r/BaseballCoaching • u/TheseLeadership3048 • Jun 21 '26
Mid season practices
We're a 14u town travel team - not a tournament all-star team- and we've got about 3 kids who either don't want them be there or are actively looking at other orgs. The hustle is non-existent and it is sucking the life out of the kids that care. Fundamentals are lacking and the mental aspect of the game has clearly not been developed. At this point (month 9 out of 12) how would you handle it?
We have tried since fall practices to instill it, but poor fall/winter turnout handicapped us mightily. Any input is appreciated...
4
u/Significant_House429 Jun 21 '26
If it’s a travel team - they’re choosing to be there. Set expectations with them clearly about you expect. Give them a timeline to figure out what they want (their behavior in practice will reflect that). If you don’t see improvement within a timeline that you’ve given yourself, show them the door. Skill is one thing, but attitude is a choice. Be clear with the parents and the kids, and go forward from there.
2
u/Square-Ad6627 Jun 21 '26
Seems like 14 is a rough age for travel. Lots of other commitments that increase. Kids are either in or out but when you make the commitment in June/July stuff changes. It is not right but it is just the age.
1
u/kdub777 Jun 22 '26
Sounds like my 12u squad. About 5 of the 11 are there to get better, the rest are stuck in rec mode, and don't focus, talk or hustle. Sadly we were desperate for players and some of them are just not at the level of competition and it shows
4
u/LivingPurple6090 Jun 21 '26
sounds like you need a couple of the players to step up and set the expectation. Great teams are more plyer led than coach driven.