Is Daddy Ball ruining youth sports?

 Many of you may have had a bad experience with a youth coach, and an entire coaching staff, playing their children at the best positions or the best batting order spots when your child never really got the chance to prove themselves.  That is my definition of Daddy Ball, and it is unfortunate that it does still happen today.  I believe this behavior by adults causes many kids to give up a sport at a very early age.

That being said, I strongly believe that fathers can be some of the greatest youth coaches.  I coached my sons throughout their youth as did my assistant coaches. My sons usually batted at the bottom of the order and sat the bench more than any other kid in my program.  Not because of their talent, but because I wanted them to value being a teammate.  Also I knew my boys would get 300 swings and defensive practice with me when the team was not practicing or playing games. In all the years I coached, never once did a parent complain that the coaches kids were unfairly getting playing time. 

The greatest coaches I ever had were Mr. Mack, Mr. West, Mr. Budzielek, Mr. Trezak, Mr. Duncan, Mr Miller, and Mr. Null.  They were all dads coaching their children.  Honestly, they were probably tougher on their own kids then they ever were on me. Never once did my dad say "these guys only care about their kids." My dad had a job that wouldn't allow time to come to a lot of games and he was very thankful that these great men volunteered their time.

So to answer the question "Is Daddy Ball ruining youth sports?" I would say I guess it depends on who the daddy's are.  I had great men coaching me and I tried to coach just like them.