Daddy Ball?

Well. Since we all had one-day tournaments yesterday because the Super Bowl is today, I actually had time to write this. So let’s talk about the greatest hits of youth baseball. Daddy ball. My kid doesn’t get enough playing time. Why is my kid batting so low in the order. Why is Johnny in the outfield. I want him at shortstop. Why isn’t my kid pitching. I hear all of it. Every weekend. Every field. Every age group. Let’s clear some things up. First. Daddy ball. Is it real sometimes? Sure. Is it the explanation for every decision you don’t like? No. Most coaches are trying to win games while also developing kids. Those two things are not always aligned. Especially at 9, 10, 11 years old. When half the roster is still figuring out which foot to step with. Now playing time. Your kid isn’t entitled to innings. He’s entitled to coaching, safety, and development. That’s it. Batting order. If your kid is batting low, it might be because he needs development. Or because he struggles with timing. Or because he freezes with runners on. Or because that’s where the coach put him. Here’s a novel idea. Ask why. Listen to the answer. Defense. Why is Johnny in the outfield and not shortstop? Because shortstop is the hardest position on the field. Because the ball finds you there. Because errors there lose games. Because not everyone is a shortstop. Outfield is not a punishment. It’s a responsibility. If your kid can’t track the ball, throw accurately, or make decisions under pressure, he doesn’t belong in the middle infield yet. Pitching. This one matters. Why isn’t my kid pitching? Because safety matters. Because throwing below 40 and standing 46 feet away from hitters is dangerous. Because some kids have the reflexes of a drunk sloth and will eat a line drive. That’s not an insult. That’s reality. Pitching is not a reward. It’s a risk. And coaches are allowed to protect kids even if parents don’t like it. Now the part nobody wants to hear. Youth sports are for development. Unless your kid is on a majors team or a national roster, this is not a career. It’s training. Reps. Learning. Failure. Growth. And yes. Life isn’t fair. That’s the point. You want to use daddy ball to your advantage? Start a team. You don’t like the lineup? Ask. You don’t like the answer? Move to one of the other 500,000 teams in town. Stop bitching. Stop poisoning the stands. Stop teaching kids that discomfort equals injustice. Let the coaches coach. Let the kids play. Let the process work. It’s youth baseball. Not a courtroom.