To me..........
by Ty Webb (2026-07-15 10:35:35)
Edited on 2026-07-15 10:37:18

In reply to: We're not there yet, but from my playing experience  posted by tdiddy07


11U might be the age where development takes precedent over winning but I also understand that there is a business side to this and these guys want to win tournaments, attract better players, charge bigger fees, etc. FWIW, I've talked to the coach before and from all indications he seems like a decent enough guy, it just seems like he's struggling with the reality he's coaching 11U kids who have different emotional states than say a kid on a 17U team. The snide comment about the bunt innings later might fly in high school but is not necessary for an 11U kid who already knows he effed up because he's sitting there and not playing anymore.

If we were talking 14U here, I'd probably just let it go. The other aspect is the kid just likes playing baseball and has come to grips with where he's playing this fall and fine with it. The director and coach also made a comment to the team that the fall rosters won't be the same in the spring necessarily so there is the angle that if the kid has a good fall, he could be back on the A team but that might get ruined if the dad expresses his displeasure at season end.



ADVERTISEMENT

I may have added a bit since you responded.
by tdiddy07  (2026-07-15 10:42:20)     Delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |  Report Post |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

Which is largely to say that yes development should still be priority here. And snark isn't coaching and developing. My primary job is to teach. Most of the big mistakes kids make at that age are because they're in situations they haven't faced before or haven't gotten enough practice at. Those are opportunities to pull aside and reinforce mechanics, mental approach, explain the rules with the understanding that there's no reason the kid should've done that yet, etc. You only have so much time to practice. Game mistakes should largely be dealt with the same way you'd teach in practice. There should be non-rhetorical questions. You should explain "you did x. We want you to do y. remember this is what y looks like. Why don't you show me that so you'll be ready next time."

Often times they're actually trying to do something they've been taught but they pick the wrong situation to do it in. Because they have a tiny fraction of the game experience I and the other coaches. That should be recognized, appreciated, and explained.

If we're talking Midland Baseball's A team, maybe I'd change my view a bit on the push for tournament competitiveness for 11 year olds. But the job priority to develop and teach is the same.