This is a update on t-ball. The coach didnt show last week (after the first two practices). I had to handle the team and another parent stood up and helped me. The other parent knows how to play baseball(he plays in a league). I was happy and told him that I didnt know any fundamentals.

This past tuesday, the coach came back. Me and the other parent was helping him. He asked us ,"do you guys want to be coaching?" I told him that I will be there to help and the other parent nodded his head. The coach said"you guys take over, I have other things to do, you both are now coach". I was shocked. But the other parent told me, its okay, we can do it.

The "coach pitch" team's coach(who also supplied the equipment and their team practices on the same field), informed all parents (including the t-ball) that we have to run a concession stand on opening day. He asked all the parents to contribute but then he said that t-ball needs to find their own safety monitor, team mom and such since his team has priority and the safety monitor and team mom is designated to his team.

The "coach pitch" coach held a meeting with the parents and told us that we need to sell raffle tickets and if you cant sell them, than you buy them. When I asked what if it for? He said that they had to buy equipment that your children will use.

I got the bag(since I am assistant to the coach) and it is not new except for the batting helmets(3). We dont even have the regular t-balls but wiffle balls and tennis balls. He said that he will get us t-balls soon. I told him if I could get sponsers(because I do have friends who would dontate) but he said that it would be unfair to the other teams who dont have connections to get everything brand new.

I wanted to stick a finger at him and the t-ball coach who resigned(who is my friend from golf).

But I am still assistant and I bought instructional dvds to educate me on the game of baseball. I am sure the new coach(the parent who helped) can guide the children and teach them.

Sorry madcrewmom, I had to vent.

Thanks for updating...I was wondering how it was going.


No problem with venting. I think the whole thing sounds pretty unorganized. I disagree with the BS of NOT having sponsers. Let the other teams go out and get their own sponsers. If it isn't in their bylaws of the organization, then they can't stop you from doing it. At least sell your friends, that would donate, the raffle tickets. Just make sure that the funds are evenly distributed. Where we were, they weren't. T-ball wasn't their number one priority and because of it, a lot of people quit. We didn't return after our second year because of the politics plus our kids discovered the swim team.

What a crock of crap for the first coach to quit like that. That's just low. I think it's absolutely AWESOME of you to get those DVDs and learn the game. What a great dad you are. :-)

I was team mom with another mom. Try and get two moms to do it, less stressful that way. Also a good way to keep communication open with the parents. I'd hold a meeting with just the parents of your own team, if you haven't already, and discuss the situation of what to do about equipment, safety moniter etc. The concession stand is always a big money raiser if done right. The organization should have seed money, if not, take up donations to get it started, but pay yourselves back if possible. I ran a snack bar for the waterpolo team and raised $400+ dollars in the half a dozen or so home games. I paid myself back, so that was ALL profit. It's possible if you have the right stuff. Since it's still cold where you are, I HIGHLY recommend cup of noodles soups and hot chocolate/coffee/tea. A big seller for us and we're warmer!!

Are the team moms supposed to a banner for the team? If so, I have great ideas and you can email me for them. I would make a banner with all the kids names, the coaches names and we put it up for every game by the dugout. Then at the end of the season before the banquet or awards ceremony, I would cut the banner up and make individual pennants for each of the kids. They loved it. It was something they could hang on their bedroom wall.

Just remember who you're doing it for. The kids. In the end, they will know who helped out and they will get a lot out of it, and so will you.

PM me if you want my email address.

another update. Today, we didnt get any t-balls. The uniforms supposed to be picked up tonight so our team will get them on thursday(from what we are told). Our first game is on Saturday.

I asked about banners and they said "no, it wouldnt be fair to the other teams who dont have a banner". "We cannot allow teams to get benefits that other teams cannot".


We have no rule book on how the game is played but they say that they will provide us one on thursday. (did I mention that our first game is on saturday?) They only had a old copy and there are new rules.

It sounds as if someone needs to take over running that orginization. They don't have it all together. I do realize that it's all volunteer, but if one volunteer doesn't do their job, it's the kids who pay the price.

Why can't each team make their own banner? If each parent were to pitch in just a couple of bucks, you can buy felt and glue. That with a good pair of scissors you can make really neat banners. Ours were apx. 4'x6' on a pole that we attached to the dugout. I made such cute banners here (where we live now, my son played for two years here) that I have teams calling me and paying me to make their banners. I enjoy doing it.

Keep at it and like I said before, check the bylaws. That will tell you what you can and cannot do. Is this group just starting up?

