Helicopter Parents

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[FONT=&amp]I know this was posted some time ago but could not find it. It comes from Coach Dave Leffew. I think it's a good read to remind us what our role is, and should be, as parents of a pitcher.

[/FONT]Top ten signs you are a helicopter parent

[FONT=&amp]1. [/FONT]When your daughter is asked about her pitching, you answer for her.
[FONT=&amp]2. [/FONT]When you answer for her you say, I do it this way not she.
[FONT=&amp]3. [/FONT]When your daughter pitches and your body twitches very noticeably.
[FONT=&amp]4. [/FONT]When your daughter looks at you after every pitch.
[FONT=&amp]5. [/FONT]When you sit in the same place every time where your daughter can see you and find you; often directly behind the backstop.
[FONT=&amp]6. [/FONT]When (even though you are not coaching) you make a point to instruct her during games and practices.
7. [FONT=&amp][/FONT]When your daughter pitches so much better when you're not around.
[FONT=&amp]8. [/FONT]When you have a strange feeling that all of your daughter's coaches don?t like you.
[FONT=&amp]9. [/FONT]When you make excuses for why she didn't do well; umpires, coaches, weather, field conditions, illness, injury, blah, blah, blah. Enabler.
[FONT=&amp]10. [/FONT]When you take pride in the fact that she can't pitch without you.

 

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You hit the nail on the head.

The only problem is that everybody who reads it says "That's funny: but it doesn't apply to me..."

 

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As a parent of two girls who pitch, I can honestly say I enjoy the games much more when someone else's kid is in that circle!

 

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Wow!! That is great..We all know who that person is lol..

 

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This is a very good post. BUT, I will argue any day of the week that being the parent of a pitcher is way harder than any other position. Mad Hornet I am with you, I enjoy the game much more when someone else is in the circle.

ALSO, I DO sit in the same spot every game because I want my DD to be able to find me and I don't apologize for that either.

 

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I find nothing wrong with instructing her during games for example, if there is something that she has been working on to correct,and you have an agreement with your daughter to do so.
There is nothing more frustrating than keeping your mouth zipped during the games, only to have your daughter scream-"Why didn't you tell me what I was/wasn't doing?"after the game is over.
The rest of the points mentioned by Dave- I must agree-should be avoided at all cost.

 

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Great points. One thing I would add to Lewam3 post is that I work with my daughter during the week to "self correct" asking questions like "what do you think caused that pitch to do that?" and help her figure it out. Then "okay what can you do to correct that if you see that happen during the game?". This way she's learning to make the adjustments on her own without me having to tell her during the game. But it takes awhile to get to that point where they can make corrections on the fly in game situations.

 

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Guilty as charged! But I do think the age and maturity has quite a bit to do with my (ever so slight..ha ha) interaction. I know as she progresses what my role needs to be.

 

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f you think being a pitchers parent is worse than the other eight player's mom's --you might be one of those parents .

 

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I have 2 that play. One that pitches. Not even close to which is harder to watch. Maybe at the older ages and if she is dominate it would be easier! Otherwise it is not the same.

 

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I also have 2 girls that pitch, Only a parent of a pitcher understands all the hours of practice and dedication it takes to be a quality pitcher. Like all our kids we feel there pain and can never stop being a dad even when she is in the circle.

 

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You can feel the pain, but during a game you are only there to support and cheer. Game time is not the time for Q&A.

 

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I have 2 that play. One that pitches. Not even close to which is harder to watch. Maybe at the older ages and if she is dominate it would be easier! Otherwise it is not the same.

I am much more relaxed when dd plays other positions or is batting than when she pitches.

 

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If she has been working on something specific, it would be nice to let the "coach" know so he/she may be able to help her adjust during the game.

 

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To bad it was only about pitchers parents, lots of position players have helicopter parents to. Check this sometime, by 12 or 14u if an experienced kid has no instincts on the bases about 99% of the time they have a parent who is always giving instructions from the stands. If they are always being told what to do, all they learn is Dad/Mom will tell them what to do.

 

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I showed this to my dd and asked her if I was a helicopter parent....

She said of the 10 I only do two, I become her pitching coach while she is pitching and my stomach gets upset when she is in the circle But I don't twitch. So I guess I am only 20% helicopter!! LOL I will definately be more careful in the future!!

 

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As my dd has played several positions, pitching & catching being 2 of them...pitcher parent is the most "Tums needed!". She is 10u and her focus is more on catching now, loves the position and strives to be the best, it is a close 2nd. Knowing the pressure when 3 strike, don't drop it, accurate throw downs, get runners stealing, correct pitch signs, etc...I believe a bad catcher can mess up a good pitcher. So the stress is on! (at least at this age so far!)

 

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As my dd has played several positions, pitching & catching being 2 of them...pitcher parent is the most "Tums needed!". She is 10u and her focus is more on catching now, loves the position and strives to be the best, it is a close 2nd. Knowing the pressure when 3 strike, don't drop it, accurate throw downs, get runners stealing, correct pitch signs, etc...I believe a bad catcher can mess up a good pitcher. So the stress is on! (at least at this age so far!)

"A good catcher can make an average pitcher look great. An bad catcher can make a great pitcher look average." I think that's how it goes...
There is nothing more uplifting during a game than watching your DD's catcher gun a runner down at second or catch a foul ball when there are runners on base with less than 2 outs.
But to get back on subject, instead of the title being "helicopter parents" it should read "vicarious parents." I think that's what it boils down to whn you are dealing with problem parents.

 

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As my dd has played several positions, pitching & catching being 2 of them...pitcher parent is the most "Tums needed!". She is 10u and her focus is more on catching now, loves the position and strives to be the best, it is a close 2nd. Knowing the pressure when 3 strike, don't drop it, accurate throw downs, get runners stealing, correct pitch signs, etc...I believe a bad catcher can mess up a good pitcher. So the stress is on! (at least at this age so far!)

100% agree. The stress is on even at the college level. I love my DD's catchers at AU, not only for the defense, but hitting an occasional bomb.....

 

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All these posts are making me lean towards catcher more for my 10u. Besides, she looks so bad a*# in the catchers equipment!:lmao: