Frustration
Just over a week ago I posted about Crying in Baseball, after a touching sequence of events during a ball game. Since that time we had a practice and game scheduled as the little league season continues to roll along. Many of those feelings I had last week are turning to frustration. The kid in question has missed the last practice and game and I feel some responsibility to the mother after our discussion, but she’s failing her son. I have notified the league and if safety continues to be a factor, the kid will feel the repercussions in order to avoid injury to himself.
Last night I knew there would be some trouble fielding a team for our fifth game. I knew of three players out of town on vacation, since it’s Spring Break for the schools. I planned to be without my problem child, but did figure a lineup IF he actually decided to show. Sadly, I know it’s not his responsibility, but that of his mother who has yet to call me, is usually late, rarely responds to email and never seems to have information I have sent regarding the season. That left one player in question for our game last night who missed Thursday practice. Even had one family even returned early from their vacation just so their son could play, which I thought was wonderful.
With game time approaching I called this boy’s mother and received her voice mail and left a message. In addition I also sent a text message. About 10 minutes later I get a call and was told he won’t be at the game tonight, as she forgot about the game. At that point I told the umpires I could not field a team. and am not sure if the game will be rescheduled or if it’s a forfeit. Regardless the boys who showed up were bummed out, parents frustrated, especially the parent who had returned early from vacation. I and the coaching staff had no answers for the boys, which was unacceptable. We have a responsibility to the boys, yet can’t speak for the, “I forgot about the game” or a parent who fails their child during the season using baseball as a babysitter during the week.
Frustration has begun to creep into my game plan as an unintended consequence as to how the season has played out to date. The entire staff continues to keep their heads up and provide positive reinforcement when practicing and playing, but there might come a time where we must sacrifice a bit of fun for a stricter learning environment. Sure we are teaching baseball, but some of the same skills in learning on a ball field are the same skills used in school or at home. Listening is key. This probably tops that list right now, as many of the basics we have taught the past 6 weeks seem to be lost on the team.
After an inning ended last night, an assistant coach gathered the kids as they came off the field. He told everyone to stand on one leg, then told them to hop on leg. Every player LISTENED and followed the coach’s directions. He then asked, “why don’t you listen when you are on the field?” The kids were lost for an answer, except for one who answered. The root of our losing (which isn’t the primary focus for me in this league) are their listening skills. All the teaching and experience of the coaches will fall by the way if player’s want to grab ass and talk to their buddy instead of listening to what we are trying to teach. That has been the case for much of the season and we continue to stress listening at every practice.
Without listening, the basics of fielding a ground ball, throwing properly and swinging the bat are lost on all the boys. That might be a harsh statement, but even my top players look lost at bat and in the field at times, even though their skills continue to shine. Strategy and where to go with the ball is being taught, yet and empty look fills the player’s face when coaches are yelling for them to throw the ball. The coaching staff is without answers, as the team doesn’t play they way they practice.
Though 5 games maybe it’s time to reevaluate my managing approach and be harder on the kids, which is something I don’t want to do. Although it seems to be commonplace by a majority of the other teams. The last thing I want to do is get frustrated and start taking it out on the boys as punishment for failure to comprehend or demonstrate the basics of baseball as we are teaching it. Winning isn’t the goal, developing the player and the person is, but without listening they fail to hear what we are attempting to teach.
A Google search brought me to Amazon and a book by Vincent Fortanasce called Life Lessons From Little League. Described as, “an all-star guide for Little Leaque parents and coaches who want to teach their children to become not only good players, but also good sports.” The book received only a handful of reviews, but 5 out of 5 stars, at $4.48 on Ebay I couldn’t pass it up. Maybe this will push me past the frustration and I will be able to relate, interact and understand better when working with children. I am looking forward to these lessons, in hopes it makes me a better coach and better parent as it relates to kids and sports.
With all the struggle, we know there will come a breakout period, when that will happen no one knows. I suspect it will be big when it does occur and it will be contagious and the team not only will experience the fun and thrill of baseball but earn a victory. At the end of every game this season the dugout is full of smiles as the players pick up their after game snack, regardless of the score the game, as we are teaching is fun.
