5 Tips & Mistakes Baseball Parents Make

Baseball parents: are you holding your son back? Or, are you helping him grow into himself as a player and one day reach his potential?
--
📣 My books and online baseball courses 👉 media.danblewett.com/shop
🚨 My New Book, Clean Your Cleats 👉 amzn.to/3evISyN
⚾️ Pitching Isn't Complicated (pitching book) 👉 amzn.to/3EzMHBo
📚 Dear Baseball Gods, My 2nd Book 👉 amzn.to/2WXlzmB
✅ My Pro Routines Program 👉 danblewett.com/pro-routines/
Email me a question 👉 danblewett.com/ask-dan-blewett/
FREE Pitching Webinar 👉 danblewett.com/pitching-webin...
💪 Free Trial of my baseball strength program 👉 earlyworktraining.com/baseball/
✅ My Online Pitching Courses 👉 courses.danblewett.com
📺 Free Mental Skills Webinar 👉 danblewett.com/mental-trainin...
📫 Sign Up for My Baseball Emails 👉 www.danblewett.com/dan-blewet...
🎙My Podcast 👉 danblewett.com/dear-baseball-g...
⚾️ Watch my FREE Curveball Course Playlist 👉 bit.ly/curveballcourse
👉 📄 PDF Download for the course is here: danblewett.com/curveball
-- -- -- -- -- --
[DISCLAIMER: Some links above are affiliate links to products that I will earn a small commission on if you purchase, at no additional cost to you. I am a member of the Amazon affiliates program and may present links to other affiliate programs.]

[@DanBlewett]

For more perspective on the skills / mindset / challenges a ballplayer needs, check out my new book 👉 cleanyourcleats.com/

[@brentgamble-vl8us]

Big issue is "Daddy Ball".... Way to many coaches play favoritism and really don't let the kids compete amongst the team for starting positions...

[@bahamutms5066]

Good stuff. I struggled with talking for my son and packing/prepping for him when he first started. Luckily, my son's coach is very upfront with parents, and we have all learned a ton the past couple of years. You registered your kiddo for the organization for a reason. Let the coaches and players do their thing and cheer as loud as you can on game days. Great vid, as always.

[@66samhane]

Also it's not hard to pass off your videos to kids. My son just turned 14 and is a catcher and I send him your videos on pitching all the time so he can watch and understand the pitching/pitches he'll see what each pitch does that he'll have to catch to help him be a better catcher and understand his partner better and understand what pitch to call in situations. The only thing I give my son a hard time about is how he fails. As long as he fails with max effort on the play or at bat and spectacularly making a crazy dive or whatever to make the play we're good. It's when we fail with laziness, lack of effort/attention or give up that's an issue. You may get beat but you should never be outworked.

[@Calbear707trees]

100% that’s one of the principals we all learn from playing sports.

[@cudahofstede3463]

He didn’t mean it like that he’s saying they should figure stuff out for themself

[@66samhane]

Right there with you on not talking to parents. Once the boys hit 10 I only wanted to talk to them not parents told parents they are not little boys but young men now. Once they entered the gate to the field the players were mine and to let them have their time in the dugout, sit back and enjoy the game. I sent that in the team email and told them in team meeting at 1st practice. If a parent had an issue I told them no problem I'll get you on another team. When the player stepped up and asked I'd make a deal with them and tell them what I need to see from them and if they do it they get in that position or batting order it was very easy. Kid worked harder paid more attention and got rewarded for that and created more competition between them which as a whole made the team deeper and better. And the boys started gaining confidence being treated as young men.

[@DJ-80-one]

Once again, very sound advice Dan. Being stationed in Hawaii, my children have been blessed with year round outdoor Baseball/Football/Soccer weather. I have some D2 college baseball experience, so I offered my assistance at my son's little league practices this past spring when he was 11. He'd already played a winter Cal Ripken season with the same coach while I was deployed, and he was already an established IF/P/C starter mostly batting in the 3 hole before I started helping out. I wanted to assist the unmotivated boys who lacked confidence. I've basically moved back to fan mode from afar with these new teams they keep scraping together for Fall/Winter leagues and tournaments unless I'm asked to help at practice. I've heard from the head coach about parents who come up to him about playing time. He's a great dude with a good boy who plays the game well. I prefer seeing what my kid can get done without direct involvement from me at games because he proved himself as a valuable starter while I was deployed and he didn't need dad in the ear of his coach. Some of the assistant coaches that pop in and out keep putting their kids on different club teams looking for a right fit and figure if they stand in the 1B coach box during the games, their kid will get some innings in the field. One dad "the so-called general manager", yells at all of the players and I don't even think he knows how to throw a baseball.

