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Youth Baseball

soupcan May 14 2011 11:11 AM

Couldn't share this on Facebook for a coupla reasons so you folks are the lucky recipients. 14 year-old soupcan, jr. plays on 2 15U teams. A regular Babe Ruth League team and an All-Star Babe Ruth team made up of players from the 3 BR teams that our town has. The All-Star team plays other towns' All-Star teams and the regular Babe Ruth team plays other regular BR teams. So the coach of the All-Star team, rarely plays Junior. Puts him in as a defensive replacement in left or right late in the game just because he has to. Otherwise the child gets nada. The coach also coaches one of the towns other regular BR teams. This morning, Junior's regular team played that coach's regular team. Junior had a game, boy. Diving grab of a liner in left, backhanded a wicked grounder up the middle and threw the runner out at first while playing second. Leaping stab of a liner, also at second, singled to right with two out, driving in what was the go-ahead run at that point in the game and then pitched the last inning of a 1- run victory while giving up no runs and walking none to earn the save. It will be interesting to see if the coach will use him a bit more in the upcoming All-Star games, but even if he doesn't, Junior said, 'well, at lest he knows what I can do now'.

Rockin' Doc May 14 2011 11:16 AM Re: Youth Baseball

Awesome. Nice of Soup Jr. to make the best of an opportunity to show his coach what he can really do. As long as he works hard and believes in himself, he'll be fine.

soupcan May 14 2011 12:19 PM Re: Youth Baseball

Thanks Doc. Junior has not grown at the same rate as most of the boys and has not made a cut on a few of the teams he's tried out for recently. In each of those cases, the coaches told him to come back next season when he's bigger. He's taken that hard so for him to play as well as he did today in front of the other coach made him finally feel like he can still play with these kids and deserves to be on that team.

Edgy DC May 14 2011 01:45 PM Re: Youth Baseball

It's amazing how competitive managers can get a read on a player and live by it. I had a Babe Ruth coach who nailed me so hard to the bench I almost forgot how to play. But I did get my hits and walks in --- four hits and four walks in the 16 trips I get in 18 games that season (I know, right?) But virtually all my outs were whiffs. I WAS ROTTING! We make a one game playoff by virtue of a barely-winning first half. Our 8-10 selves agianst a 15-3 juggernaut. The manager, he's vacationing in Puerto Rico. His coach is left to field a playoff team with only nine guys showing up. Yours truly in the lineup. In fact, he looks at the stat sheet, sees I'm OBPing at .500 and starts me in right. I get two hits and a walk. Sixth inning, tie game, one out, and I triple over the righfielder's head. Donnie G**** comes up --- the son of the league commissioner, starting all season at third, though I dobut he hit .200. He taps one to third, the thirdbaseman throws home, and I score in cloud of dust. I come into the dugout feeling like the king of the jungle and my buddy Danny W*** says, "DC, how about running instead of watching next time you hit one over the rightfielder's head. That had homer written all over it." "Was I watching?" "You were fucking taking movies!" Next inning, runner on third one out, fly to right, I make a running grab and double off the runner going for home. The truth is that my throw sucked, but Scott P***** left early and we got him on the appeal play. Nice. I come in to the bench feeling like a milllion bucks, but also like the player I knew I was. Coachie says that he didn't think I was going to hang onto that ball, and why is my mitt so small? I tell him it's a secondbaseman's glove. "I didn't know you were a secondbaseman." "Well, nobody asked me." He should have slapped me but instead sends me out to second for the last inning! We win the game and I drink the sweet nectar of redemption. We make the three-game championship series, but the same fucking manager comes home, and my ass doesn't move from the bench the whole time. I may have been 15, but I could barely keep from crying like an infant. Redemption is sweet, but it doesn't mean the young 'Can's coach got the message. As long as he gets his reps in with the other team though, he should be good. I was never the same player after that year of benchrot.

TheOldMole May 14 2011 04:43 PM Re: Youth Baseball

Yay for Soup Jr.!

Rockin' Doc May 14 2011 04:44 PM Re: Youth Baseball

Tell Soup Jr. not to worry about his size, the growing will take care of itself in due time. Hard work, determination, hustle and sound fundamentals can take him far. Tell Soup Jr. to keep plugging away and his talent will eventually be rewarded by a coach with the vision to see beyond his size and recognize his talent. I was the smallest player on every time I ever played on (Little League, Babe Ruth, High School, American Legion & college). I was 15 years old and only 5'4" - 115 pounds when I became the starting third baseman for my high school team late in my sophomore year. When practice started the next spring I was 5'6" - 160 pounds and I never missed an inning the remainder of my time in high school. American Legion and college were much the same, spot playing for half a season, then earn a starting spot and never look back again. Keep up the hard work little Soupcan and best of luck.

metsguyinmichigan May 14 2011 05:34 PM Re: Youth Baseball

Go Young Soup! And what's with youth coaches not getting all the kids into the games, and I mean actual playing time? Is freaking Bud Selig standing near the bleachers to hand the winning coach a trophy? Youth coaches. Grrr.

