Fun in Little League

At no point during this Little League season have I regretted my decision to manage the AA Braves in East County Little League. From the first preseason meeting to our current 0-13 record, the season has been fun, teaching young players the fundamentals of the game and watching them execute what they have learned. Unfortunately, I have an unsettled feel that has been with me since the first game of the season. I have confidence in how I approached the season, planned our practice schedule, and implemented a fair play, 6-3-3 system for our players to follow, regardless of skill level.

Little League is about having fun, which is what the AA Braves have had all season long. Many will point to our win less record and draw their own conclusions about our players and team being a failure, yet that could not be further from the truth. The coaching staff has worked relentlessly to teach our players the fundamentals of baseball. By the end of the season, each boy who put on a Braves cap at the start of the season will be a better baseball player.

There has been elation, frustration and disappointment throughout the year, but at no point did we lose focus on what is important, our boys. In the true spirit of baseball, the coaching staff has remained positive, keeping a good attitude towards the other coaches, players and umpires. We continue to stress the fundamentals of baseball. Winning isn’t everything. Last week I related a story last week to my players. I told them, “I don’t remember won many games I won or lost in Little League, nor do I remember any final scores. However I do remember some personal highlights; a good play, a home run, some all-star teams I was on. What sticks with me the most after 35 years, the coaches I played for and learned from. I feel these coaches taught me to be a better ballplayer I was from Little League to high school and even into college, but more importantly they taught me to be a better person.” Not sure the boys see it now, but hopefully they remember their coaches when they are older.

I have been rather appalled at some other managers and coaches and their approach to the game. It can be summed up in a single word. Competitive. At ages 8 and 9 years old, I feel there is too much competition in the AA division we play in. Maybe this makes me “soft” as a manager and doesn’t put my players in a position to win. If that’s the case, so be it. Thankfully playoff positions were handed out prior to the start of the season or the competition would even be more fierce.

It’s unfortunate that some of the fun, in my opinion is being lost because of the drive and desire to win meaningless baseball games. Winning by 10 or more runs seems to put an exclamation mark on the victory for the winning team. I, on the other have have been on the opposite end of those 10-run rule loses most every game this season and take responsibility for how our team played. Nothing worse in Little League than not being able to play all 6 innings, calling the boys in after the umpire calls the game and the boys have a puzzled look on their face. Worse yet having a few players who were only put into their position half an inning ago and haven’t experienced an at-bat.

More frustrating, the fact managers and coaches take advantage of the rules for their benefit. The worst offending, taking second base on a walk. The catcher throws the ball back to the pitcher, walking back to the mound, the batter rounds first and doesn’t stop. Worst yet, issuing a walk and 2 pitches later the previous batter is now standing on third base. One passed ball later, they are adding another point to their score. Honestly, you can’t even call this stealing since 99% of the catchers in AA don’t have the arm to make the throw to second base. This “stealing” doesn’t teach players how to steal a base, nor does it teach you proper base running. Even if the ball is caught by the catcher, it still requires a perfect throw and catch just to have a chance at making an out. Yet managers and coaches are playing by the rules, which I feel are flawed and ruin the fun at this age level.

Implementing a fair play system for all players on my team took priority before the season began. Regardless of their skill level, I wanted to make sure each player had the opportunity to hone their skills at numerous positions. Some of my players would probably never see more than 2 innings in right field and their one at bat if on another team. What does that teach a player? Would they return next year? How does that player improve and gain game experience? They don’t. At this age, players need to field numerous positions to get their experience and find out where they play the best. As a parent I would be livid if I paid for registration, new cleats, glove and bat only to see him play 36 innings and get 18 at-bats in a season. That is borderline neglect by a manager and should NEVER happen in Little League.

For some parents I have failed as a manager this year, going win less through 13 games. That’s fine, at 13 games in, not one parent has approached me saying they are unhappy with their son’s playing time. I take that positively meaning I have done part of my job as a manager, providing equaling playing time to all my players. Sure we haven’t won, but as I said there is more to life (and baseball) than winning. I feel we have taught these boys some great baseball skills and each have improved their fundamentals. Most importantly we have had fun all season long. Isn’t that the sort of coach you want teaching your son?