Sign found on a youth baseball field. Hope it stays up.

What do you think? Are we being a helicopter parents, over-protecting our young children from the cruel realities of the world… and perhaps preventing our boys from becoming “real men”?

I’ve heard parents shout horrible things at youth sporting events, mostly at their own kids. No one is suggesting we celebrate failure or mediocrity, but there must be some sort of balance?

Words, especially a parent’s words, can build up or break down young kid’s esteem. Please pause before you speak. Leave a comment and let me know what you think, and share this with others.

He's Just a Little Boy - Sign found on a youth baseball field. I hope they leave it up.

[warning]

Should we take the sign down or leave it up? Please share this post. Thx.

[/warning]

* I’m told this poem is by the late Chaplain Bob Fox. Last year a Farmers Insurance agent, Joel McKinnon, started a nationwide effort to encourage young baseball players instead of bringing them down. What do you think? Is this a misguided effort by a coddling do-gooder, or is it a much needed wake-up call?

11 comments

Skip to comment form

  1. Great Post. I remember playing in the Zone tournament for Colt League when I was 16. We were playing against a team from TN. We ended up losing the game, but I remember very distinctly a parent throughout the whole game shouting at his son who was the pitcher on the other team. After the game we were outside the field, and you could sense the kid was still down on himself by his conversation with his peers. Even at a young age and still to this day, my father tells me how proud he was of me on the field. Win or lose, lessons are being learned as “kids”. There is no place for negativity in youth sports.

    1. Even at a young age and still to this day, my father tells me how proud he was of me on the field. Win or lose, lessons are being learned as “kids”.

      ~Andrew K.

      Thank you for weighing in. I always wonder what it is that motivates someone to berate their child to that degree. It certainly speaks volumes about the parent that does that, and next to nothing of the child. You’re dad sounds like the dad we all wish we had (if we didn’t), and the type of dad most of us want to be.

      p.s. I’m your newest follower on Tumblr. I rarely post anything there, but am starting to read others blogs on their more frequently. Great photos! Thanks again, Andrew.

  2. Our kids play baseball & this is such a great lesson to parents. My heart would break for them if I heard someone yelling this. I think it is a great message.
    Thanks for sharing!

    1. Thanks you so much, Becky. Wasn’t sure if I was being over protective, but it’s the way I felt, too.

  3. I say leave it up – it’s cool!

  4. Have you ever considered about adding a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is important and all. However just imagine if you added some great pictures or videos to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with images and clips, this blog could certainly be one of the greatest in its field. Great blog!

    1. Sounds like excellent advice, Mack. I’ve been thinking about adding more video content. I tend to use other sites to communicate non-written media, though, e.g. YouTube for videos, and Pinterest & Instagram for photos… and Twitter for just about everything. There should be links on the right margin in the unlikely even anyone wishes to check that content out. 😉

  5. As a coach, I see kids on other teams that I have coached in previous years or in different leagues. I hate to see people tearing down the things I have tried to build. You are only a child once. Trophies go to younger kids for having the courage to step out in front of people with all the yelling and screaming.

    1. They were lucky to have you as coach when they did, Bob. Hopefully what you built up won’t be so easily torn down, but it’s a shame people don’t seem aware of the harm they cause.

  6. Good Article!

    1. Thanks!

Leave a Reply to Michael Schmid Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Pinterest
Pinterest
fb-share-icon
Instagram