Little League. Cat & Mouse

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by ManInBlue

I wouldn't dare throw prodigies at you. I don't have to. I've seen 8 year olds at the Dizzy Dean World Series, 100's of them, teams full of them playing other teams full of them - that can throw the ball, catch the ball and hit the ball. I see 8 year olds in USSSA every weekend that can hit/catch/throw - and these are still COACH PITCH!!!

Now, 9 and 10 yo's - them boys can play some ball too - and in U-trip they even have enough muscle control to learn not to balk. No these aren't teams with one kid that's super talented...these are 10 or 12 kids that all can do it.

You can take that "lack of motor skill" bologna somewhere else - I've seen too many that have it - it's lack of teaching them to use it. Period. Yes, they have a higher likely-hood to err because, well, they're 9 - but if they are tought how to do it, they CAN do it.

Piano? Really? Comparing "step and throw" to having your left hand doing something completely different than your right hand, reading sheet music and remembering what keys are where - VERY slight difference there, Rich

You're talking travel ball and all-stars, not the everyday normal player.

I've been doing rec ball since 1974. I have clues. I stand by my earlier statements.

[ManInBlue]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

You're talking travel ball and all-stars, not the everyday normal player.

I've been doing rec ball since 1974. I have clues. I stand by my earlier statements.

The only differences in travel ball and "normal" players are that travel ball plays more games and the coaches actually understand how to teach baseball fundamentals. They use repetition to instill those fundamentals. Any "normal" kid can do what they do on travel ball teams - they just need teaching.

OH!! I see plenty of 9 year olds that couldn't find their glove if you labeled it, gave it to them and told them what it was. But even those kids can learn with proper teaching.

My point is a coach can teach them to throw and stop this BS song and dance - you only need 3 players that can throw and you've got it solved.

[ozzy6900]

I tend to agree with Rich here. The weakest link in this equation is F3. In this area, it's the fat kids who play 1st base. Most of the time, they can't get out of their own way, never mind chase a ball down. An overthrow even on a fenced in field will normally result the runner on 1st making it to at least 3rd before F3 even moves toward the ball. No, I am not being nasty or mean, this is how youth ball works around here.

My son was an exception to this. Tall and thin, when he wasn't pitching, he was the team's F3. Able to catch just about anything thrown at him, stretching into a full split while holding the bag ( ouch) and with a certain F4, turning a sweet reverse DP. Okay, I worked with him daily and he was a great player when he was young, but the norm around here is not this scenario.... it's Fat Albert loving to play baseball.

[PaREF]

The only differences in travel ball and "normal" players are that travel ball plays more games and the coaches actually understand how to teach baseball fundamentals.

I've coached volleyball for 20 years now and learning to perform a motor skill like throwing a ball is a matter of using correct mechanics and repetition. So, yes, you are correct but you're not 100% correct.

My experience shows me that there is no way 9 and 10 year old kids can effectively learn to perform a task like accurately throwing a ball (or hitting a ball) by doing it ONLY in organized practice, no matter how skilled the coach is in teaching. There just isn't enough time to get all of the repetitions they need to become proficient (unless you ignore all of the other aspects of the game and only perform one skill for hours at a time, day after day).

I have found that young kids whose skill levels are higher than average have put in a lot of extra time practicing their technique either with parents, friends, or by themselves. Coaching is important but desire and perseverance are greater. One of my favorite quotes is “the only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.”

[pastordoug]

While trying to "teach" players the fundamentals is a great goal, however in many of these leagues little Tommy along with about 7 others are out there because of Dad.... When I coached the only thing we hoped for when drafting is to get AT LEAST 3-4 kids who could catch, hit, and throw! Let's not forget that these are Kids and we should let them be kids... IMO more important than learning fundamentals 9 (while certainly important) is the concept of teamwork and good sportsmanship....