DADYERO

[cat_chaser]

Our league is pretty straight up with the whole draft process. The team is pretty much at the mercy of how many returning players there are. Someone hinted at that earlier saying his kid's team had like 1 returning player and they sucked because of it.

The new kids get evaluated, but coaches have a pretty good idea of who can play and who can't beforehand. And if you miss the tryouts, it's a blind draw on who gets who (unless they know the kid and his abilities).

The dirty part is trying to get a dad of a good player to be an assistant (ensuring that kid gets on the team he is helping coach). I fell for that once, but not gonna happen again. I'll be more than happy to help in any way, but not because you simply want my son.

 

[Wrong]

I've coached the League all star team for kids my son's age for what will be 5 years now. 6 year old tee ball, 7 and 8 year old coach pitch, and 9 and 10 year old kid pitch. I have a core group of about 7 that have pretty much played every year with me. But some kids didn't develop or some leave for other leagues or travel. We play league ball and then form the all star team. We are pretty much a summer travel team. I love it but its not for everyone. You can tell the parents who are all in pretty quickly.

About the Mako bat. I got my son one 2 years ago. That sucker is broken in now. He is crushing it.

 

[cat_chaser]

Booker - The Lex area is coach pitch, but it seems like the rest of the state is machine pitch up until 9. Why is that?

It actually caused some issues last year in the 7u regional tourney. I think the Lexington peeps threatened to not show up unless they offered coach pitch as an option.

Our travel team coach insists we play rec league and there are repercussions if they are skipping practices/not taking it seriously.

Yeah, definitely glad we took the leap with the Mako. It's made a difference.

 

[Wrong]

Booker - The Lex area is coach pitch, but it seems like the rest of the state is machine pitch up until 9. Why is that?

I am not sure. I think coach pitch is better for when they learn to hit off kids. My experience is that from Lexington south is coach pitch. Kids can start to time the machine.

 

[krazykats]

My kids hate baseball. Too slow, not enough action to keep their attention, and really just not violent enough.

Soccer though, they love that and they are really drawing toward basketball.

 

[B Rax_rivals210137]

He made the team, you guys [banana]

Have never seen the little man more happy. Great feeling.

 

[cat_chaser]

Awesome! Tell the little guy strangers from the internet said congrats.

And Welcome to a new kind of shitshow.

 

[funKYcat75]

He made the team, you guys [banana]

Have never seen the little man more happy. Great feeling.

 

[Wrong]

Yep it's bonkers. The first game we played at 6 in all stars one of our kids hit it to the third baseman who then throws it on a line to first. I'm not sure I could have done that at 12. My jaw dropped.

It's a blast though. Really fills that gap from end of basketball to football season.

 

[UnfrozenCatfanLawyer]

I'm officially "Sports Dad" worrying about effing U-10 soccer tryouts. I feel like a genuine idiot and massive tool.

 

[KingLlama]

My oldest's softball season is all jacked up. Two Woodford County teams playing two teams from Cardinal Run. The two teams from Cardinal Run have been playing kid-pitch for probably three years now, while our teams were using the machine until this year. The difference is huge. Not only are the LEX girls more confident at the plate, but there are a couple of ace pitchers that our girls are just dumbfounded by.

HAVING SAID THAT(/rax), we played one of them on Sunday afternoon and everything broke the right way. They threw their 2nd/3rd best girls and we went up 9-2 after three. Bottom of the fourth, final at-bat(b/c of time limit), they mount a comeback, cut it to 9-7, and they have runners on 2nd and 3rd with nobody out, and their slugger on deck. The upset bid is about to end.

Their girl pops it up to shallow left. My daughter, who is playing SS and is terrible on pop flies, goes to call it. I look away b/c I'm a nervous wreck. Suddenly our crowd goes bonkers. Our left-fielder, a girl who has never even played softball and doesn't know the basic rules of the game, somehow makes a shoestring catch. One out.

Their coach had(understandably) assumed the ball would drop, so he had already sent both runners home. Someone(maybe my daughter, I'm not sure because it all happened so fast) instinctively threw the ball home. The catcher gets the ball, runs back to tag 3rd(two outs), and keeps on running and tags 2nd(three outs).