Ok, another update. On Saturday we had our first game. We were early and met the President of the little league organization. He asked us (the coach and assistant which is me) our paperwork. We turned it in on the first day that we both coached. We had to fill out the paperwork again. Our game was up. I looked over to the other team and they had batting helmets(like 12-15) and we only had 5. Our helmets didnt fit since they were medium and our children were holding their helmet as they were running to the bases.
We asked the President for equipment for the children and he told us that whatever was in the bag is all that you are going to get. So I decided that our children will not be disadvantaged and that I will accept the donations that are offered our team. However, I will not let whatever is donated to go to the league. It will be kept.
The coach and me brought snacks and refreshments for our team and provided our own tent for our team. We were told that they didnt tell us to bring refreshments and snacks since the concession stand was provided and that they want to sell items. (we all had to donate a case of water to them.*each parent of the t-ball league which is 15.) It will be our responsibility on the next game.
They gave us the schedule and it is tues and thursday is practice and wed and sat is games. IMO pre schoolers and kindergarteners shouldnt be participating in sports that many times (4) out of 7 days a week. But that is their rules so we gotta abide by that.

Just keep you updated. Thanks.

Thanks for the update and I agree with you. Not fair that the other team had equipment that you did not. They are probably counting on you being a newbie to take advantage.

My suggestion would be to keep the practices short if you have to have that many. Youngsters usually can't pay attention that long anyway.

I ALWAYS had a parent bring snacks and drinks for the team. Even with a snack bar available. We usually gave out our snacks and a drink after the game. Something for the kids to look forward to.

You can also take any unfairness above your local president's head. There is a national org. that they have to abide by as well. I would do some research (when and IF you have the time...lol) and also ask your local pres. for a copy of the bylaws.

Keep me informed. Wish I could help further. I hate unfairness towards kids. Especially when you have parents like you giving so much of their time and efforts. I've found that somehow people go on power trips being in baseball leagues. If the kids love it, it's worth it. I've also seen some good groups too, so hand in there.

BTW, how's your son liking it all??? The most important question!!!

My son is enjoying it tremondously! btw, I got a call from the coach of the team that we will be playing on wednesday.(tomorrow). He wanted to touch bases and he said that he didnt meet us(me and the other coach) at the coaches meeting. I told him"what coaches meeting?" He told me that there was a coaches meeting where they passed out the rules and regulations and for all the coaches to meet one another. I told him that we were never told about the coaches meeting and I told him of how we became coach. He was shocked! He said to me that" you guys were put there just to keep it alive". He then offered any services including more equipment and properly fit ones to us and was pissed with the organization. He wants to meet with us before the game to give us all the paperwork and what is expected from the organization.

Hot diggity dog!! That's awesome that you finally met someone able and WILLING to help!!! Now he's a good sportsman!!

Congratulations on that!!! Glad your son is having fun!!

Rule #1 is to have FUN!!!

Update. The president came down to our practice and helped out. Apparently, the 2 children who dont have a uniform wasnt passed on to him and he is now questioning what happened? (The coach pitch coach had the info as well as his wife, co-vice president). The president will be reimbursting me on any equipment that I bought. I guess it took one good coach, to help us out. Now, everything is running smooth!
Thanks again Madcrewmom!

Update. The president came down to our practice and helped out. Apparently, the 2 children who dont have a uniform wasnt passed on to him and he is now questioning what happened? (The coach pitch coach had the info as well as his wife, co-vice president). The president will be reimbursting me on any equipment that I bought. I guess it took one good coach, to help us out. Now, everything is running smooth!
Thanks again Madcrewmom!


Woo Hoo!!!!
Sometimes it PAYS to complain!! You just have to find the right person to complain to. ;)

My dad always likes to go to the top when the chain of command doesn't work. As he says, the crap falls downhill faster than it goes uphill. :D

UPdate. The season is over. The President didnt reimburst me so I took the equipment that I bought and the helmets that were donated by my friend. My son had a great time and he wil play agian next year. Our team became a great team thanks to the coach. He made them like a coach pitch team. The last game, we(the coaches) didnt go on the field at all. The children did it all and they didnt get out at all. They hit good, ran fast and had fun.

UPdate. The season is over. The President didnt reimburst me so I took the equipment that I bought and the helmets that were donated by my friend. My son had a great time and he wil play agian next year. Our team became a great team thanks to the coach. He made them like a coach pitch team. The last game, we(the coaches) didnt go on the field at all. The children did it all and they didnt get out at all. They hit good, ran fast and had fun.


AWESOME!!!! That sounds wonderful!!! I'm glad that the kids had a great time. That's what it's all about and it sounds as if all of you did a good job with the kids. If they learned how to play as a team and had fun at the same time, it was well worth it!!

Good job Dad!!!

And I think you did right be keeping the equipment. You are sure to have good equipment for next year!!!

Thanks for the update, I'd been wondering!!! :)