Update: I wanted to link the article referenced in case anyone finds this article first. To see the article my thoughts here are based on please visit: https://cstewart1993.wixsite.com/buildingchampions/single-post/2019/07/10/Lets-Start-Something-New-PDP
I’ve written the opening to this blog several times now and I’ve deleted it, several times plus one. Let me first say that I appreciate the responses to Chris Stewart’s Building Champions “Player Development Program” blog article because it shows me that there are people out there willing to engage in dialog in regards to the advancement of youth sports. That’s a positive, but I also want to take a step back and highlight some key points that “I” believe Coach Stewart is making with his thoughts. So give me a few minutes here and let’s have a quick “mound visit”.
First of all, trust me on this; Coach Stewart is not anti-recreational league and he is not anti-travel ball. As a matter of fact, those two concepts as they relate to each other actually had nothing to do with the article. The article was about how those two things function within their own context. The article was about “player development” and how that is being handled by the people who have an immediate impact on youth sports.
Allow me to clarify that statement. It’s us. The parents. The coaches. The adults. And I’m letting the administrators, officers, officials, etc. of the leagues and programs off the hook because in all actuality they are limited by the tide of public persuasion. Coach Stewart’s idea cannot be successful without buy-in from the parents and coaches of recreational and travel programs, because it is those people that dictate the direction that these entities take. You may have heard people complain a time or two about how their local league or coach approaches a certain concept merely because “that’s the way they’ve always done it”, but the truth behind that complaint is that unless our league officials and coaches are empowered to make changes they have no reason to do so and are almost powerless in a sense to even attempt it. So let’s focus on the heart of the problem (and solution)… that would be us!
And believe me, I’m throwing myself at the mercy of the court here. If you want to find an example of an individual that has extensive experience in doing things the “wrong” way, look no further than the man behind these thoughts. If I have any saving grace at all it would be in the simple fact that I have committed to getting better, granted while failing miserably all along the way.
In the responses I’ve seen to Chris’s post (in a couple different threads) I’ve noticed a common trend. Either people provide reasons they don’t like the idea of this “Player Development” focus and end up (I assume) unknowingly providing points and facts that actually support it or people provide reasons they LOVE the idea and seem to omit one of the most important factors involved with the concept. Fun!
If there are any kids or student athletes, I should say, reading this right now, get ready! I’m about to do something you didn’t expect. I am going to SUPPORT Xbox and PlayStation. WHAT?!?
Let me ask everyone a very simple question. You have two options. Option one: go to bed early the night before, spend the day hunkered down so to not wear yourself out before the game, get dressed up in baseball pants and a tight jersey, travel to the ball field, prepare and compete (in sweat and dirt) in hot temperatures all the while your parents and coaches create a pressure filled environment by shouting instruction at you. Option two: go to bed when you want the night before, wake up when you want the next day, hang out in your shorts with a light blanket to stave off the AC and play MLB The Show 19 with your friends online. Now you tell me… which one sounds more appealing?
The conflict presented in that scenario is a fundamental milestone of a player development program. In layman’s terms: how do we make youth sports as beneficial as possible to… our youth! It’s about skill! It’s about health! It’s about fun!
In talking with a close friend of mine about this very idea he said something that I completely agree with while at the same time am completely disgusted by. To paraphrase he basically said, “this would benefit the kids so much, but the parents would want real games”. I think he’s right and I understand that feeling, because the last time my eight year old played wiffle ball he let an inside pitch go without swinging at it and I told him he should have pulled that thing to left field!! Then I called myself an idiot and shut my mouth! You see, I am part of the problem.
During a previous 10U practice the head coach allowed the team to split up and play against each other. No parents encouraging. No coaches coaching. No umpires umping. And in a half hour I truly believe those kids had more fun just playing with their friends than they did over a handful of “real” games (maybe all of them combined throughout the season). When the practice ended one of the coaches asked in a thought provoking tone “why don’t you have that much fun when you’re playing games?”. I can answer that question, it’s because we ruin it for them. It’s because it’s NOT as fun. It’s because we, as adults, are not prioritizing development; both personal and athletic for our youth. It’s because it’s too much about us and not enough about them.
When Coach Stewart posed the question “who is with me?” he didn’t identify coaches; he wasn’t asking for support from travel ball administrators or recreational league presidents. He asked for parents. For moms and dads to search their thoughts to decide if they can commit to a better way.
Sports. Families. Communities.
If you’re looking for “real”, it’s time to recognize that there are much more important things at stake besides plastic trophies and wooden plaques.
Thanks for the visit! Let’s play ball!
Mound Visit 