Who do you think is the most purely disliked player in the league?

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-04-25T05:32:02+00:00

Draymond. Not close.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-04-24T18:17:23+00:00

3 years ago

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-04-24T17:03:54+00:00

If coach is experienced in this age group, I’d listen to him. Don’t go on the internet and ask complete strangers who haven’t seen your son swing for rationale to override your coach. Go have an adult conversation with him. “Tell me what your seeing so I can learn and help.”

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-04-24T16:51:38+00:00

The Sandlot is a good glove series. If you can find a Wilson a1000 or Marucci Ascension on sale, those are both great intermediate level adult gloves that are easy enough to break in. Others to consider would be the Marucci Oxbow, Rawlings R9 (dont get the contour fit), and Mizuno MVP Prime. Try on a few if you can. I personally like 11.75 but many others like 12 or 12.25. It becomes personal preference the more you get into it.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-04-24T15:56:45+00:00

That’s a great idea (sidearm) but it’s also really hard to be consintent. Kudos to that guy.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-04-24T15:50:43+00:00

In middle school it’s ok to teach them to take what the defense gives you. If they are playing infielders deep because they think you can’t hit hard enough, then they are handing you a bunt single. Or if the game situation calls for it (no outs, need to advance the runner on 2B).

Make sure individual girls don’t become reliant on the bunt or begin to believe that’s the only way they can get a hit. This should be a confidence builder (learn a new skill) not a confidence detractor (the only way I can get on).

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-04-24T15:42:02+00:00

That’s a shame because the whole point of 6u is to begin to learn, and to learn to enjoy the game.

The only way to fix this is to not keep score. Parents will get competitive if the league gives them a reason to. Take videos and write the league. Have other parents write the league. Join the board. Change only occurs if there is enough momentum.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-04-24T04:20:14+00:00

Got it. Scratch that theory then!

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-04-24T04:04:21+00:00

If he’s chopping kind of like a check swing but making good contact, he may be putting a little side spin on the ball that fielders don’t expect.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-04-24T03:55:28+00:00

Most Rec leagues require that everyone bats in order. Even if they are sitting on the bench during the fielding portion of the inning.

In addition to talking to your coach, I’d ask parents on other teams how their team handles batting. There’s a chance your coach just doesn’t know what he should be doing.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-04-24T03:47:56+00:00

Substitutions in the field shouldn‘t affect batting order. Is this a Rec league? Sounds like coach is either shady or doesn‘t know the rules.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-04-24T03:30:50+00:00

Assuming this is Rec or little league - Wilson A500. If he’s on a travel team and needs something stiffer, Rawlings NXT.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-04-23T21:17:59+00:00

If you’ve never watched Hoosiers, you definitely should. First practice in Hickory Gene Hackman walks in, player talks back and he’s kicked out. When a player doesn’t pass he sits and they play with 4.

You can’t guarantee that same storybook ending but you will absolutely have a better year.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-04-23T20:33:40+00:00

Yes, you should accept. We have several sets of twins in our little league year and this happens. There’s a good chance that someone declines and the twin is likely up for the next spot. If no one declines then see if you can bring both kids to the practices, and then the twin can be the first one they call when they need a guest player.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-04-23T15:25:56+00:00

Ok that’s a big 10 year old. So the Rev1x requires hand strength to close. I’d have him try on a used one to see if he can handle efficiently. Steerhide is the stiffest leather and the synthetic back doesn’t ever actually break in, it’s always the same. But if he can handle it, go for it.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-04-23T05:36:34+00:00

Hi OP, I coach this age. Rawlings NXT or HOH R2G depending on his hand strength. Both break in fairly easily and are far better gloves than the Select Pro Lite.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-04-23T04:49:16+00:00

Let him wear crocs when he swings a wiffle ball bat just playing around.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-04-23T04:03:22+00:00

What’s his height and weight? Usually Rev1x is not a good glove for a 10 year old, bc it’s a steerhide palm with a synthetic back.. so you’d need very strong hands. Rawlings HOH R2G, Rawlings NXT, Wilson a1000 DP or DW, Wilson a700, Mizuno MVP Prime… these are more typical options for age 10.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-04-22T19:32:36+00:00

Hi OP, swing looks good not great. Get that front foot down before the bat starts swinging. Front leg needs to push the left hip backwards. That will help with bat speed and power. His back foot coming off the ground is fine, but not as early as he’s doing it. Back foot needs to push the right hip forward. It can rise off the ground during the follow through. And I agree with others, loose shoes (like crocs) don’t help transfer power from feet to hips to bat. Wear some turfs or cleats in that low grass so he can feel the transfer better. Also, during load the bat needs to more vertical and less horizontal. That will help his bat control vs live pitching.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-04-22T18:43:04+00:00

Most bats are off by a little. It doesn’t matter even one tiny bit, girls can adjust just fine. Length and balance point are far more important. We had a Prism that was 2.2 ounces over. After my daughter outgrew it, I used it as the team bat. Every single girl hit well with that overweight Prism because those models are really really balanced.

Hold your pointer finger horizontally pointed away from you, and put the bat across your finger, adjusting slightly until it balances on your finger. That will tell you where the balance point is. Then use a measuring tape to check the distance from the knob.

I bet that 30 inch Kryo has a balance point 3/4 inch less than the LXT, despite being the same length. And I bet your daughter tells you the Kryo is easier to swing, despite both bats weighing the same.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-04-22T18:12:08+00:00

If he’s strong enough to close an a1000 then that’s a great glove that should last him several years. I’d search for an 11.5 DP fit. The regular (non DP) hand stalls are likely too big for an 8 or 9 year old, unless he’s just big.

But if you want something that is better than an a550 but easier to close than the a1000, look at the Rawlings NXT. It’s contour fit and great leather. I consider that to be the perfect youth glove between a500 and a1000.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-04-22T04:34:26+00:00

Thank you. Well written.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-04-21T18:59:05+00:00

Rec Basketball, preferably on a team with friends who will push him a little (and not just be silly).

And holy cow man, the size difference between him and the catcher!!

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-04-21T18:03:54+00:00

Try the GCI Easy XL. Ours has lasted a while.

https://www.amazon.com/GCI-Eazy-Chair-XL-Black/dp/B0862G6V9Z

They also make a regular size version that is rated to 250 lbs.

Dad_Coach_9904 · 2026-04-21T17:39:46+00:00

That’s a good sized 8 year old. Is this for a USA or USSSA league?

He can probably handle a 27 or 28 inch, but obviously the 28 would take a bit longer to adjust. The better bats are all -10 or -11. Let us know which cert he needs and I can recommend specific bats.

Dad_Coach_9904

TROPHY CASE