|
|
|
Note: You must be registered in order to post a reply.
To register, click here. Registration is FREE!
|
| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| longhornpapa |
Posted - 08/15/2007 : 00:43:20
Having just completed taking my son to his 8th tryout in 3 weeks and committing him to playing for a team, I am reminded of what my mamma taught me some 40+ years ago: Do the right thing.
Time and again, I watched as my kid and 30 other kids tried out for team after team after team. Some will make the team of their choice. Some won't. Coaches and managers do their things. Kids theirs. and us moms and dads, do ours.
We go to the tryouts. We listen to the rallying cries of the newly annointed travel manager or someone who's "done this for 15 years and haven't had a losing season yet". We hear tales of glory days and occasionally, a tale of woe and pain or two. We hear of how last year's team was one of the best they've ever put together and "we're hoping to improve on that" (how do you improve on perfection?). We hear of how we had a disappointing season, but that's behind us now. Time to move on to bigger and better things.
We hear it all. But for a relative few, we very seldom if ever, hear a personal "thank you for coming". We very rarely, if ever, receive that dreaded phone call, when Ricky or Johnny or Tommy didn't make the team, from the manager thanking him for coming out, telling him "you done good, kid, but we just couldn't make it work this time".
And, we moms and dads wait with baited breath to learn our child's fate, fate we have placed in the hands of others who we would presume to trust with THEIR VERY LIVES. Some of which seemingly don't have the common decency to tell us to our face, or on the phone, Sorry. not this time. Thanks for coming out.
And, folks... That's just flat wrong.
Coaches, do the right thing. Call the kids that you chose not to take. Tell them they did good, but they need some things to work on. Thank them for taking time out of their day to call on YOU, and to HONOR YOU AND YOUR TEAM by showing up. And, if they need work to be considered, TELL THEM what they could and should work on to possibly make it "next time".
Remember, we're all here for the kids. Right?
LHP |
| 19 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| diamondstarz |
Posted - 06/05/2008 : 13:39:07
Great Discussion and one that we need to have more of. Coaches need to remember that they are not coaching baseball but baseball players.
A great resource for coaching principles is found in a book called Heart of a Coach. It can be purchased at www.fcagear.com
Everyone knows that a coach WILL have an impact on their players. The question is What kind of Impact will they leave?
Also take a look at the Coaches Mandate found on the FCA website.
https://www.fcagear.com/customer/SearchResults.aspx?SearchKey=poster
Every coach should review this weekly. |
| beanball |
Posted - 06/03/2008 : 15:24:38
quote:
Originally posted by bobcatbaseball
Great post. You have to look very carefully at the coaching staff these days as well. I know of and have heard that there are coaches out there who do not have the college, pro, even highschool experience, that they are claiming to the parents, particularly in the soon to be 13 U age group. It is dressed up "daddy ball." In other words, a "figure head" of a young coach is often hired but reality is that the team is controlled by dads who play the roles of assistant coaches. These staffs are not calling parents after tryouts because they cannot offer any pointers. They lack the experience and their motives are self-serving.
Parents have the coach produce some references and points of contact to call. A coaching resume would be nice. If they do not or will not produce one---become suspicious. Remember, they are mentoring and coaching your kid for a long season. If the coach claims that his primary goal is to win a mythical national championship, and says nothing about player development---Be careful. Did he develop the players during the 12 U season he coached or play only the assistant coaches kids? Did the kids learn fundamentals or become frustrated with underachievement?
For example, do you want a 25 year old coach without a job or direction in life mentoring your son? If this coach has no real playing experience or life experience for that matter, but pretends to deliver a national championship, ask yourself whether this is the right situation? They are out there in every age group. Luckily, there are also many good coaches as well. Just be careful who is really coaching and putting together these teams.
So Bobcat,
How did super coach do this season. Is the team headed to Disney for a National Championship? |
| bballman |
Posted - 08/22/2007 : 16:13:11
I agree with greglomax. All depends on the situation. There are teams out there who realize that there are needs that must be met and teams out there who have kids and families leaving because they were very unhappy with a particular team. These are the teams you need to watch out for. If a team is looking to better itself, that is a good thing. If a team "has" to rebuild every year because they are losing kids not of their own decision, that is a bad thing.