Gwreck May 14 2011 11:13 PM Re: Youth Baseball

I agree in theory but if they're 15 (not t-ball anymore) and on an all-star team by virtue of also playing on a "regular" team, well, I can understand how not everybody on the all-star team is going to get equal playing time. Not that this is a commentary on Soupie Jr. Then again, I don't have kids.

soupcan May 16 2011 07:58 AM Re: Youth Baseball

Thanks for the story Edgy. Sadly it is very similar to what my boy is dealing with. After his nice game Saturday morning, He sat the first 5 innings of the ensuing 7-inning All-Star game, seeing not one ball hit near him while he played RF the last 2 innings. In his one AB he was walked and the team lost 9-6. Thanks Doc, I will relay your slow-growth story to Junior. He's already heard a few of them, but the more he hears the better he feels. metsguyinmichigan wrote: And what's with youth coaches not getting all the kids into the games, and I mean actual playing time? Is freaking Bud Selig standing near the bleachers to hand the winning coach a trophy? Well, sort of. At this age they don't really have to play anyone. In Little League it is mandated that each kid be in the field a certain number of innings as well as have a continuous lineup (whole team bats). At 14 & 15, the coaches are trying to win and putting what they feel is their best team on the field. It is what it is unfortunately.

metirish May 16 2011 08:06 AM Re: Youth Baseball

Gee , it doesn't sound like fun at all for Junior , or for Dad. What do you tell him to keep him going, obviously not everyone makes the team but where's the fun at?

soupcan May 16 2011 08:38 AM Re: Youth Baseball

Very observant of you irish. It has not been a lot of fun for him at all and he's starting to think about just not playing anymore. For a long time he really wanted to play on the high school team and that's what drove him to keep playing as he got older and most of his friends stopped playing baseball and moved on to other sports or other interests. His mom and I push him to keep playing because deep down we know he loves it and we think that if gets to be my size (5'10") by his sophomore year (which is when I grew) that the size/strength issue won't matter for him anymore and the fact that he would've kept playing and kept his skills sharp will have paid off. Unfortunately, he doesn't see that and it looks like he's less and less excited to go to his games each week because of coaches that don't play him. The one thing keeping him going is that the coach on his regular Babe Ruth team seems to like him, starts him and gives him ample opportunities. Bet you can't wait until Lorcan is 14. For me though, it is fun when he plays. At this level 80% of the routine plays are made - fly balls, groundballs, even double plays - and that's a real change from watching the kids all grow up coming through little league and learning to play. Deep fly balls aren't really an adventure anymore, when there's a kid on first and third, the runner at first won't automatically steal second and even if he tries, the catcher may in fact through down without the runner at third scoring. Little things like that make it fun for me.

MFS62 May 16 2011 08:43 AM Re: Youth Baseball

Soup, don't you live in Connecticut? I'd be glad to go to the next game and yell at that dumb manager for 'ya. Later

soupcan May 17 2011 08:57 AM Re: Youth Baseball

From the 'You Can't Make This Stuff Up Department': I just got this email from soupy, jrs' All-Star coach: 'I'm running the Babe Ruth summer travel team this July. I was wondering if Junior was going to be around. Although I am having a tryout, I would really encourage him to play for me if he's going to be around. I love his attitude. I told him from day one that I didn't know how much playing time I could get him for this team and he flat out told me he didn't care as long as he got on the team. I can't say enough about a kid with that attitude, which is why I've given him so much more playing time recently. He always hustles and follows my rules without question. I can never have enough of that type of kid. My attitude is not to win or lose so much (although I personally want to crush every team we play...) as preparing my kids for freshman ball next year. I've gone through this with my nephew and with a lot of hard work he made the freshman team. I would use Junior as a pitcher/infield/right fielder in July if he wants to play with us.' Well, that's very nice and all and maybe I was wrong about the guy but if he thinks that Junior's had 'more playing time recently' then he either doesn't know which kid is mine or he's coaching a different game than the ones I've been watching. Also - 'I would use him as a pitcher/infield/right fielder'. Leftfield not so much? Why specify the field? Weird, but whatever. Hey at least the guy seems to like him and this should make Junior feel good and get him excited for the summer....I guess. I'm very confused now.

metirish May 17 2011 09:22 AM Re: Youth Baseball

The coach sounds like Terry Collins.......print that shit out and show it to your kid , it's all good , heck it's a great report.

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 17 2011 09:40 AM Re: Youth Baseball

You're scaring me off allowing Lunchpail to grow any further than he already has.

metirish May 17 2011 09:50 AM Re: Youth Baseball

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: You're scaring me off allowing Lunchpail to grow any further than he already has. yeah this.

seawolf17 May 17 2011 09:56 AM Re: Youth Baseball

soupcan wrote: He always hustles and follows my rules without question. I can never have enough of that type of kid. The type of kid who can rot on the bench while I play my own son over him and his parents won't bitch at me.

