HITW published August 11, 2015
For several years there’s been a clip quoting St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny and his approach to coaching a youth level travel team during the time between the end of his playing days in 2006 and taking the big-league job in 2012. The clip floating around social media and forwarded e-mails became known as “The Matheny Manifesto.”
Along with my favorite writer, Jerry B. Jenkins, matheny has expanded on those thoughts into book form with the same title.
It’s a little sad that a book about how parents should handle their child in sports is necessary, but it occurs to me the people who need the tough love the book offers are the least likely to read it.
I’ve had the privilege of coaching kids much longer than I’ve been a parent, and my oldest son and I have already discussed coaching a t-ball team together once his playing days are done. I’ve been blessed that the only parent I’ve ever had to discuss behavior with is the same guy who brushes my teeth every day.
Yeah, I’ve been on the case of umpires who have called strikes on pitches that hit the plate, and for making calls at third base from right field. I’ve found that I need something to occupy myself with, like keeping a scorecard, to prevent acting before thinking.
In my defense, I’ve apologized for and modified my behavior. Nobody keeps a better scorecard than I do, and from the comfort of my car parked beyond the right field fence. No, I’m not running the A/C, but thanks for asking.
The intent was to review the Matheny book in this space. Suffice it to say once it comes out in paperback form it ought to be in the hands of every sports parent and grandparent. It’s not a “how to raise your kid” book, but a series of suggestions and anecdotes about what kids learn from the games and being a part of a team.
Just last night I attended a board meeting of a league I’m involved in, and the discussion of taking on in-house teams from other towns came up. Over the past two seasons we’ve tried to help another community out, with mixed results at best.
It’s also sad that so many leagues are drying up simply because of lack of participation. Many dedicated volunteers work to keep costs affordable, and in most cases finances won’t prevent a kid from playing. But in the 21st century world we live in, there are plenty of other things for kids to do. As a parent, I’m not sure many of those things are as beneficial to the kids as playing sports.
The only thing I’d add to the manifesto is to encourage parents to get involved. If you don’t want to be a full-time coach, offer to help out at practice while waiting on your kid. Help kids get more repetitions. Facebook will still be there after practice.
You’ll meet a lot of great people and set a solid example for not only your kids, but your children’s friends as well.
Other things I’ve noticed in the sports world lately...
I’ve not heard it anywhere else yet. so maybe you’ll read it here first: if the White Sox don’t show an improvement over the last couple of months, Robin Ventura won’t be the manager on the south side of Chicago next season.
The talent’s there, and the Sox have plenty of solid pitching, especially starters, to not be in contention. Granted, they are only 6-1/2 games out of the wild-card game, but with five teams to pass to get there, hope may be in short supply in 2015.
Ventura may be a solid manager in the future, but it won’t be on the south side. If he does open the 2016 season in the dugout, the Sox will need to be in the thick of it from the start or make a managerial change before Memorial Day. Personally, I’d prefer the Sox keep the status quo, because that’s good for Kansas City.
Johnny Cueto, the rent-a-player the Royals picked up from the Reds, paid huge dividends last night in his home debut. While James Shields helped a young team learn to win, I’d argue he never turned in a pitching performance as strong as Cueto’s complete-game win over the Tigers.
And even the most die-hard Royals fan has to admit a 12-game lead in the division in August is the stuff of either dreams or a drug screening.
Regarding the National League Central, we’ll know if the Cardinals are a runaway division champ or will fade into a wild card spot by this weekend. St. Louis needs to take two of three from Pittsburgh.
When Bud Selig pushed for a second wild card a few years back, I wasn’t a huge fan. While I still think a postseason team should be guaranteed a home game, the addition has made the pennant races more interesting.
I was a second wild card opponent, and eating those words was...unpleasant.
Along with my favorite writer, Jerry B. Jenkins, matheny has expanded on those thoughts into book form with the same title.
It’s a little sad that a book about how parents should handle their child in sports is necessary, but it occurs to me the people who need the tough love the book offers are the least likely to read it.
I’ve had the privilege of coaching kids much longer than I’ve been a parent, and my oldest son and I have already discussed coaching a t-ball team together once his playing days are done. I’ve been blessed that the only parent I’ve ever had to discuss behavior with is the same guy who brushes my teeth every day.
Yeah, I’ve been on the case of umpires who have called strikes on pitches that hit the plate, and for making calls at third base from right field. I’ve found that I need something to occupy myself with, like keeping a scorecard, to prevent acting before thinking.
In my defense, I’ve apologized for and modified my behavior. Nobody keeps a better scorecard than I do, and from the comfort of my car parked beyond the right field fence. No, I’m not running the A/C, but thanks for asking.
The intent was to review the Matheny book in this space. Suffice it to say once it comes out in paperback form it ought to be in the hands of every sports parent and grandparent. It’s not a “how to raise your kid” book, but a series of suggestions and anecdotes about what kids learn from the games and being a part of a team.
Just last night I attended a board meeting of a league I’m involved in, and the discussion of taking on in-house teams from other towns came up. Over the past two seasons we’ve tried to help another community out, with mixed results at best.
It’s also sad that so many leagues are drying up simply because of lack of participation. Many dedicated volunteers work to keep costs affordable, and in most cases finances won’t prevent a kid from playing. But in the 21st century world we live in, there are plenty of other things for kids to do. As a parent, I’m not sure many of those things are as beneficial to the kids as playing sports.
The only thing I’d add to the manifesto is to encourage parents to get involved. If you don’t want to be a full-time coach, offer to help out at practice while waiting on your kid. Help kids get more repetitions. Facebook will still be there after practice.
You’ll meet a lot of great people and set a solid example for not only your kids, but your children’s friends as well.
Other things I’ve noticed in the sports world lately...
I’ve not heard it anywhere else yet. so maybe you’ll read it here first: if the White Sox don’t show an improvement over the last couple of months, Robin Ventura won’t be the manager on the south side of Chicago next season.
The talent’s there, and the Sox have plenty of solid pitching, especially starters, to not be in contention. Granted, they are only 6-1/2 games out of the wild-card game, but with five teams to pass to get there, hope may be in short supply in 2015.
Ventura may be a solid manager in the future, but it won’t be on the south side. If he does open the 2016 season in the dugout, the Sox will need to be in the thick of it from the start or make a managerial change before Memorial Day. Personally, I’d prefer the Sox keep the status quo, because that’s good for Kansas City.
Johnny Cueto, the rent-a-player the Royals picked up from the Reds, paid huge dividends last night in his home debut. While James Shields helped a young team learn to win, I’d argue he never turned in a pitching performance as strong as Cueto’s complete-game win over the Tigers.
And even the most die-hard Royals fan has to admit a 12-game lead in the division in August is the stuff of either dreams or a drug screening.
Regarding the National League Central, we’ll know if the Cardinals are a runaway division champ or will fade into a wild card spot by this weekend. St. Louis needs to take two of three from Pittsburgh.
When Bud Selig pushed for a second wild card a few years back, I wasn’t a huge fan. While I still think a postseason team should be guaranteed a home game, the addition has made the pennant races more interesting.
I was a second wild card opponent, and eating those words was...unpleasant.