Posted: 4/28/2002 3:16:29 AM EDT
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I have been helping coach my sons little league team and I have become quite frustrated with it. Yesterday was the first game and we were beaten quite badly. I am not really upset with losing because the kids did play quite well. I am more disgusted with a couple of the fellow coaches. The age level of the team makes it where the coach pitches the ball to the kids, and this is where the problem arises from. The other team pitched under hand to the kids and a couple of the coaches insisted that our kids be pitched to over hand in the hopes of teaching the kids how to hit an overhand pitch. To me this is the problem and I will explain my views on why this is the problem. On the surface it sounds good to try to teach the kids an overhand pitch. To me it makes no difference on there learning ability to pitch underhand to them. You can only throw the ball at about the same speed so you get no benefit from the overhand pitch in this respect. I think it is more important to teach the kids to hit a pitched ball no matter what way you pitch it.The biggest problem with the overhand pitch IMO is that when a 6' man is pitching to a 6 or 7 year old kid the ball has to be lobbed in at a downward angle as the ball crosses the plate. This kind of pitch actually causes the kids to have to swing at a upward angle to get a decent shot at hitting the ball. This seems counter productive in my mind. I am not sure if I am missing something or should I just push the issue with the other coaches. I am looking for your opinions on whether or not the ball should be pitched overhand or underhand as long as they are about the same speed pitches? |
| Nut.....you are 100 percent correct.....rules and parity must be present during games....otherwise the kids are "learning" the absolute wrong things......you have entered into a world where you are going to wonder....who`s playing ball here...the kids or?.....most leagues have a head umpire to resolve these issues.....that person should committ to be present during all games.....being in little league....as a coach...manager....father....boys and girls...young men and young women.....for about 14 years.....I have been in one of the worst leagues...and one of the best leagues......you have to voice your concerns.....but don`t get TOO upset.....when dealing with the immature..cut throat fathers and mothers............always keep this thought foremost in your mind......."LET THE KIDS PLAY BALL"....that`s why they are there...that`s why you are there..........good luck......[argue] |
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I agree that the kids are there to play ball and have fun. I also think we should help them learn the best way to play that game possible. I also agree that the rules should be followed, oh yeah I forgot to mention we don't even have an umpire for our games. I am just looking for some opinions on what may be a better way to instruct these kids on hitting. |
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I have coached youth sports for 8 years now in Soccer(which I played in Norway)and basketball. My son started late in Baseball and for what I see of a lot of the coaches he could have skipped it entirely. He started at first base due to his size and athletisism(sp)and that was a "problem" for some of the parents. He was supposed to work his way up I guess. Other kids play 2 innings and hit once based on skill. These are 11 to 12 year old kids that are being told they are not good enough to "PLAY"??? The Town follows Williamsport rules and I have no problem with that but a Recreation program needs to exist so kids can play for the fun of it as well. I grew 4" and gained 15lbs between 8th grade and freshman year. There will be kids in the "not good enough" group that will have similar spurts but will have lost the "love of the game" and thats the real shame. The 13 year old All Star coach told us parents "this is serious stuff, we're not here to fool around" I smiled, picked up my stuff and lefted the meeting. It's gotta be fun... [:)>] |
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Quoted: I agree that the kids are there to play ball and have fun. I also think we should help them learn the best way to play that game possible. I also agree that the rules should be followed, oh yeah I forgot to mention we don't even have an umpire for our games. I am just looking for some opinions on what may be a better way to instruct these kids on hitting. |
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After playing catcher in Little League and HS baseball and in FastPitch softball when I was in the Corps it was almost natural to end up being an umpire for little league... (except for having to dodge the wayward foul tips or the balls that the catcher misses ... I almost wore out a protective cup one year) They need more Umpires for Little League ... it all boils down to if you want rules enforced (even for parity) then you need a enforcing party... But... since Umpire in Little League is (unless there have been changes in the last couple of years) a total voluntary position... many people will not aspire to it, only to be yelled at by mothers/fathers/coaches/players that think they have a better view of the action from where they are than you the Umpire... Granted all Umpires do make mistakes... but some of those come from not having enough Umpires to do the job... Please if you have children in some of the sports and are not taking an active role as a coach or mentor... then consider being an Umpire/Referee... Thanks, Ted... |