WebBall.com - League's players look forward to a 'do-over'

League's players look forward to a 'do-over'

Joe Hernandez As he says himself, Joe Hernandez is not just an arm-chair coach. During the last few years he had a span in which he lost only one game while winning 58 and having just two ties. He says it's not because of anything special he does as a coach, but because of the respect he has for each kid's individuality and the fundamentals of the game. Joe has learned that the best way to win is by a process of doing what you love with the most fun as possible. He focuses on the fundamentals and makes sure that the "head game" is just as much part of the game as the physical skills required. Hard to argue with success. (Click to close.)

Once in a while we come across an idea that is such a breath of fresh air. This write-up on summer ball with a difference, will introduce you to Coach Joe Hernandez who also has other article on WebBall. Whthere you do this in the Summer or during the usual experimental Fall Ball season is up to you. But every coach and player should rediscover what baseball was like before organized sports sucked the sponteneity out of kids' games. - Richard Todd, WebBall

By John Patten, Managing Editor, Princeton Packet

It's a dream from a boy's life: blue summer skies, a group of friends and a pickup game of baseball.

Last month, about 30 boys from Hillsborough and Montgomery shared that dream three times each week, in the Hillsborough Baseball League's Summer Recreational Program - with impromptu teams and games complete with "do-overs."

The program for boys between 13 and 16 offered a month of baseball between the league's other seasons. This year, Hillsborough resident Joe Hernandez, who has coached the participants for the last few years, changed the rules a little bit, letting the kids pick their own teams - just like in a game of neighborhood stickball.

"Kids need to play on their own, without all the screaming and barking that you see all too often at Little League games," Mr. Hernandez said.

"It was like when we played growing up."

The boys not only chose their own teams, they managed and coached themselves, created their own lineups, decided what positions to play. The duties of the team captains and co-captains rotated among the players, so each had a chance to lead, make the batting order, coach the bases and set positions.

"It was a breath of fresh air to see the kids organizing and controlling the games," parent Steve O'Brien, of Montgomery, said. "It was like when we played growing up."

Carol DeAvila's son, Andrew, participated in the program, which had its last game July 30, and she noted the opportunity for less stressful playing time and coaching really helped him. "It's nice to see different age boys interacting, socializing, being noncompetitive and just having fun," she said.

While there were a number of close games, good arguments and dramatic comebacks, the adult coaches couldn't interfere, and while parents were encouraged to cheer for their kids, they were asked not to coach from the sidelines during games.

"Basically, the parents had two jobs: drop-off and pickup - although most would stay and enjoy the game as well," Mr. Hernandez said.

Removing the strict rules of a league game also gave Mr. Hernandez the opportunity to use some innovative teaching techniques, included playing with corkballs and sticks.

"This year I took it a step further and created some mini-clinics like learning how to slide using eggs," Mr. Hernandez said. "This always gets a good reaction with the kids as they learn the fundamentals of sliding - if they don't do it correctly, then the eggs break in their hands. The kids love the mess."

Mr. Hernandez played AA minor league baseball and has written numerous articles on the subject of youth baseball for magazines and national Web sites like www.webball.com and www.thecompletepitcher.com, and his own site, SeeTheBall.com.

"When we were kids, we were able to have a full scale, serious but fun game with just a broomstick, a rubber ball and a few kids," Mr. Hernandez said. "We could play anywhere, on the streets, a yard, the playground, a parking lot or in a baseball field. If we did not have a broomstick, we played punch ball or stoop ball."

That's how kids learn to love the sport, Mr. Hernandez says. And after a month of corkball and do-overs, some of the players on the summer program probably have a better understanding - and deeper appreciation - of baseball.

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WebBall thanks the Princeton Packet for reprint permission.

Reader Commentary: 3 responses | WebBall members are invited to comment.

Richard Todd says:
Jan 06, 2009 at 2:56 PM

I was once asked to serve as arbitrator when an association had a group of players (ages 16-17) ask to compete as a self-managed team. They would have a teacher-mentor, but would play only if they could come back into the game as a unit (some were good players, some inexperienced.) There was resentment from other coaches and parents thinking this was somehow unfair and that these players should be in the open draft like everyone else. the reality is that they would not play if not together, so the players were never going to be available to the other teams either way. With some convincing the team was allowed to join and they played as well but no better than the other squads. To think we had/have come to the point where parents could even think they had the right to block kids from playing a sports. Explains why we need more programs like Coach Hernandez.

Jose Hernandez says:
Jan 21, 2009 at 8:10 PM

That's a great story and example Richard. What we need to realize is that we "pigeon-hole" kids too early with respect to "talent". Just like there are "growth spurts", there are "skill spurts". I have seen it all to often, where the kid labeled the "superstar" at 12 has been surpassed by the kid that was a "no talent" by the time they reach 16. There is something to be said about too much organization by adults, although well intended. Thanks for sharing your experience!

Jose Hernandez says:
Feb 02, 2009 at 10:24 PM

Street Games By Joe Hernandez Thinking of my childhood And how I played with toys Like blocks of wood That gave me great joy But most of the time I used my imagination Or played by mime Creativity in formation Like a plant taking root Humble beginnings that was real Passing the time in pursuit Playing that was surreal No park to play in Only the pavement of streets That's where play begins Learning about wins and defeats I look back thinking I was deprived But realize that I was not Street games that has not survived Street games I never forgot How can you miss what you never had? How can you have what was not there? Like a boy growing up without a dad You deal with what you are not aware Humble beginnings for a growing child Street games to play and have fun I remember as I smiled Playing with toys that I had none But kids today have it all From private lessons to parks to play in All kinds of teams to choose and play ball Activities from soccer to playing the violin They have all the fancy equipment And are in many activities Within days new toys arrive via shipment As they participate in new festivities They have it all More than I ever had I just played streetball Alone, without a dad But I was happy Hitting the ball Never unhappy As long as I could play ball No adult supervision To stifle my game I made my own decision Win or lose it was fun just the same But I don't see the same joy In the faces of our kids Adults involved like little boys Demanding they play their bids So who has been really deprived? My generation without any means? Or kids today that are contrived From childhood to their teens?