It’s a fucking game
After two weeks of practice and a few rain delays, game day is finally here.
The sun is playing peek-a-boo behind just a few clouds in an otherwise clear and bright blue sky. An autumn breeze doesn’t lower the temperature too much, still in the high 80s, but I sit in the shade and feel comfortable. Never a big sports fan, I’m now transformed by my children’s enthusiasm.
I’m ready to see my youngest son get out there and enjoy himself.
Baseball is the great American pastime after all, requiring skill and the kind of good hand-eye coordination I never got from drama and dance classes.
Yes, listening to the crack of the bat and kids cheering on their teammates is just about as good a gig as you can find on a Saturday afternoon.
Which is why I’m suddenly surprised.
Coach Joey Owens is screaming at his players, nine and ten-year old boys.
“Lazy. You’re being lazy!”
“Are you a spectator or a ball player?”
“Dive for the ball!”
“Can any of you catch?”
The assistant coach, Jeff Watkins, yells, too.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“I’ll pay you five dollars if you catch the next two balls.”
“This is ridiculous! You are pathetic players!”
After pausing for a moment, both coaches talk amongst themselves, but I can hear them from the sidelines. Owens asks if one of the boys is taking his medication. Coach Watkins takes special pleasure in making the kids cry.
“Are those tears?” he asks his son, who stomps off the pitcher’s mound and heads straight for the dugout. “Can I make anyone else cry today? This is great!”
They laugh and high-five each other.
When his son gets back up to pitch, Coach Watkins sneers.
“Can you do it right this time?” he asks.
His son looks at him and mouths the words, “Shut up, dad.”
“I’m not going to shut up,” he taunts. “I’m going to be in your ear every minute of every game so get used to it.”
Mrs. Lazzara is one of the moms.
She screams, too. Her son is often the catcher and sometimes he makes mistakes.
“You’re letting your whole team down,” she chides from the stands. “When I get you home, I’m going to kill you! You’re an embarrassment!”
Sometimes she can’t sit still. The anxiety is so strong, she has to pace or stand off to the side. She laughs when Coach Watkins asks if her son needs an umbrella to catch a ball. While they are having fun, I look at the field and count five crying kids.
The rest of the team frowns and looks genuinely miserable. Including my son.
“Isn’t this supposed to be fun?” I ask.
Attending games at Forest Hills Youth Baseball, a pony league in North Tampa, feels like visiting a bizarre world where the most inappropriate behavior is not only accepted, it’s encouraged. Berating and degrading children, calling names, and humiliating them in front of their friends and neighbors is pervasive.
This isn’t the first year we’ve been involved in youth baseball. Last year, we were regulars at Lutz Little League. Much of the behavior is the same.
We’re all used to seeing parents behave badly at the ballpark. Dads with beer bellies as big as their egos, trying hard to recapture the glory of their youth as it slips further away, are a common sight.
This is their life, all wrapped up in confronting umpires, screaming at kids, and starting fights with fellow coaches. For two or three hours every Saturday, they want to remember what it was like when they were kings, back when they had their whole lives ahead of them. Now their best days are gone and their sons, goddamn it, are going to help them get those feelings back.
Parents like Mrs. Lazzara simply hate to lose. They glare at the All-Stars and criticize those parents who don’t seem to care as much, yet easily breed champions. It isn’t fair.
There are also many parents who are mortified by such behavior. They tell the coach to calm down; gently reminding him this is Fall Ball. (A change of season validates the bullying of children?)
One umpire in particular, Danny Oliver, is consistently positive. He’s the only person I notice on the field who regularly supports the kids and tries to motivate them with kind words instead of insults.
The only one.
Several parents complain, but when I suggest action, they walk away mumbling, “I hate confrontation.”
I hate it, too. But I won’t stand by while adults emotionally abuse their children.
This past Saturday, Mrs. Lazzara screamed at her son to get out from behind the plate.
“You are lazy or tired! Tell the coach to pull you out.”
Coach Owens removed Little Lazzara from the game. The boy took off his equipment, sobbing. I’d seen enough. I walked up to the stands and stood staring at the four or five batshit crazy parents who enjoy insulting their and each other’s kids.
“What you all are doing to your children is insane,” I told them.
“Shut up!” Mrs. Lazzara yelled at me. “Worry about your own son! Get out of here if you don’t like it! I am sick of everyone telling me how to raise my son. I’m raising him to be a man.”
