Great story TGG, and a good lesson for all.:thumb:

^That's very impressive. I wonder how many of us consider the how important life changing lessons can be learned when the game is on the line.

Outstanding story TGG....Please let your coach know, how much of an impact he made.

AHHHHH!!!

 

How refreshing...

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?

TGG, I'm convinced that you have hit the nail squarely on the head....too many times this year, I've had to quieten a team down from making derogatory statements directed at the other team (ex. get a bucket, he's throwing up...) and other comments along with cautioning players about questioning calls, throwing equipment in the dugout, etc. Not once this past year have I seen a coach take a player aside after an unsportsmanlike display or get any help from them in keeping their players in line when they needed it. It's a sad comment on the times we live in. AND, to add insult to injury, we generally get some grief from the coaching staffs when we have to apply their discipline for them. Are coaches afraid that players will quit if they discipline them? Or, are they afraid of potential fallout from players' parents and/or administration? I would like to know what all of you think that the reason(s) for the lack of sportsmanship and discipline is relative to baseball? Anyone?

TGG, I'm convinced that you have hit the nail squarely on the head....too many times this year, I've had to quieten a team down from making derogatory statements directed at the other team (ex. get a bucket, he's throwing up...) and other comments along with cautioning players about questioning calls, throwing equipment in the dugout, etc. Not once this past year have I seen a coach take a player aside after an unsportsmanlike display or get any help from them in keeping their players in line when they needed it. It's a sad comment on the times we live in. AND, to add insult to injury, we generally get some grief from the coaching staffs when we have to apply their discipline for them. Are coaches afraid that players will quit if they discipline them? Or, are they afraid of potential fallout from players' parents and/or administration? I would like to know what all of you think that the reason(s) for the lack of sportsmanship and discipline is relative to baseball? Anyone?

Respect.....lack of in ones self, lack of toward authority, lack toward teachers, parents, coaches, family, girl friends...We live in a society, where it's accepted to talk negatively about many things, people and cultures. Where it's laughed at or some shake their heads, over certain comments but don't attempt to correct.

 

Kids are staying up and outside later, have their own spaces on the internet, where they have alcohol screensavers, use foul language and adopt a personality, that is not themselves but yet, they assume the role.

 

Music today, is full of degrading comments and when the surrounding world is negative, some reach out and embrace, that which surrounds them. A strong support system at home, school and friends, can help many maintain the right path.

 

For the most part, far more display Good Sportsmanship but if one remains which doesn't, our work as coaches, parents and fans....is not done.

TGG, I'm convinced that you have hit the nail squarely on the head....too many times this year, I've had to quieten a team down from making derogatory statements directed at the other team (ex. get a bucket, he's throwing up...) and other comments along with cautioning players about questioning calls, throwing equipment in the dugout, etc. Not once this past year have I seen a coach take a player aside after an unsportsmanlike display or get any help from them in keeping their players in line when they needed it. It's a sad comment on the times we live in. AND, to add insult to injury, we generally get some grief from the coaching staffs when we have to apply their discipline for them. Are coaches afraid that players will quit if they discipline them? Or, are they afraid of potential fallout from players' parents and/or administration? I would like to know what all of you think that the reason(s) for the lack of sportsmanship and discipline is relative to baseball? Anyone?

 

I believe they are mostly afraid of the parents because in the end if the team doesn't win the parents put pressure on the administration who ends up firing the coach. Not to pull out the old "back when I played", but "back when I played" if you threw your glove or helmet or showed any lack of sportsmanship to the other team or umpires, you won an uncomfortable seat next to the coach on the bench for the rest of the game. It usually only takes one time for that to happen and the player (especially if they are one of the best players on the team) gets the message as well as his teammates that this behavior will not be tolerated.

R E S P E C T. The bottom line is respect. Respect for your equipment, Respect for your coaches and Respect for the game of baseball. You just don't see it taught much these days. However, I did witness one team who on several occasions benched players for throwing helmets, bats and gloves. However, they still had a few pain in the rearend parents who wouldn't allow their kids to learn to Respect the coaches.

I wonder how few coaches will be taking this thread and sharing it with their players. There has been some great stuff posted. If you do things right the first time then you usually don't end up having to do it the right way the second time around.

IMO - Nobody exemplified sportsmanship and respect for the game more than the late Coach Jim Connor (New Cath and Thomas More).

Now a days you see more and more Professional Athletes throwing things i.e. Delmon Young, or players "pimping" home runs to show up pitchers or players getting in fights and things like that and kids thing that stuff is cool.