Fairness needed in high school sports

Your opinion is noted, Ms. Henry, and in my opinion, I just cannot believe you are that naive. Have you ever given the thought that if your child isn't getting the playing time you feel he deserves, then he may have chosen the wrong sport...or, that you chose. As passionately as you sound about this, can it be that you are placing your dreams of glory on your child, trying to live your fantasies of glory through him? This is a very common trait among parents. What you have to realize is that there is a talent level on every team....no matter whether it is high school, jv, or little league. Now in little league, there may be more chance of the lesser tier of talent players getting good time, but at the higher levels, talent is frontline. If your child isn't in that tier, he may have to work harder to get time. If your boy isn't willing to bust it in practice and make himself seen, he's not going to get seen on Friday nights. All sports are a mirror of life. If you hold your child to this kind of attitude, you're setting him up to believe that he should just be given everything outright, from relationships to jobs. Are you going to play this same attitude on his first day on the job? Heck, call his boss yourself and tell him your son needs a raise, a corner office, a secretary, and the whole nine yards.

I was a little league basketball coach for a few years back in Appy. I had plenty of experiences with parents who thought their child should play every minute of the game. I did my best to play every kid an equal amount of time. The second year I coached, my oldest son played. He wasn't the best on the team and I knew that. I started the best players out in the first quarter and put in the reserves in the 2nd, and the same with the 3rd and 4th quarters. Even then, I had parents telling me that their child should get more playing time. My standard response soon became "From the best player on the team to the last boy on the bench, everybody gets the same time."

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mik_Mo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Your opinion is noted, Ms. Henry, and in my opinion, I just cannot believe you are that naive. Have you ever given the thought that if your child isn't getting the playing time you feel he deserves, then he may have chosen the wrong sport...<span style="color: #FF0000">or, that you chose. As passionately as you sound about this, can it be that you are placing your dreams of glory on your child, trying to live your fantasies of glory through him?</span> This is a very common trait among parents. What you have to realize is that there is a talent level on every team....no matter whether it is high school, jv, or little league. Now in little league, there may be more chance of the lesser tier of talent players getting good time, but at the higher levels, talent is frontline. If your child isn't in that tier, he may have to work harder to get time. If your boy isn't willing to bust it in practice and make himself seen, he's not going to get seen on Friday nights. All sports are a mirror of life. If you hold your child to this kind of attitude, you're setting him up to believe that he should just be given everything outright, from relationships to jobs. Are you going to play this same attitude on his first day on the job? Heck, call his boss yourself and tell him your son needs a raise, a corner office, a secretary, and the whole nine yards.

I was a little league basketball coach for a few years back in Appy. I had plenty of experiences with parents who thought their child should play every minute of the game. I did my best to play every kid an equal amount of time. The second year I coached, my oldest son played. He wasn't the best on the team and I knew that. I started the best players out in the first quarter and put in the reserves in the 2nd, and the same with the 3rd and 4th quarters. Even then, I had parents telling me that their child should get more playing time. My standard response soon became "From the best player on the team to the last boy on the bench, everybody gets the same time." </div></div>

I would have to agree. Good post Mik_Mo.

I'm hearing more and more of this bs. Sorry. but you are talking about paid coaches that in many instances sell their homes,and move their families from far away to coach. Sorry, but once t-ball and pnut football is over, it IS about winning. A coaches job is to play the best players, game plan, teach, and I hope not to offend anyone but yes....WIN. I coached little league for 2 years, pee-wee and midget football for 4 years. Yes, I got the phone calls too. I loved all my kids, but the rule book says you can only play 9 bball players, and 11 football players at a time. My son played 2 innings and got his one at bat. He struggled, and I had better players to get the job done. Hes a heck of a lineman though(sorry I'm a dad) so hes been a solid starter for 4 years in football. I was asked if I was going to nominate him for the 11-12 all stars, I said heck no. We live in a tradition rich area, a proud area, and winning IS the name of the game. There can only be so many Thomas and Julius Jones', Jason Wittens, Justin Hamiltons, Jimmy Gobbles, and Billy Wagners around. It is ok to play to win.

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha


HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA


HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAH AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

This is seriously laughable, typical parent who thinks their kid is an all-American and should get to play just b/c he/she tries or is on the team... welcome to the real world honey, it's only going to get worse for him/her from here if they expect to be handed a position or if they think that by mommy and daddy whining about it, it's going to fix things. I honestly doubt most people in PV or wherever see things this way, delusional. A coach isn't going to blow a whole season just to see their favorite people play, coaches just like players want to win too, losing isn't fun.

I sat the Varsity bench for 4 years when I was in High School, you know why? b/c at least 5 people on that team were better than me, I knew that, my parents knew that, the coaches, the fans, etc. etc. and everyone else knew that. Suck it up don't complain about it if it's that bad don't have your child play... I enjoyed winning just as much as anyone but everyone knows to win to have to play your best players, it's common sense.

I'm glad to see that I have fellow bench warmers out there. For me I didn't start as much as I would have liked, but it never really bother me. But durning the week of practice while on the scout team I tried to practice hard to make the starting teams better prepare for the game. I knew if I could run hard or be in the right spot that the Offense/Defense would be ready come friday night and knew what was coming. I don't know, it's just way I was. But parents need to understand that little Johnny/Susie isn't going to be the next big thing out there. The is only a handful that get to college on full ride and less then that will make it pro. But I have to agree about the dedication and heart in some of this players today. I'm not saying all them out there don't have to desire to better themselves but there sure is alot that seem to really want to.

You guys (the self-proclaimed benchwarmers) that are countering her letter should send copies in to the Post, where you know she'll be reading it.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: elp6n</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You guys (the self-proclaimed benchwarmers) that are countering her letter should send copies in to the Post, where you know she'll be reading it.</div></div>

I think three of them should put together a team and go take on Little League teams in the area.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CoeburnCane</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: elp6n</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You guys (the self-proclaimed benchwarmers) that are countering her letter should send copies in to the Post, where you know she'll be reading it.</div></div>

I think three of them should put together a team and go take on Little League teams in the area. </div></div>
Second that motion.

She needs to see Vol Dude's point to:
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sorry. but you are talking about paid coaches that in many instances sell their homes,and move their families from far away to coach. ... A coaches job is to play the best players, game plan, teach, and I hope not to offend anyone but yes....WIN. </div></div>

Perfect example of someone with too much time on their hands. This can't be for real.