chapter in the story, Ag - Scorekeeper (length=2587)
I think sometimes we all forget the enormous pride athletes take in their accomplishments. Even the lousy player has pride and should be given respect and treated with dignity for just hangin' in ther ...

Another chapter in the story, Ag - Scorekeeper (length=6906)
I'm making this a different thread because it really is different in its message. I also want to make sure everyone understands that although I'm just about as vindictive a person who walks the face o ...

BASEBALL MEMORIES - THE COACH (length=1127)
I went yesterday to an alumni game/reunion for the 1999 and 2000 National JUCO Champions. They also celebrated the retiring of John Lackey/Angels #. A great time was had by all. Lackey bought the beer ...

Bad mascot, bad mascot!! - lefty (length=2483)
I have been watching the debate started when the NCAA decided to ban the use of mascots in post-season tournaments because of the off and on outcry by a vocal minority of native Americans griping abou ...

C'mon My Brothers and Sisters! - Scorekeeper (length=2619)
These little things are what makes the game great to me! Someone can just plops their fat butt into a seat, grabs a beer and a dog, and be entertained watching great athletes play a game, hopefully in ...

C'mon Old Ag, you're not buying all that are you? - Scorekeeper (length=2475)
You can believe what you want. My son and of a bunch of other boys have to live it and so do their families. You don't know how many times I've begged this guy to read this board and others like it. Y ...

Can real maturity be far around the corner? - Scorekeeper (length=6024)
I thought this might spark some conversation. Please bear with a little rambling, there is a point. After coming back from the 10 days and throwing almost 18 innings in San Diego, the first thing my b ...

Changing of the Guard - Scorekeeper (length=6145)
Aw c'mon! You gotta hear this story! I'll stay away from the baseball though. In 1980 I got my 1st job outside of the military in more than 16 years. BTW, how I got that job is a story you need to hea ...

Changing of the Guard - Scorekeeper (length=3791)
I wish my son had the desire and the grades to do those things. In retrospect, I think we made what was an extremely bad decision about where we'd raise the kids. Just before we found out my boy was c ...

Changing of the Guard - Scorekeeper (length=4209)
One size field works for me. That's the way it was before LL Inc was born. Of course sometimes the sizes depended more on the length of a kid's step than anything else. What's the reasoning behind cha ...

Changing of the Guard - Scorekeeper (length=4369)
Remember, I don't look at a crutch the same way you do and my meaning probably isn't what you think. I look at religion as a crutch too, but that doesn't mean I think its a bad thing. Some people find ...

Changing of the Guard - Scorekeeper (length=3395)
That was my one and only foray into the world of big business and I have to say that if they were any example of how normal business were or are run, no one should have any complaints about the way th ...

Changing of the Guard - Scorekeeper (length=1741)
The problem is that there are too many different sized fields! Lack of standardization leads to inefficiency. Henry Ford proved that as well as McDonalds and a myriad of other businesses. What would b ...

Changing of the Guard - Scorekeeper (length=2167)
The thing that attracted me to it was that its being taught as part of the school curriculum! That gives it some credence which is otherwise lacking. Fact is that this is what REAL coachin is all abo ...

Changing of the Guard - Scorekeeper (length=3520)
What you say about the competitiveness of the players is an interesting topic. IMHO, one of the things that actually makes players better in some need they have to be the "best". You mentioned about ...

Comparison - Scorekeeper (length=1545)
I just couldn't help throwing a bone to a pitcher I've felt never has gotten his due. Everyone's going gaa gaa over Barry Zito this year, and for good reason. He's having a great season and deserves t ...

DITTO - Scorekeeper (length=1160)
The different scenario doesn't change the possible outcome and shouldn't change how it is viewed. To borrow something from Ag, "If you stand for nothing, you fall for everything." The different fields ...

Defense easier on 90 - Scorekeeper (length=2429)
Ya know, I understand the concept of what you're saying and don't disagree. But where in heck do you guys find all the different fields and the people to get them prepped? I honestly don't know of a 5 ...

Defense easier on 90 - Scorekeeper (length=4128)
You just had to get that thing about the uppercuts in there didn't cha? But that's ok, I unnerstan what your talkin' 'bout. I'm gettin' a hoot out of seein' all of the observations of people seeing wh ...

Discrimination because of all stars - Pink in Bakersfield (length=2286)
My daughter has played in the North West baseball league for the last five years here in Bakersfield, Ca. She also has played competitive travel ball for the past three years. She is an awesome shorts ...

Do I have this right? - Scorekeeper (length=3653)
At the risk of making people on both sides of this issue angry, let me tell you what I tried to explain to my boy's HS coach on this very subject that, shall we say, didn't improve our relationship. L ...

