Opinions/Advice

I'm really hoping for some advice on probably a controversial topic. So, if need be, please pm responses as I really need advice here.

HS Softball Coach.

Our HS has a pretty successful program (top 10 in NC, top 100 in US) and a team stacked with talent. Unfortunately, I feel like there are some problems within that are being overlooked due to the fact we win (beat up) on every team we play due to our talent and weak schedule.

Concerns:
1) Talent and weak schedule are carrying the team. We win in spite of coaching, not because of it. Example - a) player calls for and catches a fairly routine fly ball in the infield for the third out. Comes in the dugout to be told that infielders should not call fly balls and it's each players responsibility to know what area of the field they are responsible for. b) player stole 20+ bases last season without ever being thrown out once on the bags. Player was reprimanded every time because they were not given a steal sign.
2) HC is a travel ball coach and his players start no matter what.
3) Money buys playing time - A parent made several upgrades to our facilities this year. Freshman daughter has started every game and has lowest BA (.258) and recently brought FP up to a respectable .923 during a weak stretch of games (still 4th worst among starters).
4) Bench gets almost no playing time or chance to earn a starting spot - In very few at bats, no bench player has less than a .400 BA while we have starters with a .342, .273, .263, .258, and .250. Also with very limited plays offered, only one bench player has under a 1.000 FP. Again, starters with a .923, .893, .840, .750. Yet, the starters stay on the field for 20+ run blowouts. We have run-ruled our opponent in all but 4 games this season.
5) Starting pitcher plays for his TB team. Don't get me wrong, great pitcher. How about letting the back-ups pitch some in the blowouts? Only one back-up has been allowed to pitch. Funny thing is, it wasn't in the blowouts. Both games, she came in to pitch in a 1 run ballgame. She's done outstanding (6.1 innings, 2 BB, 2 H, 7 K, 0.00 era). Why can't she (or the other 2) get any time? I can only conclude that he keeps his starter in vs. weak teams to pad her stats.
6) Players cannot talk to their coach. He has stated that he will not discuss playing time nor positions and if a player brings it up she will run the whole next practice. Also, he has stated any concerns between players must be handled between them and not to involve him. This has resulted in one player quitting this season due to bullying by others and ended up with the police involved. Players should be able to talk to their coach!
7) HC was an assistant for many years prior to becoming HC last year. Our two all-conference players from 2 years ago have left the team because once he became HC, they were no longer good enough to start. Remember, back-ups get little-to-no playing time.

Finally, of course my daughter is on the team and is on the bench. While I feel she is capable of starting, I don't want to be that guy. My daughter plays 18u showcase ball and has since 8th grade. She starts and plays outstanding all summer and fall in both showcase tourneys and college scrimmages. I just feel like she's not so bad that she can't get a little time while we run-rule 75% of the teams we face.

Now the advice I'm seeking is on how to best handle the situation? I definitely don't want to be the disgruntled parent of a bench player but I think I'm being fairly objective here? Do I escalate the situation, or do I keep my mouth shut and watch this? BTW, HC has also told the players he will not discuss pt with parents and if they ask, the player will run the whole next practice.

Advice/thoughts please?

 

Ouch

Sounds like your dd is going to start running alot.

 

You're probably right.

 

Haha... Got to run to Dick's today for those shoes. Not sure about the AD and principle. New AD this year. So far we've lost 3 players under his watch due to his decisions or bullying from team-mates so maybe #4 would be cause for change? I've never been one to go over people's head so maybe my next step is to have speak up and buy those nice new track shoes.

 

Move to a new school or give more money to the booster club are the only two options I see. Save your time going to the coach or AD.

What do you think will change with a top 10 season and only 4 games that were not run rule games? The AD will likely brush off any complaints received from parents of reserve players, unfortunately.

With all of the reserves batting above .400 and 1.000 fielding percentage and a second string pitcher with an ERA of 0.00, it sounds like the team will be good for many years to come.

 

Unfortunately, I agree

This person may not be a very good coach but he has a very good team. Unless that changes or he does something unethical and/or abusive nothing is likely to come of any complaint.

 

top 10 in NC and top 100 in US

Was it like this from the past HC and now the new HC is doing the same thing? If so, don't look for it to change any time soon. If it started with the new HC. If want take long for the word to spread, like on here. Unless some of the bench warmers that are very good leave to another school. Likely stay like that for a long time. May need to start passing the word down to the middle school team and put it out to them that if they want to get some type of PT look else where. My questions now.

#1 Is your girl getting looks or information from schools through showcase or college scrimmages?
Unless she is a Sr.
#2 What if you did go to another school?
#3 Is there another school that is local or a private/christian school that is local that could use your girl?
#4 Where did the other 2 go that may could use your DD.
#5 Do some of the other bench-warmer girls and parents feel the same way as you?

I know there are rules from the HS association about moving to other schools.

You don't have to answer these ??? on the board. But these are questions that I would either be asking or exploring. Quietly explore some options. Less $$$ to the program and exodus to other schools sometime gets the attention of the administration, namely the principle. Especially if they like for the school to be a top SB school.

 

Devil's Advocate

Looking at it from the outside in....

1. The girl that stole 20+ bases without ever being given a steal sign SHOULD be reprimanded and benched. Successful or not, that is not how the game is played.

2. The 2 All-Conference players you spoke of under the old coach that quit, Were they All-Conf. because of the former HC's books? Maybe they really weren't of that caliber but their reputation preceeded them...

Just my 2 cents for what it is worth.