Hi everyone-My son was kicked off (or not invited to the basketball team he has played with for 2 years and now has been "uninvited back to his baseball team he has played on for 2 years. My son dosn't know yet and I think (I know) he will be upset. I have worked diligently to keep him involved in these activities as he has some skills and I want him to have structured social opportunities with typical kids. I haven't ever interfered with the coaches decision about benching him if his attitude wasn't good (he hasn't ever had physical or verbalaltercations with any of the other kids and hasn't yelled at the coaches). I emailed the coach 2 weeks ago, didn't hear anything from him and then emailed a couple of other parents on the team to see if they had heard anything. I recieved a response from one of the parents and she must have contacted the coach cause then i recieved an email from the coach. I want to respond, but don't know what to say to him. I feel like my difficult child not being involved in these positive activities is a step toward delinquency and it makes my heart hurt. Here is the email: (I have taken out all identifying info). I would like input regarding how to respond to this:
Wendy,
How's the new year treating you? I want to apologize for not retuning your e-mail. Both boys are playing basketball so things are pretty busy, as I'm sure with you guys. There are some changes going on with the Blue Dogs this year, several kids will not be returning due to various reasons. I have thought thru some player changes for the coming season and I've discussed with current coaches places we need to improve. As a coach I don't know that I will be able to play difficult child in the positions that he wants to play. We are lucky to have many talented 9 yr old boys at **** L.L. I try to put what I think are the best players in the best positions to win different games, also I have a great selection of pitchers and have trouble getting difficult child in the rotation due to my confidence level with him. I blame part of this on last years controversial coaching disputes on difficult children LL team, and part on difficult child's attitude as a player. I honestly appreciate the many times you have helped the team out, whether it was volunteering in the concession stand or getting kids to practice, taking pictures, I know your heart is in it. I would like to Thank You for volunteering. On the other hand is my toughest job to do as a select team coach and that is to tell a parent their kid has a disruptive element that I don't want on the team. I have had some attitude issues with difficult child in the past and have decided it is not in the teams best interest to have him play. I personnally don't feel good about doing this, and I want you to know this is a very hard letter for me to write. You may have many questions and I would rather talk with you over the phone or in person about this rather than e-mail. Please give me call either at home or on my cell so we can discuss this further.
Thanks, COACH
Wendy,
How's the new year treating you? I want to apologize for not retuning your e-mail. Both boys are playing basketball so things are pretty busy, as I'm sure with you guys. There are some changes going on with the Blue Dogs this year, several kids will not be returning due to various reasons. I have thought thru some player changes for the coming season and I've discussed with current coaches places we need to improve. As a coach I don't know that I will be able to play difficult child in the positions that he wants to play. We are lucky to have many talented 9 yr old boys at **** L.L. I try to put what I think are the best players in the best positions to win different games, also I have a great selection of pitchers and have trouble getting difficult child in the rotation due to my confidence level with him. I blame part of this on last years controversial coaching disputes on difficult children LL team, and part on difficult child's attitude as a player. I honestly appreciate the many times you have helped the team out, whether it was volunteering in the concession stand or getting kids to practice, taking pictures, I know your heart is in it. I would like to Thank You for volunteering. On the other hand is my toughest job to do as a select team coach and that is to tell a parent their kid has a disruptive element that I don't want on the team. I have had some attitude issues with difficult child in the past and have decided it is not in the teams best interest to have him play. I personnally don't feel good about doing this, and I want you to know this is a very hard letter for me to write. You may have many questions and I would rather talk with you over the phone or in person about this rather than e-mail. Please give me call either at home or on my cell so we can discuss this further.
Thanks, COACH