Here's a THX to all the youth coaches on the board

[galaga]

Originally Posted by SDmate

I'm not trying to give Rick a bigger head than he already has,...................(oh, a wise guy ay...)

Ok, Ok, the cubans will be in the mailbox. As if you didn't put in twice as much time around there as me! Good luck on the surgery, and we'll have a shout as soon as you're up to it! I think that's the right term. Anything you need done afterwards, let me know.

[colgate]

Originally Posted by radar

Currently coaching Tee Ball and umpiring Little League.

Teeball? Just you wait

I coach little league 12 year old majors and umpire a bit. Been a coach in little league going on (checks wall plaques) 9 years.

Last night was one of those games you look at afterwards and say, no way no how does a pro game match up to the intensity and thrill. We had a kid about 6 foot 1 pitching for the other team throwing bb's while their hitters came out smoking. We haven't lost a game yet this season (6-0) and heard this team was gunning for us. They jumped on our starting pitcher 4-0. We scratched back one run and then the manager told my son to pitch. He's all of 4 foot 5 and this is his first time on the mound this year and I know his older brother has been teaching him the in's and out's of a second out pitch. Little did I know. He got up there and was mixing in curve balls (I know bad idea for young arms but hey it's his first assignment) about 30 MPH (slow as molasses) that had their hitters falling to the ground as it was being called strike. He took down the first three hitters on strike outs with combination curve fast ball and proceeded to staunch the bleeding and no hit the other team for 3 innings. That gave us time to dig and scratch another 3 runs and tie the game.

The manager put in the closer and he got dinged for one run. Bottom of the 6th bases loaded two outs and we single in a run - tied. A kid is at the plate who hasn't been in the same area code with his swing and the ball this season and he promptly goes down 0-2 in the count. The manager looks at me with his fast kid at 3rd and I nod to get into a pickle figuring the odds were better than this guy making contact. The pitcher runs at the runner and sends him back to 3B. 0-2 pitch on the way.....line drive up the middle GAME OVER. Youth sports rocks when everyone understands the goal is to win. Tball okay not so much (but I guarantee you most of those 5 and 6 year old know the darn score) but 10 and up, hell yes. Not everyone wins in life. Get over it.

[galaga]

Originally Posted by colgate

Teeball? Just you wait

I coach little league 12 year old majors and umpire a bit. Been a coach in little league going on (checks wall plaques) 9 years.

It does get exciting doesn't it, especially when you're in there coaching! I can still remember one of my guys that got his first hit ever, in the last game of the season in the third extra inning to tie the game as darkness set in. He's still playing and is about 6 foot now. Congrats on the new pitcher in the family.

[SDmate]

yep ya gotta right mate, we'll fire up the barbie an cook up some snarlers.
My shout though caus you're bringin the smokes.

darn ya got talkin kiwi again mate, need me to translate

[radar]

My son and I will hang out after his tee ball games to watch the older boys play. We both love it, they play with pure heart all the way. Everybody gives 110% and it doesn't cost a nickel. When there's a tight game nobody stays seated, the whole crowd gets into the game.

[radar]

Originally Posted by galaga

You've got a five year old! You're already out there umping in tri-focals! What are you going to do in another 10 years?
Sounds like he's a natural, and that he loves the game. I love to see the excitement of the kids (at that level especially) when they have a good game. Conrgrats Pop, sounds like you're staying young at heart!

I have three kids. My youngest 5, my daughter will be 26 tomorrow and is pregnant with my first grandchild due in October, and my eldest will be 32 in July.
Gotta argue with Colgate about the tee ball though, when my boy hit his grand slam I don't think I could have been more excited. He plays two games a week, has two practices a week and makes me play with him at least one or two days a week. When they love the game, it's exciting at any age. And the first thing he asks me after every game is "what was the final score".

[dadof3illinois]

Okay, lets see where do I start. I've got three kids 9yr old boy 3yr old boy and an 8 month old girl so I've got several years of sports left.

I've just spent the last several years as our minor league baseball president and teams coach. I coach girls high school track and keep involved with the boy scouts. In the past I was the head wrestling coach at my old high school and asst. football coach.

I spent 11 years as a high school football referee and 10 years as a baseball/softball umpire for all ages. I've umpired the local little league games but have had the pleasure of doing the Little League state championship, 13 year old babe ruth state championship and the 15 year old state championship games. So to say the least I keep pretty busy in sports and have seen and heard just about everything from parents, fans and players .

This year my son has moved up to Little League, so I've stopped doing baseball and football games, I don't coach my son anymore because I think he needs to get use to someone else coaching him plus I'd rather help by instructing him and his team during practice doing some drills and helping the other coaches, but during games I've got my lawn chair and am happy just watching and taking pictures and laughing.

