Wise Little League Football sign-ups

[imported_Sportsman]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TheBeast</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: elp6n</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">And another thing. You try looking into the faces of 5, 6, 7 year old kids at the end of the season, and tell them good job and that's it. Not too many kids would want to play.
When they get those trophies, their little faces light up, they think they've really done something.</div></div>

Why make them THINK they've done something when in reality they've not earned a winners trophy?? That's teaching them absolutely nothing. This is supposed to be a learning experience.

And if "good job" isn't enough for a kid on a losing team, then that's really sad. It goes back to the instant gratification and the development of the "me me me" generation.

When I was in school if a team/group I was in didn't win, then we just didn't win and hoped for better next time around. It made us work harder. And for the winners, their win is greatly dimished because even the losers are told they're winners.

Kids are being ruined and turned into horrible people by being told they're entitled to everything and they're always great and perfect and wonderful.

Why not have them EARN things anymore??
Is it worse to raise an earner, a goal maker? Or a kid who thinks he's prince of all he sees, with his hand sticking out all the time? </div></div>

Exactly why would you want to instil false hope and deceive them into thinking they've done something when they haven't. </div></div>

Give trophies to the younger ages in T-Ball, Coach-pitch, Machine-pitch, Minor League, etc. Kids loves them and they only cost 3-4 dollars. My 7 year old has slept with participation trophies she has gotten for dance class. Until you have a little one, you don't know what they mean to them. Let them be little and let them have fun (and let them sleep in the middle).

When you start playing by the rules and keeping score, then trophies, medals, plaques, etc. should be earned for accomplishments. That(playing by official rules) typically doesn't start in LL baseball before 9 years old.

Also, I know a lot of people do it but Little League regulations prohibit funding trophies for players. Our solution was to collect $4 from each parent at the end of the season. I don't think we gave trophies for anything other than T-ball anyway.

As for the registration fees in Little League Baseball, $35 comes nowhere close to covering the costs of charter fees, insurance, uniforms, equipment, utilities, field maintenance, etc. I've been there, done that, spent several years on the Little League BOD. I wouldn't be president of the a local Little League for love nor money, cause you can't win.

[imported_Sportsfan]

It is my understanding that is why each team has a sponsor to pay for the jersey's and hats. The fees the parents pay is for insurance and trophies, most of it goes to insurance. The point is the parents paid the money, the kids have no trophies, some coaches are paying out of pocket for their kids, and two groups of trophies were picked up from Impressions and have never been paid for. This is a problem. The league was not ran well this year, it was scheduled badly, and teams from Coeburn and Clintwood opted to not play us even though we were scheduled to play. I don't know what the answer is. But I know a lot of parents who are planning on not allowing their child to play next year. This is very bad for the future of Wise baseball. This is a very sad situation.

[StateChamps92]

Everybody needs to attend the October Little League meeting and elect a new board! I agree with Sportsfan, this year was a mess. I coached the Pirates Minor League team. The Minor League was on their own. NO COMMUNICATION!!!
Now, as for the trophies, the kids should get them. I don't understand how some of you could honestly think that giving a child a trophy for playing is instilling false hope. It shows them that by being a part of a team you can earn rewards. These kids that come out and participate are winners. It beats them setting on the internet all night. They are getting exercise, fellowship, and learning discipline. I don't know if you all have kids that are opposing it, but I do. I deal with these kids all year in various sports. The trophy that means nothing to you all, means the world to them. It may be the only thing they ever get to show an accomplishment. And yes, playing the whole season is an accomplishment. It may not be winning a super bowl or state title, but they learn to finish what they start. I'm not attacking any of you. I have nothing aagainst anyone on the forum. I'm a bid kid at heart and I love teaching these kids. And if a $3-8 trophy gives them drive, then what more do you want from them?

[TheBeast]

I don't have a problem with giving them something for participation per say, i.e. a t-shirt or certificate. But to give out trophies is completely different, it takes away from the significance and meaning of a trophy.

[StateChamps92]

I still have to disagree. A trophy is a symbol. A symbol of completing something. The trophy can have different meaning. To see Coach Turner lift that state trophy meant everything to me at that point in time. But when I was 8,9, etc that trophy at the end of the season meant the world to me at that point in time. I knew I had earned a trophy for competing and completing the season. The first place teams usually got a bigger trophy.

[CoeburnCane]

You're right SC92...trophies are a symbol...of championships.

Playing ball growing up, when I played with a team in a tournament of any type and we lost, even if it was close and we lost--I didn't want the runner up trophy. All that did was remind me that no matter how good we did, we didn't win.

There's a reason why they say losing teams in bowl games or something like that go home "empty handed". If you don't win, you don't get the nice, big, shiny trophy. Competing should be the primary motivation, with winning second, and then if you get a trophy--then that's nice. If we're focusing kids this early on a trophy then they're there for the wrong reasons to start with.

[StateChamps92]

I agree with a lot of what you said. If they are there just for a trophy and not for the love of the game or even the desire to play and compete, then yes, they are there for the wrong reason. And the runner up trophy was never great. My philosohy on dealing with the kids is this. While I teach, I emphasis FUN. Have fun with the kids, and they will have fun and not pay as much attention to the hard work. I teach fun and then win. All my kids play, period. We lost a game last year because all of my kids played. But we are better this year because they have that experience gained from last season. I benched one kid for disciplinary reasons, but he played in the game up until that. Winning is important, but learning and having fun (at the age I deal with) is first and formost. Maybe they don't NEED a trophy, but it's worth it to pass them out and see the kids face light up.

[imported_MoonlightGraham]

the 3 x 3 on basketball sounds like a great idea. when you play 8 x 8 like they do in texas like i said it makes kids get involved as opposed to just 2 or 3 players making all the plays. this way when they get in 8th grade instead of just having maybe 2 guys who have played runnin back for all the way through p-nut football you have 8. Instead of having 1 kid who was always qb you have 4.

And if these kids receive good coaching at a young level it will only help the high school program that much better. But most important it will give all the kids a chance to play, have fun, and learn the game, which are really the most important stuff.

Yeah you could cut the field down, too if you wanted, esp the sidelines.

[StateChamps92]

I have never really seen 8 on 8 games. I would be fun to try something different. But, I would rather play the other towns. I'm not downing the 8 on 8, I just like the traditional way better. I do see your point though.

[Unchained]

I saw you bench your safety for a few plays at St. Paul for loafing too. He deserved it. I was in the process of walking over and asking you to sit him for that half-hustle biz when you sat him down. He worked a little harder and ran a little faster when he got back in though . You do a good job with those boys. They do indeed have fun (and learn alot as well).