The short time we filed papers and swept the break room in his firm during college does not make us all knowing pertaining his area of work. My brother is in the middle of getting is Masters in Kinesiology and my background is law. Unless he wants to run his little firm to the ground by a naive PE teacher and an oblivious legal professional, okay sure we will run the company—right to the ground. Daddy ball has been around since the beginning of time. It is called, nepotism. This is a concept we see everywhere, so why is it such taboo in the softball world?
August Busch IV is a brewing executive, who signed off the largest American brewery to InBev, a European company. Would the largest brewing company have been bought out, if it were not for nepotism? Busch the fourth had many indiscretions, aso many were surprised Busch the third allow the company be turned over to his son. Many of us grit our teeth, when a coach puts his daughter in a certain position over a much qualified player. What I am trying to say is that SURPRISE! It doesn’t only happen in softball. Empires fall because of nepotism. Companies close their doors because of the this professional form of “daddy ball”.
As a parent, I know what it is like to put on my blinders and think that my daughter is the God’s greatest gift, since apple pie. The problem is there comes a time we have to step away from being a parent ( Ahem, Mr. Busch III this may have helped your company- Ahem, Dad this one is for you too ), objectify the situation, especially when we implicate others and our organization. I know it’s harder said than done. It is wishful thinking; as parents, we hope for the best and have good intentions for our children. We trust people closest to us, especially if we think we know them. Coaches, CEO, owners are not average parents. They have a responsibility beyond being “Daddy”. They are leaders; they are not perfect, but they have far greater responsibilities than a parent in the stand.
(Side note: Parents in the stand are like stock holders. They invest into your organization.. They watch it closely looking for long term results. Players are your customers. The organization would not be around, if it were not for them. )
I had to make my own father see this, very recently, even though he was a sole proprietor.
Coaches & Managers: please remember, when you put on your cleats, grab your clip board and step on the field, you are not Dad. You are Coach Whatnot of the SoCal Whatever organization.
Brought to you by a conversation with my own father and a fellow softball mom. Thanks for reading it everyone. I know it was a long one.
