Dad, Get Out of the Way: Let Your Kid Own Their Baseball Journey
This blog tackles one of the most damaging trends in youth sports: well-meaning fathers who push their children too hard in an attempt to relive their own athletic dreams. It outlines how this dynamic shows up, why it often backfires, and how parents can shift from controlling the journey to supporting it. The content helps parents identify when their involvement becomes pressure, how to recognize false competitiveness in athletes, and how to hand the reins back to the player at the right time. A must-read for families serious about sustainable development and real athletic growth.
SUMMER BASEBALL
Dad, Get Out of the Way: Let Your Kid Own Their Baseball Journey
You can’t develop a competitor by living through them. You can’t create a winner by forcing them to want it. One of the biggest killers of long-term development in youth baseball is the parent—usually the father—who wants it more than the kid does.
Here’s the reality:
If it’s your dream, not theirs, it won’t last.
Step 1: Learn to Spot False Competitiveness
When a kid is mirroring dad’s desire—not their own—you’ll see it. They talk like they want it. They act intense. But underneath, it’s hollow.
They’re mimicking urgency, not feeling it
They’re “locked in” when you’re watching, then disengaged when you’re not
Their effort fades as soon as it gets hard or boring
This isn’t commitment. It’s performance—designed to please a parent.
Step 2: Understand Why Pushing Backfires
Most dads who push too hard aren’t bad guys. They’re just trying to help. But if you didn’t achieve what you wanted as a player, and now you’re trying to “fix” it through your kid—it won’t end well.
What starts as motivation turns into control.
What begins as support becomes pressure.
And what could’ve been a fun, developmental journey turns into burnout.
These players often quit. Or they bail to another team. Or they just stop enjoying the game.
Step 3: Find an Outside Perspective—Not a Sales Pitch
If you think your kid is starting to change—getting more serious, more focused—don’t go to the coach you’re paying for confirmation. He has a stake in your wallet.
Find someone outside the system:
A trusted former player
A coach with no financial connection to your family
A mentor who can watch and give you unfiltered feedback
Then, ask your kid. Not with a speech—just with a question:
“Do you want to take this more seriously?”
If they say yes—great. Now you support. If they say no—also great. Let them play for fun until they say it’s time.
Want to Equip a Serious Player with a Real Plan?
If your son is finally ready to get serious about development—especially at the plate—Coach Leo’s book gives him the structure to turn effort into results.
BASS: Barrel Accuracy and Swing Strength – The Path to Elite Level Hitting
Visit: www.luposbaseball.com
Disclaimer:
The content shared is for informational purposes only. This is not a judgment of any person or program mentioned. All names and events are discussed from personal memory and are not meant to accuse or endorse. The goal is to share insight from lived experience.
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