Epic Rant From Robe

[CajunRebel]

Sounds like the kid needs to get off the ipad and get in the yard and practice.....

And you think sitting that kid on the bench is the best way to motivate him to pick baseball over his iPad?

[weareLOUISIANA]

And you think sitting that kid on the bench is the best way to motivate him to pick baseball over his iPad?

No, but you obviously think he deserves to play by just walking into the dugout. Of course he's going to choose the ipad, its easy and he controls his "playing time"...baseball must be a little too much work to earn his spot. The new America, everybodys a winner!

[Dad04]

That's the problem. Too many levels and organizations with "travel ball" or "all star" teams. Everyone gets trophies.

Participation trophies and parents carrying bat bags. If you see that run the other way.

[CajunRebel]

No, but you obviously think he deserves to play by just walking into the dugout. Of course he's going to choose the ipad, its easy and he controls his "playing time"...baseball must be a little too much work to earn his spot. The new America, everybodys a winner!

I don't even know what to say to this. It's like you're throwing out all these cliché phrases without thinking about what you're actually saying. Who ever called that kid a winner?

If a KID shows up to play ball you're damn right I think he should get to play ball. Why the hell would you not play him?

My obligation as a coach at the youth level is to make sure I'm doing everything I can to teach, motivate, and develop the skills of every kid on the team... not just the good ones. Every. Single. Kid. If your actions as a coach demoralize a kid or make him lose interest in playing the game you are a terrible coach.

[ZoomZoom]

Years back there was a select soccer team (based out of Lafayette High mostly) that was very good. If they didn't win a tournament, whatever hardware they received was destroyed the next practice.

Wouldn't happen today.

When our kids traveled for soccer, one played on a team that even the pool was off limits. Our other child played for a team where swimming was permitted and the evenings were laid back. Which one was more successful, just listen to Robe. There's the answer.

[Cajun90]

Well I doubt Robe thought his press conference would end up pushing 700K views online a day later.

[Cajunsmike]

I wouldn't blame travel ball as a whole. I guess I was blessed to play on a select team where you put the team first and parents were parents, and nothing else. We didn't make the grades in school, we didn't play. Someone was better than us, that someone played over us. You decided to act the _____ on or off the field, you sat the bench and cheered for your team. Travel ball is a great experience and a great thing for kids to get them ready for the next level (high school)...if you can find a team like I mentioned above. Find a coach that knows baseball and won't put up with any of that "travel ball" bs.

I have heard him talk about travel ball issues on the Saturday morning interviews for a few years now. His main complaint is that many teams limit the no. of players which guarantees playing time. That causes players to often focus on their individual success vs team success. No one learns how to work while they wait, deal with sitting on the bench, and especially learn how to pull for their teammates while they are sitting when they are on a travel ball team. One of the reasons I believe this team can start having more consistent success is something Brenn Conrad said prior to the season. He said a key will be how much support the guys not playing give to the guys on the field as the season progresses. When I read that from a senior, I figured the team had the right approach. I have not had time to listen to recent Robe comments on this. However, I bet my remarks here are close to his message.

[wscoog]

I am ready for some throw down.

[Dad04]

Years back there was a select soccer team (based out of Lafayette High mostly) that was very good. If they didn't win a tournament, whatever hardware they received was destroyed the next practice.

Wouldn't happen today.

""If you're not first, you are last."

Ricky Bobby

[RoarMan]

A friend of mine posted a picture of his 11 year old grandson wearing a HUGE ring he was awarded for playing in a tournament. I know it is bigger than any World Series ring or Super bowl ring. What's worse is it's a runner's up ring. I hate to think how huge the Championship ring is.