I have TONS of thoughts on this one, but I'll try and keep it relatively short. I've had the privilege of coaching my son's baseball teams for the last 3 seasons and have been trusted with the coaching of a bunch of other boys in the process. Now, I should clarify that while I played a ton of sports growing up, I never once played organized baseball, and in fact chose baseball with Palmer as a fun sport to learn together. I say the following not as a brag, but as hopefully there being some proof in the pudding to what my thoughts are - we won their league championship this past season - and not because we were the best team. I send out an email every season that states this: I want as many dad's to help during each and every practice as would like to. We will work on skills i.e. getting elbows up, watching the ball, getting gloves down etc... in practice. All are welcome to chime in, run a station, coach up, and work with kids in the supportive and safe environment of our practices. Come game time at the plate, the only voice the boys are taught to listen to is mine. The reason for this is a few items that I think are really important to cover with what you're saying Brian: 1. Everyone is nervous, EVERYONE, there doesn't need to be more input in those moments, there needs to be less so the athletes can focus. 2. Aside from son, I'm not as emotionally invested in strike outs as a parent is 3. Lastly and this I have found is the most important - Batters circle moments are for quick tips i.e. keep the elbows up, weight shift, etc... and should be delivered calmly. The walk up is for confidence and belief. I always tell them I'm proud of them, I believe in them, and they're ready. None of this is to say I haven't done EXACTLY what you're saying, because I have. But I have also learned that showing the boys you believe in them regardless of nerves, stance, or performance, the results seem to improve rather than giving coaching tips at the plate. Again, not a perfect science and not a sure fire solution to us as dads getting overly excited, but I genuinely feel like deep down we all know that this game, and any other is there to teach them the life skills of hard work, discipline, and accountability right? So in the end, giving them the confidence to show up to the plate with another kid hurling a hard object despite being nervous is far more important a gift we can give them.....and maybe just maybe they'll hit a bomb or two!

Brian, Being an overachiever and a big “list” guy, I feel this. Every morning when I get to the office I tend to write down my absolutes for the day. The things that have to happen despite whatever the day entails. It’s too easy to allow yourself to become a fireman each day and chase the emergencies and the hot items and feel as though you’re really doing something even at the cost of what really matters. Love this bud, keep ‘em coming!