Another thread that dealt with a particular teams sportsmanship or lack of was closed.

 

Let's try to keep this one open by keeping examples general and not bashing a particular team or school or coach.

Where has sportsmanship gone in high school athletics, particularly baseball???

 

I have seen taunting and such more so this year than I can remember.

The taunting I have seen in high school baseball is out of control and would not and has not been allowed in other sports.(for instance celebrating in front of opposing fans and teams rather than their own)

 

Thoughts???

Another thread that dealt with a particular teams sportsmanship or lack of was closed.

 

Let's try to keep this one open by keeping examples general and not bashing a particular team or school or coach.

Where has sportsmanship gone in high school athletics, particularly baseball???

 

I have seen taunting and such more so this year than I can remember.

The taunting I have seen in high school baseball is out of control and would not and has not been allowed in other sports.(for instance celebrating in front of opposing fans and teams rather than their own)

 

Thoughts???

It all begins and ends with what the coaching staff allows . No need to blame anyone else, either a coaching staff has control or they dont. Maybe the staff has no desire to take control of things, but ultimately HE/THEY CAN control these issues if he/they really want to exercise the best remedy he/they have. A good benching or a trip to the house for a few games usually has a way of altering poor attitudes.

It all begins and ends with what the coaching staff allows . No need to blame anyone else, either a coaching staff has control or they dont. Maybe the staff has no desire to take control of things, but ultimately HE/THEY CAN control these issues if he/they really want to exercise the best remedy he/they have. A good benching or a trip to the house for a few games usually has a way of altering poor attitudes.

:thumb: :thumb: Good post and I agree , I would also add what the parents allow and their actions in the stands. Coaches and parents set examples, plain and simple.

I have noticed that a lot of parents want discipline, but they don't want you to discipline their own. They are always there to tell you about what another kid on the team is doing instead of worrying about their child. I am sure TheCoach knows exactly what I am talking about.

It all begins and ends with what the coaching staff allows . No need to blame anyone else, either a coaching staff has control or they dont. Maybe the staff has no desire to take control of things, but ultimately HE/THEY CAN control these issues if he/they really want to exercise the best remedy he/they have. A good benching or a trip to the house for a few games usually has a way of altering poor attitudes.

I agree with you on the field, but Sportsmanship starts one place....HOME.

 

The kind of student-athlete you are, is a direct reflection of what kind of young man you are. Far too often, the ones who always comment, say negative phrases, back talk their parents, conduct themselves in the same manner during competition.

 

We live in a society, where curse words are normal, belittling each other, has become accepted and where trying to act cool, is popular....If I could tell student-athletes one thing, it's the same thing J.C. Watts said.....

 

"Character is doing the right thing, even when no one is looking" Can you imagine, if we translated this approach to athletics.

 

By the way FB, get to feeling better....:thumb:

I agree that sportsmanship starts at home but it also a direct reflection of the coach. The attitude that is expressed is a mirror of how those players act. When a coach shows the expected sportsmanship the team usually reflects the same.

 

I have seen a number of games where a coach whines about every noise and so do the players and within the same game that whining stops and the coach actually coaches the players usually play better and the level of play improves.

 

The old addage - Do you know how to stay out of trouble? - Sit down and keep your mouth shut...

Great post STRIKE3!!! Couldn't agree with you more.

I agree with you on the field, but Sportsmanship starts one place....HOME.

 

The kind of student-athlete you are, is a direct reflection of what kind of young man you are. Far too often, the ones who always comment, say negative phrases, back talk their parents, conduct themselves in the same manner during competition.

 

We live in a society, where curse words are normal, belittling each other, has become accepted and where trying to act cool, is popular....If I could tell student-athletes one thing, it's the same thing J.C. Watts said.....

 

"Character is doing the right thing, even when no one is looking" Can you imagine, if we translated this approach to athletics.

 

By the way FB, get to feeling better....:thumb:

I agree, sportsmanship ( and a lot of other general life teachings) should start at home but the honest truth is that coaches/teachers spend much more time with these students than most parents.

 

I have seen kids from disfunctional homes overcome the lack of teaching from home and a coach who is a quality person be able to guide those kids to become outstanding citizens...And conversely, I have seen players from very good homes act like absolute idiots when on the field because they emulate their coach.

Does it really start at home???

I'm not so sure anymore.

 

Note to all coaches, please respect the fact you have a greater influence on a childs upbringing and future than you may realize....AND it's about MORE than wins and losses.

It all begins and ends with what the coaching staff allows . No need to blame anyone else, either a coaching staff has control or they dont.

Like I said, I agree with FB about on the field, it's the coaching staff who can decide.

 

I agree, sportsmanship ( and a lot of other general life teachings) should start at home but the honest truth is that coaches/teachers spend much more time with these students than most parents.

 

I have seen kids from dysfunctional homes overcome the lack of teaching from home and a coach who is a quality person be able to guide those kids to become outstanding citizens...And conversely, I have seen players from very good homes act like absolute idiots when on the field because they emulate their coach.

Does it really start at home??? I'm not so sure anymore.

At the same time, the type person he is, is not always a reflection of his parents or upbringing, like you said but rather, who he is. Attitude and Disrespect, are traits acquired by anyone, regardless of being affluent, poor, educated or unfortunate.....A Players personality on the field and actions, is often a true representation, of whom they really are.

 

I've seen kids from unfortunate family situations, who have nothing, be better because of the mistakes they watch their parents make and they, don't want to trod down the same path.

