[Seahawk]

I was fortunate to have played baseball in college, so it goes I had a lot of coaches from LL through HS.

First of all, I loved to play...I played and enjoyed other sports but I really loved playing baseball. SO much so that I started working as an umpire when I was 14...I umped 12 and below games on weekends for $5 bucks a game. An absolute kings ransom in those days.

In my experience in umpiring at least 50 to 60 junior minor league games (in those days 7, 8 and 9), being a fairly detached observed of the players, my impression was they wanted two things: the ball hit to them and to bat.

I still played in an over forty league until this year because of schedule. I am, however, in search of an over 50 league for next year. I pitch so the fact that my bat has become languid and bittersweet matters not.

Second of all, I had great LL parents: they would drop me off and come back for the last few innings, cheer for everyone and never, ever gave the coach(es), umpires, other parents or players a word of advice or criticism. Ever. And believe me, as a player and umpire I saw it all from other parents.

Third. While the kids know who the better players are, they are acutely aware of who the d-bag parents, coaches and other players are. As Milt said, there is a bigger picture to manage in your position as a coach, more than just the lessons of winning or losing is being learned by your team.

So, lastly, I think you are well on your way not being one of those d-bag coaches...for which you are to be congratulated for.