I've been a youth baseball coach on a tournament and recreation level for 11 years now. All these years I've preached what I was taught as a kid...the old cliche, "There is no "I" in TEAM," "We win and lose as a team," etc. And I truly believe that. Never in my stint as a coach have I ever given an MVP or any other award that singled out an individual. And that's just in a group of about 12 kids. So, how subjective is it to hand out individual awards to players when there are...what about 117 Div. IA teams? Is Matt Leinart the best QB in the country? Maybe, but who knows. Is he the same if he had played for another team? Is Stephon LeFlors the best QB if he plays for USC or LSU for that matter....quite possibly. If it was up to me, I would do away with the awards. What does it accomplish...well, it makes the pro contract for the winner sweeter and that's about it. And because of that, it becomes even more of a popularity contest and about who can generate the most media propoganda. And while on the subject of pro contracts, I believe that there should be a sliding pay scale for rookies. First rounders make $X, second rounders make $Y and so forth for about 2 or 3 years. After that, then negotiate a larger contract based on performance. Awards shows just rub me wrong. Recognizing Matt Leinart for his performance diminishes All that his teammates did to get USC to where they are....
Is the league you coach in one of those that requires that every kid play a certain number of innings/minutes/etc. each game. I've experienced both and understand the upside/downside of each. Just trying to further understand your perspective.
I coach in both leagues...in the recreation league, it is for everyone and all get pretty equal time. It is a participation league and I feel that all kids at this age should get an opportunity to play and experience different positions. It's about teaching the game and having fun...not necessarily win/loss...although it is somewhat competitive and it is important to teach the kids how to win and how to lose. I also coach in a competitive league. These kids are hand picked and compete at a high level. There are no guarantees of participation. In tournaments it is win or go home. Now, I make every effort to play everyone. If a kid puts in the time and effort at practice I try and get him playing time. We have one single philosophy for both leagues. Play the game to the best of your ability and win or lose, enjoy playing and be proud of your effort. Thanks for the question, but I'm curious as to why you ask? The point of the thread was about the awards.
I only asked so as to better understand your perspective, your experience, and your "team philosophy." Since you're a coach, I thought your opinion on awards was interesting. In fact, I sorta inclined to agree with you, especially since there are so many these days, it seems to render some rather meaningless. Just wondering, do you feel the same way about all-tourney, all-district, all-state, all-american, all-world, all-all teams ? :thumb:
Yes, I'm consistent in my thoughts on awards....no all tournament, all district and the likes. If my pitcher throws a one hitter in a game....a congratulations goes to the pitcher who threw the great pitches and the defense who didn't allow the hits.
i agree. Also i don't like how in football, a win-loss record is tagged to the QB. I mean how many games have we seen (especially here at LSU) that game is won without a spectacular game from the QB....hell, sometimes in spite of cappy QB play.
I disagree. I see no problem with these awards - they reward good play. People want to be rewarded when they do things well. If there is no prize, people aren't competitive - they've got no reason to give it their all and try harder. In fact, I hate these recreational teams now that give trophies to everybody just for being on the team and wether they won the tournament or not. Sure when I was a kid I wanted that trophy, but getting one without working for it didn't feel special - I threw those away. The truth is, that in real world - effort & success is rewarded. Rewarding people just for being there and trying doesn't teach them anything, just makes real life harder on them. These football players are the same way. They are out there training their hardest because that is what they want their career to be. Don't you want recognition for your GPA in whatever field for the career your going to go in?
CParso, recognition for individual achievement is fine, such as a good GPA. But how do you recognize ONE qb out of 117 in a sport where his success is dependant on 60 or so other guys? Also, in my post I made a clear distinction between participation leagues and competitive leagues. Kids in any league learn to compete for TEAM awards and that is their reward for their hard work. They learn to strive and achieve as part of a team...and that's what happens in the real world. Your assumption that kids that are given a trophy didn't work to deserve it is WAY off base. That's the problem with athletes today...it's all about the "ME" and not the team. How about Kobe Bryant for example. It was all about him and he destroyed a dominant program out of his own selfishness. That list could go on for days. I'm tired of the over celebration after a touchdown....I have so much more respect for the guy who hands the ball to the referee and high fives his teammates who got him there and heads for the side lines. Humility is what's missing. As a team, we don't celebrate after a win until AFTER the other team is congratulated on the game. It's called sportsmanship and it seems to completely disappear on the professional level. You know, none of the kids I coach will probably ever be professional baseball players, they may play in high school or college but the real benefit in team sports for kids is not the individual awards but the lessons about teamwork, humility, accepting defeat, learning to win, being part of a team, and just enjoying playing the game, that will hopefully stick with them.
:dis: Parso, you must not have children yourself or have ever coached kids. I have coached youth baseball, football, and basketball for the past 9 years. I have never handed out an individual award, but the kids have competed very hard. They have many reasons to give their all and try as hard as they can. It's all within the framework of the TEAM. I will heap praise on kids after they have had a good game or even practice. And, I always strive to do it so that the whole team and the kid's parents (an this is very important) hear it. Even if a kid fails at what he was trying to accomplish (e.g., a diving try for a ball), the recognition is for the effort. You may be surprised at how much this does to motivate kids to give their all. I do not give out individual awards, but I do give verbal recognition to individuals. And, I always make certain that every kid on the team is publicly acknowledged for effort and/or accomplishments. Furthermore, I point out how an individual's efforts help the TEAM, because it always about, first and foremost, the team. I disagree. Being at practice and trying are very important aspects to being a good teammate. I point this out when awarding team participation trophies. There is some good in everyone. As a coach, I find the good in each kid and reinforce the heck out of it! Not all of them. Some (the ones I prefer) work hard because it's the right thing to do, because they are oriented toward team goals, and because they understand what they need to do as individuals to help the team achieve its goals. You will hear some athletes say that they would trade all of their individual trophies for a championship. Those are my kind of players.
