Youth ball can be what is was, again

Dear editor:

Our family has been a part of the Elmore County Youth Baseball program since 1986. We have seen how it is supposed to be, should still be and can be again.

Back then, all players had a fair and equal chance to learn the game and develop their skills. They enjoyed the game because they got to play and be a part of the team.

Sportsmanship was as important as wining. Players with attitudes who felt they were better than everyone else or had bad conduct would not be playing as much. A Chosen Few seem to be rewarded for that now and get to play more.

Parents and families came to the games to watch their kids play and made to feel they were an important part of the team.

Our entire family has helped raise money, helped with tournaments, worked concessions and many other things over the years because we felt it was important for the players and families, not a select few Coaches, Board Members and players.

Much of the money that was raised was used to purchase new equipment for all the teams. Some of the Select Coaches now keep the better equipment from season to season instead of turning it in each year to give all teams a fair chance each season.

During our tournament season last year; I witnessed a couple of our Board Members and Select Coaches telling a parent that their son didn't play because the other players could do better at what it takes to win. That's wrong. Don't pick them for the team if they aren't going to get to play.

Many times, players are on the field because they are the Coaches' kid or their parents are a friend of the Coach. This makes them one of the Chosen Few. Some (not all) Coaches feel their kids deserve to play every inning of every game.

The Chosen Few are mostly made up of Select Coaches' kids or kids whose parents are friends of a Select Coach or Board Member. This handful of players get more playing time and help needed in developing their skills than the rest. The rest of the players spent more time on the bench than in the game.

The Chosen Few get extra help with batting, pitching and playing key positions on the field while the rest chase balls in the outfield or run bases for them.

Our Tournament or (All Star) teams are mostly made up of these Chosen Few. There are other players on these teams but many of them sit on the bench and watch the others play the game. This doesn't mean they aren't as good (or could be), they just aren't part of the Chosen Few.

Our Tournament teams are mostly preselected before the season even starts. This does not give all players an equal opportunity to be a part of these teams. Ability doesn't always make them a part of this process. Sometimes seems more important who they are or who their parents are.

Not all players have equal opportunity because of the Politics of a "Self-Appointed" few Coaches and Board Members.

Players who don't have as much ability; never will if they don't get a chance to play. They shouldn't have to be one of the best players to get a chance to play. Playing different positions is how they develop skills to be one of the better players.

I have talked a lot about the "Chosen Few" because we have seen it progressively get worse over the last few years. We need to get back to all players and teams having equal opportunity instead of just a few Select Self-Appointed Coaches, their kids and their friends' kids.

Please don't get me wrong; only a handful of Coaches, players and Board Members are a part of my reason for writing this letter; the rest are trying to do their best to make this game a positive, fun learning experience for all players and their families.

Many kids haven't signed up in recent years or have dropped out because of the Attitudes and harassment from this Select group of Coaches and players. Many of these kids were made to feel they weren't good enough to be a part of the team.

Many more kids would want to play if they felt they would really get to learn, play and be an important part of the team.

My two youngest sons didn't play this year because of the Politics and Attitudes of the "Chosen Few" Coaches and players.

My two oldest sons have coached and helped with many things behind the scenes over the years. They have given it up for now because of the Politics of the Select few self-appointed Coaches and Board Members.

Many other Coaches haven't come back because their teams and players didn't have a fair chance because of the Politics and Attitudes of this select few. Many others would step-up to coach or volunteer if things get back to what they are supposed to be, teaching and playing all kids equally instead of by who their parents are.

You don't have to be a Board Member to help the players and voice your opinion. You have the right to speak up.

I hope this letter may help more families see what I have seen and speak out. Let's get back to the game being for all the kids instead of a few players and Coaches.

If your kids like the game, encourage them to sign-up, then you speak up, also volunteer when you can. That's the only way things will get back to All kids having an equal opportunity to learn and play American Game.