She continued to yell as I sat away from her and rolled my eyes. I didn’t say anything, because you can’t argue with crazy.
Little Lazzara proceeded to the dugout where he hyperventilated. His mother took him aside and tried to get him to drink some water. Finally, after attracting more than a few concerned onlookers, the poor kid had to be taken home. Mrs. Lazzara insisted, as she escorted him, hysterical, to the parking lot, that he was simply “dehydrated.”
I tried to goad the coaches into a confrontation. When they noticed, incredulous, that so many kids were crying, I got real close to the fence and hissed:
“I wonder why?”
“Great motivation guys!”
“These kids are going to cost you a fortune in therapy bills.”
Coach Watkins and Coach Owens both scolded players who were spitting on each other and calling players “idiots” when they missed a ball.
“These kids are modeling the behavior they see in you,” I told them.
But neither coach engaged with me. I guess they prefer to fight with children, who aren’t as quick to talk back.
It isn’t okay to mimic and make fun of crying children. It isn’t okay to threaten them with physical violence if they don’t do well on the field. It isn’t okay to berate them for missing a fucking ball.
This weekend, after a rousing post-game talk where Coach Owens told the kids he was embarrassed for them and Coach Watkins called them “girl scouts,” my husband and I walked our youngest son to the parking lot.
“Are you okay after games like today?” I asked.
“Yeah,” he said. “I’m glad I have parents like you instead of them.”
I guess not all lessons on the ball field require good hand-eye coordination.
51 Comments
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Catherine Durkin Robinson
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VOTE!
she’s crafty
Damn!
I posted this on your facebook page also.
Omg. My husband would have had a total cow. He is a private coach for girls fast pitch softball. He has been coaching and playing softball for about 40 years total. Coached the Madrid Womens Softball team for 6 years. My son would never set foot on a field with those coaches again.
I’d tell Mr. Lazarra to “head for zee hills (if he hasn’t done so already)!”
How terrible!! That is not dehydration BUT a panic attack!!! How sad that at a young age he is already having anxiety!!! She is not raising a man but a hot mess!! I pray for her son!! What a bitch and a bully!! I wish I could be with you at your next practice/game to have your back!!!! You are a good person, parent and friend!!!!
There are so many good coaches in youth leagues doing a great job, to them I say amen.To those who do not measure up, go watch the sport on TV.
FIRST OF ALL I MUST SAY… HOW DARE YOU? WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?
I have read this and laughed at the way you exaggerated the story. You definitely are a writer huh??? Making it a good read for everyone? You should be careful about slandering people you barely know and posting pictures of them! You don’t know Mrs. Lazzara at all do you? Is she passionate? Yes. Is she crazy? NO. She is a wonderful mother who adores her children. Those kids have great parents!! Why don’t YOU worry about your own life and your own children? Don’t you have anything better to do than post lies about people you don’t know? GET A LIFE LADY!!! Stop trying to make yourself look like the perfect almighty mother spending your days putting your nose in other peoples business!!!! CRAZY IS YOU
WOW!!! “Concerned About Your Lies” – you won’t put your name in association to your friend – huh!!! That says it all Miss Anonymous!! As I understand there were many witnesses including a referee. I person who says”I am tired of people trying to tell me how to raise my children” – right out of the horses mouth – RED FLAG!!!! She said it herself!! And I child hyper ventilating – you add up the clues!!! I have known this writer for over 22 years and have never known her to lie – so shame on you!!!!
