Entry FeedSon Two made it to another instruction night of T-Ball last night, and besides some good-natured wrestling, there was no checking.
There are about 20 kids in JK and SK who come out for the hour of instruction, and it is pretty good. There is one main instructor, and 8 or 9 parents on the field to help run the kids through hitting, throwing, and catching drills.
The instructor had set up two batting helmets to act as a "goal" and asked one little boy, let's call him "Alvin" (name changed for protection) to come over and demonstrate how to play "goalie" with ground balls.
First the Instructor called him three times, "Alvin can you come over and play goalie? Alvin? Alvin? Can you play goalie?"
"Alvin" wondered into the dugout, completely ignoring the coach. The other 20 kids waited patiently in line for the demonstration (surprising, as most aren't that patient).
Alvin's mother was one of the parent's on the field, and she started calling him, too.
"Alvin, the coach wants you to come and show the boys how to play goalie. Alvin, come on over. Alvin. Alvin. Alvin, come here."
Then it was both the coach and the mother calling. "Alvin, come here and show us the how to play goalie." "Alvin, listen to the coach." "Alvin, come on!"
I swear between the instructor and the mother, they must have called Alvin's name at least 12 times. I was ready to get up, grab the kid by the ear, and tell him to pay attention. If I were his mother, and I was on the field, I would have gone over to him, gotten down on my knee, held him by the shoulders, and spoken into his face. I do not call my kids more that three times. It was CRAZY!
Not to mention all of the other five-year-olds waiting, getting less and less focused as they became less and less patient. If I were the coach, I would have picked one of the other kids for the demonstration.
Finally, Alvin sauntered over and sat down in the middle of the goal, picking up the infield dirt and putting the handfuls into his glove. I just don't accept that kind of behaviour - if he doesn't want to be there and doesn't want to participate, please don't make the rest of the kids suffer!
If would have been funny, except it was so annoying! Hate to say it, but some parents are really a little clueless. My kids have always paid attention to me when I call their names - even as toddlers they knew not to ignore Mommy saying their name.