Practices: opened or closed?

Closed in Newton-Conover

My daughter plays at Newton-Conover middle and their practices were closed to the parents last year. Unfortunatly, she was the only one on the team who has ever played travel ball. They did let me join the staff, but there are not a lot of girls from this area playing serious ball. ( Except for Joe's girls Hit-n-Run)

Riverbend middle, also in Catawba county closed practice to parents and travel ball coaches. They were told(so I hear) that school ball is more important than travel ball. I wanted to watch a couple of my players last spring and was told not to stay and watch. I could come back after practice was dismissed.


Any comments?????

 

I went to a lot of practices over the last 4 years, even when my dd was driving. I never went down to the field, always was either in the stands, in my car in parking lot or on the behind the right field fence. I went because it was on my way home from work & just wanted to wast a little bit of time. I never said anything, except for the occasional hi to the girls or coaches. I waited to voice my opinion at games when there were a lot more people there

Unless there are problems with parents I don't understand why close practices. This isn't pro ball!!!!!!!!!

Is the ball field not on public property & I pay taxes so I should be able to go there as long as I do not cause any trouble and you all know I NEVER cause trouble.

 

Maybe some coaches don't want anyone seeing what kind of practice they actually run, especially if there are daughters of travel ball coaches on the team.

Most HS coaches do a good job with the talent that comes to their school. But a few years ago I know of a HS math HS teacher was given the JV softball job only because he could drive the team bus. The last ball he played was Rec ball and come to find out he had never seen a fastpitch game! This guy had closed practices.

 

OK

in our county you have to be a school employee to be on any school coaching "staff" even in MS.

I don't blame the school coaches for wanting closed practices. They don't need the distractions that would always potentially be there, which could lead to bigger problems down the road..... so why chance it?

 

It can't really be closed if it is outside

 

More input

I do know a lot of schools ask that you be on staff to be a coach. I however, never asked and have never recieved payment for coaching this team or the wrestling teams(high school and middle) that I coach. I tell them to use the money for uniforms, fields, supplies, etc. I volunteer my time for the love of the sport, not for the title and small supliment they receive. Most coaches only get an extra $500 or so per season. If you do the math and add up honest time on the field and at home studying line-ups and rotations, you would be better off being a greeter at Wal-Mart. My daughter has played tournament ball for four years and I don't want that to go to waste over a teacher just filling in to make extra cash. I also use this time to be a positive role model for the teams. Some of these players have never done "station" work at practice or have never soft-tossed before. We had players last year who didn't have a windmill pitch! I know softball is not everything to everybody, but if your going to work with young ladies at least show them proper techniques.

Just my two cents again.

 

As a coach I can understand from a coaching standpoint not wanting parents correcting their daughters during practice and games; but from a parents standpoint I have also have to respect the fact that many, including myself, have spent 1000's of dollars on skill refinement like hitting instruction and I want to know if they are being told to change. Frankly, as a coach I see what the girl can do before I make any changes. I don't change them if they are enjoying some success. We have a girl who started varsity for us last year who is nothing but hands to the ball but all she does is hit line drives up the middle!!! Her swing isn't pretty but we don't tinker with it.

This all comes down to communication and anyone who is in charge of another individual's kids should have the personality and confidence to talk with anyone about anything concerning their team and the girls who are in their charge. If you don't communicate you are only sowing seeds of distrust.