I think at this age, there are kids who maybe had plenty of potential a couple of years ago, but have maxed out. They would be better served on a team where they could get more play time. There are other kids you may see potential in and you tried to nuture it, but, it never came around. Once again, they may be better served on a team where they can play more to get where they need to be.
Everyone has different goals as a coach and as a program. For some it is to play with a group of guys you grew up with, go out and have a good time. For others it is to play at the highest level possible in order for your best kids to get better. You can still have tons of fun, but, your goals are different. That is why there are different levels of play in USSSA and other sanctioning bodies. Nothing wrong with either goal, but, you and your kids should know where you stand and go in that direction. |
| beanball |
Posted - 08/22/2007 : 14:46:43
Lomax,
I agree that there are some really good coaches out there that do a great job. I have met with several of them over the past weeks. It would be a priviledge for my son to play on any one of their teams.
What the point is that parents need to look at the coaches who you're entrusting your player. There are some coaches, not many but a few, who's only concern is to make a name for themself on the backs of some very talented boys. |
| bb baseball |
Posted - 08/22/2007 : 14:38:47
Good post greglomax. What I've noticed coaching travel ball for the last 5 years and entering 14U this year is that kids absolutely don't progress the same as they mature. I can't tell you how many super stars at 9U don't even play baseball now and how many rec players are now super stars. They physically and mentally mature differently. I'm not sure how that would be the coaches fault? Kids leave teams for a number of reasons and yes sometimes it's coaching or daddy ball but almost always there are two sides to the story. Are there some injustices out there at times, yes, but there are also a lot of parents making excuses as to why their son didn't make a team. As we progress through the travel ranks, it's my coaching objective to prepare my players for high school and fielding a competitive team that can compete with the best competition available is in my opinion the best way to accomplish that. In order to continue and improve your team, weaker players will get cut. That's not a bad thing it's just competitive athletics.
As for calling players that don't make your roster, yes that should be done for all players or at least a coach should make it known that they will be available to discuss roster decisions with any player/parent that wants feedback. I think most coaches do that. And yes I think local travel programs should require all coaches to submit a package to prospective players listing the coach’s qualifications, achievements and references.
I also think we have to be careful about broad statements related to the quality of coaching in the area. There are still a lot of quality coaches out there who invest a great deal of time and resources making kids better young men and baseball players.
|
| Columnist |
Posted - 08/22/2007 : 10:24:03
While I understand a lot of the feelings expressed on this site in defense of the kids, I do think coaches are getting lumped under the same umbrella here. Based on some of these posts, it would seem that all travel mangers are ruthless, heartless jerks just trying to live out some kind of weird unfulfilled fantasy. I’m not saying that some coaches might not fit that description, but there are more good people doing it for the right reasons in my opinion.
Much in the same way that there are also a lot of unrealistic parents out there relative to their kid’s abilities. Very few parents are objective as to their child’s ability, so when their kid get cut from a team, it’s not due to their child’s ability. It’s always political, or the coach is just an idiot, or their previous coach is talking bad about them.
Maybe, just maybe, your kid is not at the level you think they are. Maybe they don’t fit what a team is looking for. Maybe the kid only plays one position and the team can’t afford to use a roster spot for someone that can only play one position. Maybe a coach can tell that the kid will most likely be overmatched by pitching at the level that team is planning to play. Maybe the coach did you and your family a favor and didn't pick him because he would not have received the amount of playing time because of too many players at the same position. Maybe he is just too slow. Other than pitching and catching where you can use courtesy runners, you have to be able to run in travel ball.
And as for players not being asked back, maybe there are reasons other than some coach trying to achieve glory. Maybe the parent was a total jerk during the season and the coach doesn’t want to deal with it again. Maybe the kid was a crier or a bat and helmet thrower. Maybe the kid was a practice player and could hit lights out against a coach throwing batting practice, but couldn’t hit in game. Maybe, just maybe, the kid should be playing travel, but at a different level, where they can have some success.
See, it’s not always the evil coach that drives these decisions. Sometimes the parents do their own kids in by their actions, and their reputation follows them. Sometimes the kid is just not good enough. And that’s life my friends. If more people would just be honest with their kids and step up and say “maybe you’re not good enough”, the kid could go pursue something that will make him a successful adult. But we live in a society that doesn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings and where “everyone’s a winner”. Until the kid has to go out into the real world and discovers differently.
