from you telling them what they should or should not do. Your insights on their play are usually driven by emotion and passion and typically come off as confrontational. They have enough pressure as it is, they don't need more from you.
4. Let the coaches coach
Did you sign up to coach? Did you volunteer your time away from your family to help others? If not, you don't have a say. Yes, you may have coached Rec league but in no way does that qualify you to give me any suggestions as far as lineup, playing time, and direction of team. If you don't like it, leave. You don't have to stay and have every right to go somewhere else. If that's how you feel, then I'd rather you leave than be a distraction to the team.
5. Let your child enjoy the process
Sports are a never ending process of learning, whether it be social or fundamental. There's an inherent value to the social and fundamental construct of sports. These early years of athletics can be unbelievably valuable for your child's social abilities in the future.
People often ask what my parents' role was in my climb to professional baseball. I tell those people that my parents were supportive of my love of baseball and gave me every opportunity to succeed. My father was a football coach and knew nothing of baseball and my mother did not play sports in high school. Whether I played a great game or terrible game, my parents always treated me with support and love. They never "pushed" me in any way and anything that I accomplished was because of my own desires and their support. They had complete trust in my coaches and I was very lucky to have great ones along the way. So, when you look at your child and you see a major league baseball player or professional football player, understand that they may think of themselves as something very, very different. It's not about you, and if it is, it's probably the reason your son
might not be that good. Parents: don't be the reason for your kid's failures, they're under enough pressure already.
The Baseball Observer - June 2015
About the Author:
Colin Young is currently a Professional Scout and Prospect Writer for www.BaseballProspectus.com. He was also a professional baseball player for 9 seasons. He was drafted in the 9th round out of Fordham University (Bronx, NY) by the Colorado Rockies in the 1999 MLB draft. He played for the Rockies for 5 seasons and was called up to the Major League 40 Man Roster in 2002. He pitched for the Cubs, Red Sox, and Cardinals organizations as well. From 2005-2007 he pitched in Independent Professional Baseball in the Atlantic League and the American Association League.
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