Has HS baseball coaching become harder?

I noticed a somewhat similar question asked at HSBballweb, but it pertained to HS baseball being in trouble.

I don't believe that is the case in NC. HS baseball in NC, in my opinion, is vastly improving. I actually have two questions:

1. How important is it that the HC be a teacher at the school?
a.) are certain areas of NC hurt by requiring the coach to be a teacher and not having a pool of experienced coaches to pull from?

2. Are we losing good coaches to the increase of parent interference?

 

I'll take a stab at this:

1. Very important that he be a teacher at the school. Remember this is "HS" baseball and the team represents the school. Things could go on at school that can affect the participation of an athlete, that a coach, that is not a teacher might not be aware of.

2. The only time we will lose good coaches do to parent interference is if the school administration gives the parents a forum. "Good" coaches can deal with the parents easily as long as they have administration backing.

 

well said mudman!

1. Yes!
2. I agree that it is.
3. This is fact unfortunately...
:229031_ha

 

I agree with this wholeheartedly and can speak from seeing things happen with coaches who arent teachers, and more importantly teachers within the school they coach. This goes for any sport in high school.

The teacher/coach sees the kids in the classroom and on the field. Education is the most important aspect, and the fact that I am a classroom teacher (I teach AP Government, Civics and Honors Civics at my school) allows me to have a better understanding of the student-athletes in my school. (Notice that student is always first in student-athlete) Being in the school allows me to know what my players are up to, to help them in a greater variety of ways, help keep them accountable and most importantly, to be there for them when they need my support. Many times coaches who are not in the school or educational system dont understand the full scope of the high school educational system and in many cases IMHO, they tend to be out of the loop on many things. I have good relationships with my co-workers (teachers, principals, guidance counselors, etc...) and they know that I have high expectations of my players. They konw they can come to me when they need to and things will get done, and at the same time when I need informtion fo college coaches concerning academics, I will usually have it by the end of the day.

AS far as losing good coaches, I agree with Mudcat, but want to add this. I was once asked by a "prominent" member of our community as to why I did not let parents help a whole lot with things on the field, etc... Let me respond in this way. I personally am hesitant to accept much help because most parents want something in return. I was blessed over the past 3 years to have BIG BYRD and PERSONROCKETDAD who never asked for anything in return and I owe them more thanks than anyone can imagine. Unfortunately, I did have two parents within the last two years that rarely speak to me because they did not get their way in how I dealt with their sons. I admit I am far from perfect, but when these parents will not even speak, well, it just shows immaturity. However, I do pray for them and will do that, ya know it is something out of my hands, so I refuse to worry about it... However, it is easy to see why coaches dont stay in it long.

The bottom line is that we cant work miracles, and in alot of cases some parents are their kids worst enemies. I know of situation s where overbearing parents have cost their kids opportunities because some college coaches dont want to hear from those parents. Believe me I have been told that. So let the kids play, and the coaches coach.

 

Great post Coach....thanks for the input.

 

oh yes

coachevans26 you hit the nail on the head. agree 100%.

In my county of Johnston, you have to be an employee of the county school system in order to coach. There have been instances, which I & many, many others disagree with, where a teacher at one school will actually serve as a coach at another school. However I have also known some principals to disallow this practice.

In our neighboring county of Wake, I believe I am correct in saying that they do not require coaches to be school teachers / employees.

 

You struck a nerve with me on the last point. When I go to a baseball game, I sit by myself away from the crowd. Why? #2 to smoke my stogie (grin)...but my #1 reason is to get away from parents. I can't countenance Dads & Moms who have all the answers, 2nd guess every decision, & believe their little Johnny is getting a raw deal.

If parents aren't running off coaches, then the coaches must have a hearing disorder. Coaches are human...they have a family...they want to be liked...& they work for chicken-feed $$. Unfortunately the Fellowship of the Miserable resides in every fanbase. Disgusting.

 

I think coach evans hit the nail on the head. But despite all of that each coach has to admit that the other moments when the fruits of your labor pay off and either you turn a kid around, or you watch a kid succeed, etc. they are precious and will stick with you forever.

For all the coaches out there I'll share a personal thought with you, and for you. I personally feel that there were no more than 3 to 4 classes in college that I really use day to day in my life and business. And that the lessons I learned thru sports are far greater and used a lot more often. My thanks and praise will always go to those men who made such a large impression on my life, and I share this so that we don't spend a lot of time focusing on the negative side of coaching.

Thanks to all my coaches, and to all of you who coach and affect young men positively also.

 

I agree wholeheartedly with you yankee and I wasn't wanting this topic to be a negative, per se. But times have changed. I can recall when the coach was "the man"...a HS baseball game was attended with little noticed. As players we just enjoyed the game and never had to be confronted with a disgruntled parent or problems with playing time.

Now, a coach has to be exposed to this: "please don't mess with Johnnie's swing. He has a hitting instructor"

 

That's where you have to work harder to develop trust between you and the player. That is difficult though as too many think they are experts. I will tell my players if I have a weakness in coaching, them help them to find better instruction, but they better be careful and check out any "instructor" they get with.