You say this is fall ball so how long now has your son been practicing and playing with these coaches and this team? If things are this bad why would you allow your son to be there? Everyone is allowed to parent how they see fit so why are you subjecting your son to this? You can go to any park, league, team, and even some pe classes where comments are made in the heat of a game. Kids get frustrated and cry all the time. Everyone is human and I do not believe that anyone’s psyche is being meant to be destroyed. My son has played for these coaches and has learned so much about the game. They want the best and are in it for the best of reasons. Coaches are volunteers and commit LOTS of time and energy to teaching kids this sport with many a demand from parents and very little gratitude. The coaches are always to blame when things go wrong and the first to take a hit from a loss. If you had an issue with these coaches/team why is it at game 7 that you are now questioning their character? I know them as coaches and they consistently want the best for these kids in baseball and in life. That is why parents bring their kids to recreational sports leagues to teach them skills that they themselves lack. If things were so bad at this “fucking game”, then why did you not pull your son and leave? All you are showing by posting this is that you are trying to hurt these very “human” coaches who are working hard for your kids. Nice language by the way in your title. Pictured in a bikini top also, nice again. You parent your way and leave others alone. When you are at your most heated moments are you as perfect as you claim these other people are not? Being that you are a free-lance writer it seems as though you’re trying to sell your version of the truth. I was at this game and many a parent and COACH had good, positive things to say. Before, during and after every inning the coaches rally the team together to get them pumped up for the next set of plays. Parents, including myself, were cheering the kids at bat and calling for the kids to be ready to field the ball. Many of the comments you listed in the beginning of this article are common place on a field. Telling a kid to dive for a ball? What is wrong with that? Asking a kid what is wrong? Again, what is the problem with that? It’s easy to sit in a closet and blog about wrongdoings but it takes a responsible parents to confront the issue head on and have spoken to these coaches directly and not hissing at them through a fence. You state in your article that you were “suddenly surprised” at this game. That implyies that this was not typical. So which it? Is this what goes on at Forest Hills or were you surprised? I do not appreciate your comments about Forest Hills park and what baseball is like there. You make some bold statements about this park, coaches and parents that have no merit. From one free-lance writer to another.
Were you there??? Do you know why her son was hyper ventilating?? He was dehydrated and passed out!! Shame on me?? For what?? Your friend is pathetic for posting peoples pictures and names without knowing them at all!!! AND if your friend/writer doesnt like the game tell her to put her son in ballet!! The coaches were NOT talking to the kids the way she is making it sound. And funny how they have played about seven games and NOW she thinks there is a problem…. People need to mind there own business and worry about themselves. We are all different and are different with our children. If she doesnt like being tough with her son then that is her option but you dont see anyone telling her she is raising a P…y!!!
I cannot respond to ad hominen attacks. They are used or resorted to when the merits of the argument cannot be challenged.
Besides, my uncle often says, you can’t have a battle of the wits with someone who’s unarmed.
If there is nothing wrong with the parents and coaches, or their behavior, then no one should have a problem with names and faces going online and in the paper. In fact, this is a great opportunity to stand up for what you believe in, discuss different parenting styles, and what kind of atmosphere we want for Little/Pony League. Take some pride in who you are – if it’s so great, let the whole world chime in.
But if, on the other hand, there is now a sense that naming names is wrong – perhaps the shame lies with the behavior. Maybe the behavior isn’t so great and instead of being honest, I’m getting villified for calling attention to it.
Which is it? You have every right to defend yourself, these parents, and coaches. And I have every right to say I disagree.
With the f word. Next to a picture of myself in a bikini.
Now go in peace, to love and serve the Lord.
I’ve heard these same comments from other parents regarding Little League. It is a shame that the fun is being taken out of a kid’s game in the name of sport, or is that “passion” according to the above comment. There are numerous studies made stating the issues with using fear as a motivator. While it may allow for short-term compliance, it eventually breeds low self-confidence, as well as physical and emotional stress. Unfortunately most likely it will teach these kids to lead the same manner.
Holy Shit-Storm!!! In Kate’s defense, she has been concerned about the, shall I say, overzealousness of these coaches and parents for some time. It is only now that she decided to write something about it. I’m glad she did, looks like she touched a nerve.
To:Concerned With Lies…who’s calling who a Pussy? You don’t even have the backbone to leave your name.
In addition- I’m sure I’m not alone when I say this…I fucking love that money shot of Kate!!!
Yes, there is something wrong with posting peoples names and faces when you are exagerrating and telling lies about the people you are wrting about! HELLO woulnt you be upset if someone was posting lies about you online?
And by the way, you are very full of yourself. I would change that pic if i were you!! You are NOT hot or even remotely cute! In fact you look like a MAN with tits!!
There is a reason why I havent posted my name. I dont want this crazy lying frizzy haired bitch knowing who I am!! So she can post lies and pics about another person? She apparently is a low self esteem bitch who preys on others for self gratification!!
And of course she touched a nerve… AGAIN I say you wouldnt like it if she posted a pic of you and your fucking name all backed with total BULLSHIT!!!!