Do I have this right? - Scorekeeper (length=2891)
You hit the nail on the head! I had to play by the rules I had. Your HS situation is obviously far different than ours. I tried very hard to get my son out of the school he's in and into another one, ...

Do I have this right? - Scorekeeper (length=3774)
You made a different choice than I did about HS summer ball vs an opportunity to go to Az., but then again, we are in a totally different situation. Evidently your school's summer team only carried t ...

Does T Ball generate PITA parents - CoachSid (length=1036)
Sorry to say, ALL sports at ALL ages generates PITA parents. Teeball is just best described as "chaos running around in youth small t-shirts." At best, it is hard to keep them focused anyway. With twe ...

Does Winning matter anymore?!! - David Emerling (length=2975)
SK: Certainly there can be movement between these theoretical groupings. Kids move down who were studs as they peak out early and slow bloomers move up. The mental side of the game becomes more and mo ...

Does Winning matter anymore?!! - David Emerling (length=1774)
I've once had it explained to me that youth athletes can basically be divided into one of three groups. There are your A, B, and C players. Type C: They suffer from lack of work ethic. They don't enjo ...

Epiphany - Scorekeeper (length=6324)
Right now is a pretty interesting, albeit scary time in our house. My cookie cruncher is preparing for the HS fall ball season. Up 'til this year, we've snubbed the HS during fall ball. Tournaments, w ...

Failed experiment - Scorekeeper (length=2876)
I really don't think that's limited to the "upper" levels. The success of pitchers as low as 9-10 with a good change they really "sell" or even a lousy curve seem to bear out the "guessing" that's goi ...

Failed experiment - Scorekeeper (length=1372)
I think you might have gotten the wrong impression about what I was trying to do. I wasn't looking for reasons why the pitch was hi, lo, in or out, I was trying to figger out when I recognized it. You ...

Failed experiment - Scorekeeper (length=1493)
Tried a little home made experiment today. While my son was throwing a bullpen, I decide to see if I could pick out the instant when I recognized a high pitch from a low one, much to his chagrin. I ma ...

Final Comment on SK and Scout - Splitter (length=3104)
Ag, I very much agree with your statements except the part about WHEN size comes into play. I have seen too many young players dominate based on size (not skill) prior to puberty. Many of these same g ...

Final comment on SK and scout - THE COACH (length=1648)
I often preach about the necessity of Respecting The Game. That usually refers to respecting how hard the game is. But I sense that SK does not respect how great the athletes are that play to the uppe ...

Four year old in t-ball (or, Why We Coach) - Splitter (length=6349)
At some point during this thread, coaches got maligned. It went from, basically, when to start playing ball to what motivates someone to coach and it wasn't positive. Is it for the parents or the kids ...

GAGGING A MAGGOT - Scorekeeper (length=1963)
Something just happened to our Big League team, not our coach's fault, but a different coach's fault. Rather than post a new thread, I'll just stick it here. If you read the newspaper article and rem ...

GAGGING A MAGGOT - Scorekeeper (length=11951)
Whatever you do, don't lose that relationship with the AD!!!!!! Therein lies the secret! No matter what these HC's may profess, they work for the AD! Without the complete backing of the AD, the HC's w ...

Get this... - Coach Dave (length=1021)
If these are the best two kids in your league, why didn't they go to a travel ball team at age 9U? Why are they left to wreck havoc in the rec league? This makes no sense. All of these discussions don ...

Gettin' a HOOT! - Scorekeeper (length=2382)
Day 3 of all star practice had me hidin' my face to keep the parents and players from seeing me laughin'! Day 1 saw the coaches talking with the boys, giving them the normal pep talk and trying to fig ...

Girl's Softball / Boy's Baseball - Scorekeeper (length=5817)
"Point, set and match", said the Scorekeeper as he bowed deeply, and removed his cap in a sweeping gesture. If I remember correctly, your daughter plays softball. I didn't catch at what age or level. ...

Got his first chance on the 60/90 field - roddnet (length=1040)
Last Friday night my son got a chance to play on the "big" field" for the first time with the Juniors division kids in Fall Ball. They range in age from 13-15yrs. My son is 12yrs. One team was short ...

Honest Skepticism Is The Key - Kenneth Bean (length=2048)
Hi Again Splitter I was trying to demonstrate "headscratching" outside the box, or outside the lines for Phil when I began this discussion, and using his specific question as a launch point. My method ...

Honest Skepticism Is The Key - Kenneth Bean (length=2483)
Hi Guys Single L...Splitter... Thanks for the help. Sometimes I can't wait till we all have video monitors like we have these written messages. Phil, one thing that sends you off in a different direct ...

