rewarded for work

De-Ja-Vue

Wow sounds like me last year, my favorite part of your thread is "putting people in the right places" , that comment hits home with me !! But I'm going to be nice because I got myself in trouble last year !!!

Guru

 

With Respect Dawgfan...

To answer your question, Yes, I do indeed think that there are cases where a coach does play the best nine or does coach for all the correct reasons! I know of your coaching HS and TB! I have heard good things about each, of you! Do I think that every situation is as bad as my DD had it in HS, NO! My DD has had a lot of wonderful coaching in her past! I also point these things out from time to time.
However fstptchdad started a thread about the opposite! The politics and such that are involved in HS ball! I can not be blamed for the existence of politics in HS ball, or TB ball, or rec ball. I can be blamed for pointing out that it is not fair. It is clearly seen by all players, parents and others involved, directly or indirectly.
I do not question your truthfulness, as I wish you not to question mine. I perceive a situation for how I see it. I only judge those situations that involve me, be it directly or indirectly! I sit back and keep my judging to myself otherwise. Unless someone asks my opinion on a matter.
Throwing Heat is correct, a player who works hard should most certainly not, play over a more talented player!! My position is that politics, booster club contributions, coaches favorites, coaches best friends, etc... should have NO part in the decision making of who the best player for the position is! Because once those issues are allowed to enter into the decision making process, the process has been contaminated! This happens A LOT! I just so happen to be a person who refuses to turn a blind eye to this issue and pretend that it doen't happen! I feel that the people who are involved in these situations expect the world around them to pretend that they don't see the BOLD TRUTH right in front of them. Maybe these people should have SECRET meetings like a clan or something! That way we all wouldn't know, what we are supposed to be pretending, not to know! At least have the common decency to sneak around and keep it SECRET! Don't play the rest of the humans on earth as complete idots!
Also I do feel that seniority should play somewhat of a role! There are many ways to accomplish this fairly! It should just be made clear at the beginning of the season, who the players are that will get the most play time at any position. Do I think it is fair to put a bunch of players on a team, that NEVER step foot on the field during a game, NO! I personally do not think that is fair! When those players show up everyday and practice the same way and time that the starters do, they should get their opportunity to play, period. If the situation was reversed, wouldn't you expect to play, sometime? We are talking HS not college, that is a totally different situation, all together! You are basically paid to play a position and you know where you stand from day one.
I only hope to be the voice for the players and parents that feel they have gotten the shaft for long enough!

 

GURU in T-R-O-U-B-L-E noway GURU FOR PREZ IN 2008 !!!!!!

Storm030 as a running mate on the independent ticket !!!!!!

Got my VOTE !!!!!

 

Agree 100%

This seems to happen in all sports, but not necessarily at all schools.

A pet peeve of mine is preseason workouts. HS rules say these sessions cannot be made mandatory. But, coaches often make comments along the lines of, "These aren't mandatory, but we will recognize who attends and who does not". The majority of the kids will attend these sessions, work hard, put in a lot of extra hours, etc. Yet, girls that chose not to attend walk in and not only make the team, but start. I have seen this in both volleyball and softball.

It is hard to explain this to a kid.... My only explanation is to say, "The work is for yourself. You focus on your improvement, not on what others are not doing". At the same time, I'm thinking to myself, "The kid is right. These workouts are meaningless to the coaching staff". We had a girl not attend a single offseason workout in volleyball. She knew about the workouts and simply chose not to attend (did not have a job or other conflict). Kid comes in and starts day 1. The kid is a very good athlete. But, not the best player on the team. Not a Michael Jordan type athlete. I honestly have no clue how to explain that to kids.....

 

Effort . . . how do you measure it?

I know nothing of this particular situation. I also know we tell kids if you work hard it will matter. It may matter, but in some cases not enough. In reality there is no way to measure effort. In fact, those athletes who are often the best "make it look easy". I tell my college students that I really don't care how many hours they study (effort) all I can really measure is the outcome (test score). Ultimately, if study or hard work doesn't not translate into improvement in physical or psychological performance there is little reward. Do you want the surgeon who tried hard in anatomy but got a "D" or the one that that made an "A"? After surgery I want the one who will tell my loved ones that it was easy and successful not the one who tried "really hard" but . . . . .

Show me an effortometer and I might change my mind. Until then I'll play the kid who hits .300 rather than one who tries hard but hits .150.

 

2 Guru's

David Carridine - The Ad Guru (Yellowbook.com)
Brian Reeves - THE Softball Guru

They're like 2 Guru's in a pod.

Hope your feeling better Guru!!

 

Probably the ODD Man out!!

I love this post it really strikes a chord with me, because I have seen what fastpitch dad is talking about. I'm older than some of the other coaches and a bit old fashioned. I have always told my girls that with hard work they will get the opportunities over the talent and here is why.

Two girls tryout for the same position with unequal ability. The less talented player becomes the understudy (2nd string) of the gifted player. The understudy really wants to play and become a better ball player, and gives all she has at every practice, and the talented player just barely goes through the motions. When it comes time to offer the postion in a game, I'm going with the understudy that wants to play over the talent that could care less about practice and effort. Remember the old saying about you practice like you play. If you go all out in practice I know you're capable of doing it in the game, and I believe and have witnessed how this will elevate everyones game. Suddenly the talent's effort goes up and the rest of the team realizes that it's not about what you accomplished yesterday or last week, but what will you accomplish today and tomorrow. I know that some will not agree, but this is my philosophy and what I practice.

 

some upsets during tryouts

Head coach went with younger, harder working players over "cocky" seniors. Looks like cuts were made based on hard work, dedication, ability, attitude. Two upperclassmen cut......WOW

 

Crazecoach-
Sounds like the coach wants to win. I think thats great he/she did that. The upperclassmen think they have a spot just because their JR/SR's. Its about the talent if you want to win.