Money shot my ass!!! lol
I read your blog, I really dont care…. I just wanna know who’s the Chick in the photo on the right with the MAN face!
Hey C.A.Y.Lies, you forgot the smiley face on that last post! It’s so cute when you’re foaming at the mouth!
HUH?? Foaming at the mouth??? Are you kidding me??
Post went up October 24th.
Troll came out October 25th.
Someone’s been vanity googling…
That one coach is, what? Five feet four or so? If that’s the dude doing the yelling, I get it: he obviously got his ass kicked a lot by these kids’ dads back in the day. Cut the little fellow a break.
Ok, this is just craziness! I laughed my ass off reading these venomous exchanges! As the devil’s advocate, I’ll defend the coaches first. We have entered an age when nobody deserves to get their poor little feelings hurt. Bullshit. If you catch every ball in practice, but drop every one in a game, you deserve to hear about it. Children do not need to learn that its ok to lose as long as you had fun while you were sucking. Either play the game to win, and have fun doing it. If all you want to do is "have fun", maybe competitive sports isn’t your thing.
Now to the loud mouthed assholes who think yelling soul crushing profanity at a child is the only way to batter them into the mold you built for them. You hypocritical cowards sicken me. First of all, when you try to say its not true, you are insulting your own intelligence, and ours. How well would you respect your boss or your spouse if they spoke to you like this? There is a reason why the kids are making these mistakes in spite of this "excellent coaching". That reason is, wait for it…ITS NOT GOOD COACHING!!! It has nothing to do with the name of the park, or the name of the parent, or the name of the coach. And yes every parent has the apparent right to raise their children in the way that they think is best. The problem is that doesnt make them a good parent. If you find yourself saying things to your child that arent loving and nurturing, ask yourself just what the result is you expect to achieve. Ask yourself just why you had those kids in the first place.
Ms. Robinson is certainly taking things out of context and using sensationalism to insight conflict. All of what she says is opinionated and holds little if no merit. She is throwing out slander and making comments that she should keep to herself. That tends to be her first amendment rights but by reading some of her other posts she seems to be a troubled person with little joy in her life. I personally am everything that she alludes to as a father and former coach of two youth baseball players. At least that is in the minds of those who read Ms. Robinson’s post. In reality, she couldn’t further from the truth. Believe what you wish, it’s your right, but remember….most readers won’t remember a thing that was written in this blog by sunrise tomorrow. Had Ms. Robinson stepped out from behind the keyboard and addressed the issues in a professional manner, there may have been some credence given to her opinion. I really like Ms. Robinson’s boys and I hate to see their lives controlled by the stroke of their mother’s keyboard. Ms. Robinson, *** has real talent. It’s a shame to ostrasize *** because you can’t control your own emotions but, it happens every day. Please don’t continue to do this to you boys, they may learn hate you for it. I wouldn’t suggest that you sacrifice your own children to further your own aspirations as a free-lance journalist. You know who I am and I don’t believe some of the things that you aluded to were warranted. But, if you are good with the falsities that you wrote and can still feel good about yourself, I’m good with that too. You will be the one to live with it, not me.
Technically I am new to this blog… I have never met the author and since we are on opposite ends of the political spectrum, highly unlikely to hit it off. I just had to throw in my 2 cents here, but I am a loudmouth bitch. Really, and I’m okay with that. I can say that I have a 9 yr old who has been playing ball for some time now and ~thankfully~ it’s not the same league. If it was, I can only imagine I would be unable to hold my tongue if I ever witnessed 4 or 5 9yr old boys crying on the field after being humiliated and belittled by another adult under the guise of "de-pussifying" them. Little league is supposed to invoke camaraderie and good-sportsmanship, not anger and name-calling. The posters have said the author has lied, but have failed to mention what she lied about exactly… and they had resorted to belittlement and humiliation… oh wait, gee, there might be a pattern there!
As far as the pic is concerned, I considered it thought-provoking the first time I saw it. I’m guessing that was the point. I might like it better if it wee shot from the right though… ;}
Zenmaster….you completed a complete circle with you post. That’s cool!
