Last fall I had some issues with my Pony League team (ages 12-14) staying 'into' the game. I would be coaching third base and see several kids out of the dugout talking with their parents. This year I am going to set the precident that we cannot leave the dugout during the game, but I am looking for other ideas on how to keep kids engaged in the game at all times. I have thought about an incentive program that runs the entire year that if I ask someone how many outs, or where the play is, or what the count is and they don't get it wrong so many times throughout the year we'll do something as a team. My goal is to get them to pay better attention to the game and know what's going on all the time. I understand they have a short attention span, but I guess I selfishly want them to be so into the game, they can't look away. Anyone else have any ideas? Or anyone think I am asking too much out of kids at this age? I think by the time you hit 12-14 you are playing baseball because you want to, not because your parents want to.... but maybe I'm expecting too much.
