First posted on Showcase forum... for thought...

No problem, I like to read your posts and I completely agree with your first 3 words! I think every case is different and all situations or players cannot be lumped together. The second sentence sounds more controlling; I understand that many coaches want to live or die by their teachings, wins and loses are attached to their name but every player has different needs and challenges. What if... a player didn't do well by his HS, Legion or Showcase coaches' methods but might be able to improve if taught differently by some other coach? Shouldn’t they at least try? Coaches vary in knowledge, communicating, practice drills no matter if they coach HS, Legion or Showcase. Coaches have strengths and weaknesses of varying levels, but some players just need to hear it another way. I completely agree with asking questions, its part of understanding. After all, baseball is 90% mental and the other 50% is physical!

As a father, I wanted my son to be coached by as many as possible and only away from the field did I help progress his skills; I never coached him on an organized team. I asked that he listen, learn, and attempt all that he was shown at every level and regardless of his views be respectful. So much good information came from so many, but no two coaches were exactly alike. We can have analysis paralysis and get into contact vs. power, rotational vs. linear, pitching, defense, bunt vs. swing away and on and on; there can even be more than one correct answer many times. Who taught Joe Morgan to pump his back arm before every pitch or Gary Sheffield to rock the bat? Or who didn't stop them from those habits? I know, I know, those are extreme cases; but they are real.

I realize we don't know each other and I can tell from your posts that you appear passionate and seem to genuinely care about your players. So hopefully you won't see this as an attack, bashing, etc, because it is not meant to be. It's just a different point of view supplemented by my son's journey. And after my rambling, I guess what I really meant to say was just don’t get so caught up in your way to miss helping a player to improve if taught differently.
Good Luck with your season Coach!
Nick Tewell

 

Not even close to attacking or bashing.
Great merrit in your ideas.
Admittedly, it is sometimes difficult to release the controls or go a new way.
It just seems (to myself and - now speaking for others -for many fellow coaches) that so much is splintered and so individually focused.
Again, the individual is important; there just seem to be so many more of them "nowadays." But what's the saying though," the good old days weren't really as good as we remember them."
Plus, I do truly like the days I'm in.
Thank you for the well wish. Now send me a 6'5" lefty who throws 96. I will help him get a scholly...

 

Catcoach, I too would like to say that is very enjoyable to read your posts and thoughts and it does seem that you are very passionate about your kids. It is something that I would wish as a parent that we would see more of. Thanks again for your thoughts and ideas.

 

Ground Balls vs Fly Balls

Hello

 

Ground balls vs fly balls

Was there a question there? A statement?


Well, I'll make one - maybe a couple.
In 6 games played, my players have reached base (estimated book here - did not recount/double-check, just running over the page with my finger) 11 times in 6 games on ground-ball errors.
Opponents (sadly) have reached base 8 times on our ground-ball errors and throwing errors by infielders.
[That's a total of 19 baserunners - not necessarily "hitters" - but baserunners who can actually score... but I digress.]
Only one, between my players and our opponents, has reached on a fly ball error, but it was not by an outfielder.
Further, we have only two sac flys, but 6 sac bunts.
We have no hoomeruns, our opponents 2 - and we beat the opponent that hit the 2 HR. [We had 6 singles and they committed 3 errors on infield grounders.]
Summary, I like the ball on the ground better than in the air when my team swings - just my philosophy.
[However, I much prefer LINE DRIVES over both grounders and flies.]
Now, I will gladly take guys who can really throw 90 and hit it 400 feet - it's just that there aren't as many out there as some people would have you think - and BP just doesn't count when the ump says "play ball" - so I coach the way I think best under the circumstances I'm in, with the talent level I have.
I would have liked like a few more wins over my time to date.
I should defunitely have done a few things differently to get some of them.
But so far, it's working out, well, at the very least, "OK."

Hey, look outside... 65 and no wind really... beautiful!
It's more than "OK."