Fielder’s Choice
It was about 5:45 p.m. Friday, and Sam Coopwood Park was buzzing.
Players were on the field warming up.
Parents were walking up with their lawn chairs, finding the best positions possible near the fields.
Cars were still being parked.
Games were scheduled to start at 6 p.m. I could smell the hamburgers on the grill.
All four fields were busy – a game on each. It was a great feeling.
T-ball, baseball and softball are back in Marshall County after a one-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Participation is outstanding – it was at 199 as of Saturday morning.
There’s nothing better than seeing youngsters from our various communities unite to play some ball and have lots and lots of fun. The smiles are infectious.
Here are a few tips for parents as a new youth baseball season begins. They’re written by Eric Cohen and reprinted from macaronikid.com.
1) Celebrate effort, sportsmanship and learning above winning and losing. The lessons of giving 100 percent are always good to learn.
2) Set a good example of good sportsmanship. Don’t yell at the other team. Yell positive support for your athletes, but refrain from saying anything disparaging about the other team. They are kids and they are doing their best. You can even compliment a nice play from the other team.
3) Don’t coach from the stands. If you want to coach, suck it up and coach. Volunteer to guide the kids; practice in the rain; take time out of your day, etc. If you are not willing to do that, then keep your mouth shut and watch those who have made that commitment.
4) Don’t yell at the ump. He or she may make a mistake, let it go. Set a good example for your kid. You want to be an ump? Go ahead, or otherwise shut up.
5) Support the team. Yes your kid is the “star,” your favorite athlete, but he’s on a team, so support the team. Learn the other kids’ names and cheer for them, too.
6) Step up. If the team asks for snacks, be the parent that brings them to practice. If there’s a practice on Saturday, don’t grumble, just take your kid and be grateful you can.
7) Communicate with the coaches. If your child can’t make a practice, let the coaches know in advance. Email, text, etc., are easy. There’s no excuse not to reach out. Same thing if you have a gripe. If you or your child feel something isn’t right or fair, don’t just sit around and stew, have an adult conversation with the coach. Maybe what they have to say will enlighten you, or vice versa.
There’s a lot of good things happening in Marshall County. A front page article this week highlights more big economic development news at Chickasaw Trail. Another article this week focuses on a big Cleanup Day in Byhalia – people caring about the beauty and cleanliness of their community and doing something about it.
But, no doubt in my mind, the Marshall County Dizzy Dean League is near the top of the list of good things happening. It’s all about our children, and they deserve a huge part of our energy. They’re our future. And this league is teaching them lots of good.