Keeping my 8 year old interested

Question
My son is playing fall baseball for the second time.  He is 8 and for the second straight year, is on probably the worst team in the league.  I don't know how the teams got this unbalanced when they hold evaluations.  He is one of the top 3 players on the team and expressed some frustration after the last game (at home, not in front of teammates) in which the team struggled to get batters out.  He is not super gifted, but absolutely loves everything about the game - including practice.  He needs to play to keep his skills on par with those with more natural ability.  Anything in particular I should tell him?

Answer
Hi WJ,

this is one of those questions that reveals much.  

It's too bad that teams are not organized evenly - when it is possible to do so.  IF teams are formed by one group then - yes - you have a problem.  IF teams are organized in different areas of a city, county ...  then that's a part of baseball we all have to deal with.

As for an 8 year old in that melange, if he is one of the top 3...then every time he puts on his glove or picks up that bat...he is getting better and learning the game.  It builds character to play on a weaker team.  It also reveals how team oriented he is and how supportive he can be for others.  Between you and I, if your son is as good as you say, he'll be working even harder and learning more on a weaker team.  

Does he have friends on that team?  Is he so fatiqued after a game that you suspect he does not want to play?  Then you have a problem and should speak to the league about that.

As your son gets older, he'll have to deal with losses and weaker teams.  It's all part of baseball.  It seems that unfair team assignments are part of the game too.  Again, it builds character.

I tried telling this to parents in our league but they are not interested in this. They want only winning teams and, of course, their kids on those teams.  "Character?  We want a winner - that's character!" is the response.  Nothing can be further from the truth than this.

If your child has dreams of baseball 'fame' then I suggest you tell him to keep on playing ball.  Help those who need is strength and learn the game - win or lose.  There is no greater victory than overcoming adversity.  Think of the Boston Red Sox's, the Brooklyn Dodgers (history)...how many World Series have they won? Not many.* IF your child dreams of this...well all those players did not come from "winning teams" all the time.  They worked hard to get there and it was never easy.

Lastly, your child is 8 years old.  He just needs to pick up the glove and play. Everytime he does this he is learning.  Learning to be competitive, learning how to deal with others, learning about himself and his teammates.  If he plays baseball for the next 10 years, he'll be learning every time he plays.  

Right now, he has to learn to play with weaker players.  He can quit and play for a stronger team BUT what does he learn?  Abandon a weaker team and go play with someone stronger?  Is that good?  It's a lot to learn for a child but it has to start somewhere.  Encourage you 8 year old to continue with this team and learn what it's like to work for the common good of others - his teammates. That builds character even leadership. If you think your son can't learn this because he is only 8....then you'll be learning something new.   Who knows, maybe he'll teach the other teams a few things.

WE can't avoid parental corruption of little league baseball - there is just too many parents out there on the playing field.  Everyone is an expert and no one wants to lose.  It may sound like a tirade but the most I can say is baseball builds character as well as ball players. What type of character depends on you - the parent.  

I hope this helps.

JohnMc

1955 Brooklyn Dodgers - best team ever. Look it up.