[@goodrowwilson5382]

Thanks for the advice Dan. just started getting a few coaches reaching out and not sure how to handle it. This video is pure gold

[@hartroba]

Great video. Words to learn and live by for parents and kids! Life lessons are tough, but an important part of developing an ability to survive. As a coach, and parent, I really appreciate this video.

[@dennisvwilson]

Good stuff as usual Dan. Well done.

[@JJMcClure]

I love that approach, and I relay that to my players, no excuses and if it's not fair, play to a higher level to win by a greater margin. Good stuff, thank you!

[@artniccoli4618]

Coach Blewett sounds like you are describing Helicopter Parents. We have seen them and would love for them to see what you are talking about. Baseball is a great game where you have to work at constantly to improve, even if you are blessed with natural talent, just like one has to do in life.I enjoy your videos.

[@travisrobichaud355]

5:05! “Blaming other people on the bad ride home”. Love this comment sooooooo Much!! So so true! So happy to have found these videos! Subscribed!

[@larsonclose]

Thanks for all the great pointers

[@JNNK-fs7bs]

great stuff, very wise

[@jasonwilliams-ng4dw]

Very well said, I recently said some of these very same things to my 15yr old son. " the last call by the umpire was a bad one but you can't wait for the umpire to put you on base" You are responsible for that because 1 pitch didn't strike you out. Thanks

[@adamrhoffman]

Great video!

[@Calbear707trees]

Good video Coach Dan. Huge message not just for kids and baseball but more so for the sake of the younger generation AND grown adults in todays society. Way too many circumstances where children and adults cannot face failure, adversary etc. Way too many circumstances of the blame game somewhere else but ourselves. Way too many kids thinking they should shoot up schools or turn to drugs. It’s a huge mental health remedy called sports. And I truly believe that in what sports provided to all of us. Why do you think we admire professional athletes? Because of the resiliency.

[@DanBlewett]

Yep, I'm still applying sports lessons in my everyday life

[@travisrobichaud355]

100% 👍👍

[@martinvandenbosch4748]

Great advice man!!!

[@DanBlewett]

thanks!

[@hellobohee]

I live in Korea and have a son who wants to be a baseball player. I'm so impressed with your mind and how to teach kids. My son is too young so it's going to be a little bit hard to keep what you are saying, but I will try one by one. Thanks for the advice!

[@DanBlewett]

Just help him have fun and learn the basics and you'll be in good shape!

[@j.anderson9079]

this is great stuff.

[@andrewlindahl9577]

I found your channel cause I wanted to learn how to throw a curve ball while playing catch with my 11u son in the back yard. Fantastic video, great points!

[@DanBlewett]

Thanks for watching, and welcome!

[@calebmiller3352]

Brilliant!

[@hughjass564]

Im 14 and i play on a team with people up to 17 our coach knows all the older guys and pretty much only plays them so I dont really get playing time but i also havent talked to my coach about it other people have and basically just got told to keep putting in effort in practice and maybe if we are up by enough they will get put in. So far this year ive been putting in a lot of time in on my own and doing a ton of research. so I know what i need to do to get better. what ive been doing is treating it like an off season and then treating practice like its my time to prove to my coaches i deserve to play. do you think this is the right approach or should i do something else?

[@DanBlewett]

sure go ask them

[@dylangardner8892]

1st year coach here. man and I've really struggling with how to address the parents and their concerns. This will help alot

[@byron916mauck]

Clean Your Cleats is an amazing book !!! I purchased it a few months back read it myself then re-read it with my 12yo son. I highly recommend getting the book if you haven't already.

[@DanBlewett]

Thank you so much! If you feel compelled, an Amazon review is incredibly helpful in helping me get the word out. Appreciate your support!

