Should I Sign My Kids Up For Little League?

[ikarcuaso]

My sons are 6 and 8 (will be 9 when the league starts in Feb). They've both played t-ball more than once but never little league. I've played w/them often - we set up bases, hit, throw, catch, gone to the batting cages, etc.

My concern - although they enjoy it when we play, I can't necessarily say either has a passion to play. Although they say they'll participate, they're not begging to be signed up, and I doubt either would miss it if they didn't play. I'm particularly concerned with my older son. Due to his age, he will be at a level with boys who have already been playing for a year or more. I'm sure he'll be intimidated and will likely "ride-the-pine" a lot in games. He said he will play, however. I believe much of that is because he has a couple friends who play in the league. And no doubt because I'm suggesting it.

My take - of course I'd be happy if they played. Maybe one year. If either tells me they don't want to play anymore after that, then they won't. So the question is, should I even "encourage" them to play this one season and go through it, or should I just let participation in this, or any activity for that matter, be something they actively ask for and show a real desire to do?

[71T Targa]

At 6 and 9 no one should be riding the pine. It doesn't matter if they've played before or not.

[M.D. Holloway]

Sign them up. Our Son is very athletic yet showed no interest at first to be in organized sports. Glad we did cuz he is doing great and having fun. We have made good friends through it as well. Same story with our 5 yr old lil Girl. She wasn't interested at all in sports until we got her in Soccer. Now she is having a blast and always wants to go out side and kick. She has also developed an interest in baseball (wiffleball) and basketball.

Take note - try to get involved with the teams. The more involved you are the less crap goes on with the coaches et al.

[Nathans_Dad]

I would sign them up. You never know if they will get into it or not until they start playing. My son is 5 and is in Tee Ball now and he seems to enjoy it. He isn't the star player, but he is having fun and has decent skills for a 5 year old.

I think sports are important for both boys and girls, it gives them an energy outlet and reinforces the idea of team first, personal gain second. Even if they don't end up starting this year, they will still get good practices in and will probably meet new friends.

[Rick V]

Yes

[Steve Viegas]

Sign him up. If it is not tramatizing him, keep signing him up. Eventually, he will really appreciate it (college intramurals, old man's beer and softball league, etc.).

I played soccer, tennis, baseball, and basketball, mostly with little to no enthusiasm before the season started. I always enjoyed my teammates and learned lessons that still help me to this day (dealing with others, disappointment, look like you've been there before, etc.).

Also, I met my wife playing soccer in the old person league...Playing sports is good.

[JeremyD]

My son played little league - but got bored with it - I have to say that I was a little shocked by the parents. Good grief - you'd think it was the world series.

When he said he didn't want to play this season I wasn't disappointed (even through I played through HS)

Both kids playing fall soccer now - sports encourage getting along with other people. They encourage seeing what other people can contribute and taking advantage for the benefit of the team. All skills you can carry on in your working life.

[berettafan]

Yes.

When the other kids are talking about Saturday's game in school on Monday your little ones will be able to join the conversation. And after the game one day when Jimmy's dad says 'hey i'm doing a team pizza party this afternoon' your little guys will be there and be part of the group.

it's not JUST about the game.

[hardflex]

Yes, do it. My son at 9 was terrified at first, thought he wasn't good enough, didn't want to. But we practiced and he got better and ended up a great hitter and played thru HS.

Some of the best quality times I had with my son started with Minor Little League at 9 years old. Practice time, travel time, Select ball world series trips, etc. Wouldn't trade them for the world! And they wouldn't have happened if I hadn't signed him up.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Yes, absolutely no doubt. The lessons and friends that can come from sports are lifelong, even at a young age. My 4 year old son plays every sport that the local YMCA offers, thus far it's been tee-ball and soccer. Basketball starts in November. To him, it's more just going and playing with other kids, he really enjoys it. We spend a lot of time at home playing in the yard, it's great father-son time. It also made him the best hitter on his tee-ball team (I know he's 4, but I'm still proud).

Not to mention, what else would he be doing with his time? Watching TV? Playing video games? Getting fat? I think we would have a lot less problems with modern kids if their parents encouraged sports.

[KaptKaos]

Yes.

Sports help kids in all kinds of ways. There are a ton of life lessons in sports for them to learn.

Use their love of sports to ensure that they focus on the important things, like school work. "if you don't get good grades, no baseball" or whatever sport they really like. Works very well.

Particularly for girls, sports are important. Statistically, sports playing girls get in less trouble, have better grades, become sexually active later, and use less drugs & alcohol.

[Les Paul]

Sign them up. There are many many things you can do to improve their game. First off buy a bucket of balls and go to the local diamond and pitch to them. I spent many many hours pitching to my son. Not being afraid of the ball will really help them. They are going to get hit no doubt about it but they need to know when to bail. In fact the best coach my son ever had pitched tennis balls at them on purpose so they learned which way to bail.

