Touchy Situation with Little League

My husband played college ball... but he CANNOT pitch for kids. He can't slow things down. When he tries to he has NO control (JUST like you described). It was mortifying for him. (He can still pitch fantastic for adults)

I'd try approaching it like that. "You know, my friend played college ball, but the distance and how slow the kids need it... he just couldn't throw like that after years of training for real distance and speed. So he had the other parents rotate as pitchers while he stood by the catcher and coached the swinger."

Oh God.
My son was on a baseball league and one year his father finnagled his way into being the coach.
His heart might have tried to be in the right place, but he was the worst coach ever.
He got the kids' names mixed up and I swear if a kid pulled his shorts out of his butt crack, he would say, "Good eye! Good eye!"
None of the parents ever said anything because they adored my son, who was actually a very talented player, and also quite embarrassed 90% of the time.
I'm thankful the parents and other coaches who were familiar with my son had it in their hearts to understand it was about having fun and not about the perfection of logistics.
The kids actually did quite well in spite of it all.
My son would have been mortified if someone pointed out what he already knew.
His dad was a doofus of a coach.
But, my son has a picture of his team and his "coach dad" in his bedroom.

Even now, every once in a while when I suffer from brain fade, my son will joke, "Good eye, Mom! Good eye!"

Be as diplomatic as possible if you can.
Just saying.....

Oh, this has to be frustrating to the kids. Nothing like finally getting that I'm a big kid feeling because I don't need the tee any longer; then just have someone who can't pitch to them. From what you are describing I would be upset also.

Is there any assistant coaches on the team? Is your husband one of the assistant coaches? I know in the league my son is in any adult on the field must fill out the volunteer form so the league can run a back ground check. If your husband isn't an assistant coach this maybe why the coach is hesitant in handing the ball over to him. This still doesn't explain why he wouldn't hand the ball over to an assistant.

If your husband is an assistant maybe he can approach the coach with the I can pitch so you can help coach the kids on the base running. You know like being the first or third base running coach. At practice maybe he could just say do you want me to pitch a couple so you can coach with the fielding. The boys also need to learn how to make the plays, and by just saying pitching a couple he might be willing to let go of the ball. I would also do this for a child that is not your son so it doesn't look like he is only wanting to help your son. Maybe if the coach sees the kids ability to hit off of someone else he might see he has a better fit some where else on the field.

If you feel like he isn't responding to you I would call the league and ask for the person in charge of coach pitch to attend a game to see what is going on. Explain to the person in charge that you are concern that the kids are not learning the skills that other teams seem to be learning. This way they can see first hand, and the coach may be more responsive to their suggestions. This coach maybe embarrassed that he can't pitch to kids, and might not want to admit that he is having trouble.

Just keep in mind as frustrating as this is he is volunteering his time to "coach" the team. If all else fails just keep working with your child at home and know next year you can request not to be on his team again. Good luck.

I was in this EXACT same situation a few years ago with my son. The coach would always pitch so high and way over the kids' heads. It was so frustrating. Because it was such a touchy subject due to the fact that he was the head coach, we just left it alone.

If this is what you decide to do, I would suggest teaching your son away from practice by giving him the opportunity to learn from his Dad himself. Have your husband take your son to the park himself so that they can practice hitting on their own. This will help him prepare for next season. Hopefully he'll be on a different team with a different coach.

I'm sorry, I don't know how else to address it. It's so touchy and you don't want to hurt any feelings. Oh I don't know. Please please tell us what the end result is. Keep us posted on what you do. I'm curious to hear what the other parents have to say.

I agree with Diane S 100%. This man is trying his best, he's volunteering, he's not being rude and inappropriate w/ the children, and if you say something, YOU WILL become "those parents."

A good lesson for your son is to maintain respect for adults AT ALL TIMES, not to talk bad about someone if they're not very good at something, find something good to say about them instead, help that person out if they're struggling but not take over and dominate.

You and your husband should just relax, volunteer to assist the coach, help make it a fun season, practice on your own time, concentrate on making relationships with the other parents and kids, hone your son's skills in the many other areas of baseball during this season, and stop stressing over the coach's inabilities (especially in front of your son or his teammates).

Life's too precious and short to stress over 6YO coach-pitch baseball!!!

Unless your husband is prepared to "take over" 100% of the time, I would back off and/or take my son to a team where you and your husband approve of the coaching.

Blessings....

I wouldn't say anything.
Have your husband volunteer next year and get his own team.

He's offered to help, the coach hasn't accepted.

There's a lot more to baseball than hitting.

I wouldn't address it at all, esp if you guys are the only ones concerned.

