Open letter to Little League parents

maddawg710 · Jul 14, 2009

Saw this on Jackson Jambalaya.

http://www.kingfish1935.blogspot.com/

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</td> <td class="bloginfo"> <h1>East Greenbush</h1> <div class="tagline"> Written by East Greenbush residents, dedicated to all things East Greenbush. </div> <div class="extrainfo"> East Greenbush news </div> </td> <td class="setter">
</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <div id="post-169"> <h2 class="post-title">Open Letter to "Little League" Parents</h2> <div class="post-byline"> April 26, 2009 at 9:15 am by Jim Letzelter </div> <div class="post-contents">

Yesterday, it was 90 degrees and sunny and our Little League and Girl's Softball leagues kicked off their seasons-it was a great day. In honor of that, I have written a letter to "some" parents on behalf of the coaches and volunteers that get stuck doing all the work for the kidsâ€¦

<a name="OLE_LINK2"></a><a name="OLE_LINK1">Dear Parent:</a> I am your child's coach this year, so I wanted to introduce myself and provide some important information. First of all, let me just say that your child is the best player that I have ever coached, even though I have not yet met him/her. On the occasions that he/she is not in the game, it is not due to his/her .038 batting average or his/her inability to pick up a non-moving ball, but rather various hidden agendas and mental shortcomings on my part. Surely your future Division I scholarship athlete will succeed once a coach more qualified than me takes the reigns. Second, I would like to thank you in advance for not meddling in any of that pesky "work" surrounding the ball field. Surely that "field cleanup day" nonsense is for other parents, not you. After all, you have done enough for the baseball/softball community by producing gifted offspring that can round the bases in just under 3 minutes thanks to your superior DNA. By the same token, thank you for not hogging up any of the pre-game rituals such as raking or lining the fields. It is with great joy that I rush to rake a field in 95 degree heat while you sit in your comfy shaded lawn chair eating the hot dog you bought from the concession stand. Impressing this behavior on your son/daughter must have been hard work, but clearly it has paid off-I am certain that he/she will be the first out of the dugout after each game, leaving me the cherished souvenirs of a half-full Gatorade bottle and 47 bubble gum wrappers. Thank you for leaving the coaching to me and me alone. Choosing to play catch in the yard with your own kid could have proved costly, resulting in caught balls, good form and quality time with your child. Your approach of attending 2 of the 17 practices and then yelling at your kid for not turning an unassisted triple play is probably the way to go, too. I am sure his/her practice attendance was inspired by your own impressive attendance at concession duty. The Board Member on Duty appreciates the joy of running the fryer, grill and cash register as you stare out the window watching your kid purposely throw the ball from shortstop to deep left center because he/she thought that's where the play was. As always, every day is "pit bull day" at the ball park. Nothing says "we're classier than the soccer people" like rolling out of your el camino with a horde of slobbering attack dogs. Dog bites build character and those children who do survive such a canine attack will certainly praise you for assisting in such a learning experience as they limp around the bases. Babe Ruth smoked at the ball park, so by all means so should you. Please continue to ignore the "No Smoking" signs and PA announcements. Those are meant for other people. And don't worry about your cigarette buttsâ€¦the losers that go to field cleanup day will take care of those. Again, thank you for teaching your son/daughter about good sportsmanship and good citizenship. Please keep up the good work by continuing to complain about everything from the umps to the weather to the length of the 50/50 salesperson's arms when you spring for the arm's length. After all, fundraising is for other people, and you deserve a string of tickets measured out by the limbs of Manute Bol himself. I apologize in advance for not meeting your expectations as a coach and I thank you for letting me share a dugout with your future Olympian. Best Regards, "Coach" </div> <div class="post-commentmeta"> Posted in General | </div> </div> <div id="comments"> 17 Comments Â» </div>

OMGâ€¦.GREAT letter !! one can only hope the parents read it. I have been there, done that with my son for years. his team was required to get there early and help get the field in shape.
Coaching is a big job, good luck.
I also know the other half of the story, my husband coached and he is an ump.
Susan Comment by Susan - April 26th, 2009 @ 12:58 pm
Having lived through many years of baseball, softball & even Pop Warner football games & practices with my family over the years I have to say kudos to you for saying what all of us have wanted to say but couldn't!!!! My family was always involved in everything while the same people sat on their fat-butts & did nothing but complain!!! Your sarcasm is fabulous & unfortunately wasted on those for whom your well made comments were meant!!!! Thanks for the attempt though - I appreciate it if no one else does!!! Comment by cc - April 26th, 2009 @ 1:32 pm
Thanks #1 and #2. Sarcasm is my one true gift. My parents dissuaded it growing up but I really think it has brought meaning to my life. Comment by Jim L (Albany Web Design, Tech Valley Webs) - April 27th, 2009 @ 11:24 pm
If whining were a sport you would be an olympic caliber athlete. If sarcasm solved problems I would vote for you as president. Since neither is the case, why don't you quit? If the main reason you volunteer is to be praised for your work you need to re-evaluate why your motives. Many people go through life unappreciated or under appreciated and don't feel the need to announce that feeling to the world. Grow up and sprout a pair. If you have legitimate issues with the actions of the players or their parents do something productive about a solution. Whining about the situation and using sarcasm doesn't do anything but perpetuate the problem. If the league has by-laws why not work to change them to require the parents to do some of things you're complaining about? If the children need to pick up after themselves why not make them? All too often people think that by whining about others' behaviors they are working towards a solution. They're not! They're adding to the problem. If it matters enough to whine about it ought to matter enough to act. Your parenys were right. Sarcasm is unproductive and a waste of time. You should have listened to them. Comment by Are You Kidding Me?? - April 28th, 2009 @ 6:26 am
Thank you "K" (post #4) for appreciating my blog. Clearly you are addicted to my writing since all that you do is complain about it then keep coming back for more. But if reading comprehension was a sport you would be cut from the JV. You must be one of those parents that doesn't help out but rather uses youth sports leagues as child care. Perhaps you and your husband should help out.

