I am the average sports-loving Dad.  I have a sports-related past which includes little league, High School, and collegiate level sports.  I succeeded in several sports but came up short at several sports as well.  I now have two children who have a better than average interest in sports.  My son Malik (11), loves football, baseball, basketball, and wrestling.  He also has an interest in tennis, skateboarding, hockey, and now curling.  My daughter Candace (8), loves gymnastics and cheerleading but she also has an interest in tennis, basketball, and now curling.  My wife Sonya (?), watches sports occasionally, helps manage our little league baseball teams and still finds time to socialize with girlfriends over food and wine.

 

The reason that I put together this website was to create a community where little league baseball participants can share ideas, likes, dislikes, and resources to promote the ultimate FUN experience for everyone involved in little league baseball.  My motivation comes from the statement in which I’ve heard all too many times in the recent past, “baseball is boring”!  My challenge to those who believe this to be true is that baseball is not boring; however, coaches, parents, and umpires can approach the game in ways which take away from the excitement of the game.  Sometimes the reasons for which parents and coaches want kids to play baseball is in conflict with the reasons why kids play baseball. 

 

For example, here are the top 5 reasons why parents want children to play baseball:

 

1)      To learn the value of teamwork and discipline.

2)      To help them understand that if they work hard at something, they can be successful.

3)      Because my child is very athletic and could potentially play at a higher level.

4)      To give them a physical habit to replace the video-game/television habit

5)      To keep them busy with something positive rather than other negative, potentially destructive activity.

 

All of these are worthwhile goals of very responsible parents.  Any parent who doesn’t attempt to achieve the 5 things listed above would get criticized by most anyone.

 

Let’s take a look at the top 5 reasons why coaches want to coach baseball:

 

1)      To share some of the knowledge and fundamentals that they have about the sport with the next generation of baseball players.

2)      To instill responsibility in children through the values of hard work and success.

3)      Because my children are participating and I want to volunteer my time for the good of my child and other children.

4)      Because I didn’t/did have a good coach/mentor growing up, therefore I want other kids to have a similar experience.

5)      I made some missteps in my personal approach to sports, therefore I would like to make sure that I help kids not make my same mistakes.

 

Again, there are very nobel reasons why people decide to coach.  The first four reasons can lead to a great experience.  However, for reasons that will be explored throughout the life of this blog, I would be a little leary of number five.

 

Third, let’s look at the reasons that kids play baseball as told by college players who enjoyed their little league experience so much that they continue to play.

 

1)      Friends

2)      Fun

3)      They aspire to be a Professional

4)      Parents

5)      Coach

 

Lastly, take a look at why kids stop playing sports as told by college players that may have thought about quitting the sport at some point and time:

 

1)      Coach

2)      Parents

3)      No Fun

4)      No Friends

5)      No Talent

 

For those of you who are surprised by the kid lists, you either had a much different experience than the over 1000 college players in the survey or you didn’t bother to ask the most important people in this process, THE KIDS!

 

My past success with FUN baseball for kids has lead me to believe that this is why GOD has put me here on earth.  It is my life’s calling to coach baseball in a way that puts a smile on kids faces and gives them an experience that is so positive that they will never forget it.  My life is committed to making sure that kids enjoy baseball with their friends and have maximum FUN!  We’ll even discuss some great food choices.  We’ll also discuss how parents and coaches can add to the process by making baseball as FUN as possible for the kids, while maybe even achieving their own goals listed above.

 

Remember, kids PLAY baseball, they don’t work baseball!  Play is FUN!  Work is not!

 

Play Ball!

 

Jerry Brown (FUNcoach)