Need some advice.....

[Bsneed51]

My boy is 8 and we just started making more decisions about his activities this year based on how seriously he's going to take them. We talk with him before signing him up and make sure he's ready to at least give his best effort. When he starts to slack a little, I remind him of this talk and how important it is that he always gives his best and never lets his team down. It took a couple of months (and a couple of other kids to be poor examples), but he finally got it. Before this year, we just tried to expose him to anything he showed the slightest interest in.

I think Alan really hit it. My son is 8, and over the course of the past year he has become serious about sports (at least baseball and basketball). I've always coached his teams, and I've always told the kids, and parents, on my team that all I expect is good effort, and that I will stress the importance of fundamentals. When we are on the field we are out there to play hard, and play the game the right way. I don't care if we win, as long as we give good effort. Mostly at your son's age focus on just teaching them the fundamentals of the game. Don't push them to be perfect, but at the same time don't just roll a ball in the middle of the field and stand back watching them just run in circles. Make drills into fun games, and they will enjoy themselves while also improving. Other past two years I've actually had a lot of parents request their kids be on my team because of the push to learn the game correctly. Our leagues don't even offer competitive (i.e. keeping score) leagues until the kids are 8, and I think that seems to be about the right age.

 

[mmburtch]

Maybe he would be more interested if it was a sport his father was more inclined toward. Something like figure skating or rhythmic gymnastics.

 

[Jonesy]

My son was the same way Brandon. When he was 5, he played t-ball and would sit out in the outfield playing with the grass. Baseball came naturally for me and it was what I lived for when I was a kid, but Steven just didn't seem to have the same interests. I always told my wife I would encourage him to play sports, but would leave the choice up to him if he wanted to play or not. He didn't really love the game until he was 12 in rec league last year. He hit leadoff and played every inning of every game either in center or second base. Before that, he only got to play the mandatory 2 innings every kid plays. He ended up making the All-Star team that finished third in the Charlotte region. I bought a bucket o'balls and he and I would spend an hour or two a couple times a week at the local field after fall ball ended (on his asking to go) where we would work on hitting and fielding. In NC you can't play Middle School sports until you're in the 7th grade. Well, he's in the 7th this year and was one of 5, 7th graders to make the Middle School baseball team that finished second in the county. That finished this past Thursday and we had our first summer ball game last night. He's come full circle...on his own.

Give him a little time....mine needed almost 7 years.

 

[bfreebern]

Maybe he would be more interested if it was a sport his father was more inclined toward. Something like figure skating or rhythmic gymnastics.

Always a joker in the crowd, you and Tom36.............DICKs.

I know it's going to take time, but I have no patience and it's my fault. I coach the same way Brent and I'd rather lose every game and we be able to field the ball and make the throw to first, then not learning the correct way. There's no pressure to play or practice and I guess I'm just going to have to wait a few more years, before it's there, which I'm finally accepting. Coach pitch is over and he's been saying he wants to do soccer, football and basketball. So we'll see what he enjoys and what sticks.

I appreciate the responses, because my wife just doesn't understand. I finally began equating it to her like as a shopping example. I've said it a couple of times, "Well what if Olivia or Stella, aren't that into shopping, like you". Both times she stopped and had to think about it for a while, but it finally made sense. Sadly, relating sports to shopping is where I am in my household currently :sign:

 

[thechenman]

You should get him up at sunrise, take him outside, and have him field 50 grounders before breakfast. If you take him to the bus stop, it doesn't hurt to have him take his glove there, either.

After school, he should be able to field another 50 grounders cleanly before he can eat. The first few he might mess up, but you'd be amazed how much a motivator hunger is. When it's time for bed, let him rest. Have him lay down and just toss some balls up in the air for him to catch while he lays there. He may doze off at first, but the first one that smashes his forehead will keep him awake.

That's the exact same strategy I employ with my boy...except for the added beatings for errors...and strikes.