I will repeat what I’ve written before: Why have children that you don’t want to love and nurture? That is not the same as coddling or turning them into pansies, or whatever word you want to use there. Just hug them and don’t curse at them or tell them you’re going to kill them. Something is wrong here. Kate doesn’t lie. Yes she is a writer and she uses curse words in her pieces. Do I like that? Not really, but I know she isn’t lying. It just isn’t her. This kind of BS happens everywhere, as I’ve heard similiar stories where I live. Different ways to parent? Whatever. Love your kids. Just LOVE them. That should be universal. The actions and words from the so called parents from these games is not loving. Period.
First of all people – if you are going to accuse somebody of something, at least know what you are accusing them of. Slander is “spoken word” and libel is “written word.” Therefore, Katie would be accused of libel. Maybe if your middle school teachers yelled at you more, called you pussies, and made you cry you would have learned the difference when the rest of the educated world did.
Second of all – if she really is guilty of libel, then take her to court instead of fighting cyberwars from the comfort of your basement.
Third – to ZenMaster, the notion that 9 year olds playing Little League baseball is “competitive sport” is absurd. Any league where the only qualification is that your parent signed a waiver and paid your $45 to get on a roster is NOT A COMPETITIVE SPORT. The minute your kid can get cut from a team for sucking is the minute it becomes a competitive sport (i.e. high school). I just called you out b/c you are the one that alluded to this as a competitive sport; however, I’m sure the Lazarra’s of the world would agree that Little League is a competitive sport. That’s okay though, she’ll learn the difference soon enough when her anxiety ridden son is on the high school cross country team b/c they are the only team that doesn’t make cuts (Full disclosure – I’m on anti-anxiety medication – not b/c I was yelled at as a kid – and I ran Division I cross country. There is hope for young Lazarra).
Eric – I hope that you are not threatening or insinuating that my son will now be ostracized for what I’ve written.
It would surprise me very much if the parents who have been so defended as loving and kind would resort to using their children as pawns against mine instead of approaching me directly.
As you can see, I’ve edited your comment because I don’t show photographs of or name children on my site.
But the rest of your statement is there in its entirety.
We are all entitled to our own opinions. Obviously, I stand by what I’ve said and written. I saw something I disagreed with and spoke out against it.
If you’ve been doing this a while, Eric, you know I’m not alone. I’m just the one with the guts to speak out.
Hopefully, my kids learn to love that about me. Hate isn’t really a part their psyche, but I’ll keep you posted.
If my writing leads to a healthier and kinder world – even if only for the kids at Forest Hills – then I will be a happy mommy.
We all see what we want to see and if the yelling and cursing and threatening continue, I will continue to speak out against it. Wherever I can.
At the very least, Eric, thanks for representing your side with better reasoning than your counterparts here. I may not agree with you, but at least I can respect where you are coming from.
to Mary from the right…the issue with the crying wasn’t as it was written. Several of the kids were having bad days and were becoming emotional for one reason or another(I am sure that your child has been emotional at times). The coach that was accused of taking joy in making the children cry; “Coach Watkins takes special pleasure in making the kids cry.
“Are those tears?” he asks his son, who stomps off the pitcher’s mound and heads straight for the dugout. “Can I make anyone else cry today? This is great!”
He had also stated that he would like for everyone to go ahead a cry if they needed to and be done with it so they could return to the field and play some baseball. These children are continually encouraged to not allow a bad play get to them. They are told to shake it off and go get’um on the next play. The remark my friend, although laced with sarcasm, was not damaging to the children. Ms. Robinson knows this to be true and took the situation out of context. I am sure that almost every statement made on a “not-so-great” day at the baseball park could be misconstrued by the parents of the team that had the “not-so-great” day. The choice of predicates used by the author also inflates the situations referred to in this post…”Coach Joey Owens is screaming at his players, nine and ten-year old boys.”
“Lazy. You’re being lazy!”
“Are you a spectator or a ball player?”
“Dive for the ball!”
“Can any of you catch?”
The assistant coach, Jeff Watkins, yells, too.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“I’ll pay you five dollars if you catch the next two balls.”
“This is ridiculous! You are pathetic players!”