Honest Skepticism Is The Key - Kenneth Bean (length=3833)
Hi Phil I did something awful to my shoulder playing ball, and for years couldn't throw at all because my whole arm would go numb after one brisk throw, and would then hurt for a month. Twenty years o ...

Honest opinion please... - Scorekeeper (length=3834)
Its interesting how no matter how hard I try, the inevitable "perspective" keeps coming to mind. Most people are getting all upset, and BTW, justifiably so, over a LL all star team. Folks, there's not ...

How do you know if a kid has talent? - roddnet (length=1068)
I have noticed that the talented kid with "it" seems to be the one who doesnt panic and is always looking for the next play. He is not satisfied with just catching the ball or getting to 1st base. He ...

How many of 'em shaving already? (nm) - Scorekeeper (length=1619)
My heartfelt congratulations to the boys! I love to see a team that looks sharp! I want to try to make my picture a little clearer for you. My son's HS has over 4,000 students, but there has never bee ...

How much is too much? - Scorekeeper (length=1432)
I couldn't agree more, and although I'm guilty of "breaking" some of those very good rules, I do really make an effort not to. I'm in total agreement with you, but having been in my personal and very ...

How much is too much? - Scorekeeper (length=1149)
I was discussing what happened at my meeting with the coach with another parent and was telling him about the lady who went Mt St. Helens on the coach. He told me that several years ago, he volunteere ...

How much is too much? - Scorekeeper (length=1232)
There's no doubt that education is always the answer. Unfortunately, the flaw in that one is, not everyone wants to be educated for one reason or another! Its just another huge crap shoot! Ya rolls t ...

How to fight a tyrant (LONG MESSAGE) - Jon Toner (length=3376)
Before I get to my points, I'd like to humbly disagree with Mike G. on going to the media. This should be the LAST OPTION. Involving the media and/or politicians in a dispute just makes things more ch ...

How to generate more parental involvement - jcc64 (length=1179)
Please help us!!! My husband is the commisioner of our local Little League program. He has coached in the town league for over 7 yrs. But my oldest son is now aging out of the league, and my husband w ...

How to keep the ball in the park - Scorekeeper (length=4652)
Rather than trying to rebuild every LL park in the country because the 11-12 behemoths now routinely hit 275 shots, why not try an alternative? Wood bats! That's right, wood! You all know the stuff. C ...

I appreciate your honesty... - Scorekeeper (length=1525)
In the short time I've been on this BB and on others over the years, one of the most heartening things I've noticed is that there is a definite trend that more and more baseball savvy people are advoc ...

I just screwed my son s league bb future - mombb2 (length=3352)
My son was drafted by a 20yr old team manager (1st yr manager), older half brother of one of the 11 yr old players. The coach/assistant coached my son last year in minors; the coach and manager have ...

Is this common? - Scorekeeper (length=1523)
Its sad to see that happen, but you're right on the money! I can think of quite a few pros and cons for that mindset, and for a team that is really deep such as the one you described, it makes much mo ...

Is this common? - Scorekeeper (length=2494)
The reason I get verbose is simple. I've spent a lot of time working with people who are "too busy" to read detailed explanations of things. They want it short and sweet and to the point. That's unde ...

James, you are on the right path: 6yr old skill level, LL vs Select, etc - Bear (length=4625)
James, With time on my hands recently (and since its been a while since I have posted one of my novels at Infosports, I found your posting both revealing, informative, and maybe I can help. Overall, ...

Joe Carter loses job. - Scorekeeper (length=2009)
I just read that Joe Carter has been told he won't be invited back to broadcast the Cub's games next year. I was glad to hear that Steve Stone will be returning to the booth, but when I saw the reason ...

Just to add one thought... - Scorekeeper (length=3673)
My intention wasn't that complicated. Mayhaps my habit of using too many words obscured the thought, ...

Just to add one thought... - Scorekeeper (length=2405)
Ok, OK! I get the point! I'm not sure how it happened, but I rambled! So, let's get back to moving up and back and limit it to, NOT the big field. I can give a good reason for not doing it. the batter ...

Keep up the good work! - Scorekeeper (length=3133)
One of the most charming things about baseball that separates it from all other sports except golf is, no two playing fields are the same. Except for a brief period about 30 years ago when the ML buil ...

LLWS kicks Selects butt - Scorekeeper (length=4559)
I don't think anyone ever said a LL team could be picked up and dropped into an AAU tournament and destroy the competition. I took the posts to be a mixture of great pride in the program and recogniti ...

LLWS - lefty (length=1764)
Looks like Illinois is the sleeper this year. More than one player can hit and pitch, and defensively not bad. It isn't the most physical team overall, but the players are in the right positions and d ...