[@OaseDaniel]

I tell my son to advocate for himself. Even though he is only 11, he needs to learn that skill

[@paulgamez1604]

What do you do when the coaches comes up with half a team and just puts players where he wants and doesn’t really give any of the existing players any chance to compete for a position they held previous to the younger kids moving up. And the existing half of players were better at certain positions? Then he tells the kids well if you don’t play its because I don’t know you and it doesn’t matter what you do at practice. Yet his kids that came up don’t even show up to practice?

[@aaronking5076]

The car ride home tip is really good. i would add that its important to help kids recognize that all those external effects are not unique to your kid. he's not special. those same factors affect everyone else, as well, if not today, then tomorrow.

[@schenksteven1]

The level of failure due to sheer “bad luck” that is a part of baseball is insane compared to other sports. I was a wrestler, the better wrestler probably wins 95% of the time or even more. The best teams in baseball barely crack a 70% win percentage. One of the hardest things to watch is a hitting “slump” where the batter keeps hitting line drives right at a fielder.

[@DanBlewett]

yep. its a brutal sport from a mental standpoint, but thats also what makes it alluring - anything can happen today.

[@davidrule1335]

Coach Dan This is good advice for everyone it seems these days. In the workplace is't "How" can I make more money? Not "Why" don't I make more money?

[@ikez78]

Every coach our son has had has told them don’t ask about playing time or positions.

[@charlielajeunesse78]

Kind of a random question but does anyone have a good substitution for med ball throws that work on the same explosiveness and strength but don’t require a wall to throw at?

[@DanBlewett]

Band chops.

[@craigborgardt6396]

At the U10 level today, I see great coaches actually teaching, mentoring and inspiring the kids but far too many who yell stupidities, criticize without correction and fail to teach even the basics of baseball and baseball life. It's difficult to criticize volunteer parents who are doing the best they can but it does the players little good. The best teams we face have a cadre of dads who have played, know and can properly teach baseball to younger players. If your son has this blessing, rejoice. It is no longer the majority in youth baseball and you are truly blessed.

[@bonnyd.5334]

A HUGE mistake parents make is to push their son (or daughter. into a sport he (or she) doesn't really enjoy. My mother pushed me to swim competitively and I do not have the appropriate body type. My strengths are: strength, endurance and agility. I have a short torso and short arms. I'm not a swimmer. When I was 12, I did some very serious training, where I was trained to perform at my physical limits. I was a decent, regional swimmer (I might have been low end state ranked if I didn't live in a state with high population) and I was not going to be anything more than that. When I realized that I had gone as far as I could in the sport, I wanted to move on. I wanted to do something that I was appropriate for my body type. My mother browbeat me into swimming when I didn't want to. I had to fight to quit swimming--and it took me two years, from the time I no longer wanted to swim until this b*tch let me quit. I had a coach who saw that I had burned out, who talked to me about this. I wish he had talked to my mother and then reported her to Child Protective Services, because she definitely did cross the line, was psychologically abusive, highly manipulative and needed mental health help. Parents, realize this: some kids play sport "just for fun" and that's OK. Your kid doesn't have to be the best, be a college prospect, etc. to really enjoy the sport. Sandlot baseball is a lot of fun. I live in a city of 140,000, near two ballfields. I NEVER EVER see kids play sandlot baseball. Those fields get more use as picnicking areas than as ballfields. Some kids might be more interested in officiating, or coaching--and are willing to work hard to learn that part of the game. For example, some youth hockey leagues train and use teenage officials. (This can be a really good opportunity for a teen who loves hockey, but does not have the talent needed to succeed at a higher level, whether that be high school hockey or travel hockey.) A teen who is really interested in sabermetrics, who wants to see it in action, who wants to do the data collection, would be a wonderful addition to a serious high school or travel team.

[@zebman9228]

What you need to realize is not all kids are the same. Very wide range of social maturity, confidence, shyness, etc. You have a very idealistic view of how kids "should" be or how you just do this and it fixes their social shyness in a few weeks. I see huge differences in social development, maturity in kids and it is not as simple as forcing them to make their own sandwich. It would be great if youth sports was more than just a measuring stick of the biggest, most mature kids for their age against the other biggest most mature kids for their age. So much talent is being wasted because of this attitude because the laggards just quit. Then later when they finally develop, they clearly had great athletic skills - but it usually too late then. GREAT WEBSITE. GREAT COMMENTS ABOUT LETTING KIDS GET HURT, DISAPPOINTED, ETC.

