A MUST READ !!!!! AVOID THE GOING HOME ARGUMENT
RCBC COACHES CORNER: AVOID THE GOING HOME ARGUMENT
This scenario has happened too often. A kid has a poor game, perhaps 0-for-3 at the plate or perhaps giving up five runs in three innings of pitching, or perhaps three errors in the field. No sooner does the dad start the engine of his car than he’s getting angry at his son for the poor game. By the time you’re driving on the highway you and your son are shouting at each other. By the time you pull into your driveway your son jumps out of the car and screams, “I don’t want to play anymore…the heck with this.”
Then there is this scenario. Your son gets three hits in four at-bats, including three RBI’s, or perhaps he allows just one run in five innings of pitching. So what happens??? Are some dads happy? No they are not. When the player gets into the car.dad will say, “you got to be kidding striking out against that pitcher, “ or “how can you lose your shutout the way you did…come-on you can’t give up a run like that.” Is it so hard to say "Great game son!!!!" and drive home with a smile?
The “Going Home Argument” unfortunately exists amd it is something that should be avoided at all costs. When I’ve spoken at Little League Awards dinners, whenever I’ve brought up this topic I’ve had mothers nodding their head at me in total agreement. Too many dads are guilty of this!!!
Let’s start with the first scenario. Players are going to have bad games in baseball. It is a difficult sport, more difficult as a player gets older and just good players are left. When your son plays another good team chances are there will be some bad games at the plate, on the mound and in the field. The worst thing you want to do is start shouting at your son the minute the game is over. You don’t want to berate your son and at that moment you shouldn't even want to offer your advice. It is more important to hold back until your son has calmed down and gotten over the bad day.Sometimes that may NOT be until the next day. Many times your son may bring up the bad game the next day and that can give you the opening to offer constructive criticism (but not yelling and berating). There may be times when Junior may bring up the bad game on the way home. If he does, without yelling, calm;y go over what you think he did wrong and offer advice (if you have some) on how he might avoid a similar bad game.
As far as the good game is concerned,. if your son gets three hits, or has an excellent outing on the mound, PRAISE YOUR SON IMMEDIATELY. Begin the conversation with the “pat on the back. Then (and I don’t really recommend this) if you want to gently mention how Junior could have made it 4-for-4 or could have thrown a shutout.
I said earlier that baseball is a difficult game. According to the NCAA stats, about five-million American kids play Little League Baseball….yet just 500-thousand of those same kids become high school players. That’s right…90% of those kids give up baseball after Little League. Some go to other sports or some kids find other interests, but there are a number of kids who no-longer enjoy the game. Don’t give your son any reason to dislike baseball. Be supportive…don’t berate his abilities….don’t yell at him on every bad game. Your son will have trust in you and eventually will come to you to help correct what he did wrong. Use good judgment and be positive with your son. Avoid that “Going Home Argument.”
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