LLWS - lefty (length=1764)
Looks like Illinois is the sleeper this year. More than one player can hit and pitch, and defensively not bad. It isn't the most physical team overall, but the players are in the right positions and d ...

Lefties - Seadog (length=2046)
You guys are taking this lefty thing to seriously. You are right in that there are no left handed infielders in college or the pros. There are few if any in high school and select teams above 12 or 13 ...

Letting a girl pitch - Scorekeeper (length=2560)
In a small league like ours, you might expect to see this problem come up more than in a larger one. Since 1997, although we have had other girls play, there have been 3 who have pitched in our league ...

Looking for opinions - rob t (length=1424)
My son is currently playing his third season (2nd year) in the Pinto (8u - coach pitch level). His team this season is comprised of about a half and half mix of kids who have played at this level befo ...

Looking for opinions - rob t (length=1589)
Some interesting opinoins on this matter.... As for if the kids are having fun with the whole merry go round of positions - most of them seem to be. As for actually knowing what to do if the ball is h ...

Luck - Scorekeeper (length=1165)
Of course a ball player has to move on no matter what, but there's no way to deny that an element of luck, kismet or whatever you want to call it is present. What you said about the pitch caught my f ...

Luck - Scorekeeper (length=1508)
Sorry, should have been more explicit, but you figgered out "opposite" just fine. If it was thrown up and in, throw it low and away the next time. The trick is, the pitcher can't be a total dolt when ...

Magic Formula - Scorekeeper (length=1614)
HAH! I thought everyone took that for granted! Make no mistake, the officials may not have picked the players who would be advancing before they got there, but a lot of the players were definitely kn ...

Magic Formula - Scorekeeper (length=7437)
Perhaps my skin is just too thin, you haven't yet had the HS experience or maybe your kid is a freak. BTW, when I say that, I mean it in the sense that Ted Williams was a freak. I heard those same st ...

Magic Formula - Scorekeeper (length=4869)
Yep! Darwinians can point to baseball as a perfect example of survival of the fittest! The attrition is so high it ranks baseball players one level below dinosaurs as success stories. Talk about insig ...

Mia Culpa - Scorekeeper (length=2304)
I have to apologize to the group for enjoying the give and take of discussion so much. I absolutely love to see how deeply someone's convictions go and whether or not they have any real proof to offer ...

Missing my kids... - Kenneth Bean (length=1584)
Whew Hopper!!! I've been THERE! My E-mail address is beans@pdq.net and with Splitter's encouragement, I will forward to you a discussion I had with some folks on that subject. One sleazy, evil, though ...

Movie List: It's March 5, There is 2 ft of Snow, and a March Blizzard in the Forecast. What is a Coach To Do? - Bear (length=4254)
There is 2 ft of Snow, and a March Blizzard in the Forecast this week. HS Tryouts are on-going. What is a Coach To Do? Thanks to All, who contributed to this list. A few Baseball flicks from the good ...

My report on the Jr Oly event. - Scorekeeper (length=9961)
Well, now I’ve seen a great many of the best 16U pitchers in the country and gotten to talk to some of the Team USA scout/evaluators. I must say, I was surprised at a couple things, disappointed in a ...

Need some advice on OF - Scorekeeper (length=1250)
If you think it has something to do with his feet, why not make sure or eliminate it? Find a place you can drop a ball straight down from, preferably at least 100' high. If you can't do that, a pitchi ...

Nepotism - Scorekeeper (length=2657)
You may disagree with the responses and you may think that what's going on is nepotism, but think about something. Where would you get enough coaches to take care of all of the teams if dads didn't co ...

Never a dull moment - lefty (length=1722)
I've heard so many times how boring baseball can be. After coaching for a long time you think you've seen everything, but then something different happens and then you have to add that to your coachin ...

Next year - Scorekeeper (length=2153)
if I may offer a bit of honest and heartfelt advice, don't skip a year! Take a 13 YO team! the downside is that you'll inevitably miss some of you kids practices and maybe a few games too, but it will ...

No Select During Allstars - LL Rule? - Mel (length=1049)
Hi, I just answeed this in a different thread. Allstars are considered started when the team plays its first game. If your player is on a LL Allstar team and also a traveling youth baseball team, he m ...

OT: Mass. elementary school bans tag - roddnet (length=1653)
Hey COACH - look what they do with pocket knives now.... ORLANDO, Florida (CNN) -- A 15-year-old high school student died Thursday about two hours after being stabbed at a bus stop on school property, ...

Observations, move to bigger diamond - RD (length=1790)
Old Ag, I beg to differ on some of your points, especially on hitting. The last 11 years I've been coaching the 13/15 yr old age group and the one thing I find is that most kids have trouble hitting a ...

