Don't Come to My Games Anymore

A 12-year-old told his father, in the car after a game, that he didn’t want him at his games anymore.

I’d never heard a story like it.

The dad is Brian Sackinsky — former big leaguer, and one of his son’s coaches, calling pitches from a bucket. The pitch that triggered it: 0-2, and his son grooved one to his buddy, who crushed it for a home run. Brian jumped up, hands in the air. His son glared back and threw his hands in the air. Neither backed down.

In the car, Brian gave him an earful. Then he saw what he was doing to his son — so he stopped. He apologized and asked his son if he had anything to say. The answer: “I don’t want you to come to the games anymore.”

How Brian handled that moment is as remarkable as the moment itself.

I had my own version of it. Same setup — me on a bucket, calling pitches, my son on the mound the entire game. Playoff elimination game. Tied 1-1. Bottom of the sixth. Alex had just struck out the leadoff hitter on his 82nd pitch, the most I’d ever let him throw.

My story ends differently. I’ll let the video explain why.

We shared these stories with each other for the first time on camera. It’s part of a longer interview I plan to release in two parts — but this piece was too good to sit on. It’s available to paid subscribers.

The book Brian references is The Double-Goal Coach by Jim Thompson. One of its core principles: on the car ride home, all you should say is, “I love watching you play.”

I first met Brian at an online session I hosted for baseball parents. He signed up, we connected, and eventually ended up on camera together. That’s how this started.

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One more thing

Over the past 30 days, my essays, reels, and posts have been viewed more than 1.1 million times on Instagram and Facebook — all organic. Parents, coaches, umpires, and young ballplayers sharing what they’re reading and watching.

Just today, @cdp_dreamteam, arguably the coolest umpire crew on the planet, shared a reel I created promoting my most recent Cooperstown essay, “The Kids Who Stay.” Didn’t see that coming. Made my day, week, and month. 😎⚾️

Some of the comments from parents trying to get all of this right make me wish I could reach through the screen and hug people.

Thank you, all of you. More soon.

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Go Deeper

Some of you are dealing with issues that keep you up at night: Your kid can’t recover after an error. He doesn’t like his coach. He’s constantly checking GameChanger and comparing himself to his teammates. He wants to quit. Your relationship is suffering.

That’s what my one-on-one coaching sessions are for.

➡️ Visit my Stan Store to book a coaching session, email questions, order playbooks, or inquire about speaking.