Game-ending triple play, upsetting the mighty Lexington team, all because a girl who had never played made the first catch she's made all year. That was pretty cool.

Then we went to Baskin-Robbins.

 

[80 Proof]

I remember being in little league when all the kids were getting TPX bats, my dad let me get a wooden Louisville Slugger with Kirby Puckett's name on it. Thankfully one of my buddies let me use his old Easton during games.

I'm guessing my kids going to be pretty tall so it will be basketball or football for him. I'll let him play whatever he wants, but no more than one sport per season and probably limited to two overall, at least competitively.

The only thing I plan to force on him is UK athletics.

 

[B Rax_rivals210137]

I never would've imagined being such a nervous wreck for 6 year old tee ball try outs, but man alive. That was intense. I've mentioned it before but my son is very anxious. Wall flower type. He wants to do the things all the other kids are doing, but he can't get over his fear of failure/embarrassment/whatever it is. Causes him to act out sometimes. Not ever at school. Just home. Baseball is the first thing he's done where he's totally confident. He's a different kid out there, so I was worried if he didn't make the team he would revert back to his old ways and not get the same enjoyment out of the game.

He did great though. He did all the things he's done all year. He ran fast. Caught the throws. Socked a few dingers. Got the text as I was putting him to bed. He was beyond pumped. Couldn't wipe the smile off his face. Kept saying he couldn't believe it. I let him stay up to watch the Reds game for a while. Outside of their births, that was probably the best dad-moment I've experienced. Good luck, UCL.

 

[UnfrozenCatfanLawyer]

Sports stuff is just so complicated around here (Lexington). It's hard to wade through the logistics and politics involved in everything.

 

[funKYcat75]

I let him stay up to watch the Reds game for a while.

That was kind of mean.

 

[MaxPowerrr]

My son (U6 coach/machine pitch) played first last night and kept hucking the ball at the actual base when he would field it.

Yay soccer!

 

[B Rax_rivals210137]

Yes, it was. Especially because I put him to bed right before that 3 run homer to go ahead.

 

[UnfrozenCatfanLawyer]

My son (U6 coach/machine pitch) played first last night and kept hucking the ball at the actual base when he would field it.

Yay soccer!

There is a certain logic to that.

 

[krazykats]

Took the boys to kart country today. Dropped almost $100 on go karts, putt putt and video games.

They loved that and it's always good to be able to be the good dad and all.

Cookout and call it a day.

 

[anthonys735]

:stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

 

[UnfrozenCatfanLawyer]

Tempers are rising in Kidz Soccer Land as US Soccer has completely changed the game re age groups. Now age is determined via a January-December calendar year versus the old school year model. Blood will be spilled imo.

 

[Wrong]

Soccer is dumb

 

[UnfrozenCatfanLawyer]

Soccer and baseball are kindred spirits in this country - dominated by upper-to-middle-class white kids whose parents have too much disposable income and not enough sense. Stand with us in solidarity in the line for organic, cruelty-free frozen yogurt, Baseball Parents.

 

[Wrong]

Little League tried to change the ages last year and it was wildly protested so they went back to the previous age date of May1st.

I have seen some of the issues that Soccer has had with the new age groups. Teams that have played together for years are being broken up. If you do change the age you have to do it with a group of kids before they start their time in Soccer. That's the only fair way.

 

[UnfrozenCatfanLawyer]

Little League tried to change the ages last year and it was wildly protested so they went back to the previous age date of May1st.

I have seen some of the issues that Soccer has had with the new age groups. Teams that have played together for years are being broken up. If you do change the age you have to do it with a group of kids before they start their time in Soccer. That's the only fair way.

I love the chaos it has created and FINALLY MY BABY WILL GET A FAIR SHAKE IMO THANK YOU YURGAN KLANSMAN

 

[Kooky Kats]

11 year old gave up baseball this year in favor of sitting around and playing on computer... It's freaking killing me. Wife let him too..... "He just doesn't like it!".

F you too. It's unAmerican.

I could see if he sucks or is a giant fatass... He was good. I threw countless buckets of pitches to him, DiMarini bats, gloves, camps...worst of all, it cuts out something we shared (time together).