One-bat team wins the LL World Series - Kenneth Bean (length=2267)
Hi One L Your point is well taken. I have not read that article,but the point I think you were making is that the Venezuelan kids weren't deterred from coming to play with their one dead bat. They did ...

Opening A Can Of Worms - ondeck14 (length=2122)
where do i begin with your flawed thinking? lets start with your final statement. those who are way too intense generally dont think they are important to the kids, they are more concerned with being ...

Ouch! -- Long play by play of a Home job. - Kenneth Bean (length=1944)
Hi David Ouch is right! Home and away games are always subject to the realities of human limitations. An umpire who is associated with a particular team...or district...or the like...must have a sub- ...

Out of Control Parents on this Forum - The Pinata (length=1397)
I have been reading through these forums in the thread regarding where people's kids are playing, and I must say that I am shocked by a few of the responses. Let's go over a few of the people who shoc ...

PITA mom - ateamwife (length=1193)
We were playing a double header on Sunday and a Mom shows up (2nd game she has been to in two years). She is sitting front row behind home plate. Our boys are in the field. There was a close play at t ...

Parent s Hardest Job - David Emerling (length=3328)
This is a great article that appears on my team's website. It was written by Dr. George A. Selleck. George A. Selleck, Ph.D. is a sports psychologist with degrees from Stanford, USC and Princeton. He ...

Playing All-Stars and Another Sport - Mel (length=2995)
Hi. I am new to this Message Board, but not to LL baseball. I have been a board member, coach, scorekeeper, ADA and general Bottle Washer for 25 years along with my husband who has done the same with ...

Please help, I need an answer to a question - Lisa (length=3304)
Are alternate players subject to the no participation in other youth baseball programs? In other words, if tournament has begun and players are no longer able to play, can an alternate player from the ...

Please stop me if you can! - Scorekeeper (length=1276)
Ron, If it were up to me, I'd have just pulled him last year, but because he wanted to stay, now things have gotten worse and its much more difficult to transfer. Actually, the other games are what ha ...

Please stop me if you can! - Scorekeeper (length=3087)
Your advice is sage and sad. The upside is so high and the downside so low that its really scary! I'm sure that most people are like me and want desperately to believe in truth, justice and the Ameri ...

Problem not with the coaches - Scorekeeper (length=3035)
I appreciate the compliment and admit to whining about the HS coach. But the whining isn't the "woe is me" kind of whining most people associate with baseball parents who's kid have a coach that just ...

Problem not with the coaches - Scorekeeper (length=5342)
I think I've made that point before, but I don't mind doing it again because I think its important. First of all it, to me it makes a great difference as to how much you trust the kid's judgement. Kee ...

Problem not with the coaches - Scorekeeper (length=6577)
Let me start by saying I reread your 1st post and then my answer and I have to be honest, I don't remember why I made that comment! I remember writing it and I remember thinking that I wouldn't let my ...

Problem not with the coaches - Scorekeeper (length=1869)
The problem with pitch counts still would remain! It isn't unusual to see a youth pitcher throw 30+ pitches in an inning, or 60+ in 3 innings. That's a week's worth of throwing by almost every credibl ...

Reasearch - Scorekeeper (length=1995)
As an outside the fence guy who just watches the games, I think there is some validity to what the young lady noted about how different people perceive coaches out of the dugouts. Although she quoted ...

Reasearch - Scorekeeper (length=3416)
Coach L, I like your style! I do know how seriously people take it, heck I've been know to suck the air out of the park trying to keep from screaming when I see some of the calls that are made. Its un ...

Reasearch - Scorekeeper (length=2918)
Now that we all know the problem is iggerence or rather inadequate knowledge of the rules of the game, what do we do about it? Of the 4 groups involved, parents, players, coaches and umpires, its pret ...

Reasearch - Scorekeeper (length=1889)
Well, if you'd be willing to move to this whacked out state and were willing to do a lot of politickin', UC Davis just lost their head coach and I have a small connection to the old one. SAC State has ...

Rest of the story. - Scorekeeper (length=10052)
I understand exactly what you're saying about to much contact and it has been something we've thought very much about. It presents a lot more "problems" for a pitcher than what most people would think ...

Rest of the story. - Scorekeeper (length=5126)
Just like most other times, I'm guessing we're both really saying different things for the most part, but saying it in different ways. Of course it wouldn't be too smart to throw an 0-2 pitch right do ...

Say It Ain t So, Jason - Old Ag (length=1420)
This whole discussion on genes is a bunch of wasted hot air. {This isn't directed at any one person, including you, '66. So please don't take this personally.} Even if it is true that genetics are lar ...

