Jeff Francoeur acknowledges that he doesn’t always have the answers—particularly in his role as a dad concerned about his kids’ sporting activities.

Despite his extensive experience as a major league baseball player and a well-known commentator during the MLB playoffs, he often turns to friends for guidance. One significant conversation was with George Brett, who coached his son’s travel baseball team.

Even after trusting a Hall of Famer with their kids aged 11 and 12, parents could not help but shout advice—raise your back elbow!—as their sons took turns at bat.

“These kids couldn’t concentrate,” Francoeur recalls. “And George responded by inviting all the dads to a practice where he pitched batting practice to them. He pointed out, ‘You guys can’t hit, so stop yelling at your kids to do it.’

“For me, this symbolizes a shift in perspective.”

Sharing such anecdotes, whether with sports stars or fellow parents he encounters in Atlanta, is the foundation of Francoeur’s youth sports podcast, Pure Athlete.

Having spent 12 years as a major league outfielder, Francoeur is now much like all of us, navigating the athletic paths of his children.

“I remind people: I cherish sports. It’s shaped my life,” he told YSL News Sports. “However, I also recognize that when mismanaged, it can damage numerous friendships.”

At 40, Francoeur hosts his podcast alongside two seasoned sports dads, Britt Lee and Brad Williams. As he coaches his four children, he provides candid insights on numerous prevalent issues, from overbearing parents to the topic of participation trophies.

“The notion that every single team in the league gets a trophy—what lesson are we teaching our kids?” he questions. “If trophies are handed out to everyone at ages six, seven, or eight, I’m indifferent. Yet, as they mature, those trophies need to be earned.”

After finishing his coverage of the ALCS, Francoeur returned home to enjoy the World Series with his family, sharing four essential pieces of advice for sports parents:

(Questions and responses have been adjusted for brevity and clarity.)

‘Sports Can Strain Relationships’ If Enjoyment Isn’t a Priority

Francoeur’s father, David, was an educator in the Cobb County (Ga.) school system, who viewed his youngest son as “just a fun-loving 13-year-old enjoying sports,” rather than a future big-league player.

For Francoeur and his siblings, sports were kept in perspective, with the understanding that it could all be taken away quickly.

“As a child, I can’t count how many games I missed due to schoolwork or when I had to lie about my test scores,” Francoeur shares.

YSL News: How did your upbringing influence your sports experience?

Jeff Francoeur: My dad had a traditional approach. If you commit to a sport, you see it through to the end of the season. Nevertheless, there were several top traveling teams in Georgia and the Southeast that showed interest in me. I consistently told my dad I preferred playing with friends on a less competitive local travel team. We didn’t have the best players, but we had a great time. My dad always emphasized that as long as I was enthusiastic, learning, and enjoying myself, I could play with any team. He never attended my high school practices, but never missed a game. Nowadays, many parents seem to feel they need to attend every practice in high school, even those held at 2:30 PM after school.

When did your dad start seeing you as a potential professional athlete?

JF: He probably didn’t realize it until I was about 17, after I played on the U.S. junior national team. I hear from so many parents asking, “My son is 10, what should he be doing?” My advice is to let him enjoy being a kid. I’ve spoken to many top college baseball coaches who all agree: “I don’t really start paying attention to a kid until he’s 16.” With the changes in coaching and NIL now, who knows who will be at the school in three years? I always tell people to keep playing, and if you’re skilled enough, there will be an opportunity for you down the line.

YSL News: What I your biggest issue with parents?

JF: It bothers me when parents claim, “My child played baseball throughout.” There are exceptions like Serena Williams, Bryce Harper, and Tiger Woods—they’re unique talents who genuinely enjoy what they do and haven’t suffered from burnout. However, I’m referring to the 95% of parents who have regular kids looking to have a wonderful experience playing in high school.

Many times, the dynamics between parents and kids suffer due to the pressure surrounding sports. Parents often mistake the significance of sports, where it takes precedence over family time. In these situations, you might find a family with multiple children, where the eldest gains all the focus due to travel commitments, leaving the other kids feeling overlooked.

‘You Are Not Obligated to Play’

Sports were never imposed on Francoeur, who was naturally drawn to football and baseball.

(where he was selected as a first-round pick). It hasn’t been as straightforward for his own children – Emma Cate (11), Brayden (9), Ellie (6), and Camden (4) – considering his significant major league background.

Initially, it felt like it was either baseball or nothing for them.

What insights have you gained about yourself since becoming a sports dad?