This coach is obviously not into this as you want him to be. He is obviously not good. I totally understand.

But what if the tables were turned and you were this coach, how would you want it to behandled? Would you want a parent to come up and suggest even in a nice way that you are a bad coach and your pitching stinks? I'm sure you would get very defensive, probably get on mamapedia, and complain about a busybody parent who doesn't appreciate you volunteering your time and taking time out from your busy schedule to coach her kid.

Your son is 6. If he likes baseball that much, then this won't be his last coach. If anything, he will learn the difference btwn good and bad pitches and throws, thus making him a more well rounded player Its one thing to know your game when every pitch and throw to you is perfect and spot on. Its another thing to know your game when every pitch and throw is unexpected.

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Not to be harsh but your son is 6 and this man is volunteering his time to coach these young children. Your husband has offered to pitch already so the coach knows he is available. I would not do anything, or say anything, it will only hurt this man's feelings, and may discourage him from continuing. Your husband has the option of pitching to his son at home and working with him one on one, if he is that concerned about teaching your son baseball. I think your concerns would be valid if you saw this man yelling at the children, using inappropriate language etc. but not pitching to your husbands standards just isn't enough reason to me to speak up because you will be come one of "those parents."

I agree with your husband. Surely this coach isn't made of glass and won't fall to pieces if DH has a guy-to-guy conversation along the lines of "look dude, I'm sure you pitch great at adult games, but for kids you stink! I'd like to give it a shot if you're willing."

I would try to switch to a different team instead of confronting and causing a situation. It would be hard for the coach to treat your child the same after this sort of discussion. It's just easier to find a new team where you're happier.

I'm not sure how it is in your city, I know in Plano you can stay on the same team if your coach continues with the team. Our 5 yr old is on a MCP pitch team, this is our third season together and we are a closed team. I truly believe that once you find a good coach with a good team then you need to stay with them. Our coach is awesome, he can't pitch all that well but he knows it, and tries to not pitch, LOL! If your husband can get a team next year then I would do that. We had the same experience as you our first season with PBA with our now 8 yr old, coach couldn't pitch to our son to save his life. We only got away from it and found a good coach when we went to select and got away from daddy ball. That's one thing I like about our younger son's team, the coach doesn't have a kid on the team, he's coaching this team for a friend and because he loves teaching little ones about baseball.

I don't think you're being unreasonable or "those parents" at all! You have a valid concern, whether the guy is volunteering his time or not. He could be the greatest guy on earth, but if he can't pitch, he can't pitch! I think your husband should talk to him. If he doesn't take it well, then maybe you should consider switching teams. If you're anything like me, it's not even just about the money it costs for your son to play. It's about the TIME that it takes, and you want to use that time as wisely as possible! I would feel the exact same way you do. Speak up and good luck!

I hear what all of the other moms are saying and agree at some level (the coach is volunteering his time). However, here are some options:

My son played coach pitch this past spring and the coach had multiple parent helpers. One of them ALWAYS pitched - I guess because he was a good pitcher. But, the other thing is - the coach divided them up into about three groups during practice. One practiced hitting, one practiced catching/throwing and the other practiced with the kids actually on the field. They did these things for about 15 minutes and then they rotated. So, if your coach is not doing this, you could recommend something like this - in a diplomatic way: like...hey..the kids are pretty rowdy today, why don't we break them up into smaller/more managable groups. You practice with them on the field and I will practice pitching to them (somewhere way in the outfield). Hopefully, the coach will see that they are consistently hitting someone else's pitch better. OR, when the game rolls around, you can say..."Hey..they have been practicing with me pitching to them - how about I pitch this game so you can focus on other areas."

If the coach doesn't "hear" it from you politely, then flat out point out to him that he doesn't pitch very well and you would like to replace him as the pitcher. I know the other moms are focusing on the fact that he is volunteering, but the reality is, there is more to baseball than hitting. The kids need to experience getting on the base and running - learning not to run on a pop fly, etc. There is a whole realm of experiences they are missing if they can't get on base.

I understand that the coach is volunteering and the only option I see is if YOU (or your husband or one of the other parent) is willing to step up and be the pitcher 100% of the time. You need to be there and the coach needs to be able to count on you.

Good luck!
L.

My husband coached because he couldn't stand some of the inept, but good intentioned fathers who were coaching. My husband had years and years of baseball, knew the rules, and excelled even in his 20s playing with city leagues. So he wasn't a novice. If your husband can get to know the coach a little better, perhaps he can eventually get the guy to consider letting him pitch, but get to know him first outside the baseball field. We used pitching machines at that age, so we didn't have this sort of conflict.