Pony Baseball goes down the proper path

I have been coaching for quite some time here in Agoura and I have witnessed some memorable displays of inappropriate behavior on the field. Sometimes the coaches are at fault, or it may be the parents. Sometimes even the boys act out as if emulating poor parental values. This year is different however. Agoura Pony Baseball is doing something about it.

In order to be a coach for APB, I was required to attend a twohour class from the Positive Coaching Alliance. The new program helped to refocus what is important in youth sports so that it does not look like parents playing out their angst through surrogate children but rather, a true contest of skill, fun and sportsmanship. The class stressed a double-goal approach to teaching: building on baseball technique and discipline while working toward positive, character-building outcomes.

Winning isn't the goal in this program, but a reward. Above all, enjoyment of the game is stressed, regardless of the score.

I cannot say enough about how valuable this workshop was. It should be a requirement for every parent whose child is playing youth sports. The partnership between Agoura Pony Baseball and the Positive Coaching Alliance provided needed information and tools for making the experience more fun for the kids and rewarding for all.

Congratulations to Agoura Pony Baseball for not just talking about trying to make a difference but actually giving managers, coaches and parents the tools to make a difference. Bob Holmes Agoura Hills