It doesn’t matter what you want to call it:
• Travel ball
• Select a ball
• Football tournament
• League ball
• City League Football
• Little League Ball
This is still youth baseball. This is a difficult game played by children. That alone is a challenge but then add in adult emotions and intentions of wanting to “excel” and you have a recipe for disaster. Keep those expectations realistic.
Even though some of these children grow faster than others, born with different abilities than their peers, they are still children. They will make mistakes (a lot), have trouble with focus, look amazing one second then do nothing the next, have bad body language, cry and do a lot of other things that are inappropriate for us adults to do.
Yes, they are children! The funny thing is, one day we were them and did the same things, making nonsensical comments, having squirrel moments and driving our parents, coaches and teachers crazy. So in reality, we get frustrated with them for the same things we do 🤔.
This is youth baseball. No matter how we want to spin it and give them titles that imply we are better than others, I would slow it down and remember that this phase in their lives is not about us. It’s not about our experience but it’s all about them, their personal growth as young athletes and people, and we’re here to help them get the most out of it for as long as they want to play it.
In fact, we have the opportunity to enjoy something with them that many of us enjoyed growing up. And for some of them, their abilities will grow into something extraordinary that will lead to the opportunities they dream of.
Develop the game!
Founder of Baseball Dudes. Blessed with three beautiful children and a wonderful wife. Baseball is my life, next to my family, and I love sharing what I’ve learned from it. Thank you for taking the time to check out what we have to offer here at Baseball Dudes.