Scorekeeper & RAD - Scorekeeper (length=2261)
I'm so old, almost all the "buttons" are broke. But the one's that still work, really work well. I'm an old, frustrated parent of a child I love very dearly who plays a game that has been such a huge ...

Scorekeeper, Scorekeeper--revisited - Scorekeeper (length=5753)
I don't mind laying it to rest, or continuing on. It sure isn't like there's nothing else to discuss. On the other hand, the topic does touch certain chords in people that make it the "never-ending st ...

Scorekeeper, Scorekeeper--revisited - Scorekeeper (length=2529)
The shame has to be shared by us all! We started it and we allow it to continue. Not "us" literally, but figuratively. Everything is just so darned complicated now! Teachers have to listen and to and ...

Season 1/2 over, Tied or Lost Every Game, How to Settle In for a losing Season? - texascoach (length=1747)
Staying out of that stands and staying in the dugout is some of the best advice I’ve found here to date. We had one kid who’s missed 3-4 games and about 8-9 practices. This kid was subbed in for anoth ...

Season 1/2 over, Tied or Lost Every Game, How to Settle In for a losing Season? - texascoach (length=2011)
Ugh! The league needed managers, last minute, alone I raised my hand, ran into a dad/friend at tryouts the league was cornering to coach, and he latched on to me. Our boys are first year minors, his b ...

Serious stuff kills it for the kids - Walter K (length=1669)
Well we can all smile. It's a good discussion. Like you when I was a kid their was only one thing to play and that was our local LL. The teams in my mind were highly competitive. But age and time do c ...

Serious stuff kills it for the kids - Walter K (length=1314)
and if all you guy's playing Travel Ball were around, you don't think that your local level ability would be good? 10 years old and playing Travel Ball? Does he get home in time at night to go to scho ...

Shaking my head again. - Scorekeeper (length=6686)
I was extremely lucky to be gifted with what it really takes to be a superior catcher. An absolute love of the position, no fear and the willingness to work on it every chance I got. For some reason, ...

Shaking my head again. - Scorekeeper (length=3745)
RAD, You're absolutely right about everything! I'm a jerk, a fool, have no idea about anything having to do with baseball. But, you sir suffer from delusions of grandeur. I write what I find to be t ...

Shaking my head again. - Scorekeeper (length=1041)
Well ya know what RAD, you've finally convinced me! I'm takin' my kid out of baseball and going to mount a campaign aimed at getting LL Inc and BR to disband. Its obvious that the 4,000,000 kids who d ...

Sick of it!! - SSLL Pres (length=3464)
I posted this on another forum, but I'd like to here what you guys have to say. This is my first post, and I'm sorry it's a gripe thread, but I would like some feedback. If you need a target, consider ...

Size limits - Kenneth Bean (length=1703)
Hi L Yeah, its what I was talking "beside" in my post about "The Robbie Greenwell Effect". Fortunately, "Our" Robbie would never have pitched. He would have played 3rd or caught I imagine. Sir, I hear ...

So! You want minutia? - Scorekeeper (length=2048)
Looking at the neat calculations and formulas triggered another one of the seldom though about and little cared about, rhetorical baseball thingys. Since the "magnus force" helps a ball to fly farther ...

Some time well spent with a "real" expert. - Scorekeeper (length=9242)
Last night I had an experience I wish everyone having a child in any level of baseball could have. As most regulars here know, I am definitely not a fan of HS baseball coaches and certainly not a fan ...

Some time well spent with a - Scorekeeper (length=2323)
I wish I had the ability to do him justice! I swear that I don't have the words to describe how casually the man talks about pitching to Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams and so many more of the great playe ...

Special LL waiver??? - Scorekeeper (length=1259)
There are waivers going on in every walk of life. Its only a recognition that special circumstances might exist. Unfortunately, there are those who use waivers in a way they aren't intended. If a pla ...

Splinter FYI, Why the Game Continues: - Bear (length=2263)
Splinter, To simply raise our levels of consciousness, let me 'preach' a bit first, and then recite an Official Presidential Word: Play Ball. I hope the teenagers amd young men of today are protecte ...

Splurging – A story to make you smile - Baseball Momma (length=3894)
Being a single mom I have always had to go the cheaper route. When my son wanted to play ball, I put him in the Parks Dept. League because it was more affordable. This last year we out grew The Parks ...

Startin' the HS summer battle - Scorekeeper (length=6622)
Life is nothing but one long battle! I step back and contemplate much more than most people because I realize that it my nature to not allow someone to urinate in my face and then tell me its raining ...

Startin' the HS summer battle - Scorekeeper (length=2944)
Which only goes to show that winning really isn't everything to everybody! Ya know what really galls me Ag? Its that these guys seem to all have a posture of them Vs. us! They put on a big show at tea ...