Edgy DC May 17 2011 12:57 PM Re: Youth Baseball

The type of kid who can stay positive and polite while he's dying inside.

MFS62 May 18 2011 08:48 AM Re: Youth Baseball

Soupy, while reading that copious quantity of ca-ca, I'd be reaching for my wallet. Sounds like he's setting you up for a contribution of some kind (new unis?). Later

attgig May 18 2011 09:21 AM Re: Youth Baseball

hope little can gets some good playing time this summer. maybe have a sitdown with the coach, and see if little can will actually start some games during the summer.

Fman99 May 18 2011 09:45 AM Re: Youth Baseball

Fboy has once again been sentenced to being a Yankee. Poor kid. This year he's moved up from the Tee ball division to "A" ball. They're still giving each kid an at bat in every inning, and it's still not baseball rules just yet, but they're trying to get them to throw the ball to first on batted balls and such. The recent addition of corrective lenses bodes well for Fboy's performance at the dish and in the field.

HahnSolo May 18 2011 10:34 AM Re: Youth Baseball

Little Solo is up to "Instructional" this year from Tee Ball. We're the Blue Jays (sweet caps!). At this level (7-8 y.o.), coaches still pitch, but you are trying to get outs. Rules are that you get 3 outs an inning with a minimum of five batters. If you don't get to three outs, then everybody bats once. His best moments were turning an unassisted double play (caught popup and got a runner sleeping off the bag) and a double lined into the left field gap. Unfortunately, due to weather and scheduled breaks for easter week and Holy communion weekends, we've only played three games so far.

soupcan May 18 2011 11:18 AM Re: Youth Baseball

Fman99 wrote: Fboy has once again been sentenced to being a Yankee. Poor kid. Fortunately that's one thing soupy, jr. never had to deal with. Lemme see if I can remember his teams... Rock Cats Aztecs Pacers Reds Pirates Mariners That may or may not be all of his LL teams. I hated when he was younger and the stupid minor-league and even team names from other sports were de rigueur. Just stoopid.

Gwreck May 18 2011 11:56 AM Re: Youth Baseball

Wow, real team names are a trip. Growing up we played on teams like "RC Tree Service" and "Midvillage Pharmacy"

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 18 2011 12:09 PM Re: Youth Baseball

Gwreck wrote: Wow, real team names are a trip. Growing up we played on teams like "RC Tree Service" and "Midvillage Pharmacy" In the Carvel shopping center!

Frayed Knot May 18 2011 12:20 PM Re: Youth Baseball

Little Leagues have to pay for use of those Major League names so I'm always surprised when they do that. Plus it probably creates more problems than it solves because obviously not everyone can get on a team they like and some are going to be on ones they hate. As far as I can recall no one in our league was ever scarred by having to endure such generic names as the Bobcats, or the Owls, or the Comanches.

soupcan May 18 2011 12:31 PM Re: Youth Baseball

Frayed Knot wrote: Little Leagues have to pay for use of those Major League names so I'm always surprised when they do that. I didn't realize that. Knowing it now, I'm thinking that the fact that a big sponsor of youth baseball in my town is MLB.com and the CEO of same was also a coach every year. Whether that had something to do with it or not I don't know but I would guess he probably took care of that end.

sharpie May 18 2011 12:43 PM Re: Youth Baseball

When I coached we got to pick the team names. Was always a popular topic at the first practice. I coached: the Falcons (twice); the Rhinos; the Jackals; the Titans; the Commies. The Titans had a pretty bad season (and I hated the name but a vote is a vote). The rest of the teams were about as good as each other (usually around or slightly over .500).

themetfairy May 18 2011 01:03 PM Re: Youth Baseball

Gwreck wrote: Wow, real team names are a trip. Growing up we played on teams like "RC Tree Service" and "Midvillage Pharmacy" We have those kinds of names in the lower level of our Little League. Then when the kids get up to minors they're named after minor league teams, and major league team names for majors. I probably posted this before, but I love this photo. MK is the umpire, in a majors scrimmage. What I love about the picture is the look on the face of the kid who is sliding into home and who doesn't yet know that he's safe -

Frayed Knot May 18 2011 01:25 PM Re: Youth Baseball

soupcan wrote: Frayed Knot wrote: Little Leagues have to pay for use of those Major League names so I'm always surprised when they do that. I didn't realize that. Knowing it now, I'm thinking that the fact that a big sponsor of youth baseball in my town is MLB.com and the CEO of same was also a coach every year. Whether that had something to do with it or not I don't know but I would guess he probably took care of that end. Yeah, well those names are all registered trademarks so it would be kind of tough to claim that your league just happened to choose the names Mets, Giants, Astros, etc., but didn't actually swipe them from MLB. Lots of leagues do it so it's more than just particular connection there but I'm not up on the specifics. Maybe 'Little League Inc.' or whoever runs the 'Babe Ruth' leagues pays for the rights to those names as a whole and they in turn license them to individual leagues on a regional basis.