Building Up Young Athletes: How Parents Can Provide Positive Support Beyond the Game

Baseball is a game of ups and downs. One inning your player might hit a triple off the wall; the next, they could strike out with the bases loaded. It's the nature of the sport. Mistakes are inevitable—strikeouts, ground outs, fly outs, errors in the field, missed balls, and wild pitches are all part of the game.

As parents, it's natural to want to offer guidance, critique, or even vent frustration when things go wrong. After all, you know what your child is capable of, and you want the best for them. But here's the reality: your player is already beating themselves up.

When they walk off the field after an error or a tough at-bat, they don’t need another voice in their head reminding them of their mistake. They need a safe space—a comforting, understanding presence that helps them regroup and refocus.

Why Piling On Hurts More Than It Helps

Players of all ages, especially at the high school age, put a lot pressure on themselves. That strikeout feels bigger to them than it does to you. That missed ground ball? They’ve replayed it in their mind before they even reached the dugout. The last thing they need is for their parent—their biggest supporter—to echo those self-doubts.

When you emphasize their mistakes, you unintentionally become part of the negative noise instead of the positive encouragement they need. Instead of inspiring improvement, it may make them fear failure even more, which can be devastating to them both as a player and as a person.

Be Their Safe Space

Instead of focusing on what went wrong, be the voice that reminds them of what they do well. After a tough game, ask questions like:

• "What did you feel good about today?"

• "What are you proud of from that game?"

• "What do you want to work on at practice?"

This approach not only keeps the conversation constructive but also helps your player develop resilience. They’ll recognize mistakes as learning opportunities rather than reasons to feel ashamed.

Encouragement Fuels Confidence

We used to have a player on one of our teams and after he struck out or made an error in the field, which wasn't often, his father could be heard in the stands, "I love you 40." It was a refreshing alternative to the criticism we hear a lot more of from parents.

Sometimes, all your player needs to hear is: "I love watching you play." Those simple words can wipe away frustration and self-doubt. Knowing they have your unwavering support helps build the mental strength they need to bounce back stronger.

Baseball is tough. Players will fail far more often than they succeed. But if you choose to be the calm after the storm—you’re not just helping your player grow in the game, you’re shaping their confidence for life.

So next time your ballplayer leaves the field feeling defeated, remember, they've already heard the voice of criticism in their own head. Be the voice that convey's understanding and encouragement for the future. At the end of it all, if your player decides to stop playing baseball, or any sport, let it be because they found something that makes them even happier in place of it. Don't let it be because you made it a sport they no longer love.