When did High School Coaches Get Like This?

I never thought about it that way

I just assumed guys played the game because they love to play the game. I also assumed they worked out because they wanted to get better at the game they love. I have always felt it was an honor to play for your school , your home town , your community and with your buddies. I never thought of it as a burden that held you back from promoting yourself. Silly me.

 

Well said coach!

 

Coach, I think most do enjoy playing the game for school, community and such. Baseball is a cool game. Only a few are lucky enough to understand the love of the game. I saw so many parents discourage kids from baseball when they were REC players. If only they knew. Those kids never tasted the nectar of the game. It can be intoxicating.

 

I did read something very, very disturbing recently. There was a thread on a website called Greensboro Sports.com. A couple of showcase/high school coaches actually claimed that HS baseball was becoming REC ball. That showcase was more important. Maybe that comes true, maybe not but I have been thinking about this for days. I hope it does not come to that.

 

Coach 27 gets the Attaboy Award for today...
Hope one day soon I get the chance to sit down with you over a cold BEvERage and pick your brain some...

 

Diesel

I missed the opportunity to meet you at the State Finals at the Mudcats Stadium. I sure enjoyed those seats at Cat Tails while watching Rose play AK. Now thats the way to watch a baseball game. Hopefully we will get the chance to meet over the summer. I think everyone should take the time to go to Greenville and take in some games at Elm Street Park. Now thats where the real baseball is played in GVegas!

 

Tongue In Cheek

Apparently irony did not translate as intended. Trying to joke about the Florida comment. I will clean it up...

 

show

Because less college coaches now attend HS games, do many HS coaches now feel that their role has been lessened as far as promoting them for a college baseball experience?........since showcase now more or less handles this aspect of a young man's dream? not saying what's right or wrong, but has showcase reallistically affected the HS coach's outlook on this issue?

 

This is already happening with one school in the SW4A area that has a new (second year) coach. Unfortunately, for all the players (there is a lot of talent here) he really doesn't know what to do and has not taken ANY advise from people that have offered to help him. Dam shame, but at least these young men have real opportunites to be seen through Showcase!

 

I realize that many coaches out there do the same, but here is one coach I know that goes all the way:

Coach Hal Bagwell- Ardrey Kell


Some HS coaches don't get involved in the recruiting process, yet you are very active. What do you do behind the scenes?


First of all, I have worked very hard in trying to establish and maintain credible relationships with professional scouts in our area. The first thing we do when a player enters our program is stress the importance of academics. We stress the importance of core GPA, class rank, SAT scores and extra curricular activities. Typically, we will track a player to make sure he is being successful in the classroom. If not, a meeting is set up with the player and his parents and strategies for his academic success are implemented. If that means after school tutoring replaces practice, so be it. It's amazing the academic results we get when the player tutoring instead of practicing finds someone else is playing his position! Next, we identify strengths and weaknesses of each player and implement individual plans and strategies for his development. We constantly evaluate each players's development and make adjustments, if necessary. Immediately after tryouts, I meet individually with each current junior player and his parents to put together a game plan for the recruiting process. We make sure the player is NCAA Clearinghouse eligible or is in the process of doing so. We complete a detailed player profile information sheet consisting of general information, academic information and baseball information. This information sheet also includes summer and fall team complete with schedules (as soon as I can get them), coaches names and phone #'s. I will inform the player at what level of college I believe he can play. We discuss current skill level, projectibility and which tools he needs to improve.. Next, we create a long list of potential colleges. I forward the players profile information to those colleges and also make an immediate initial phone contact with the coach. I continue close dialogue (3-4 times per week) with these coaches and inform them of upcoming showcases, tournaments, etc. I am always honest and straight forward about each of our prospect's strengths, weaknesses, and character and constantly updating coaches on their progress. I encourage our players and their parents to be proactive in the recruiting process. I advise them with what questions to ask and which questions not to ask college coaches. I will also use my professional contacts to promote a player. Once a player is ready to make a commitment, I sit down with him and make sure it is the right decision for him. After he commits, I require him to write a thank you letter to each college that recruited him. I take the recruiting process very seriously. I work just as hard at this as I do when preparing to win a game. I don't care if it means being on the phone five hours per day (very common), seven days a week, or traveling on a Saturday or Sunday to meet with a coach to discuss a player. I will do everything I possibly can to allow my players the best opportunity to realize their dream of playing college baseball!!! We have 15 former South Mecklenburg baseball players playing at the college level next year. I take a lot of pride in what we've done here for our college level athletes.