Startin' the HS summer battle - Scorekeeper (length=3746)
You're just bound and determined to make me the bad guy here, and that's fine. But the way to do it isn't talking about "rights" earned by going to practices! Last year we went through the same kind o ...

Starting Early .........Toddler Baseball Clinics - Bear (length=1110)
I received this email (from a friend of a friend). My personal opinion is.....starting a bit early .........but........what do you think? cheers Bear Baseball Clinics Mommy & Me Baseball Clinics Regi ...

Surge in popularity of youth baseball - Scorekeeper (length=1385)
Obviously you don't spend much time around football players! LOL All that's happening is that the kids are emulating success stories! It doesn't take too long to figure out that the reason Johnny is t ...

Surge in popularity of youth baseball - Scorekeeper (length=1890)
The foreign players do exactly what the players in this country used to do, they play sandlot baseball day and night, but with a distinct advantage. They have baseball weather year 'round and they oft ...

Take a moment - Old Ag (length=1573)
This may have been discussed while I was away from the net for a while, I don't know. I hope all of us will take a moment each day to pray for our boys/gals who have willingly gone into harm's way for ...

Teeball Tips - rain5water (length=1384)
In our league, the t-ball age is 5-6 boys and girls together.we coach pitch three underhand balls and if they miss all of them they hit off the tee. i was in your position my first year. but I ended u ...

The insanity can t reach low enough - roddnet (length=1090)
when my son was 4 he got to watch the nieghbor who was 6 play t-ball. He thought it was the greatest thing he ever saw. He wanted to go play with them so bad that my nieghbor (he was the coach for his ...

The most important thing in baseball - Scorekeeper (length=8231)
RAD got one by me that I didn't catch on a thread we agreed had gone too far afield, but his question intrigued me enough that I thought I'd answer, so I'll start a new topic. I really wish he'd have ...

Think I ll go back to my chair now - roddnet (length=1041)
We had a similar problem with the AC of our LL team htis last Spring. The HC asked the parents who wanted to help with the practices to please help. SO I agreed and went out to help. The AC got upset ...

Thinkin' About Pullin' The Plug - Scorekeeper (length=2669)
Kill it before the feeling grows into something you'll never be able to stop. Those of us will older brats that are honest can tell you it happens to everyone sooner or later. Mine hit a wall at 13. A ...

Too young? - Kenneth Bean (length=1247)
Hi Phil and Splitter Your most recent posts just reminded me of the data base Al has set up. Have you guys gotten into it and simply read some of the downright wonderful knowledge and insights preserv ...

Troublemakers--defined; and I'm #2!!! - Jeff T (length=2699)
I'll bat #2 in this line-up anyday! Just as we would "define" how our ideal hitter in the batting order would be; here is my un-"official" 10-person (for Kathy) batting order (use an EH) of trouble ma ...

Uppercutting, Lollipops and High Pitches - Scorekeeper (length=3662)
Just out of curiosity, what is it exactly they see better that will trigger the swing response? I'm not kidding here. Are you saying it looks bigger, clearer, brighter, more colorful, or something els ...

Uppercutting, Lollipops and High Pitches - Scorekeeper (length=4006)
There's a whole heap of things I've done with my son when I didn't think people were watching that I later found out someone had seen and had thoughts of calling the Ding a Ling truck! I think it's ab ...

Useful tactics - Kenneth Bean (length=1639)
Hi back Splitter Duh...what does clocked with a calendar mean? I've never heard that one. Anyway, as you know, I teach the "full square around" for bunting...regardless left or right handed. One reaso ...

Wearin' o' the uniform (for SK only) - Scorekeeper (length=5280)
The magic phrase is "to a great extent". As long as that's kept in mind, I pretty much go with the flow, but there are definitely limits on both sides. For instance, my son's HS coach laid down the l ...

Wearin' o' the uniform - Scorekeeper (length=1220)
How about this one? During the Great Harlem debate, someone mentioned something about the length of the pants and how wearing them a certain way was not correct. I'm not sure but I thought it was that ...

Wearin' o' the uniform - Scorekeeper (length=2189)
I guess the rebel comes out in me when we start talking about this kind of thing. I don't have any problem with most things like tucking in the shirt, but when we get to hats, I start to waiver. A hat ...

Wearin' o' the uniform - Scorekeeper (length=4997)
u·ni·form (yn-fôrm) adj. 1. Always the same, as in character or degree; unvarying. 2. Conforming to one principle, standard, or rule; consistent. 3. Being the same as or consonant with another or o ...

What are your expectations? - CJ (length=2601)
Again, you gain more and more of my respect as I read your posts. And I don't have a lot that I can add to this to make it any better, but I thought I would share this with you people. I was lying o ...

