My kid was quite small for his age when he was in little league, and he was awful at baseball - I think he maybe got 2 or 3 hits the entire time he was playing, but because he was so small, he had a really tiny strike zone, and he pretty quickly realized that if he just never swung at anything, he’d get on base every single time. It was kind of funny, in a sad kind of way.
Hey, if it works, it works. A big power swinger that makes contact 1/10 times, but strikes out 9/10 times is less of a team asset than a small speedy little guy who never swings and gets on base 10/10 times.
Hell, half the time with smart base running, stealing 2nd is a freebie.
There’s a “getting to first base” joke in there somewhere.
Dang, you’re Moneyball’ing your kid?
Sounds awesome!
Do love the “it feels like what I am doing is a bit immoral but hey I am getting cash”
“Hell, half the time I’m actively rooting against him” is what did it for me.
The essence of capitalism in one sentence.
I mean… Sounds like the parent is doing the right thing (being interested in their kid’s sport) but for the wrong reason?
And this is the real cynic in me, but the dad will be enthusiastic about going to Little Timmy’s games, and in the end, that’s probably all Little Timmy wants: some time with dad where dad’s happy to be with him.
Yep I don’t see anything wrong with it. All the kids know is someone is cheering for them and that their dads are there way more often and more involved than ever. It’s a win win…
Until dad starts cheering for the kid you’re playing against.
That’s just a shitty dad at that point.
“Sorry Timmy, I’ll buy you ice cream on the way home if you don’t tell mom I was rooting against you”
That’s actually pretty optimistic. Good outcomes for everyone regardless of motive.
What a shithead. Spreadsheet should more than suffice.
this hurts on so many levels…
Damn, I thought this was self hosted
It’s not immoral until you start having your kid throw games to swing the odds in your favor.