Don't quit using the t-ball stand. When they get in a funk hitting pitched balls you can analyze if they are jerking their head, not stepping into it, dropping their back elbow, whatever, by using the t. They start whacking it off the t consistantly and you go back to pitching to them. Proper throwing technique same thing, step into the thows elbow high, overhand not sidearm etc. My son was a natural probably because he practice more than 99% of the kids. I never coached one of his teams because there were so many guys more eat up with it than I was, but every time he said," lets go play catch", or "come pitch to me", I did and loved it. When he quit midway through his freshman year in hs it was more a bummer for me than him. I never tried to live frustrated parent dreams through him like so many parents do. That is the sad part of little league. You'll see that the longer he stays in it too.

Bottom line I've seen kids that weren't that great in little league become stars because they stuck with it.

[Seahawk]

So much good advice.

My son isn't a ball sport kid...he just turned 14 and has a Black belt in Ti qwan do and is the fastest freshman (19:45 for three miles) on his X-country squad.

He has told me that even though he was a bit apprehensive, that playing baseball was fun...not something he ever wants to do again, but he liked the experience.

My mantra is introduce, support and then let them tell you what the really want to do. But by all means, have fun with zippy expectations.

[Nathans_Dad]

The parents can get a little ridiculous I do admit. I am one of the assistant coaches for my son's Tee ball team and we had a father come up to us (inebriated no less) after practice and spend 20 minutes telling us all the things we were doing wrong. This is a 5 year old team, mind you, and only 2 players on the team had ever even played before. This parent was upset because we had a few kids get confused on which base to run to during our first game.

Sometimes people need a reality check.

[JavaBrewer]

Yes sign him up. Seek out a recreational league that guarantee's that all kids play. He may not get time at pitcher/catcher/FB unless he shows some ability but that's also a good thing for safety. At 9-10 the more experienced boys are hitting pretty hard and throwing in the 40+ mph range.

Baseball has been great for our family though we have experienced some real negative times as well (I have posted in OT about them). Lots of the "daddy ball" syndrome and super competitive parents/coaches. Try to minimize that with your son(s) and focus on keeping it all fun and definitely enjoy the time out in the backyard throwing with them. Good times

[Les Paul]

Yea, very good times. I still miss playing catch and it has been 7 years now since we have. Bummer. These are the good times with your kids.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by ikarcuaso

My take - of course I'd be happy if they played. Maybe one year. If either tells me they don't want to play anymore after that, then they won't. So the question is, should I even "encourage" them to play this one season and go through it, or should I just let participation in this, or any activity for that matter, be something they actively ask for and show a real desire to do?

I'll be the lone dissenting voice I guess. My first question would be why would you be happier if they played?

I would let them ask rather than encourage. If you have been doing pickup with them they likely will want to do it. The problem with encouraging them in absence of their initiation is that kids will often do things just to please the parent. Team sports are not for everyone.

And no, I was not traumatized by LL. I played for 5 years and did quite well. My son did 2 seasons of soccer and one aborted season of t-ball. He does not dig the team sport thing at all and I quit encouraging it. He's got other fish to fry...

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

So much good advice.

My son isn't a ball sport kid...he just turned 14 and has a Black belt in Ti qwan do and is the fastest freshman (19:45 for three miles) on his X-country squad.

He has told me that even though he was a bit apprehensive, that playing baseball was fun...not something he ever wants to do again, but he liked the experience.

My mantra is introduce, support and then let them tell you what the really want to do. But by all means, have fun with zippy expectations.

Couldn't agree more! Also, in organized sports, sound out the coaches carefully...they may or may not mesh with you or your children philosophically.

[berettafan]

i accidentally sent 2 kids on to home plate (was 3rd base coach....i thought) at my sons t-ball game because the little guy with the ball missed 1st base.

i didn't realize you go 1 base at a time until the last batter and then it's a grand slam every time. i was like 'go go go go!' and coaching the kids when the batter came up and stuff. nobody got upset as it was an honest mistake and the kids were kinda stoked about all the ruckus.

oops!

[ikarcuaso]

Thanks for all the helpful replies.

Originally Posted by nostatic

I'll be the lone dissenting voice I guess. My first question would be why would you be happier if they played?

My older son has tried MANY different activities, only to lose interest. This doesn't apply just to LL - I guess as his parent, I would like for him to find his passion, something he really dives into. To this point, I don't think there has been really anything, just yet. I guess when I say, "It would make me happy", I'm speaking in general about any interest he might develop.

Originally Posted by nostatic

I would let them ask rather than encourage. If you have been doing pickup with them they likely will want to do it. The problem with encouraging them in absence of their initiation is that kids will often do things just to please the parent....

This is the root of my concern. This has already happened with us, with basketball. My suggestion, and he went along. I felt really bad about it. My wife felt worse.

I'm thinking I should tell him straight up. Only play if that's what he wants to do, not what he thinks others (me) want him to do.