A rite of passage for many young Americans, Little League baseball is an excellent way of fostering teamwork and helping our young people to learn more about themselves. Individuals are brought together as a team to work towards a common goal. While one or two kids may excel, there are enough positions on the field for all the kids to join in. Little Leaguers learn a lot of skills and qualities, and are helped in this learning by the coaches.
Too often the portrait of the Little League coach is painted in a bad light. Words like aggressiveness, favoritism, and pressure get thrown around. While every apple has its bad seeds, the majority of Little League coaches are upstanding individuals. They are usually parents who volunteer their time to pass their knowledge of the game on to younger generations. Many coaches are teachers, laborers, or work in offices. They understand the importance of teamwork in daily life and they understand the need for positive influences when young.
Much of the work involved in running a Little League team is taken for granted by parents. Coordinating practice and game schedules, putting together the team line-ups, recording all the pitches and hits-these are all the tasks required of a coach and his assistants. Some coaches even take the team out for pizzas and ice cream after every game, whether it's been a win or a loss. One of the most important skills that a coach helps young players develop is that of patience. A Little League coach has to deal with his players' emotions as well as their technical abilities.
Clearly, coaching is not an easy undertaking. But it can be extremely rewarding. The relationships a coach forms with both his players and their parents can be very meaningful. Some kids even rely on to meet friends and provide structure in their lives. I know that I met some of my best, life-long friends playing baseball. It is a fond time of my life and I realize that is because I had excellent coaches who wanted me to succeed.
As far as coaches go, many don't know the impact they have on the kids. I distinctly remember the coach from one team flipping out at an umpire for a blown call. I remember thinking that the call was unfair, but it was just a game. Looking back, it makes sense that our team was calm and waiting out the other coach's tirade while his team joined in the argument. It makes sense because our coach had always told us that baseball, at the end of the day, is just a game. What happens off the field is more important. Sometimes people have trouble remembering that.
All it takes to be a Little League coach is a passion for the game that you wish to share with others. Many of us former Little Leaguers have delegated our passion strictly to fandom. We long gave up our childhood hopes of playing in the majors. Some of us even squeeze our misshapen frames into the uniforms of our Beer League softball team. Rather than pounding back the brews and wallowing in the past, we could be cultivating a child's abilities. Passing on our knowledge could make the difference for a kid that has the talent, but lacks the support.
My suggestion for anyone who shares my love of baseball would be to explore opportunities for helping out the local Little League. Some Little Leagues don't just need coaches, but also people to make announcements and manage the concession stands. This may be a good place to start before progressing into coaching. Being able to share your passion for the game with others may remind you why you love baseball. After all, why else are you paying forty dollars a throw to watch a group of professional millionaires play a game that kids happily pay to play?
Too often the portrait of the Little League coach is painted in a bad light. Words like aggressiveness, favoritism, and pressure get thrown around. While every apple has its bad seeds, the majority of Little League coaches are upstanding individuals. They are usually parents who volunteer their time to pass their knowledge of the game on to younger generations. Many coaches are teachers, laborers, or work in offices. They understand the importance of teamwork in daily life and they understand the need for positive influences when young.
Much of the work involved in running a Little League team is taken for granted by parents. Coordinating practice and game schedules, putting together the team line-ups, recording all the pitches and hits-these are all the tasks required of a coach and his assistants. Some coaches even take the team out for pizzas and ice cream after every game, whether it's been a win or a loss. One of the most important skills that a coach helps young players develop is that of patience. A Little League coach has to deal with his players' emotions as well as their technical abilities.
Clearly, coaching is not an easy undertaking. But it can be extremely rewarding. The relationships a coach forms with both his players and their parents can be very meaningful. Some kids even rely on to meet friends and provide structure in their lives. I know that I met some of my best, life-long friends playing baseball. It is a fond time of my life and I realize that is because I had excellent coaches who wanted me to succeed.
As far as coaches go, many don't know the impact they have on the kids. I distinctly remember the coach from one team flipping out at an umpire for a blown call. I remember thinking that the call was unfair, but it was just a game. Looking back, it makes sense that our team was calm and waiting out the other coach's tirade while his team joined in the argument. It makes sense because our coach had always told us that baseball, at the end of the day, is just a game. What happens off the field is more important. Sometimes people have trouble remembering that.
All it takes to be a Little League coach is a passion for the game that you wish to share with others. Many of us former Little Leaguers have delegated our passion strictly to fandom. We long gave up our childhood hopes of playing in the majors. Some of us even squeeze our misshapen frames into the uniforms of our Beer League softball team. Rather than pounding back the brews and wallowing in the past, we could be cultivating a child's abilities. Passing on our knowledge could make the difference for a kid that has the talent, but lacks the support.
My suggestion for anyone who shares my love of baseball would be to explore opportunities for helping out the local Little League. Some Little Leagues don't just need coaches, but also people to make announcements and manage the concession stands. This may be a good place to start before progressing into coaching. Being able to share your passion for the game with others may remind you why you love baseball. After all, why else are you paying forty dollars a throw to watch a group of professional millionaires play a game that kids happily pay to play?
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