[galaga]

Originally Posted by dadof3illinois

Okay, lets see where do I start. I've got three kids 9yr old boy 3yr old boy and an 8 month old girl so I've got several years of sports left.
...........
I spent 11 years as a high school football referee and 10 years as a baseball/softball umpire for all ages. I've umpired the local little league games but have had the pleasure of doing the Little League state championship, 13 year old babe ruth state championship and the 15 year old state championship games. So to say the least I keep pretty busy in sports and have seen and heard just about everything from parents, fans and players .

And you still have time for cigars! You must be a pretty good umpire for them to have you doing state championships!

SALUTE

[Arleban]

Originally Posted by radar

...the first thing he asks me after every game is "what was the final score".

Heck, I'm 27 and I think that's what I end up asking after my soccer games.
Being defense though, I tend to only get really fired up when we get scored on.

Isabel likes to eat the ball I roll over to her now. I think she might be a wrestler.

[dadof3illinois]

Originally Posted by galaga

And you still have time for cigars! You must be a pretty good umpire for them to have you doing state championships!

SALUTE

I make time for a few cigars Galaga, had a nice PSP #2 last night.

I think I ran across a few parents and coaches that didn't think so over the past few years..... .

I was lucky and got in with a group of very good umpires and referees. That's the way to go, if your wanting to become an umpire or referee you need to hook up with an association and attend a few clinics and work on proper mechanics and above all else, read the rule books!

Through the years I've noticed that almost none of the parents or coaches have a clue what any of the rules are or how they are applied in different situations. If your going to coach, you need to read the rule book from cover to cover and keep it with you at all times. It's hard to argue with someone when it's written in black and white!!

[galaga]

Originally Posted by dadof3illinois

I make time for a few cigars Galaga, had a nice PSP #2 last night.

Through the years I've noticed that almost none of the parents or coaches have a clue what any of the rules are or how they are applied in different situations. If your going to coach, you need to read the rule book from cover to cover and keep it with you at all times. It's hard to argue with someone when it's written in black and white!!

Was the coaches rep a few times, ie in charge of all the managers and coaches for the league, and we stressed over and over again to read the rule books because each coach owed the league four stints as an umpire. It helped put the shoe on the other foot as it were for when they were coaching their teams and helped them learn a few rules.

[galaga]

Originally Posted by dadof3illinois

I make time for a few cigars Galaga, had a nice PSP #2 last night.

I think I ran across a few parents and coaches that didn't think so over the past few years..... .

I remember one of my most popular calls, 9-10 years old div., I'm behind the plate. The team at bat was making a comeback late in the game and up comes a kid that was a little scared of the ball. He was a sub getting his 2 and one and there were two outs. After the first pitch it was obvious that he was going to jump out of the way every pitch but after a few pitches, the coach talks to him and convinced him to at least swing the bat, the pitcher was mainly throwing strikes, so the kid does and misses, but that was all of his courage used up but at least he stopped jumping out on every pitch. Finally a full count and the pitcher throws one right down the middle and just as the ball crosses the plate, the kid bends over and the ball hits him in the ear hole of his helment! He obvously wasn't hurt and the crowd got excited that now the bases were loaded for the top of the order. Stupid old, blind umpire, me, calls strike three batter out. I must say that the manager coming over to talk to me was helpful in calming things down. After I explained to him that the ball was in the strike zone and therefore a strike, and that the player moved into the pitch so he was not a hit batsman, he settled down. But really, he wasn't that upset to begin with because he knew it too.

[radar]

Ah the ups and downs of tee ball. Tonight my little all star was so busy practicing his Spiderman and Power Ranger moves in the outfield that he missed everything that came his way. Couple of good hits but no fielding whatsoever! Oh well, there's always next week.

[floydp]

Originally Posted by radar

Ah the ups and downs of tee ball. Tonight my little all star was so busy practicing his Spiderman and Power Ranger moves in the outfield that he missed everything that came his way. Couple of good hits but no fielding whatsoever! Oh well, there's always next week.

I hear that Gary, my grand son still is acting out some old stuff, pirouettes and some other ballet moves. I threatened to get him a Tutu and put him ballet. That worked for a few games. Now he looks like he's in kung fu..

[DsrtDog]

I am coaching my Daughters LittleLeague (10-13yrs old) softball team. This is my first stint of coaching after many years of playing. They are the team to beat so far but the real joy is getting to interact with her on a completely different Playing Field (no pun intended). We have conected on a different level through this. You are right they don't fall far from the tree.

Thanks for the post, it reminded me how much i really enjoy this time. My wife says she has not seen me this happy with something since I played on a team.