Let them coach! By: Ian Serrano

 

 

When I was a kid playing little league, school ball or whatever, one of the first things we were quick to learn was to listen to the coach. He knows what’s going on. He knows the game. The rules. We were never supposed to question his decision making for fear of being benched. Or worse, cut from the team.

I remember this guy who seemed larger than life. He was the guy who was to be respected for his years of wisdom, experience, and especially for the big, “C” emblazoned on his cap and the front of his jersey. I pictured a Tony Larusa or Joe Torre type, who commanded that respect with the knowledge he possessed for the subtleties of the game. He was a God to us kids. Our Hero.

The image of that hero is in danger of being erased from the minds of children everywhere by get this, their parents. The two people whose main responsibility is to educate their offspring in the ways of lifes little lessons, are tearing away the very fabric of those teachings. Forgive Mommy and Daddy for they know not what they do, kids.

In a world of “Political Correctness”, (personally I think it’s a load of crap invented by the tree-hugging masses to push the politicians into cow-towing to the constituency) where everyone is……American or…….Challenged or……something Syndrome, parents are losing sight of what is most important. And that is the education of the kids. The parents are taking the teachers and their teaching style and saying, “You educate my child the way I see fit, or we’ll scream, ‘Political Incorrectness’ ”. Then the teacher is branded as being prejudice. Or worse, “Racist”. Oh no! I said the ‘R’ word.

The reason I am bringing this subject to my column is, it has come to my attention that a group of over-privileged punks in suburban

Chicago, raised their, crybaby-sissy-washrag voices, to Mommy and Daddy because the coach wasn’t playing them enough.

Boo Freaking Hoo! The parents have in turn taken legal action against not only the coach and the school. But high school athletics in general. Last time I checked, a coach is hired to teach the players the way they see fit. And as long as, the methods aren’t physically or mentally abusive its nobody’s business. The coach not only has a responsibility to the players, the to the institution that hired him.

(Oops! Or her! P.C. sucks)

Most parents today molly-coddle their kids and smother them with good willed teachings of, “You can do anything you want to do.

Just apply yourself.” What a crock! Wake Up! I agree everyone should receive a chance to try. But just because a kid wants to play quarterback,  be a starting pitcher, or take 20 shots a game, doesn’t mean they are physically, or even mentally capable of doing it.

The “Soccer Mom Syndrome”, is where I believe all this started. A mother was upset because her daughter wasn’t getting enough playing time on her powder puff soccer team. It made no difference to the mom that her kid was outsized by a good 10 inches and outweighed by at least 10-15 lbs. The child was in the proper age group, and I’m sure had tons of desire to compete, but she lacked the physical stature to play at that level. Sadly, all the mother  saw, was that her child was upset by these events and Mom, (we’ll call her,

‘Overprotective Annie)…. (McGowan), yelled, “Foul”. I think she was the main proponent to the, “Lets not keep score anymore” fiasco.

Mom…Dad…Get a grip! It’s only a game. If you want to teach your kids about organized team sports, try teaching the about the responsibility of being a member of a team. Maybe what is best for the team is that you sit on the bench. Sorry you don’t get to play every down. Or pitch every inning.

Please, don’t get me wrong. As a father of three and a lover of sports, believe me, the kids will be involved in sports one way or another. But they need to stay within there abilities. I wont tell them they can play linebacker if they’re on 4’ tall and 60 lbs.

I do believe that children should be nurtured and supported in their dreams, but lets be real folks. Tell them the truth before false hopes

break hearts. Tell them truth. Period. They may not seem ready for it now, but in the end, (as the ad says) they’ll thank you.

As for the Brats of Suburbia, stop your belly-aching and grow up. You want to be treated like adults. Show your ready to handle decisions that are made, that are out of your control.  No one cares how much Daddy spent to send you to baseball camp. And the coach could care less if you had 2 weeks of special one-on-one training at Michael Jordan’s Fantasy basketball clinic. If you cant play at the level demanded, work harder or find another hobby. I know it sounds harsh, but not everyone can live his or her dream. That’s life and there is no way around it. Your kids are no better than any other child. So, Deal With It!

Comments are welcome.

 

 

I.S.