Problem Player Revisited

I did not read through the original thread, but thought that I
might throw out something you or other folks might be able
to use. Here is one way I deal with a problem parent/player that
is complaining about playing time. Great to use when the player
wants to start ahead of another player that is obviously the better
of the 2 players. First of all, I always get the inputs of the other
2 coaches to make sure that I am not missing something and that
everyone on the coaching staff is on the same page.

I get the parent and player together and tell them that in order
for you to get more playing time it is going to take alot more work
on your part (parent) and your part (player) and some more work
on my part. I stress the "alot more work on your part" so that the
parent and player understand that coach is not going to just make this
happen.
I then line out several ways for the player to improve his skills. Such
as going to the cage on any off days or after regular practices. If the
parent is capable of throwing live to the player, this will help alot.
Try to get the parent involved in the players improvement any way
you can. The parent hitting extra grouders and flyballs to the player
can make a huge difference if they commit to doing it on a regular
basis. The coaches part may be just meeting the player a bit early
or staying a bit late on some practice days to give the player a
little extra attention on skills that need improvement. I may also
suggest some private lessons for the player with a outside hitting
or pitching coach.

At this point they normally bite on the idea or they back off and
leave you alone. If they don't bite you have lost nothing. If they do
bite and do the work, your depth chart just starting getting deeper.

tomc