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

[galaga]

Originally Posted by 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.

I just spent 3 hours smoking and having some beers with a buddy that I know from coaching softball. We talked about many things, but mostly about our kids and coaching them through the years. It still brings joy, rehashing old stories and telling tales of fun times past. Good times are made from teaching your kids something you are passionate about, even if it is a silly old, uniquely American game. My reward, for spending so much time doing such a thankless job as coaching a girls softbal team? My 17 years old daughter actually spent 5-10 minutes telling me about the rotten week she had, we actualy had a conversation. It's the little things in life, surely it is! WTG coach DstDog, you are earning the moniker of coach. SALUTE!

[dadof3illinois]

Like I've said, my oldest son is starting little league after 4 years of minor league hitting off a pitching machine. I've coached him the last 4 years, held baseball camps for 5-9 year olds every summer (this is a great way to make money for your league) where I'd coach him everyday. Now I'm wanting to let someone else coach him, start getting him less dependent on "Dad" instructing him, but it's not working. His first game is this Monday and his team has only had 3 practices, and none have hit from a pitcher other than a coach just throwing easy nor have they showed any of the kids basic plays. I'm afraid it's going to be a long season this year!!

The worst call I've ever made was as a referee in football. It was my first game as "white hat", after 4 years as umpire and line judge I was stepping up to Referee. It was a tied game with less than 30 sec. to play. The home team was going to try a fieldgoal from about 25 yards. The ball is snapped, put down, kicked, I blow whistle (because on an extra point in highschool the ball is dead), kick is blocked and returned the other way for a touchdown! But wait, I blew the whistle right after the ball was kicked (dumba$$) I forgot that this wasn't an extra point, it was a fieldgoal!!! So per the rules you have to replay the down. The home team rekicked and this time made the fieldgoal to win the game. I'd have to say that was the worst I'd ever felt after a game!!!! I was going to quit but a friend talked me into sticking it out the rest of the season. I stayed in football for several more years but to this day remember that call above just about all others.

[galaga]

Originally Posted by dadof3illinois

Like I've said, my oldest son is starting little league after 4 years of minor league hitting off a pitching machine. I've coached him the last 4 years, held baseball camps for 5-9 year olds every summer (this is a great way to make money for your league) where I'd coach him everyday. Now I'm wanting to let someone else coach him, start getting him less dependent on "Dad" instructing him, but it's not working. His first game is this Monday and his team has only had 3 practices, and none have hit from a pitcher other than a coach just throwing easy nor have they showed any of the kids basic plays. I'm afraid it's going to be a long season this year!!

Sounds like you might have to come back from retirement!

My kids and I had an agreement. When they're on the field I'm called coach just like any other coach. Any of our kids called their parent Mom or Dad it was laps. They listened and learned repect for all coaches. Now he's 15 and he's still respectfull if I'm his coach, but I know what that look means. At this age, any of them will listen to a younger guy much better that this FOC, or any FOC for that matter! And when we're off the field, it depends on his mood. Give him a few years and he won't be dependant on you anyway!
As for your football story....ouch!

[radar]

Our boys goofed off the first two innings tonight, but shut em' down in the third to win 15 - 10. Here's a pic of my slugger.

[dadof3illinois]

Originally Posted by radar

Our boys goofed off the first two innings tonight, but shut em' down in the third to win 15 - 10. Here's a pic of my slugger.

Great pic radar!!! We played Monday night and lost 10-9 in an 11 inning game!!! My son's first Little League game. We live in a very rural town so our teams are made up of 9-12 year olds. He played the whole game at third base and even made two nice plays, too dad's suprise....LOL. He grounded out twice, struck out once and walked twice. So I was pretty happy.

Tonight they won 19 -6, the other team didn't have very good pitching. My son walked 3 times and struck out once, so again his on base percentage is pretty good.....LOL. Played left field and had one hit over his head....made a good throw back to the cut off...didn't have much action out there though.

[galaga]

Originally Posted by radar

Our boys goofed off the first two innings tonight, but shut em' down in the third to win 15 - 10. Here's a pic of my slugger.

What a good lookin young man he is! Must take after his Mom!