Screaming? Some of the boys are as far away as 150 feet. Screaming or yelling? would you not need to “yell” to be heard over the ballpark noise and especially maybe 150 feet away? Pathetic players? I don’t know about that comment, it doesn’t sound correct but I can’t comfirm or deny it. The other comments, yeah, typical comments to get the kids moving “don’t be a spectator”, “dive for it, don’t let it fall in front of you”, “lazy” yeah some of them were being lazy on Saturday and not giving their best effort. So on and so on. Team sports is not a place where you will hear the coaches whisper often, sometimes harsh comments will be used to get a response, and yes, sometimes emotions play a key role but these kids are not being abused mentally, emotionally, or physically by these coaches. To say so is simply slander. If the author has had her boys at two different parks, and has been disatisfied with both parks, then maybe team sports is not where she needs to have her boys. All of this has really gotten silly and there will be no resolution. Ms. Robinson is allowed her opinion as well as you and I are. To continue to participate in this blog is to weigh credence on the authors opinion. I personally disagree with her inflamitory attitude and her slanderous remarks. That’s my right.
Eric- not sure if you’re reading this still, but I did want to comment and tell you that you are correct with your statements about Coach Watkins. Your quotes of him are spot on. He was being supportive to the entire bench when he told everyone to go ahead and get their emotions out. I knew his intention was to get them focused back on the game.
In my opinion, he was dancing back and forth between sarcasm and frustration and was sprinkling support in throughout the entire game. I found myself getting hopeful when he was letting the kids be kids and ALWAYS appreciate the coaching he does at practice and during the game.
There were times on Saturday when I was wincing, having trouble discerning between his sarcasm and support. If I was having trouble, my guess is that some of the kids were too.
I don’t think Coach Watkins should necessarily change his style.
I’ve decided that I am not going to change my style, either. What I am going to do is support my son’s decision to continue playing baseball because he is still enjoying it and continue to have open dialog with him about his team and everything he encounters in life, deprogramming when necessary.
That may make us both pansies, but so what?
***’s Dad
One more thing… I find it interesting that those who posted on here defending themselves, friends or the coaches ‘innocence’ used a strikingly similiar tone to exactly the sort of conduct Katie reported as witnessing. With all of your name-calling, hostility and general air of juvenile, assinine behavior, I do believe you have unwittingly corroborated her story.
Well Done!
I find it interesting that the people accusing this writer of “slander” and “libel” also defend themselves for doing the things the author wrote about. Newsflash: if it’s the truth it’s not libel, little boys. And your behavior is beyond pathetic.
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I wonder if these people talk to their kids with the same venom that they express in this forum. I feel so sorry for those kids. These poor kids will grow up and verbally abuse their own kids and treat other poorly because that is all the see and hear…sad!!
I have heard about this posting from parents at Forest Hills (we also played there a couple of years ago). While I understand the concerns I just have a problem with the way they were handled. Just like we teach our children to talk to their teachers or friends to work out problems I think that should have been done here. A meeting should have been requested with the coaches and all concerns should have been discussed. If there were no changes from that point forward the Board should have been notified of the events so that the had the opportunity to step in and rectify the situation. While there is no excuse for any adult/ coach/ teacher to make children feel like failures there was a better way to handle the situation. There are wonderful coaches out there. Speeking from experience I have found them at Forest Hills, Lutz, and Keystone. As in life, if you don’t feel someone is a good fit for you and your family you shop around until you do. As for the Mom that was yelling at her child, I think it is really terrible to post her name and picture without giving her the opportunity to defend herself.
Thanks for the feedback, Little League Mom. I appreciate your point of view, I really do. But I tried to tell the parents what I thought on Saturday and “that Mom” immediately and forcefully attacked me and wouldn’t listen to a word I had to say.
Perhaps you would have handled it differently, but this is my forum. This is how I seek change. She is more than welcome to come on here and defend herself. I approve all comments except death threats.
The column is also out today in Creative Loafing. She can always write a letter to the editor. The column will also be on their website later today. She can leave a comment there.
But from all the feedback I’ve received, last Saturday was not an isolated incident. It deserves to be broadcast and discussed, as far as I’m concerned, but you are certainly entitled to your opinion.
Here is a list of places you can pick up a free copy of Creative Loafing.
http://tampa.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/where_to_find_a_print_copy_of_cl/page?oid=437910
Here is a link to the online post at CL:
http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/28/a-message-from-a-youth-baseball-mother-parents-and-coaches-stop-abusing-your-kids/
Sorry for the confusion everyone. The article doesn’t appear to be in this week’s edition. It’s slated for next week’s.
Will let you know for sure when it’s printed.
If you live in South Tampa, Downtown, South Pinellas, Seminole Heights, etc. you can find my article on this subject on page 8 in Creative Loafing. Been receiving lots of positive feedback and names of really amazing leagues that subscribe to ideals set forth from Positive Coaching Association.
