So, again, play ‘em where they think they can play, along with where you already know they can play. If they stink, don’t worry, they will know it before you do.

Always remember… Players get better. Help them make it happen!

Tough Tip – Bench your kid in game one and maybe other games too Many amateur coaches have their own son, their “favorite player” on team. If you simply keep your son on bench for first innings of your first game, it will display to all that you are indeed sticking to your guns about playing time, new position opportunities, etc.

Hint – Consider making your son your bench coach to show him that this is not punishment- you certainly can make this a pact between he and you alone. Sit him right next to you in dugout and give him a real duty such as watching and helping position your defenses or maybe giving you a few quick tips on upcoming batters he may know – get creative. Show him you trust and need him! – Build a memory along with a team.

You can even hold out another of your better players too. Refrain from also placing your frontline players in positions they always play in first inning.

Your lesser players will play for you and maybe pay huge dividends come spring! The fact is that you may not be able to make all-stars out of all-stars. They will do most of that by themselves. But you sure can turn lousy player into an average player, average player into a very good player. This even happens in pro ball, just check out Marcus Giles, a former 53rd round draft pick, who is now an all-star second baseman for Atlanta Braves.

Finally, remember that almost every World Series winner has one guy who unexpectedly made a difference. Team guys who were not all-stars or superstars! Remember names Bucky Dent, Craig Counsell, Gene Tenace, Aaron Boone, Mark Lemke, David Eckstein, and Jim Leyritz?

So, take high road, even if and when others do not. It is their loss...and their players are who ultimately pay price with a lack of improvement or leaving game prematurely. It’s not “daddyball”, it’s just smart fall ball!

Take some risks, show some courage, park your ego, then kick some butt on scoreboard! You may end up getting more out of this experience than your players!

*Note: This article is aimed and read by many coaches and players of many age and skill levels. If your fall schedule is a win-at-all-cost league, some of this article is not for you. With that said, enter these leagues knowing that your players may be missing some very important instructional time for long term, possibly even contributing to their premature departure from this greatest of games. After all, when do you allow a player to try a new position or switch hit or break out a new pitch…if not in fall? Exceptions – If you are coaching a group of prospects looking to coming year’s pro draft and/or college ball, your goals are obviously different. Much of above still applies, however you certainly will play these players at their positions of greatest potential.

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Here’s Downside: Your boy won’t progress quite as quickly in what you may see as his “natural position.”

Here’s Upside: Until approximately age 14 he doesn’t have a natural position. He has ability and interest in his “natural position” and he has Dad hoping he will play and excel at his “natural position.” But unless any boy gets experience all over field, he may not truly find that “natural position.”

My son had as much fun as a catcher throughout his 11-12-13 years as any time I ever saw him play another position . . . for whatever his reasons were. His experience there was due to his team’s needs. It ended up allowing him to learn and do something he never really thought much about or had much interest in. It also helped me out of a jam because he got good at it. And yes, he enjoyed it! It also helped our pitchers because he improved where they could count on him . . . and now, as an older player, it allowed him to understand game infinitely better, now that he is developing into a pitcher and a solid middle infielder.

Ultimately, all it took was he and I initially discussing it (I asked for and frankly needed his help – I truly believe that kids like to help), and secondly I spent time working with him at home, one-on-one, and at park, which gave us time for just he and I! That time is worth it just by itself. . . added benefit is that it was time spent at a baseball field!

Under category of "never say never," my son’s High School asked him to play shortstop on JV summer team a few years ago. He regarded it as quite an honor, as he was only an 8th grader in a school of 2,000 students. Although he certainly had, and has, a lot of learning to do at such a complex position…I think he was extremely happy that he was at least forced out of his “natural position” earlier in his career and could call on past game experiences. It certainly made for a more confident and enjoyable transition!

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