I am sad that our tax dollars go to a place like OCFS that would hire someone like you. This is where you say to yourself "oopsâ€¦I thought this was anonymous". Comment by Jim L (Albany Web Design, Tech Valley Webs) - April 28th, 2009 @ 8:00 am
I find it exciting when someone attacks sarcasm with irony. It's sort of like when Godzilla fought Megalon and you didn't know who to root for or who was going to win, but dadgummit you just wished you bought the extra-large popcorn. Comment by BL - April 28th, 2009 @ 10:39 am
I'm not sure why where I work is relevant to subject at hand, or why disagreeing with you merits the vailed threats and personal attach, but what the heck, it's your blog and you can handle it as you see fit. In the future I'll refrain from commenting when I disagree with you. That way you won't have to spend any time logically defending the statements you make. Comment by Are You Kidding Me?? - April 29th, 2009 @ 6:10 am
GREAT LETTER!!!! It is almost as good as the one the coach wrote in Scituate (unfortunately he was forced to resign) which I hope you are NOT. I completely agree with everything you say. My son plays football but my nephew plays baseball and I help out as much as possible because many of the parents of the "entitled" kids don't feel it is their responsibility. I have nothing but respect for the youth sports coaches. Without youâ€¦our kids would NOT have the opportunity to play and learn the games.

I think "Are you Kidding Me" needs to lighten up. I am sure he/she is ONE of THOSE parents and is just mad because he/she got called out. I can't believe he/she complained about a personal attack when that is EXACTLY what they did to you. Hopefully they will move on and be miserable someplace else!!!

GREAT LETTER!! Comment by Just my thoughts - April 29th, 2009 @ 9:26 am
Well let's figure it out, Skippy. As a NYS resident, I am concerned that they hire people with poor reading comprehension. Your comment criticized me as someone seeking glory for volunteerismâ€¦how anyone could take that perspective is beyond belief. The blog post was about slackers. You missed it.

"Vailed" threats? I assume you mean "veiled", but we've already discussed your reading, so I assume your writing is similarly poor. Personal "attach"? I assume you mean "attack". And YOU were the one that attacked ME. Wow, get the net. Someone doesn't remember what they did.

You also spend your time posting under various fake names. Weak. Comment by Jim L (Albany Web Design, Tech Valley Webs) - April 29th, 2009 @ 9:31 am
walk a mile or 10 around the infield cleaning up after these people before you criticize this guy. stay up until 5 am for a month scheduling the season and deal with everyone complaining about why the moron scheduled a rec game during your wife's cousin's bar mitzvah; deal with some kid crying under the bench because you sent her out to center field for 1 inning, deal with a parent screaming in your face in the parking lot and lying to anyone who will listen about how you are a bad sport, evil person, and mean to puppies - and explain that to your kid; explain to the girl who's never pitched 3 strikes in a row why it actually is fair that the girl who attends pitching clinics all winter long and takes private pitching lessons and actually practices pitching gets to pitch, before typing more criticism. the man is calling out all the people who drop thier kids off at practice and go to applebees, all those who whine about he administration of the league but who've never felt compelled to lift a finger unles thier arm is twisted to work concession, and i second the motion. get off your asses and pick up a rake. there are open board positions. step up or shut up. Comment by Got yo back - April 29th, 2009 @ 9:53 am
I agree with both of you but you are both wrong how can we teach our kids if they see and here the parents and coaches complaining about the next person or the other coach. Correct me if I am wrong but aren't we all there for the same reason the kids or have we forgoten about that. Is this all about the parents or the kids? I to don't like to see the same faces at clean up and in the cossesion stand when others are not doing there part. Mabey if people adopted this. The gradification of seeing there child play ball on a well manicured feild and have a great bite to eat sould motivate them to step up to the plate. Be proud we have such a league in out comunity and be apart of it not a problem of it. If it wasn't for the people who volunteer there would be nothing there at all. Comment by Forest Gump AKA The Lawnmower Guy - April 29th, 2009 @ 11:43 am
Jim L, i cant begin to tell you what a rotten day i had,and how reading this not only cheered me up. It gave me alot to smile about. Being in the mix of the E.G.- Castlton little league for 7 years with my child.Every coach should hand that letter out to all parents. the parents that laugh and smile. Do understand , and will help. The parents that frownâ€¦.Well do i have to say anymore?
thanks for the column jim Comment by joemadman - April 29th, 2009 @ 5:34 pm
there is no argument for that logic. nothing is better than the reward of seeing a kid who never got to first other than walking, smack a bases clearing double into the outfield and scoring two runs and seeing the smile on thier face when they see the score change. or watching another make a season ending unassisted double play. there are great moments like that in every season at every level in every sport, and it makes everything worth it.
still funny though. Comment by Got yo back - April 29th, 2009 @ 9:17 pm
Great letter, love the sarcasm and you're absolutely rightâ€¦ but here's the thing. It's a busy life and a busy world. Most families are two income homes and people are too busy trying to make ends meet to volunteer and too tired to coach. The truth is, the people that DO have the time are probably the more fortunate ones. But also remember this. The kids whose parents aren't involved, probably aren't going to excel in that area either. They aren't playing ball at home, and probably aren't getting the extra help with homework they likely need. The kids who have involved parents have a better shot at success in life, and not just on the field, life in general. The parents who are usually involved, get that! Hopefully the volunteers and coaches will inspire some of these kids to do tomorrow what their parents aren't doing today! Comment by Susan - April 30th, 2009 @ 7:19 am
I found the letter incomplete. It didn't mention:

"I also sincerely appreciate your efforts in not getting your kid to practice. I'm sure they are getting better at baseball playing '09 MLB on their Playstation while snacking on Flaming Hot Cheetos because they didn't feel like going to practice today. Additionally it's a good character builder to let your kid be their "own person" and call their own shots in this regard instead of dedicating themselves to their team. Remember LL baseball and youth sports in general is there for and is all about your little Johnny. Now that I think about it I'd like to apologize. I messed up before the year and didn't realize the outstanding qualities of your young Superstar. We should have named our team "Little Johnny's" Angels or The Angels Starring "Little Johnny" but the banner is already done and we can't change now. Don't worry about paying for the banner either even though I've asked you 4 times for the $8 to cover the cost of it. Consider it a small token of my appreciation for the opportunity to be your son's coach. My wife appreciates it also.

Last, I'd also like to thank you in advance for not notifying me when he doesn't show up for games. I find making last minute changes to the lineup extremely rewarding and mentally stimulating and am well aware the season schedule, weekly emails and reminders to everyone after every game as to upcoming practices and games simply isn't enough notification for you to plan properly. My bad and I will endeavor to do better in the future." Comment by Big Johnny in Cali - May 1st, 2009 @ 3:42 pm
Your letter pretty much sums up how most of us that do most of the work feel. The guy/gal posting the comment that we do this for some sort of recognition is wrong. We do it because we are involved with our kids and someone has to-we find the time. I have no problem with parents that drop their kids off and do little to help the leagues. But DON'T COMPLAIN about ANYTHING. And if you do, you should be volunteering to fix whatever the issue is that you are griping about.

Oh yeah, your letter is incomplete, you forgotâ€¦I also sincerely appreciate your efforts in not getting your kid to practice. I'm sure they are getting better at baseball playing '09 MLB on their Playstation while snacking on Flaming Hot Cheetos because they didn't feel like going to practice today. Additionally it's a good character builder to let your kid be their "own person" and call their own shots in this regard instead of dedicating themselves to their team. Remember LL baseball and youth sports in general is there for, and is all about, your little Johnny. Now that I think about it I'd like to apologize. I messed up before the year and didn't realize the outstanding qualities of your young Superstar. We should have named our team "Little Johnny's" Angels or The Angels Starring "Little Johnny" but the banner is already done and we can't change now. Don't worry about paying for the banner either even though I've asked you 4 times for the $8 to cover the cost of it. Consider it a small token of my appreciation for the opportunity to be your son's coach. My wife appreciates it also.

Last, I'd also like to thank you in advance for not notifying me when he doesn't show up for games. I find making last minute changes to the lineup extremely rewarding and mentally stimulating and am well aware the season schedule, weekly emails and reminders to everyone after every game as to upcoming practices and games simply isn't enough notification for you to plan properly. My bad and I will endeavor to do better in the future. Comment by Mark - May 1st, 2009 @ 4:44 pm
I completely agree with your letter (including the addendum posted in #16) and with comments made by "Got yo back." My father was our town's little league coach growing up. With that said, I understand the lack of appreciation for what LL coaches do. I have also seen first hand the parents who utilize the league as free daycare, those who never lift a finger to make the league any better but are the first to complain, and those indignant SOBs who sit on their behinds while others tend to the needs of the field and the dugout.

"K" in #4 obviously has no first hand knowledge of what it's like to be one of those involved parents or volunteers or she'd have had the same response as the rest of us with whom your letter resonated.

Good luck this year coach. Comment by Christy - July 7th, 2009 @ 1:44 pm

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Open letter to Little League parents

maddawg710

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