Inside the Dugout: 7 Things Select Baseball Coaches Wish Parents Knew

(But Don’t Always Say Out Loud)

In select baseball, there’s more happening on the field—and behind the scenes—than most people realize. Between game-day lineups, mid-week practices, and the dozens of small decisions that shape a season, coaches wear a lot of hats: instructor, motivator, strategist, mentor.

And while most parents are supportive and involved (which we love!), sometimes there’s a gap between what coaches wish we could say and what we feel comfortable sharing in a postgame parking lot chat.

So here it is. This is the honest, respectful, coach-to-parent conversation we all wish happened more often. No finger-pointing—just insight, straight from the dugout.

1. ✅ We See the Potential—Even When It Doesn’t Show Up in the Box Score

Your player might have gone 0-for-3 today, but maybe they tracked pitches better, stayed mentally locked in between innings, or made a tough play that we’ve been working on at practice.

Improvement isn’t always obvious to the crowd. But trust us—we see it. And we remember it when we’re thinking about roles, lineups, and leadership.

💬 Coach says: “We coach the full season, not just one game. Keep showing up. We’ll keep coaching you up.”

2. 🏋️‍♂️ Practice Matters More Than Game Day

Games are exciting—and yes, we want to win. But practices are where players earn trust, build consistency, and show who’s putting in the work.

A player who shows up locked-in to Tuesday practice is going to develop faster than one who just coasts through game day. It’s not about talent alone—it’s about effort and intention.

💬 Coach says: “The kid who goes 100% in reps during practice? That’s the kid we can count on with the game on the line.”

3. ⏱ Playing Time Isn’t Personal—It’s Strategic

Lineups aren’t random. We look at matchups, defensive needs, pitcher styles, and even weather conditions. Sometimes, a player may sit not because they did something wrong—but because we’re giving them rest, protecting their arm, or working in a developing teammate.

And yes, sometimes we make hard choices. We don’t expect players (or parents) to always agree—but we do hope they trust that our decisions are rooted in the long-term good of the player and the team.

💬 Coach says: “Development isn’t always equal in the short-term, but we’re working to give every kid the tools to grow.”

4. 🎙 We Love Your Passion—But Let Us Coach

We know it’s coming from a good place. You want your kid to succeed. But when you coach from behind the backstop or shout mechanics mid-game, it creates mental noise for your player.

Kids get confused when they’re hearing one thing from the dugout and another from the fence. It slows reaction time, hurts confidence, and can strain your relationship too.

Want to help? Cheer. Encourage. Be their safe space after the game. We’ll handle the form and fundamentals.

💬 Coach says: “Your job is the support system. Our job is the skill system. Together? That’s powerful.”

5. 🧠 Baseball is a Mental Game—Support Their Mindset

One of the biggest gaps in youth baseball is mental toughness. It’s not just about making plays—it’s about how players respond when they don’t. And that’s where parents make a huge difference.

If your player strikes out and you lead with frustration, they carry that weight into the next at-bat. But if you lead with “I love watching you play” or “Proud of your hustle,” it helps them reset—and perform better next time.

💬 Coach says: “Confidence builds consistency. Stay positive, and your player will stay resilient.”

6. 🧍‍♂️ We’re Human, Too

We make mistakes. We forget names. Sometimes, we misread a situation or botch a substitution. But we’re in this because we care—deeply. Many of us are volunteering, spending weekends away from our families, and losing sleep over your player’s development.

A little grace goes a long way. We’re not looking for applause—just trust, communication, and a shared goal of helping your kid grow.

💬 Coach says: “We remember the kind words more than you think. So do our families.”

7. 🌱 This is Bigger Than Baseball

We’re here to teach hitting, fielding, and base running. But more than that? We’re teaching how to handle adversity, how to work hard, how to support a team.

Years from now, your player won’t remember their 9U tournament batting average. But they will remember who believed in them, who challenged them, and how it felt to be part of something bigger.

💬 Coach says: “We’re building strong ballplayers—but more importantly, we’re building strong kids.”

📝 TL;DR

Select baseball is more than a game—it’s a journey. Coaches are all-in on your player’s development, not just their stats. We notice the little things, we value hard work, and we want what you want: for your kid to grow in confidence, skill, and love for the game.

Let us coach, you support, and together we’ll help them become the best version of themselves—on and off the field.