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Abandoned Shopping Carts

Greetings:

Sometimes customers leave an order in an abandoned shopping cart.  Perhaps they are checking prices. That's ok.  If you do not complete your transaction, and if you have entered an email address I usually follow up with a reminder in a day or two.  However, if there is no contact info like email or phone number, I have no way to send a reminder.

If at any time you have an issue when trying to place an order, or even if checking prices, feel free to contact me so we can resolve any issues you might have.

Thank you for visiting customlineupcards.com.

Coach Mike

Some Things Change Yet We Never Seem To Learn.

The more things change, the more things stay the same.  And in reality, some things never change.  I like to check out various chat rooms, mostly softball but I will sometimes check out other sports chats as well.  One big question comes to mind almost every time I read threads. 

Why are youth sports parents arguing about the same stuff that parents argued about twenty years ago?

I’ve been coaching youth sports since the mid 1970’s.  I’ve coached basketball, baseball, and softball primarily.  I’ve coached all levels up to and including junior college.  When our daughter turned 7 in the 90’s, she started playing softball and did so through junior college.  She also played volleyball for a few years in high school.   While some years and some teams do better than others, the ONLY team that our daughter was on where there was absolutely no conflict, or at least none that we ever heard of, was a kickball team she played on when she was about five years old.

She had been invited to join by a girl that played on our church co-ed softball team.  It was a city rec team.  I think there were at least fifteen kids on each team so of course you had kids scattered all over the field.  We used to laugh when Jessica would have a ball kicked to her.  She would catch the ball then plop down on her butt with a big smile on her face.  Never mind that the runners were still running.  It was a fun experience for all the children.  It was what it should be for kids that age.  Unfortunately, we didn’t make it through the whole season as Jess came down with chicken pox.

One might think that baseball and softball t-ball teams would have the same kind of experiences.  I hope most do, but sadly I’ve seen huge arguments in chat rooms over T-ball.  Seriously?  I don’t think I’ve ever seen a scout for any college or pro team at a t-ball game, well, unless their kids were on a team.  I can’t tell you how many stories I’ve read about playing time, substitutions, parent/coach conflicts, and parent vs. parent conflicts.  Oh, and don’t forget coach vs. coach arguments as well.

I remember the rec league we were in.  Some of the board members would constantly complain about not being able to get more parents to participate and do their time on the board.  Perhaps one reason was that when a new parent joined the board, if they suggested doing something different, one of the older board members would shut them down saying “We don’t do it that way.”  From the first year we were in the league to the second, they went from over four hundred kids in the league down to about two hundred and seventy.  One board member tried to explain the loss to kids growing out of the league.  Uh huh.  Why aren’t more younger kids coming in?

I recognize that there are different ways to do things and that we have difference of opinions.  But change for change’s sake is not good.  And a little common sense can go a long way.  Let me share some views I have and what has worked for me in over 30 years coaching youth sports.

Life is not fair.  And youth sports are less fair.  Get used to it.  Teach your children how to deal with adversity instead of using your energy to argue why your situation isn’t fair.  Believe me, there were times my daughter got a raw deal.  And yes, I did spend some energy complaining but I am sure I didn’t complain as much as I see people doing because, as I would teach my daughter, each coach has their way of doing things.  When Jess went into 10u in the rec league I did not coach so that she could experience having a different coach.  I’m not saying to never go to bat (no pun intended…well maybe) for your kid.  But be reasonable and use that common sense.

There’s no such thing as equal playing time.  Most rec leagues have a rule about playing time, trying to make it equal.  The rule is usually worded that a player does not sit on the bench for two consecutive innings.  So how can a coach reward the player who shows up for every practice?  The rules usually address a player not sitting on the bench for two innings in a row.  Most teams have between 10-15 players.  You need nine on the field, or sometimes ten.  The rule does not say anything about playing players two or more consecutive innings.  Since there are going to be three or more players that need to stay on the field, those are the players who work the hardest and who show up for practice the most.

But coach, you shouldn’t punish the kids because their parents can’t get them to practice.  Parents, this is on you.  It’s not fair to the other kids whose parents do get them to practice.  In 8u, I had one parent who would drop her daughter off on Saturday mornings, EVEN FOR A GAME, and go get her nails done.  Really?  You can’t find any other time to do that?  Parents, if you aren’t committed to the team how do you expect your child to learn about commitment to the team?

Coaches, watch your mouth around the kids.  Yes even HS coaches.  We all have our anger points and let’s face it, there seem to be more people today that think vulgarity and swearing in regular conversations is ok.  There is no reason to be cussing at or around your players, especially with younger kids.  Younger players are more impressionable and also have their feelings hurt easier too.  What kind of example are you setting for your players? 

We are all different.  I was considered to be “too soft” as a varsity high school coach by some.  But I had more players and parents that appreciated my positivity.  I did learn to be a little “tougher” as I went along.  I even had one shortstop tell me she wanted me to yell at her if she messed up.  Sorry, I’m not the yelling coach.  Some coaches are.  Parents, before you go badmouthing the coach to other parents, have a conversation with the coach.  Most coaches are trying to do what they think is right.  And no matter what they do, there is usually going to be someone who isn’t happy.  I don’t like to see any younger players who want to quit sports because of a bad experience.  Coaches and Parents can both be better in coming together for the sake of the children.  Sometimes feelings will get hurt.  Teach your child how to handle the situation and maybe not be so offended.  Not every offense is personal against your child, even though it may at first seem that way.