 

Does it start at home....Yes, also at school, with friends, in the sandlots, in public places, on the phone, towards and from parents and as they get older, it either magnifies worse or gets better.

I agree with everthing stated above, but I will add one issue to the mix. More and more I see coaches today, at all levels, not doing the right thing in sitting a player down for being unsportsmanlike. Think about the number of times you saw thrown helmets this year with nothing being done. These coaches are doing nothing in these situations because they are more afraid of losing (and losing their jobs) instead of teaching life lessons. So in that scenario doesn't it go back full circle to the parents for putting the pressure on these coaches to win at all costs or be gone?

I agree with ever thing stated above, but I will add one issue to the mix. More and more I see coaches today, at all levels, not doing the right thing in sitting a player down for being unsportsmanlike. Think about the number of times you saw thrown helmets this year with nothing being done. These coaches are doing nothing in these situations because they are more afraid of losing (and losing their jobs) instead of teaching life lessons. So in that scenario doesn't it go back full circle to the parents for putting the pressure on these coaches to win at all costs or be gone?

You're on point, about helmets, bats and general comments from players. I agree 100%, the offenders need to sit and if tolerated, the coaches are either of the same personality or naive....

 

It's hard for a screamer, cusser and complainer, to get on his kids, for similar acts, when he sets the tone. The Coaches, are the captain of the ship and they sail in rough waters, with waves which test their travels.

 

Those who can instill discipline, respect and effort, are preparing players for not only baseball, but the game of life which awaits them.

These are excellent posts. It is a combination of the influences of family and coaches. Competition in any sport is about more than just wins/losses, but learning how to win/lose and how that will help these young people in the future as life is full of both on and off the field.

 

I also LOVE this quote from JC Watts posted by Strike 3,

"Character is doing the right thing, even when no one is looking" Can you imagine, if we translated this approach to athletics."

Good posts, everyone. This is a pet peeve of mine and I would like to add one more culprit: Sports Center. This generation of kids is growing up seeing that highlights and attention are gained not only by athletic prowess but by outrages actions. The NBA center who dunks on an opponent then stands and glowers at him. The running backs who try to come up with the most creative endzone celebrations (cell phones, dances, marking pens etc). The big hitters who stand and admire their shots instead of heading toward first base. The constant trash talking. Coaches and parents can do their best to instill charactor and sportsmanship, but these are not normally the traits that will get you on today's highlights.

Good posts, everyone. This is a pet peeve of mine and I would like to add one more culprit: Sports Center. This generation of kids is growing up seeing that highlights and attention are gained not only by athletic prowess but by outrages actions. The NBA center who dunks on an opponent then stands and glowers at him. The running backs who try to come up with the most creative endzone celebrations (cell phones, dances, marking pens etc). The big hitters who stand and admire their shots instead of heading toward first base. The constant trash talking. Coaches and parents can do their best to instill character and sportsmanship, but these are not normally the traits that will get you on today's highlights.

Excellent analysis and just reaffirms my opinion, of why Professional Athletes, don't need to be Role Models.

You're on point, about helmets, bats and general comments from players. I agree 100%, the offenders need to sit and if tolerated, the coaches are either of the same personality or naive....

 

It's hard for a screamer, cusser and complainer, to get on his kids, for similar acts, when he sets the tone. The Coaches, are the captain of the ship and they sail in rough waters, with waves which test their travels.

 

Those who can instill discipline, respect and effort, are preparing players for not only baseball, but the game of life which awaits them.

 

Being fortunate and having the opportunity to play baseball at all levels and through college gave me the a wonderful gift of having influencial coaches who helped mold me into the person I am today. I had both good and bad influences, but mostly good.

 

Here is a life lesson story I had while playing for a legendary high school summer league coach up in NW Ohio...

 

I was playing right field in the front end of a double header. It was the bottom of the sixth in a seven inning game, two out, man on first, tie game. A shot is hit over my head and down the line to the fence. At this particular field the fence had a gap underneath and the outfielders were always instructed to put up our hand if the ball rolled under the fence, thus awarding the hitter a ground rule double. This hit came to rest maybe one foot in play near the opening in the gap under the fence. With the knowledge that the runner from first would probably score if I played the ball and giving the other team the lead, I gave the ball a foot wedge and put up my hand for the umpire to come out and view the ball on the other side of the fence. This gave the other team runners on 2nd & 3rd with two outs instead of the lead. We get a pop out on the next pitch and head back in for our at bat. After sitting in the dugout my coach calls me over and asks the the qustion I was hoping he would never ask "was that ball out"? Not knowing whether he saw me do what I did or sensed that something was afoul, I told the truth, "No coach I gave it a little help. He looked me right in the eyes, obviously very disappointed, and said "I understand what you were thinking when you did what you did, but your going to have to have a seat for the rest of the day to think about what you did, and we will have to consider what further punishment will be given after today". He called time out and called a conference with the opposing coach and umpires. After their discussion it was decided to award the other team the run. We went down 1-2-3 and lost the game. I sat the second game (it was the longest game of my life) and when I came out for our next game two days later I was called over by my coach. He told me that I paid a large part of of my punishment by having to sit through the 2nd game in humiliation for what I had done, but the there was one more thing that needed to be done, "apologize to your teammates". I apogized that day with the largest lump in my throat that you could ever imagine. I learned right then and there the life lesson to never try win at all costs... He taught me many more lessons in those two summers I played for him, not only about baseball and sportsmanship, but about life.