[@DanBlewett]

Look. You do understand that this is a relatively short KZbin video? Do you really think I’m so naive as to not understand that every kid is different? This seems to have triggered you, because it struck a nerve that your son doesn’t get as much playing time as you both would like. I’ve worked with kids for a long time. This was general advice for the masses. Take it for what you will or discard it.

[@Calbear707trees]

I hear you on this subject but fact of the matter is sports teaches that point; life isn’t fair. All these pro athletes are super lucky to be where they are believe me. Not even diving into judgement by coaches and scouts but also contributing factors such as health, life, and obviously self discipline. It’s hard believe me. It’s an interesting topic but a topic to make sure we explain to our kids: you might not agree Son. But you know what- you keep working. Keep working and never quit young man.

[@bahamutms5066]

If a ballplayer has "talent," then that simply means they have the POTENTIAL to be great at 10% of the game. Honestly, 'talent' shouldn't even been uttered by anyone until they are talking about collegiate and beyond. A good ball player is a kid or young adult that works their butt off, gives max effort, does the extra work outside of practice, studies and practices mechanics endlessly, studies and analyzes the game constantly, communicates with everyone, and has respect for everyone participating. Yes, every kid is different. That's the whole point. Parents have to find ways to help their kiddos grow and meet the expectations of working with a team. A kid can be shy, but a parent shouldn't just write it off. Help your kiddo come out of their shell. Get them an extra scoop of ice cream if they call plays, or talk with their coaches. Give them little challenges, like saying hi to the umpire. Keep it simple. The player is only as good as their weakest link. If they are so "talented" athletically, then help them develop the other aspects of being a ball player other than playing short stop or hitting homers. And once they hit teenager and beyond, if they still can't communicate with coaches and other players in someway, then maybe they are playing the wrong sport. There are plenty of solo sports they can work on, and do well in.

[@travisrobichaud355]

@@Calbear707trees 100% 👍

[@squirreloffury9440]

All fantastic points coach. After coaching little league for a dozen years I might add that regardless of how great you think your kid's skill are in the backyard, as a coach we see all dozen or so playing together and it quickly becomes clear who has some skill, has put in the effort and is coachable, and your kid may be middle of the pack. That's why he's not starting at shortstop.

[@DanBlewett]

Yep, all good points, thanks for sharing. I even made a video about why kids don't end up playing shortstop: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2qZmKdoabx0orM

[@ericjeanlouis1941]

Some parents don't wanna hear the truth that there kid isn't very good they just think cause they pay there kid should get same amount of time as the better kids. Half the time the parents don't even talk to the coach they just go to the team owner and complain. Some coaches are dammed if they do dammed if they don't I've seen this with my sons 13u travel team kids were put on the AAA team and haven't played up to the level they should and when his coach tried to send them down to AA for a kid who was over performing at that level all hell broke loose. It's a shame

[@indianshersingh7790]

I agree but it is a pandemic out their at little league level, where parents became coaches just to have more play time for their kids and kids don't even have interest in playing baseball... for them only priority is their sons....Hell with the team or others kids...

[@rogerlein2216]

Children need to learn that they have responsibilities in life from playing ball to accepting what coaches and officials see you have to work hard in life and take responsibility for their actions better to learn in little league then in court

[@jdailey4063]

Car ride home blame game. Guilty as charged. I'll do better. Thanks coach.

[@DanBlewett]

thanks for watching with an open mind!

[@skylerano7271]

Person of integrity right here 👏🏼

[@coachm2075]

I coach youth baseball or whatever youth sport they are short coaches , it's addictive. I remember first day coaching t-ball when my son started. I was nervous as hell a lot more so than ever playing, I played AA for thr twins organization which never prepared me for coaching. first practice I'm looking at this child while I'm trying to teach and they have this confused look. realizing right then no matter what I say if they don't understand me it does nothing. so we are standing there looking at each other them confused as well as myself nut me thinking how am I going to explain this so that little guy understands what I'm saying. the next day I showed up with baseball sized water balloons. they could throw and learn how without getting hurt, and bat with watching the balloon all the way to the bat so they could pop it. they greatest tool in my bag of tricks and use it at every level. also players carry their own gear not parents .