Finally, I offer the same guidelines as I would when dealing with a business.  If you have a problem with someone, go discuss it with them.  If you want to praise someone, praise them to all.  Think how you want to be treated.  If you do find that there are many people who have had the same negative problem with a coach, especially serious issues like abuse, then it is time to address the situation publicly.

I hope this helps.  Let’s remember sports is a great learning lesson for all children.  Before you worry about your six-year-old getting a scholarship, let’s put our efforts into helping them learn life lessons that will last much longer.

Coach Mike Davis

Traditional Style Lineup Cards Now Available!

You can now add a traditional style lineup design to your lineup cards. When you order Regular Lineup Cards (no roster), mention Double Line Style when you send us your team information.

Welcome to Custom Lineup Cards

Welcome to Custom Lineup Cards.  Formerly a part of the Kidz “n” Sports web site, I have made Custom Lineup Cards into a secure, stand-alone site.   

Most lineup card orders will be processed within 24 hours from the time you send me your information.   When I receive your information, I will design the lineup cards and email you a proof.  Please print that proof out on a black & white printer (unless you order color cards).  Make sure the information on the cards is what you wanted.  Especially check for correct spelling on coach’s names and player’s names if you ordered with Roster.  Once you approve the proof, I will print the cards.  25 card orders are usually shipped via USPS first class mail.  Larger orders are usually shipped via USPS Priority Mail.

If you are ordering for a League, you can save money by ordering the total number of cards for the league.  If you want individual team names on the cards, just tell me how many cards for each team, and provide me with the appropriate information.   For example, if you have 10 teams and your schedule is for 10 games each, you could order the 100 pack and instruct me to provide 10 cards for each team.  You can also just have the league information printed on all the cards too.

One last bonus.  If you are new to Custom Lineup Cards, once you place your order, if you LIKE the Custom Lineup Cards Facebook page and leave a review, I will add 10 extra cards to your initial order.   I appreciate your positive comments on the Facebook Page and on this web site.

After you have placed your order, and completed payment either with credit card or with Pay Pal, you will be redirected to the upload page where you can provide me with your information.

If at any time, you have a problem accessing this site, uploading team information, or for any other reasons that is hindering your order, please email me at coachmike@customlineupcards.com

Thank you.

Coach Mike

Score Keeping Training

One of the simplest, yet most complicated (how’s that for a contradiction) chores in baseball and softball is that of the scorekeeper. Some people love to keep score and do it well. Others are glad to help out the team but could do better. And some do it because they’re asked but will repeatedly tell you "that they don’t know how to do it", "have never done it", "aren’t very good at it…". etc.

Problem solved!

If you are here in So Cal, I am available to provide live training sessions for your league. The session takes about 60-90 minutes depending upon how many people and how much fun we have. If you are away from So Cal, I can set up an online training session.

Call me at (877)554-5952 or email me at coachmike@kidznsports.com and let’s discuss your scorekeeping needs.

Score Keeping Example

The Most Unfair Rule

So, what is the most unfair rule in baseball and softball?

Not sure? I actually did not correctly keep score in my early years, probably because of the rule. I once had one of my daughter’s travel coaches ask me why my stats were off. He never told me why. But another friend pointed it out to me when I was keeping score.

The rule is Fielder’s Choice. Why is it unfair?

In my early scorekeeping days, I understood "fielder’s choice" as being any time a fielder chose to go after another runner instead of taking the easy out to first. While that part is correct, there is much more to "fielder’s choice" than an infielder choosing which runner to go after.

To paraphrase, a batter is credited with a "fielder’s choice" when a fielder attempts to put out a runner other than the batter, OR ANYTIME ANOTHER RUNNER IS FORCED OUT INSTEAD OF THE BATTER.

Where do we see this applied? How about when you have a runner on first. The batter hits a bloop fly just out of reach of the 2nd baseman or shortstop. The runner on first can’t get too far off the bag for fear of being forced out at first if the fielder catches the fly. But the fielder doesn’t quite get to the fly then that or another fielder (say a right fielder) picks up the ball on the hop and throws to 2B forcing the runner from 1st. Now the batter is credited with a "Fielder’s Choice." This actually lowers the batter’s batting average. Had the runner not been on first base, the batter would have easily been safe and credited with a hit, thereby raising his/her batting average.

It can be worse than that!

One time my daughter’s team had bases loaded, one out. The batter hit a bloop fly ball down the 3rd base line. Third and Short couldn’t quite get to the ball. But the left fielder picked up the ball on a hop and threw the ball to 3rd base, forcing the runner from 2B. Again, had there not been that force out, the batter gets a hit all day long.

Several years back, I wrote to several of the governing bodies, including MLB. Someone had told me that the reason the rule was like that was because they had to account for the out, and the batter being safe at 1st. Why couldn’t the batter be credited with a hit and the out recorded if in the mind of the scorekeeper there is no way the batter would have been put out otherwise? A couple of the organizations said they would take it up at their next rules meeting. I never heard any more. I’m guessing that it’s been recorded a certain way for so long, they wouldn’t want to go back and change it.

If you need some more scorekeeping help for yourself, your league, or a group of coaches or parents, send an email to coachmike@kidznsports.com. I do single or group training. Scorekeeping is not that difficult. But it can be a little intimidating for those who haven’t done it before. Plus, I usually share a few tricks to make even experienced scorekeepers better.

Teach first, win later.

Coach Mike