More details on that to come.
Also, feel free to check out the article and a video online at http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/28/a-message-from-a-youth-baseball-mother-parents-and-coaches-stop-abusing-your-kids/
Piggybacking…
http://clarkjbrooks.blogspot.com/2009/10/parents-coach-thyselves.html
Nice Clark!
For those who inquired, practice tonight was terrific. The sane parents had my back and the crazies ignored me. They played it smart, “Give her nothing to write about.” Very smart.
As a result, the practice was more positive than we’d seen in a long time. The kids were amazing. One of the dads noticed they did great and someone else said, “It’s because they had fun!”
The league president was there, so maybe that had something to do with it. But I am hopeful! It might go back to normal Saturday or next week, but for now those kids are having a blast. And I hope someone, even if it’s just one, thinks that kids can do GREAT when coaches and parents are POSITIVE.
A very good night for our kids.
As a regular at Forest Hills for the last 18 months, I can say I have never seen behavior described above from Joey Owens, nor Eric Mullins. My son is a Pinto player, and we played Joey’s and Eric’s teams in the spring (twice, each team), and they seemed perfectly fine to me.
Do you truly have an axe to grind, or was this simply a new topic to further your writing career?
wow i’ve read all the posts about how bad Joey and and all his coaches are and I would just like to say it couldn’t be farther from the truth Joey is one of the most caring coaches you will ever come across. He is very passionate about baseball but he is not living through his son or anyother kid that is on that field. I can say this because Iv’e personally know him for over 4 years coached with him and against him and if anyone can say that he does’nt care about those kids they are a total idiot! Joey with all his little quirks is one of the best coaches that foresthills has to offer he cares about the kids not just winning and if you had such a problem with him and his coaches maybe you should have pulled your son from the team! Ican say from personal experience that joey is an excelllent coach and any of his players will tell you that they love playing for him, my own nephew will tell you joey is his favorite coach and he’s played for me for the past four years,and as his uncle I respect his opinion even though he’s only 9 .Now I don’t know what the motivation for your artical was weather it was for personall glorie or just plain ignorance you have attacked a man and basically his familly with no regaurd for anyone other than yourself and my personal opinion is that seeing the picture next to the blog is that maybe the problem is that the coaches just didn’t pay enough attention to you because obviously you need some attention since you published this blog in creative loafing.
John – Joey was just one part of this sad story and I didn’t mention Eric at all. And you overestimate the audience for pony league drama – the topics don’t further my writing career, I do.
Rick – Put down the bottle before you post comments, my friend. I take that back. Going after your spelling and grammatical errors is as bad as you going after me for what I look like. Ad hominem arguments have no place here. Happy drinking!
BTW – The only reason I did not comment on Jeff Watkins or Mrs Lazzara is not because I agree with the writer’s statements regarding them, I do not. It is simply because I do not remember them from last spring, and felt it better to not comment on what I know nothing about.
My son played for Joey Owens last season…it was the best experience he has had in the 4 years of playing baseball at Forest Hills!
He loves Joey & Jeff.
My husband and I both know Eric and Mrs. Lazzara …they are great people!!
If you are not happy maybe you should just go back to Lutz in the Spring? =)
Why did you post the pics?
[...] – neighbors alert the authorities. Catherine writes about crazy parents at Youngest’s pony league baseball team and hate mail reaches all-time high. Husband stops appearing with her in [...]
[...] last time I wrote about my experiences with organized sports, Husband stopped appearing with me in public. But on the upside, I heard from coaches and parents, [...]
[...] last time I wrote about my experiences with organized sports, Husband stopped appearing with me in public. But on the upside, I heard from coaches and parents, [...]
I have to agree that there are many overzealous parents in this league berating their children. Shame on these people, they are not raising men, they are raising psychiatric patients. I personally encourage and congratulate the children on good and bad plays, and work with them on correcting mistakes. You notice that a lot of the better players have parents that are supportive but not overbearing. Probably because the parents were never any good themselves.
You wonder why kids grow up and hate their parents. Just for a second step back and stop taking your child’s feelings for granted.
In addition, I do not personally know the people in this article and have found many nice coaches in Forest Hills. But I would think that most of this can be seen in all areas of sports and all leagues.