Little League Baseballl

Here we go again. I am mad about something else. Not really mad, frustrated. My baby boy, who is now 8 1/2, has been playing baseball for 2 years now. He is a really good baseball player and I'm not just saying that because I am his mother. He LOVES baseball. If he doesn't do his homework in a timely manner, no wiffle ball or catch after dinner. He hates that punishment, so we usually don't have a problem with him getting his homework done. He knows all sort of baseball stats...he LOVES baseball. He loves watching it and playing it. Here is the problem. The first Fall season was 2 years ago. He was new to the sport, but very eager to follow in his older brother's footsteps. He wanted the same number, to play the same position, etc. That first season he was a little timid, but he was in to the game. His coach put him in the outfield all the time, even though he could catch and field a ball. That was alright. He was new and happy just to be in the game. The following Spring season the coach had him in right field all the time. He said M didn't pay enough attention and was scared he'd get hurt. Well, the best player was out for the last game of the season and M got to play short stop. Boy did he ever pay attention then. He was right in the action. He did great and had a great time. Fast forward to last Fall. This time it was obvious that the coach had his 5 favorite kids play the infield positions. Every now and then, for one inning he would put M in at the pitchers position. He did great and was so much more into the game when he felt like he was "in" the game. Toward the end of the season when the tournament rolled around, M was either on the bench or in right field. I asked the coach before one of the games if he would put M in the infield for atleast one inning. He said, "If we get way ahead, I'll put him in one of the infield positions." That did not happen. His "Fab 5" weren't doing to good so we were behind by quite a bit. They were missing balls right and left. His own son was throwing fits because we were losing. I mean literally "throwing fits." He got out at second and threw his helmet across the field. He missed a ball and threw his glove. At the end of the inning he stomped off the field. Do you think he got put on the bench? NO. M and some of the other kids did. Spring 2008 was pretty good for him, but he didn't get to play the infield that much. We started Fall Ball last week. The first practice was Sunday. They played the kids all over the place at practice. Some of them were good and some of them weren't. M pitched an inning and struck one batter out, he hit one batter and a couple of kids hit the ball but were thrown out. Not too bad if I do say so myself. Some of the kids on the team just cannot catch or throw. Last night we have the first game. We lost 20-2. Not too good. The team we played was good. But, I noticed it again. All of the dad's who help with coaching kids play all the time and in the best positions, whether or not they can play them well. It was pathetic. M is out in center field for 2 innings, on the bench for 2 innings and in left for 1 inning. I kept thinking...what is the coach thinking putting kids who can't catch or throw in positions where they will be required to do those things often.

At the game last night I made my mind up that I am going to learn how to coach baseball. If you have to be a coach so your kid can get in the game, then that is what I must do. I went to the bookstore today and checked out some books on coaching little league baseball and tonight at big brother's practice, I am going to ask the coach if I can help/watch. A mom can only take so much.