2 year old is my only hope. He's tough and always running around and wanting to play. I pray he's athletic and gets interested in team sports.

 

[krazykats]

I wouldn't worry about it and still take him to the batting cages to keep his skills up. He will miss it eventually. Also I'd take his computer away and have him doing every chore possible!

 

[B Rax_rivals210137]

We don't own a video game console of any kind. They both have some janky little tablets but they only play on them about once a month because they are almost never charged up. I'd like to think I can keep this up, but I'm sure as they get older they'll discover Xbox or whatever and demand one. I'm in no rush to get one. Not sure I could even figure out how to work one with all the internet and wifi and whatnot *pulls on suspenders*

 

[bradyjames_rivals]

*disclaimer long winded dad post

Went through all the hoops and will be the middle school assistant tennis coach. This might be the last father/son coaching experience for us. My children were not the best athletes on any of our teams. However, each one gave me 100%. We won championships and did all that but my favorite moment was this.

One of the twins was not as athletic as his brother. Hell, he was the second least athletic on our team. He had to watch his brother get pats on the back, hit game winning shots etc. I would put my arm around him and tell him to keep working. Every dog has his day. We would work on a quick release. We would work on defense and put in the time. Well, the last game of the season he got an open look and knocked down a jumper. I called a TO because my plan had always been to reach down and give him a hug if he scored. The plan was to explain hard work pays off. Well, his team(bench and all) met him on the floor giving high fives. They were genuinely happy for him. The smile on his face was from ear to ear. That moment is worth all the BS you put up with. I can still see that play and it's my single most gratifying moment in coaching.

I tell you this so you realize your son doesn't have to be a star for you to coach. I would argue the exact opposite. If your son/daughter needs you......be their coach. You will carry those moments with you for the rest of your life.

Being a father is hard work you need those moments.

 

[krazykats]

#3 is 6pds 11oz and still has 5 weeks to go, lol

My wife is 5'0 and typically weighs 120 so she isn't built for that size person to be in her.

I honestly feel bad for her. When she asked if something weird is going on for the baby to be so big the Dr just looked at me, laughed, and asked if she has seen her husband.

 

[Rex Kwon Do]

New rollerblading episode of Teen Titans Go.....just fantastic.

I just want to shred, is that too much to ask?

 

[80 Proof]

Little man has his first cold. He's almost 5 months old and this is the first time I've actually seen tears in his eyes. The Dr said he was suprised it took this long since he's been in daycare for 4 weeks now. Not much worse than seeing your kid sick/scared and not being able to explain that it will be okay.

 

[BernieSadori]

Little man has his first cold. He's almost 5 months old and this is the first time I've actually seen tears in his eyes. The Dr said he was suprised it took this long since he's been in daycare for 4 weeks now. Not much worse than seeing your kid sick/scared and not being able to explain that it will be okay.

Wait until the mini-panic attack you'll have when the little fart chokes on something.

Scariest few seconds of ones life!

 

[bradyjames_rivals]

First time one got the croup cough I grabbed him out of his crib and drove like a manic to the emergency room.

If your child ever sounds like a roaring engine in their sleep just open the freezer door and let them breathe a little of that in. Also, just a drive in the car will do the trick but may take a little longer. That was scary and nobody told me.

 

[80 Proof]

A kid in Joey's daycare class had croup last week so I was well read up on what to expect by the time he got sick. Never developed into croup luckily though. He's feeling much better today.

 

[B Rax_rivals210137]

One of my kids favorite summer time activities is leaving the damn door wide open every time they go in or out (approximately 7200 times a day). I swear to god by August I'm only gonna know how to say "shudor" haha. That's for you game of thrones fans. But seriously it drives me insane.

How old will you be when your kids graduate HS? I'll be 41, 43 and 45 for mine. That seems crazy to me. Oldest starts 1st grade in the fall and I just feel like Adam sandler in Click. Please spare me the "IT ONLY GETS WORSE" posts, I already know. We took my dad to see that movie when it came out and he cried during it and we all thought he was kind of a wuss for it but now I sorta get it.

