While driving home last night, I turned it over to XM MLB. Joe Castellano, host of MLB Live Late Edition was talking to Cathy Bradley about baseball in America and why some kids are going away from it. This was brought up because Dusty Baker and a GM, (can't rembember his name), said that they are having to go out of the country more and more due to the dwindling talent pool in the United States. Cathy Bradley is the Executive Director of the Baseball Tomorrow Fund. The sole being of BTF is to promote baseball and softball throughout the world. They do this by funding programs, fields, coaches' training, and to purchase uniforms and equipment. They encourage and maintain youth participation in the game.

 

Cathy gives out the checks at the sites, herself, that are recieving the grants. And she talks with the kids, parents, coaches, and the local program directors. And the one thing she alays asks the kids is, "Why don't more kids participate in the sport?" And she said that every place that she has been, this answer was given by most of the kids and parents. That being that coaches tell kids that they need to stick with one sport. No matter if their 8, 10. or 13. Other reasons given are no transportation, not enough teams, and no teams between the 13-15 year old age. The later being the #2 reason. So, most kids are losing interest after the age of 12 because there are no baseball programs and basketball, football, soccer, and even baseball coaches are telling kids to stick with that one sport. I know firsthand that some basketball coaches on the AAU and Junior Pro basketball level will tell kids this. Knowing that by playing different sports, that it will help them in the long run on the athletic side. In Knott County we have one team, maybe two, that are 13-15 age range. That's it until high school. Also, transportation is a factor here. I know that I have and others have transported kids that didn't have a ride to and from games. Most of these kids had parents that worked, couldn't get their child there, or really didn't want to. I know that last part is harsh, but it is very true. Not just in our county, but in other's as well.

 

So, what's your area's situation with baseball?

 

 

If anyone is interested in the Baseball Tomorrow Fund go here and read about it. If your area programs are in need, you may be able to get the available funding to help get a kickstart in the right direction. Here's another link to find out how to apply for a grant. Click here.

They do grants for several KY youth programs and yes, BTF does deny some requests....:irked:

 

I had a facility, completed flooded, damaged and over homeplate was 18' of water...Ms. Bradley, said no, politely but determined after review the grant was denied.

 

With that said, this organization certainly does help and point being, if denied at first continue persevering.

 

I do agree, kids are starting to "specialize" at an earlier age, than I can ever recall. Perhaps some, is from overzealous parents and same, with some coaches who try and get youngsters, to commit to benefit them and often shortchange, other opportunities.

I think the reasons are well stated...Ripken Baseball's website indicates that only about 1/5 of Little Leaguers are still playing by high school, and of the 4/5 that drop the sport, most do so immediately after age 12. The lack of good 13-15 year old programs has to be a major factor. I agree with the specialization problem, but if there was a solid alternative, it would be less attractive to specialize. As it is, if a kid wanted to pursue a sports dream at age 13 or 14, very few would choose baseball (from their perspective) due to the absence of good teaching, competition and necessary exposure available. Ironically, the dwindling player pool at the higher levels probably makes it more likely for a kid to succeed in baseball (than the other sports) if they put the work in and had good teaching.

This subject was part of the main topic, again on MLB Live. They had callers to give their veiws. And here are a few.

 

"Coaches don't make it fun. We've all been there with this. Some programs, LL, Babe Ruth, or even high school, may only have one or two people coaching. And if they are working with a pitcher and catcher, then that leaves the OF and INF to stand around, and vice versa. If the coach can find ways to make it so that all players are doing something during practice, it'll be more enjoyable. We have a clinic that helps to teach a coach to make it more enjoyable for the kids. In our area, (Florida), we have over 600 kids signed up to play baseball. So we have these clinics during a one week period. And it really helps. "

 

This came from a HS player. I don't remember where he was from, but I am pretty sure it was out in the western part of the country. "I believe steriods has something to do with it. A lot parents are afraid that their kid may try using steriods to help their game. And kids are afraid they'll be pressured to use steriods. I have been teased about it. Some kids think that, since, I'm a baseball, that I use steriods. So, that is another factor."