[@coachm2075]

got a little sidetracked. the first practice of the season I put out team rules players sign and return, also parents code of conduct which they sign and return. this way I have something to pull out and ask is that your signature ? did you read it? if not why did you sign it? rule 1 never sign anything you did not read now run (players) to the parents same thing but I turn and tell the player of the infracting parent run. simple rules basically what ypu broke down in the video with a few additions. it's actions and consequences is what I teach every action has a consequence some good some bad depending your action. don't like the consequence change your action.

[@MrChuckwagon55]

There are parents so deranged these days, they actually ask surgeons to give Tommy John surgeries to their sons because they heard it makes them throw harder. That’s insanity. I saw a whole documentary about it.

[@DanBlewett]

yeah but thats a very rare level of derangement

[@MrChuckwagon55]

@@DanBlewett- I saw a whole documentary on HBO sports. Parents pushing their kids and taking all of the fun away from the game. They even interviewed Dr. James Andrews.

[@mine_all_the_time0793]

Seems like most parental mistakes come down to teaching the kids self accountability

[@kingbuckley2024]

Gotch coach

[@zebman9228]

Typical baseball team huge difference from professor, etc. Difference is coaches kids never bench or have limited bench time. How is my kid going to have a conversation with the coach about how he has to bench more to make room for coaches kids play that are not any better on defense than he is? That is a difficult question to ask for 12 year old kid.

[@DanBlewett]

Sure. But at 12 years old, kids play multiple positions if not all of them. There’s only one coach’s kid. So the question is not about the coach’s kid. It’s about overall skills. If your son is on the bench it’s because 9 other players - not just one - are better than him.

[@bahamutms5066]

If that's the mentality he actually has, then you guys already messed up on point 3 of the video, don't blame others. "Don't like it? Play better." If the coaches' kids are playing short and center, then why isn't your son playing 3rd, 2nd, or left? Are they a better player? Do they have a better attitude? Do they work harder? There is a reason somewhere. As for coaches' kids, you answered your own question when you said "...they aren't any better than he is," implying they are roughly the same skill level. If he wants the coach's kid spot, then he needs to make it absolutely clear that he is better at that position than the other kid. If he can't keep up for whatever reason, then go after another spot that is more obtainable. Hence the importance of asking, "Hey Mr. Coach, what do I need to do to get more playing time?"

[@DanBlewett]

100%

[@JP-JP]

@@DanBlewett Sure Dan, there’s only 1 coaches kid you have to navigate around, but there’s more than 1 coach with a kid, always 2-3 more + their buddies. It’s usually the entire infield. They either start the team so their sons have a team to play with or they join a team and take a coaching role for the same reason. It’s not just game time but it’s practice reps as well, development,it’s called Daddy Ball and it is EVERYWHERE, even in travel ball. You can say to do your homework beforehand but it is absolutely everywhere and almost, almost unavoidable.

[@blakethetank]

Punishing teammates and not the player who fucked up is a good way to build animosity.

[@DanBlewett]

what?

[@royn8032]

Just being very honest, I was the one to put a thumbs down because I disagree with you notion of how parents need to be hands off....Without proper guidance, children will be at a disadvantage.....Parents have a lot of wisdom and SHOULD advise and guide their kids on how tonavoid mistakes....That is how we evolve....no need to suffer IF the parent knows how to help

[@DanBlewett]

yeah no I disagree with that quite a lot. kids are very capable of independent play and independent thought; most of the problems in youth sports today are because of parents.

[@royn8032]

@Coach Dan Blewett OK so the reason you are wrong is that many times we have bad coaches and really good parents such as myself. I am very positive with my son and on a bad call by ump, the coach was kicked out of the game and riled up my son. I went over to him and had a nice calm demeanor and he calmed down. Next inning he had a big hit to get revenge on the game. So it is incorrect to say parents should stay hands off. Some need to do so yes but not all.

[@chuckinhouston9952]

If a kid is 19 and needs someone to hold his hand, the boy isn’t suited for baseball. It’s a man’s game. Dan, your advice is great!