7 Tips to Handling Problem Players

Keeping the Troublemaker from Making Too Much Trouble

  Every youth baseball coach can relate to this scenario. A new boy shows up at try-outs. No one knows much about him, but he has good size, a strong arm, and hits with power.
  The newcomer ranks at the top of each evaluator's list. The coach who drafts him smiles and visualizes how impressive the championship trophy will look in his office.
  But jubilation quickly changes to apprehension when the coach telephones his new acquisition, mentions the initial team meeting, but receives a lukewarm response.
  Hoping for some encouragement, the youth league skipper asks to speak with a parent. Unfortunately, he hears, "I hope you weren't expecting me to do anything. I don't have the time. Also my son will need a ride to practice and games because of my work schedule. And, of course, you know my son was one of the best players in the league last year. It was only politics that kept him off the all-star squad."
  Suddenly, one thought enters the coach's mind, "It's going to be a long season."
  Two-career families, single parents, lack of discipline, and emulation of ego-driven major leaguers contribute to the growing number of problem players who participate in youth baseball. Many coaches quit rather than face these difficulties. Resignation, however, does not solve this predicament.
  Problem players manifest themselves in different ways. Some perform well on the field but disrupt practice with lackadaisical attitudes and inappropriate behavior. These players believe their above-average talent will shield them from being punished or reprimanded. Their attitude spreads to the entire team, and valuable practice time fritters away.
  Other misfit participants prefer to attract attention on game day. They habitually arrive late, forget a portion of their uniform or equipment, exhibit rudeness toward umpires, use profanity, or act comical in serious situations. The unacceptable behavior often affects the team due to these distractions.
  Neither player helps a ball club. Like a deadly virus, the undesirable attitudes slowly infect the whole team. Players and parents complain, and the coach experiences nothing but frustration. What can be done to mitigate or avoid this unpleasantness?
  Here are seven tips to prevent a problem player from creating dissension and to turn the tide before the situation becomes "a season from hell."

1. Schedule a meeting immediately with the player and his parents, preferably at their home. This setting allows the coach to observe the player's environment and gain valuable insight and understanding into the family's mind set.

2. Prepare a memorandum detailing every aspect of the team: practice times, locations, game schedules, fundraising activities, team photographs, uniforms, equipment, etc. Give this memo to every family but go over it item-by-item with your problem player's parents.

3. Arrange transportation for the player with the parents' approval in advance. If another person is assigned this responsibility, check to ensure it is carried out properly.

4. Avoid preferential treatment. Children recognize favoritism quite easily, and it can quickly lead to team discord.

5. Don't let anger cause bad decisions. If a player disrupts practice or a game, discuss the situation calmly. If possible, hold the discussion in private. Nothing good arises from parents or team members observing a coach yelling at a player.

6. Keep the lines of communication open. Twelve-year olds have learned more from parents and peers than they will ever learn from a coach. Without respect, they will not listen. If they do not listen, they will not learn.

7. Maintain a positive attitude. Coaches and parents sometimes get wrapped up in winning and forget that the main objective of youth leagues is to learn and have fun.

Youth baseball provides a wonderful opportunity for competition and training. Too often, however, egos and personalities get in the way of teamwork and enjoyment. Remembering these seven tips will result in smoother relationships with everyone, especially problem players.

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