How To Make Youth Sport Participation A Positive Experience For Your Child.

The chances that you and your child will have a safe, enjoyable, stress-free experience often depends on what happens before the season even starts: the attitude you have about your child’s participation, whether the sport and program you pick is right for your child, whether the sports gear you buy will keep him safe and is age-appropriate, etc. Regardless of whether you are a “rookie” parent signing you child up for T-Ball for the first time or a “veteran” parent whose son or daughter has been involved with SEBA for several years, each season presents new challenges.

One piece of advice that is handed out regularly to parents is to set a good example for children. Most parents do just that and try very hard to encourage and to be positive as their children climb the sports ladder. Four things that you can do this season that will really show your child and other parents what it really means to be a good sport and to help your child enjoy their baseball experience include:

1) Cheer for all the children even those on the other team. This sends the message that youth sports are all about giving one’s best effort and enjoying the game regardless if you win or lose.

2) Exhibit good sportsmanship and have fun. Baseball is merely a game, not a life and death struggle. How can we expect our children to learn good sportsmanship when we exhibit just the opposite by inappropriate behavior on the field or in the stands.

3) Be a parent, not a coach; resist the urge to critique. Don’t make your child dread the ride home after every game by going over every game pitch by pitch. Sometimes just being there for your child is all that is required. Just keep encouraging their effort and tell them how you enjoyed watching them play.

4) Remember that children do not progress physically and mentally at the same speed. Some children mature early while others are late bloomers. Baseball is a challenging game. A .300 hitter fails 70% of the time to get a hit! Be supportive with your child if they struggle. Helping your child learn to over come adversity is a great way to help build their self-esteem and self-confidence. Pick up a glove and work with your child on fundamental skills away from the game. Practice will make them better.

EXPECTATIONS OF THE TEAM

PLAY HARD: All the time--Defense is more effort than skill.

LEARN: You should learn something new every time you take the field or watch the game. This will help you play smart.

TEAMWORK: You will make everyone better when you do the little things. A player will never yell at another player.

FUN: Enjoy your teammates. Enjoy doing your best. Be sure to thank your family and friends when they come to watch.

WIN: When a team does the first four things well, they will win most of the time.

EXPECTATIONS OF THE COACHES

The coach should work with the team to develop their knowledge, skills, attitude and habits.

The coach should work to create a good experience for each player.

The coach should be honest with the boys and parents and will treat everyone with respect.

The coach should play each player as equally as possible based on the player/team expectations.

The coach should listen and be open-minded with the players and parents.

EXPECTATIONS OF THE PARENTS

Attend the games whenever possible and cheer in a positive manner.

Find the positives in your child’s game and leave the negatives alone.

Always remember: Coach’s coach; player’s play; umpire’s umpire; parents enjoy, cheer and support.

If something is bothering you or your child, talk to the coach away from the game. They may have overlooked something so don’t be shy about calling them.

Have your child to the games and practices on time. Please call if they will not be there.

                    JUST A LITTLE BOY 

He stands at the plate with heart pounding fast.

The bases are loaded; the die has been cast.

Mom and Dad cannot help him, he stands all alone.

A hit at this moment would send the team home.

The ball meets the plate; he swings and he misses.

There’s a groan from the crowd, with some boos and some hisses.

A thoughtless voice cries: “Strike out the bum.”

Tears fill his eyes; the game’s no longer fun.

So open your heart and give him a break.

For it’s moments like this, a man you can make.

Keep this in mind when you hear someone forget.

He’s just a little boy and not a man yet.