Hopefully parents will use this tryout and evaluation time to take an honest look at where their child’s baseball career is headed, and whether it’s about the kid, or their desires for him. Just be honest with yourself and be the father or mother your child needs you to be.
Just trying to provide a different perspective.
|
| greglomax |
Posted - 08/22/2007 : 09:58:42
longhornpapa and beanball,
Both of you are painting with a pretty broad brush here. It is not as cut and dry as you seem to make it out to be. There are also differing opinions of what "recruiting" is.
I also don't agree with the broad sweep of the word "Blown up". There are varying reasons that all the players from the previous year do not return. The best "right" reason is because there are players that need more playing time, at a specific position or two, that they may not get on the current team. If you are the 3rd First baseman on a team, does it really make sense to return to that team rather than moving to a team where you can be the primary? It does not mean there was a problem with the existing team, the player, the coach or anything, it just meant that given the mix, it was not the right fit for that person.
Also, if during the course of the previous season, you learn, the hard way, that you need more pitching, or speed, or something else, you should not be allowed to go and find players that can fill some of that void? Are both of you saying that if a coach does this, they must not be a very good coach, or they are lazy, because they cannot turn their current players into options to fill these voids? I don't buy into that.
I just don't like really broad general statements that seem to be offending to the coaches that are out there really working hard to make their team, and players better while reinforcing good fundamentals and in a competitive environment. |
| beanball |
Posted - 08/22/2007 : 08:42:02
Yes, recruiting before college is absurd. When a coach feels he needs to recruit in order to field a compeitive team makes you wonder why the boys he has coached for the past four years are suddenly not "good" enough for him. Its a lazy philosophy. Is says to me bring me your boys all coached so I can win and put it on my resume.
Parents when you see a good team that gets blown up and the only boys left are the coaches sons beware. Its not nescessarily the coaches decision the other boys are not there. Parents and player have choices as well. |
| longhornpapa |
Posted - 08/21/2007 : 15:38:52
as i see it, in order for coaches to keep both kids and the kids' folks on their side or in their camp, so to speak, honest communication is paramount. As bobcat has said, how many times have you heard the promises, only to have your kid come up disappointed and angry. the coach has as much a commitment to the kid, in that regard, as the kid does to the team, and has an obligation to both the kid and the parents to keep them informed.
personally, recruiting before college is an absolute absurdity. they're not getting paid, making a living playing ball. this is the time when playing baseball is supposed to be fun for these children. its some of the parents and some of the coaches that can and sometimes do, turn this game into something much uglier.
|
| beanball |
Posted - 08/21/2007 : 12:26:44
Bobcat,
If there is one positive thing that has come out of this tryouot process it is that the are several quality coaches who are willing to teach the game the right way. There is no reason to settle for the type of coach you describe. Unfortunately for those who have been caught up in this will have some catching up to compete with players who have been trained properly form the begining. |
| bobcatbaseball |
Posted - 08/21/2007 : 10:33:52
Just be careful and cautious. Use your parental judgment wisely with your child. The recruiting process, in my opinion, has taken a turn for the worse. I do not know why this has happened. Perhaps, parents expectations are too high. Perhaps, it is all about the coach and less about the player. Probably a little bit of both cause this unfortunate situation. I would be interested in hearing others thoughts about this development.
These players are not college recruits. However, some coaches are treating them as if they are with the recruiting tactics. Who knows what types of players they will be in two-three years? These kids are trying to develop into highschool players, not professional athletes. When the kid enters highschool, do you think the highschool coach will care what team he played on or what tournaments the team won?!! What is important is development. How well and how many positions can he play? Can he hit consistently? What type of pitcher is he? How many different types of pitches has he thrown? What type of character as a player does he have?
Empty promises of playing time and of national championship glory by many coaches lead to a year where the player does not develop and sits on the bench. He does not develop and is beat out in highschool ---but he has a national championship ring to put in his trophy case!
