Ryan Smith

The last few games have been tough. Even though its 7-8 year old "coach pitch" , it feels like some teams are showing up to win games — not to have fun and develop players. And yeah, I think there’s a place for both. But not like this. I’m not saying every kid should get the opportunity to play 1st base. I’m not putting a kid there who can’t catch a ball — that’s how you create bad experiences and get someone hurt. So I keep first base locked down with kids who can actually catch. I’ll also stack the infield for the first inning and the last. But everything in between? That’s where I mix it all up. Everyone plays everywhere. Everyone learns. Except 1B. That’s the one position I control for safety and so our team feels what its like to get outs on defense. My plan is to do this all season long — giving kids a taste of every position, getting them to think, to try, to grow. Come playoffs? Sure, I’ll lean on our top players a little more. But even then, I’ll still find ways to rotate and develop. What’s been frustrating is watching other teams keep their best kids in the same spot all game… …and sticking their least talented players in the outfield, where they might not see a ball once all game. That’s not development. That’s not fun. That’s not how you build love for the game. It’s also against our league rules — and more importantly, it’s against the spirit of why we’re here. This is recreational, developmental baseball. Our goal should be to get kids to come back — not to walk away discouraged because they never touched the ball. So no, I’m not coaching to win the regular season. I’m coaching to make sure every kid feels like they’re part of it. Like they matter. Like they can get better. Like they belong in this game. If we get that right, the rest takes care of itself. Just a thought. One love, Captain Fun ⚾💪🔥

Attn: Youth Sports Parents I love you, but know that you have 2 options: 1. Volunteer to be an assistant coach 2. Be a supportive parent But watching practices from the sidelines and randomly inserting yourself or shouting instruction across the field is not acceptable. Either coach or dont, but there's no in between.