10/14/2026
COACH’S TIP TO PARENTS OF YOUNG BALLPLAYERS
Want to help your kid become a better baseball player? Start by helping them fall in love with the game.
* Trade 20 minutes of video games for 20 minutes of watching the MLB playoffs together.
* Introduce them to the legends of the game. Barry Bonds, Ted Williams, Derek Jeter, Pete Rose, Ken Griffey Jr., and the list goes on.
* Put your phone down, grab a glove, and go play catch in the backyard.
You’d be surprised how many young players I ask, “Who’s your favorite MLB team?” or “Do you know who Barry Bonds or Derek Jeter is?” and they genuinely don’t have an answer.
And that’s not the kid’s fault. They simply haven’t been introduced to that side of the game.
Here’s something I believe strongly as a coach:
You can’t expect a kid to develop a passion for a game they’ve never been taught to appreciate.
Baseball development doesn’t start and stop at practice, private lessons, or weekend tournaments.
It starts at home.
Let them watch the greats. Let them find a favorite player. Let them dream about hitting a walk-off home run in the World Series. Let them fall in love with the game before we put so much pressure on them to be great at it.
Skill development is important, but passion is what keeps a kid coming back to get better.
Sometimes the best thing you can do for your young ballplayer doesn’t cost a dime. Just a little of your time.
Build the love for the game, and the desire to get better will follow.