We've been at the ballpark basically nonstop since January ended a few weeks back. It's fun. 2 years in a row now we've went up on Memorial Day in the morning and had the place to ourselves. Socked a few dingers, played some catch, ran the bases. Great time. Going to try and make that our thing. Finished it off with a game that night. Some of the parents complained that we had a game on Memorial Day but I think those parents are dumb. Seemed like the perfect way to kick off summer, imo.

I'm sad that a little boy fell into a gorilla cage at the zoo. I'm sad that some mom f*cked up and had the worst day of her life play out on social media. I'm sad that woman is being harassed relentlessly and her life will probably always be screwed up. I'm sad that that little boys life is probably screwed up. I'm sad that a perfectly good gorilla was forced to live in a fake jungle in Cincinnati for 20 years and was ultimately put down because of human error. I'm sad that this is even a f*cking debate that we are dividing ourselves over. Seems like a cut and dry situation to me.

 

[robvio]

B Rax, I will be 44 when my first graduates and then 49 for the second. I don't know if that is too old or about average. It's a kick in the nuts just thinking my daughter graduates in 3 years.

- Tonight my 11 year old got to play something not resembling outfield in baseball. Its his second year in baseball and last year was the equivalent of the monkey v. football adage. This year, he seems to have grasped the game a little more. He can crush a ball but not on the regular. If he learns to use the hips and step into a pitch, it could be an over the fence homer. He's coming close with just sheer instinct and all arms on the swing.

- Anyone of you guys have a "recluse" older kid that you have to force to get out of the house? My daughter is too much of a homebody. And she's backwards as they get. Like four decent friends and they aren't really close. I'm a little worried about her in some regard. Sprung on me she wants to get her lip pierced. She's already shaved her head in a spot up front.

Maybe I'm failing her. Advice welcomed.

 

[funKYcat75]

Tell her all of those things are SUPER GREAT ideas. Maybe get your lip pierced as well. Maybe not. Sounds like a friend issue. Haven't dealt with that yet. Best of luck. You're not failing her, however, unless she's homeless or doesn't know you love her.


Ready for this? I'll be 44 for the first one's graduation, 50 for the second, and 5effin6 for the last one. Wife is the same age as me. That's what happens when you are as virile as I at age 38, I suppose. Att least I won't have three kids in college at the same like like some people.

 

[cat_chaser]

My oldest hit his 3rd homer of the season last night. He's now all alone in second place for most hit. Only 1 back of the current leader. He has a double header on Saturday and I think he may catch him!

However, he did commit a huge error with two outs in the middle of the game. It opened the floodgates and the other team ended up scoring 5 runs after it happened. Pretty much lost the game on that play. He was pretty down about that, but those are the hard lessons you learn in baseball. He told me he would've swapped that homer to have made that play (I sort of believed him). He rebounded nicely and made some crazy good plays after the error, which is all I've ever asked of him after a mistake.

Youngest (just turned 4) finally hit the ball HARD in his T-ball game. He hit it off the coach pitching to him (they throw 3 pitches to the kiddos and if they don't hit it's then placed on the T). He appears to have a more powerful swing than his older brother did at the same age. Should be fun to watch over the next few years.

Shew-wee. Glad I didn't have girls. Good luck, Robvio.

 

[cat_chaser]

- Tonight my 11 year old got to play something not resembling outfield in baseball. Its his second year in baseball and last year was the equivalent of the monkey v. football adage. This year, he seems to have grasped the game a little more. He can crush a ball but not on the regular. If he learns to use the hips and step into a pitch, it could be an over the fence homer. He's coming close with just sheer instinct and all arms on the swing.

Don't worry too much about this. Practice will help with the hips (my oldest was the exact same way, and still doesn't use them as much as his coaches would like). Just make sure he practices "squashing the bug" with his back foot.

Also, stepping into the pitch is overrated, IMHO. As long as his weight is about 60/40 in the back of his stance - a good trigger and toe tap is just as effective (keeps them balanced and from lunging at he ball).

My B-I-L played college baseball and was a big hitter. He told me the "stride" isn't for power. It's more of a timing mechanism. I thought the same thing as you did until he told me that. And seeing the results of my kid I am a full believer in that now.