Luckily, again there are coaches doing it the right way. I applaud you guys out there who care about these kids and are not self motivated. Find these coaches. Just do not find a team. Ask the hard questions about playing time, the coach's goals for your son and the team, the coach's experience, and the number of players that he is "recruiting" at that position. |
| beanball |
Posted - 08/21/2007 : 09:18:55
Longhornpapa and Bobcatbaseball bring up good points as we all go through this tryout process. I think this discussion thread needs to be kept at the top of the list so all are aware of the of the issues being discussed here. |
| longhornpapa |
Posted - 08/18/2007 : 00:27:41
quote:
Originally posted by a1prog
interesting. we call every family whether they made it or not. for the kids that didnt make the team, upon request we provide a written analysis covering the 5 tools and the intangibles so kids can understand how we rated them relative to their peers and what they need to work on. we have done this the last two years and while everyone pretty much thinks they should be on the squad we do get high marks for taking the time to let kids have this information. of course, not everyone asks for it. but when they do we let them know.
i am impressed. Sadly, though, you and your coaches are the exception, rather than the rule. You've obviously earned those high marks through honesty, integrity and being forthright. |
| a1prog |
Posted - 08/16/2007 : 19:38:50
interesting. we call every family whether they made it or not. for the kids that didnt make the team, upon request we provide a written analysis covering the 5 tools and the intangibles so kids can understand how we rated them relative to their peers and what they need to work on. we have done this the last two years and while everyone pretty much thinks they should be on the squad we do get high marks for taking the time to let kids have this information. of course, not everyone asks for it. but when they do we let them know. |
| greglomax |
Posted - 08/16/2007 : 15:11:10
bobcatbaseball,
What I have learned over the years is:
* Age does not make a good teacher. Knowledge of the subject and the ability to translate that information does. Patience is also a good contributor. (I will conceded, though, that most 20'ish coaches are still learning a lot about life themselves.)
* Having played at a higher level does not make you an automatic good coach. Conversely not having played at a higher level does not impede you from being a good coach and student of the game either. That's proven by many great MLB coaches who were not necessarily successful players in the Majors.
I completely agree with your overall sentiment: do your homework on a coach. Find out about his success or failure on your own. Don't rely on them to sugar coat. Otherwise every coach looks like a genius.
How do they interact with the kids?
How do they transfer knowledge?
How organized are they?
How well have they surrounded themselves with other coaches that can help? One coach, no matter how great, cannot work with all the kids. Having one great coach and 4 others that are really good at shagging balls is not a very good set-up either. |
| quinn |
Posted - 08/16/2007 : 14:17:03
Agree with OP. The current attitude at tryouts has been to get on the most prestigious team with a winning track record. Rarely do you see parents looking for a team that fits well with their child's personality, goals and abilities. Some of these teams are just made up of 12 individuals who each think they are the next hot prospect. I still believe that 9 kids on a field who play as a TEAM will prevail over 9 individual stars who only care where they are in the line up. Op is right- coaches and parents should do what is right. |
| BREAMKING |
Posted - 08/16/2007 : 12:54:08
I think a coach resume is a great idea. |
| bobcatbaseball |
Posted - 08/15/2007 : 12:06:42
Great post. You have to look very carefully at the coaching staff these days as well. I know of and have heard that there are coaches out there who do not have the college, pro, even highschool experience, that they are claiming to the parents, particularly in the soon to be 13 U age group. It is dressed up "daddy ball." In other words, a "figure head" of a young coach is often hired but reality is that the team is controlled by dads who play the roles of assistant coaches. These staffs are not calling parents after tryouts because they cannot offer any pointers. They lack the experience and their motives are self-serving.
Parents have the coach produce some references and points of contact to call. A coaching resume would be nice. If they do not or will not produce one---become suspicious. Remember, they are mentoring and coaching your kid for a long season. If the coach claims that his primary goal is to win a mythical national championship, and says nothing about player development---Be careful. Did he develop the players during the 12 U season he coached or play only the assistant coaches kids? Did the kids learn fundamentals or become frustrated with underachievement?
For example, do you want a 25 year old coach without a job or direction in life mentoring your son? If this coach has no real playing experience or life experience for that matter, but pretends to deliver a national championship, ask yourself whether this is the right situation? They are out there in every age group. Luckily, there are also many good coaches as well. Just be careful who is really coaching and putting together these teams. |
| Coach O |
Posted - 08/15/2007 : 09:16:15
Great post! |
|
|
| Georgia Travel Baseball - NWBA |
© 2000-22 NWBA |
 |
|
|