JF: I’ve learned that my children need to genuinely enjoy what they’re engaged in. I always assumed my son would love baseball like I did. I often wondered why he didn’t seem more enthusiastic. But one day, during a car ride home from practice, I asked him, “Do you like playing? If it’s not what you want, you don’t have to continue.” That opened his eyes, and now he’s been playing lacrosse for the past two years and completely loves it. After school, he’s always ready with his gear packed for practice. It’s important to let your child pursue their interests. It may not align with what you envision, but it’s been a rewarding experience for me to share in his passion and learn alongside him.

What have you gained from coaching your kids?

JF: One key lesson I’ve imparted to my kids is to resist the trend of individualism in sports. My wife and I deliberately refrain from sharing their sports achievements on social media to avoid creating unrealistic expectations. For example, we know a family nearby that frequently posts about their child’s sports milestones, including a recent photo of him hitting a home run. That’s fantastic, but later we learned he only had one hit in a whole series, which puts things in perspective.

I remind my kids consistently: Just compete and be a supportive teammate. This is why I admire players like Aaron Judge. Even when his teammate Giancarlo Stanton is hitting home runs and Judge is struggling, he continually encourages his teammates. I aim to instill in my children the importance of being confident in their skills while prioritizing their teammates’ success.

‘Your kid’s not as good yet, and that’s okay’

Twenty-one years ago, Aaron Boone took to the plate during Game 7 of the ALCS for the Yankees. In the bottom of the 11th inning, with the game tied against Boston, he swung at the first pitch from Tim Wakefield and hit it.

Boone had been a late-inning substitute during a crazy Yankees comeback and didn’t have the luxury of overthinking the moment. Yet, as a child, he had all the time to envision this scenario.

What about our kids?

Are parents today losing sight of the importance of fun in sports?

JF: One topic we’ve discussed (on our podcast) revolves around the idea of free play. Instead of organizing structured baseball practices every night, why not let the neighborhood kids come together for a casual pickup basketball game on a Wednesday? It allows for some creativity and imagination. Boonie mentioned how he achieved his biggest hit in the World Series, a childhood dream. Nowadays, kids don’t engage in spontaneous games in their backyards; they are always in a hurry during organized practices.

Parents often complicate things when it comes to letting kids adapt and enjoy themselves. Children are perceptive. I have 11-year-olds on a travel softball team, and if I asked them to rank their peers based on talent, they would likely do quite well. The issue often lies with the parents: “Why can’t my kid perform like that?” Well, your child is simply still developing, and that’s perfectly acceptable. In those early grades, some kids are just naturally stronger, faster, or bigger. But as they grow and hit puberty, it’s possible for your son or daughter to surpass others in skills and abilities.

‘Does it mean we’re not going to get ice cream?’

Francoeur was calling games for the Atlanta Braves when he found himself on a 10-day West Coast trip in 2023. He reached out to his wife, Catie, saying,

“I can’t keep doing this,” he admitted. “I’m away from home too much.”

This past season, he cut back to 25 games, primarily home games, along with a two-week commitment during the playoffs.

“The co-hosts of this podcast I’m on have kids who are much older now, and there’s plenty they would change about their past experiences,” he reflects. “Treasure the moments with your children because they are fleeting.”

Has anything surprised you about your role as a dad and coach?

JF: You often find yourself thinking, “Come on, get it together.”

“You want to make that free throw so badly.” It’s understandable to feel that way, but at the same time, we should hope for them to miss occasionally. It’s important for them to learn that winning isn’t guaranteed every time. I remember when my daughter and I drove home from a tournament last year, she said, “Wow Dad, I really stunk today.” I replied, “It’s good that you can recognize that.” Does that affect my love for her? Not at all. Are we still going to have ice cream afterward? Absolutely. Sometimes kids think, “If I keep improving, my parents will love me more.” I told her, “I’m actually prouder that you see where you can improve than if you had 10 successful hits.”

What final advice would you give?

JF: Just be mindful and aware. Youth sports is a massive industry, worth billions. Many parents feel the pressure, thinking, “If we don’t participate, my kid will be left out. If we skip this practice or tournament, my son won’t get a chance.”

That’s a misconception. With all the money flowing into youth sports — like paying $100 for a 45-minute hitting lesson — there are people who will capitalize on that. Parents often tell me their hitting coach insists their child should be hitting fourth in the lineup. I’m curious, “How much are you paying them?” Of course, they’re going to say that.