Topic: Letter from Mike Matheny to the Parents of Youth Baseball

Mike is a man of strong character and shares his strong ethics with the players he is coaching. I agree with about 80% of what you have said in the letter to the parents. I will give my opinion on a couple of topics that I think Mike could understand.

When I was on the ground with my players, I had very few problems with my parents. The ages of the boys who were assigned the responsibility of training were between 12 and 15 years old. Before that, I was part of the team of other coaches and worked mainly with my son Jeff.

I had a parent meeting with a brochure and explained the rules to them similar to what Mike says about player and parent responsibility. My parents were directly involved in my program and were part of the success. The team needed help with fundraising and travel arrangements. We were a baseball family and with the help of my coaches and associate coaches we were a formidable bunch. We were not a test team like many of the travel teams in St. Louis. I had all the local guys and we won a lot and we were always able to win or compete against the selected teams.

My concern with Mike is on the subject of emotions. I can’t see that a player who is a competitor who breaks his butt on the diamond cannot show emotion. I would teach my players that when you make a tag, you have to sell it. I am a great competitor and most young athletes are the same. If there is a play at second base and the runner is definitely out, for the player to show no emotion is ridiculous! What needs to be done is for the coach to let the players show emotion, but not to show the referee arguing. The players will never argue with the referees, the player can say “I got it” and then walk away and let the coach take care of the situation. That’s what the good coach is for, and he needs to approach the referee in a firm way and tell him that I think you missed the call. Then smile and listen to what he says and then go back to the dugout. I think this is the perfect way to lead a youth team on this topic.

This level of baseball, in my opinion, is strictly about player development. I told my players and parents that I was preparing my players for high school and beyond. He was not as concerned with the umpires’ decisions as he was more concerned with playing the game the right way. We had a play where my third baseman dived to his left and dropped to his knees to first; the ball was on the ground, but picked up. The referee said the runner was safe. My coaches went crazy, I calmed them down really quickly and said that Ross and Brett did everything the right way. It was really good baseball!

I can’t imagine the fans at a baseball game quietly and without shouting support for the players. I wouldn’t expect my parents or fans to act this way in a game. What should not be tolerated is arguing from the stands with a referee or verbally abusing the other team. When he was on the ground, he always managed the referees and always had the respect of the men in blue. Head coaches, you must understand that you are in charge of keeping your entire baseball family in check. I can’t imagine “Come on, come on, you can do it” adds more pressure to the player. I think this shows support for the player and the team. I can’t imagine being at a baseball game and not hearing the fans supporting the players.

Mike also writes about the loss of respect because children hear their parents complain about teachers or coaches. Mike goes on to say that his father taught him that the coach is always right, even when he is wrong. I do not agree with this at all, I do not want my son to be a robot of the person who does and does not think for himself and agree with a coach who is wrong. I think we need more people to stand up and say what is right and what is wrong. I must say that this is one of the reasons I started this business was to improve coaching at all levels. I think baseball should be played a lot better, and the reason it’s not better is because of bad training. I see so many mistakes at the Major League level that they shouldn’t be happening. I mean the little things and also the basics that Major League Baseball players need to know. I have many veterans who feel the same way as I do on this issue.

In conclusion, we need baseball coaches who are hard-working, honest, responsible, and who really know how to teach the game. Mike is one of these coaches and I disagree with him on the emotions of the game.

Letter from Mike Matheny to parents http://www.mac-n-seitz.com/teams/mike-matheny-letter.html