 

One caller talked about the cost. Basically what he said is that it's easier for a parent to buy a football and/or a basketball than it is to go out and buy a glove, bat, and baseball. We all know how much bats can cost. And some parents just can't afford them. I also believe that some parents are afraid that hteir kid could get seriously injured palying baseball becuase of metal bats. We have all heard of the stories of kids getting hit in the head and haveing a serious injury or even being fatally injured.

The decline in baseball in my area can be directly linked to the rise of soccer. Many kids have put down the ball glove and bat for shin guards and a soccer ball. Parents like this because the spring soccer season ends earlier and they have more time for vacationing during the summer. With year round school (which is what we have in our county) the summer vacation is very compressed. Additionally, soccer is cheaper and requires less commitment. Yes there are soccer players that work very hard and excell in their sport; however on a youth level it is much easier to hide a marginal athlete on the soccer field than the baseball diamond.

One article that I read attributed part of the decline to the lack of baseball money from colleges, so parents and kids steer to the other sports. I wish I could remember where I saw the article.

Part of the decline in my area (Ashland) is that many kids who play other sports are attracted to the crowd and atmosphere that those other sports bring. Football we had 8,000 people at the Russell game, and Basketball we have large crowds where there is standing room only in the gym. These sports are on the front page VERY regularly and give kids maximum exposure.

 

Baseball we may have 20 people in the stands. Kids get used to playing in these other sports that give them more exposure in the community and it's always a blast playing infront of 8,000 fans and in a gym where you can't hear yourself think. Then you come to baseball and it's basically silent and it's not as much fun for kids.

At our school, Football fans fill the stands every game, rain or shine,

weather they win a game all year. The basketball fans only come when

you're winning. Baseball fans are few and far between, no matter how

well the team is doing. I hope soccer doesn't become our National

pastime. Although soccer is fun to watch when your child is playing.

AAU basketball is a huge factor. It does not permit the kids time to play baseball in the summer. The kids seem to play more and more games at earlier ages. Baseball is to slow for kids used to playing gameboys.

I my area (Maysville), I had no teams to play for that weren't Boys and Girls Club. Now there is nothing wrong with Boys and Girls Club baseball programs, but they do not provide enough knowledge from coaches or competition I think to keep kids interested. I always wanted to play for a knothole or American Legion team, but there were none available. Also other sport becoming more popular play a role in baseballs loss of interest. Now kids play soccer or basketball all year long.

Tha last three post are good ones. Kids do like to hear the crowd cheer when they are playing. Baseball is a Spring sport. Most kids, and parents, are outside doing other things. Shools need to find a way to boost the attendence. Right or wrong, I know of teachers that give students extra points to go to football and/or basketball games. To cheer the team on. It doesn't happen in baseball. Heck, teacher's don't even want to show up.

 

Baseball can be slow at times. Coaches need to make it fun for the younger kids. T-ball is fun because all the kids get to have a chance at playing and running bases in an inning. Coaches need to incorporate some of this mentallity into practice. Make sure every player is doing something instead of just standing around while the INF is being worked with. This is where it's nice to have an assistant around. And most programs don't have that luxury. While basketball and football may have 3 or even 4 assistants.

 

Not having any leagues past Little League 11-12 is hurting the sport as well. We need to find people that are willing and able to help start 13-15 year old leagues in their community. Kentuky is a basketball and football state. Just about every kid dreams of being on those teams at UK or Louisville. With UK baseball doing what it has the past couple of years and this year, maybe it'll spark an interest.

I think we need Middle School teams for baseball. The High School coaches

should be more involved in Little League & Babe Ruth, as well as the players.

I,m not saying every day or even coach a team, but maybe have some

camps to go to, or just invite youth to a practice. Seeing older kids play

might help to get them interested. The parents need to be more interested.

I think we need Middle School teams for baseball. The High School coaches

should be more involved in Little League & Babe Ruth, as well as the players.

I,m not saying every day or even coach a team, but maybe have some

camps to go to, or just invite youth to a practice. Seeing older kids play

might help to get them interested. The parents need to be more interested.

 

:thumb:

Middle School teams for baseball would be great. A way to keep the younger kids playing baseball. Basketball, football, and soccer have middle school aged teams, but its a gray area for baseball.

Girls fastpitch has the same problem.