zeal

One of our League Officers distributed a book by her uncle and I'm almost done with it. I highly recommend it. The book is "Life Lessons from Little League, A Guide for Parents and Coaches" by Vincent M. Fortanasce, M.D. Coach Fortanasce has been inducted into the Little Leagu Hall of Fame.

Thanks very much for responding and for your thoughts. The real issue I was writing about was not discipline -- I'm not intense that way (after all this is not high school or college) -- but rather mechanics and fundamentals. I'm very big on breaking down actions (throwing, hitting) and positions, and showing the players step by step on how to do it correctly. My fellow coaches do not do this, and the players appear to have gotten used to no instruction or (worse) doing it their way. Now when I come in and say you should be doing it this way, the players withdraw / feel intimidated. My issue is how much to push it. My feeling is to (1) simply back off until next season when I will manage my own team, or (2) identify those that are mature / open minded enough (not many) to accept new instruction and work with them. The others will still get attention, but I'm not gonna kill myself. I know it sounds like a cop out, but it's not worth it to me to fight with the Manager, and it's certainly not worth the risk of being yelled at / accused by parents.

Do your leagues do anything re this issue -- perhaps surveying players to learn about how interested they are? Meeting with parents to set expectations? I'm thinking of suggesting these things.

Your further thoughts are welcome.
Thanks very much.

Brewer: I've had no experience with keeping the team together through the winter, but I can tell you what my daughter will be doing with regard to pitching. She just started pitching lessons and her coach will be working with her (as well as his other students) at the elementary school gym during the off-season. I don't know if you have a private coach (it's well worth it unless you know this stuff -- I don't and find it to be very specialized), if so check with him / her. Now with regard to what I'm doing -- I'm going to hang a tarp in the basement, measure off 35 feet, get a bucket of balls, and let her throw when she wants. We also work with weighted balls for strength and wrist snap.

I hope this helps. Keep writing -- I find this board very helpful and educational.