Prepare For Your Player’s Last Game
Help keep them in the game just a bit longer!

I attended a youth baseball clinic many years back when my son was about 9 and was struck by one statement by the instructor.
He said something like, ‘Every player finishes his career sometime…
PREPARE YOURSELF FOR YOUR SON’S LAST GAME!’... You never know when it will be!

Two seasons ago when my son was a High School senior player, my mentor, a 50-year baseball man with three World Series rings (and a son of his own) said to me ‘You’re going to notice a big hole when Joseph goes off to play college ball!’

Well it happened. There’s no more skipping work to catch a game at the local High School or short jaunts to the next county, no more going to the youth parks nearby and no more tournaments either!

Another phase of our family life has kicked in and at times the silence is deafening.
But at least he is still playing, right?
Well… it also told me (and my wife too) that this also will be over… and all too soon!

The Numbers Don’t Lie!
70% of players will leave the game by age 13!
More players will leave in the following season or two.
Note that the #1 reason given by ex-players is…”It’s no fun!”

The Dream Lives
Every youth player dreams of playing in the Big Leagues, me included. It’s a great dream and should be nurtured. But note that I also wanted to be a cowboy too. There are probably more cowboys today than there are Major League players, so always have a back up plan!

A child’s dreams need your guidance, which is also our job here at Baseball Tips. Yes, it is different today. 155 channels, two video-game systems, cell phones, IM’s, text messaging and nobody has only one TV in the house.

How To Help!

1. The bottom line is just to know and understand that baseball is just another great life-chapter. It’s a time to savor, so take lots of pictures, create & collect memories and friends, minimize the arguments & pressures and give the one thing that is most important to your own “favorite player” as well as your entire team…

   Give your time & guidance!
   The more seasons they play, the greater the chance that they will comprehend the value of teamwork, hard work, competition and how to fit in socially. These are life lessons that are worth all the time & effort they put in!

2. If baseball isn’t fun… kids will find something else to do.
   Players need entertaining and engaging ways to stay interested.
   Combine your time along with fun & interesting baseball training aids and maybe you can postpone your favorite player’s last game!