[notmytarga]

My son is 7 and playing on a machine/coach pitched team. He played T-ball 2 seasons ago. He still stands straight legged and somewhat distracted. Most kids don't have a clue where the play is when they finally get the ball picked up. They get help from the coaches covering the field who are always telling them where and why the play should be - they just get excited when they field the ball and forget.

Seahawk's experience helps me understand what is in these boys thoughts. They do like to bat and have the ball hit to them. Only the best kids can catch a fly reliably or catch a thrown ball. Throwing during games is usually a bit chaotic - they are excited! At this age they aren't really working as a team. Individual skills are the most important. Watching a game wondering why they don't anticipate plays, think of strategy etc. can be frustrating. Until you remember that this is all about a fun way of gaining experience.

I don't think kids play playground baseball at school lunch and recess much. I know my kid doesn't. He goes to the same grade school I did (in the 70's) and we always played work-up during the spring in 4-8th grade. They don't do that anymore. Dodgeball maybe.

A neighbor is coaching a team that we wanted my son on - College player etc. He has several practices a week on top of the games - thinks that the kids love it. Has them do 5 pushups if they miss a grounder during practice. That might help my son bend his knees more! My son got assigned to a different team. His coach this year is a special ed teacher and is a good fit for the team and my son. His coach declared his goal this year was "To have fun and have each boy want to play again next year" A fine attitude.

As far as deciding how competitive to coach - sounds like you have a good mix of respecting the boys and pleasing the parents which is the unfortunate reality. Most complaints I hear are about coaches that are too competitive and leave the same 1st baseman and pitcher assigned the whole game. Ruins it for both teams. On the opposite end is the coach that wants the outs not to count so the kids can run the bases - that is T-ball all over again.