How do you break it to your kid...?

The problem with little league or any other youth sport leagues is that every parent thinks their kid is "good" when really there's only 1 or 2 "good" players on each team. So basically parents need to get out of fantasy land and accept that their kid is not good at that sport. Fortunately for my dad, I was a stud in little league and went on to play D1 baseball.

Well, it kind of depends on his age.

You don't have to read this, it's my background to this type of situation if you'd like to know...

I'm thirteen (if you don't want to listen to me, go ahead and don't, but I've been in this situation). I guess I wasn't exactly in the situation, because my dad is a coach. However, I knew I was just as good as some of the kids that made All-star teams, but they made it over me (probably because I didn't have power, but I walked a lot, had great speed, had a lot of baseball knowledge, hustled, hardly struck out, and was a great fielder, but the most noticeable things are power and pitching, which I had neither of).

Anyways, there was another situation, too.

Last year, I was 12 and I had a great year. There was an 11-12 All-star team for those who didn't make the regular 11 year old and 12 year old All-star teams. We were going on vacation for a week during that, so my dad called in and said he couldn't coach. Now, instead of the guy telling my dad on the phone that I didn't make the team, he said alright, that's fine. It was pretty obvious I had made the team, because if I didn't the coach would have told my dad over the phone, or in person, and I knew I was better than 90% of the kids on the team. Anyways, next time at the field, my dad was talking to one of the league officials, and he's like "What? You said Connor can't play...". Obviously he misunderstood the situation, and after my dad explained it, he says "oh, well I'm sorry but he didn't get enough votes anyways". I was cheated out of a spot because of a mistake, and I was very angry. Anyways, that's my situation.

I was very upset over it. The best thing you can do is just be there for him, talk to him when he's upset about it, and tell him that it's not fair, life isn't fair, he definitely should of made the team. He has the skills that aren't noticeable by people who don't really know baseball. Any real coach would want him on the team, because he had baseball smarts and hustled and didn't whine. Tell him that you'll (or another family member) will practice with him over the summer if he wants to, so he can't go back and prove to everyone that he was better than those kids, even though he already is now anyways. That's sort of how my parents dealt with the situation, and I liked the way they did. It worked out, because after a while I forgot about the situation (and I don't let go of things very easily). Good Luck (sorry for the long article)...

IM 14 and when i dint make the all star team when i was 8 it was because of the same circumstances. I would just tell him The truth and that its not his fault not to give up and try harder next year that one day they will see he what happens when you don't let that stuff get to you.

The first year i was able to tryout i didn't make it either.. my parents told me to play with a grudge.. practiced harder.. played harder.. then i made the name for myself around here cause politics are horrible..

never missed a cut again.. till i quit playing after high school

i think this will make your son more mature.

hahah the baskin robins thing was great.

my advice is just tell him hes still great, and hell get it next year. but then again im not a father..... or out of high school

Tough job to do. Just let him know that life isn't always fair and that as long as he plays hard and plays his best, good things will come.

sounds like your the one thats whining, hes 6 no one gives a ****

This is how i'd tell him. id right a note and put it on his bed covers and let him do something that he wants to. answer my question please! My dad says if we don't advance into the tournament he will take me fishing sorry if this dosn't help. i'm only ten.

that does suck....but he's gonna have to learn that life isnt always fair