Sport Parent Code of Conduct: Part 4

just-a-boy-472x630This is the fourth review of the sport parent code of conduct that many parents have signed in order for their child to participate in little league baseball.  At Chad Moeller Baseball – we are looking at this document in a deeper reflection with the hope that we can help explain the importance of this conduct code.

The code of conduct includes 17 elements that parents must agree to before signing the document.  Number 7 on the list states:

“7. I will not encourage any behaviors or practices that would endanger the health and well-being of the athletes.”

The number one aspect that we must understand when reading this rule is the realization that our kids are not professional athletes.  They are kids that are learning the sport.  We cannot apply professional unwritten rules to our viewing of the games.

For example, we cannot yell out instructions that might apply to a major league game.

  1. He is crowding the plate, bust him inside with a pitch – a nine year old is trying to throw strikes we do not want to put in their head that they need to possibly throw high and inside to get the person off the plate.  The result of this could be disastrous.
  2. Go in hard to second base and break up a double play.  Your child is learning how to slide – we do not want to encourage sliding into second base with the intention of taking out the second baseman or shortstop.  The rules in little league or youth baseball are very different from Major League Baseball and we must remember those rules.
  3. Stealing signs or trying to steal signs.  Although this might become a part of the game as kids become much older – this is not a job of a parent or coach at an early age.
  4. Doing whatever it takes to win.  Winning and the drive to succeed is an important element that sport teaches but it should NEVER come as a result of hurting the well- being of another athlete.

This list could go on and on, but the message needs to be instructed by coaches,  parents and friends.  Hopefully every child shows up healthy for a game and hopefully every child leaves the field happy and HEALTHY.

Until Next Time,

Chad