Where's my bullets? - Scorekeeper (length=5250)
I don't know if I'd say I saw it a "evil" necessarily, but in this particular case, last year he wanted my son to play summer and fall ball and we begged the guy to work with us. We even had his selec ...

Where's my bullets? - Scorekeeper (length=2614)
I understand that the perception is that it will make kids better if they play up to their maximum potential, and I have no argument with it. You also make a great point that other players will get op ...

Where's my bullets? - Scorekeeper (length=2652)
I'm just about ready to throw an easyloader in the .357 and be done with it! I had my meeting with the coach. I tried to be honest and helpful as much as possible. I even took the time to suggest and ...

Whipping The - Kenneth Bean (length=6002)
Hi Mr McNair A couple of weeks ago, answering a question on a different facet of the game, I Broadcast a post entitled "Healthy Scepticism Is The Key". I went on to say that it is the best approach to ...

Why Baseball is Important - Splitter (length=1842)
Baseball is pure. Strike zones vary from ump to ump, but there is a set of rules that we all play by. You touch the bag or you don't. You catch the ball or you don't. You hit it or you don't. Very lit ...

Why baseball is important - off topic: NY Mets Announcement - Bear (length=2240)
NEW YORK (AP) --The New York Mets announced today that they are going to court to get an additional inning added to the end of Game 5 of the World Series. The batting, pitching, and bench coaches f ...

Why...Decline (splitter, you ignoramus) - Coach Dad (length=1525)
"Commie Kickball" requires more skill than any other team sport to play at the top level. In other sports, you can get by with big holes in your game if you do one thing well (look at Greg Ostertag or ...

You wonder why I think many parents/coaches are delusional - Daque (length=2179)
The same thing hold for divers as well. Some dives are mandatory and some are optional. The dives have differing degrees of difficulty and, when performed, you get a rating and then this figured with ...

a plethora of comments - Scorekeeper (length=1797)
That's it in a nutshell! We all sometimes forget that everything we say or ...

a plethora of comments - Scorekeeper (length=5283)
Gee, you mean everyone can't sit all day hitting the refresh button and responding to these thing? WOW! What a concept! LOL Just so no one gets the idea that our state association has ignored my pleas ...

a plethora of comments - Scorekeeper (length=2210)
Glad to see you back! I think there are a lot of people who need to take a Sociology 101, Child Psychology 101 and Child Development 101 class again. I don't condone what that boy did, but I do unders ...

a plethora of comments - Scorekeeper (length=2460)
In my younger days, knowing fellows like Bent Nose Sam, Fast Fazio, and the gravelly voiced Vincenzo who always smelled a bit of gasoline and seemed to be in the area of every fire, this coach would h ...

absolute". - Scorekeeper (length=3636)
Oh but I do read your words. And my opinion of you has nothing what-so-ever to do with what you "perceive" as success in your children. My opinion of you comes from the fact that simply because I disa ...

focus, concentration, discipline - MS 19 (length=1119)
I feel that discipline is the key word in this situation. I coach girl's fastpitch, 9 - 12y.o. and I have a son that is 8, playing coaches pitch. There is a big difference between a 9y.o. girl's atte ...

high school coach interference-please read - Scorekeeper (length=6225)
Going on just personal run ins like this one, I'm afraid that although its distasteful and against my convictions, for the good of the kid, I'd advise letting the matter go! Again, this is only my opi ...

high school coach interference - Scorekeeper (length=1354)
I sure hope you guys who seem so incredulous are teasing. If you are, shame on you, if you aren't grow up! Have you folks been just laughing at what I've been writing and thinking I write it just see ...

long range planning for olympics - mapleleaf (length=1451)
Hi all. i have an 11yo kid, who with his parents have decided to set their goals at the 2008 olympics. Here in Canada, a large portion of our players come from Ontario (where i coach). i've been coach ...

motivation help - ateamwife (length=1014)
For the most part the boys all get along. There are a couple with attitudes that they know baseball better than the coach but nothing terrible. We have a lot of team get together and the boys swim and ...

one sport for 12 year old? - Scorekeeper (length=3947)
My son will be 16 in August only plays baseball. The main reason is, we live in the country where getting to the places where the various sports are played is a real logistics problem. Between my wife ...

we covered up and back how about in and out? - Scorekeeper (length=4115)
I see in and out as much different than up and back, with plate coverage the main determining factor. In youth ball, covering the plate isn't even enough! "Most" youth umpires give a very generous out ...

what is your leagues - bak (length=1212)
Cope- are you saying your sons are summer birthdays and in the same grade with the boys you want to "play up" with? I would not consider that playing up, rather just playin at grade level. My league i ...