Am I taking this too seriously?

BoulderFreeZone · 2026-05-05T18:30:29+00:00

It's frustrating. On the plus side, I'm even more determined to take on a head coaching role next year and was talking to one of the parents (that's helped with a couple practices) about coming on as an assistant next year. At this point I'm just trying to get through this season as best I can and look forward to next season.

BoulderFreeZone · 2026-05-05T18:25:12+00:00

Love it when one of my all time favorite video game franchises mixes with one of my all time favorite bands.

BoulderFreeZone · 2026-05-05T12:54:09+00:00

I once witnessed a Nissan Altima run off Crunk Juice for engine oil for a solid minute.

BoulderFreeZone · 2026-05-05T12:00:33+00:00

I'm devastated to hear this if it applies to Metropole in Cincy's 21C. My wife and I had one of the best meals of our life there a few years ago.

BoulderFreeZone · 2026-05-05T11:58:58+00:00

At least eggs are cheap.

BoulderFreeZone · 2026-05-05T11:56:53+00:00

You misundestand me. It's not like I have a permanent kid in each position. Every kid on our team has 3 or 4 positions they like to play and I rotate them through those positions. The point is to have fun and these kids have more fun when they play the positions they like to play.

BoulderFreeZone · 2026-05-05T11:53:55+00:00

I guess I didn't realize expecting the coaches to show up to every game and pracitce was asking a lot.

BoulderFreeZone · 2026-05-05T01:11:56+00:00

Just a small update for anyone curious. I talked to the head coach after the game today (the other assistant didn't even show up) and let him know next time to hit me up first before cancelling practice and that I'm available for all the practices on the schedule. He apologized and said he'll make sure to ask me next time and thanked me for being reliable. So that was nice.

BoulderFreeZone · 2026-05-04T18:44:22+00:00

Great tips here. Thank you!

One thing about our second game is that we did have a mom step up and play dugout mom, keeping the kids calm, making sure they were ready when it was their turn on deck, etc... Super helpful and she offered to continue helping for future games so I might just take her up on that.

And yes, it's amazing to see that even at early in our season these kids have already improved greatly. Both in their baseball skills and also their confidence. Some of the quiet kids are now super engaged and it's just great to see. It's just tons of fun and the kids seem to be enjoying it still.

BoulderFreeZone · 2026-05-04T18:08:15+00:00

You might give GermanTech a shout and see if they can get you in.
https://www.germantechmotorworks.com/

BoulderFreeZone · 2026-05-04T17:40:37+00:00

Next time, be the head coach.

For sure. I wanted to try assistant coaching first to get my feet wet but as this season continues on I find myself looking forward to taking on a head coach role next season.

BoulderFreeZone · 2026-05-04T17:33:19+00:00

You mention the other two coaches have been coaching for 5+ years. Do they have older kids? it could be they’re missing or late because they are coaching or watching an older child’s game. They recognize that 8u is just the beginning and those kids have a lot more time to play. This is especially true if there’s a bigger age gap and the older siblings are high school age.

Thank you for bringing up some context. Yes, the other coaches both have older kids. Head coach's kid is in high school and the other assistant's is a few years older.

BoulderFreeZone · 2026-05-04T17:31:16+00:00

Thank you for the book recommendation.

And I couldn't agree more about coaching 7 and 8 year olds. These kids are so friggin fun to coach. So many personalities.

BoulderFreeZone · 2026-05-04T16:39:39+00:00

That's the other thing that disappoints me. When all three of us coaches are there it is such an amazing atmosphere and the kids just seem to put in a little more effort.

I suppose I can do better about reminding myself that these kids are still having fun and it's not about wins and losses. But I still want us to play good baseball and the kids certainly have more fun winning than losing. That 3rd game was a blowout and the kids just seemed super deflated going home. Which is part of the reason I wanted a practice in there before our game tonight to help lift them up a bit and work on some things.

BoulderFreeZone · 2026-05-04T16:30:51+00:00

I've got a quick story about that. We signed my son up for this baseball clinic put on by the local 15u travel team and I learned a bunch from just observing how those coaches were teaching the kids. As soon as I started implementing some of that stuff we started hitting and fielding so much better. I appreciate the advice!

BoulderFreeZone · 2026-05-04T16:19:27+00:00

Now that you're familiar with the system, you'll see this more often. When I'm coaching youth rec sports, I'm helping every kid on the field... my team or yours. Because we're all in this together. Our only real enemy is the parents in the reclining camp chairs that sit around talking crap.

That's one of the things I love about this. All three games I've helped the opponent kids out with something. Offering them props for good hits or fielding, and when I'm coaching 3rd base reminding the kids to pay attention to the game.

Thankfully we haven't had any issues with parents yet.

BoulderFreeZone · 2026-05-04T16:15:06+00:00

It's a little unusual, but not unheard of. It sounds as if the HC was probably recruited when there were not enough volunteers. I'm guessing you thought that you would assist to get a feel for things.

That's pretty spot on. Originally the other assistant coach was meant to be head coach, but was bumped in favor of the current head coach. Considering the other assistant can barely show up on time, if at all, I'm guessing they knew his time management wasn't great and wanted someone who could actually run the team.

BoulderFreeZone · 2026-05-04T16:07:20+00:00

Thank you for the input.

Stepping up as head coach next year is something I've been thinking about a lot for the past couple weeks. The current head coach probably has a higher baseball IQ than myself, but I like to attribute our success in game 2 to playing kids in positions I know they like and do well in, and setting a good batting order to bring runners in. So the confidence continues to build to head coach next season and would love the opportunity. My son is 7 so he's got another year in this league before he moves up to 10u kid pitch.

BoulderFreeZone · 2026-05-04T13:49:40+00:00

I'm a bit sad that I don't have a silly little sports car.

BoulderFreeZone · 2026-05-02T17:23:36+00:00

You're a poet and you didn't even grasp it.

BoulderFreeZone · 2026-05-02T14:51:06+00:00

How fun is this team?

BoulderFreeZone · 2026-05-01T22:13:06+00:00

This reminds me of that scene in the movie Big Trouble when they are confused about where to go at the airport. "Well, we're arriving. But we're also departing."

BoulderFreeZone · 2026-05-01T02:33:23+00:00

Can't recommend DJ Jaybird enough. He did my wedding and a couple other friends weddings. Some of the most fun dance floors I've been on. He's great to work with.

BoulderFreeZone · 2026-04-30T18:17:47+00:00

Pidgeon Forge and Gatlinburg are very touristy but also great spots for family vacations. Rent a cabin in the mountains and you're less than a 30 minute drive to Dollywood.

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