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Have I lost perspective?

Discussion in 'Baseball' started by Baseball & Hotdogs, Sep 28, 2009.

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Oct 2, 2009 at 11:18 PM #41

Coach 27 Full Access Member

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Let me add

that the vast majority of the guys I have coached in the summer have been everything a coach can ask for. But I think there is a growing trend out there today and I hope it changes for the better.
Oct 3, 2009 at 1:16 AM #42

Braves Watauga Pioneers #6

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Coach 27 said: ↑

For me I think part of the problem is players are spoiled today. They play every weekend. They play at venues so often that are so nice that they dont appreciate the fact they are getting to do some things other kids would die to do. They start taking the game and the opportunities for granted and they start going through the motions. They are so focused on the recruiting aspect of all of this they forget about why they should be there. It becomes old hat. Are they even excited about playing? Do they even care if they win or lose? Or is it just about trying to get that offer?

It should be about the competition and the desire to do what you love to do. And the by product of that is someone will want you to come do that where they coach. Do you love to compete? Then just play the game and compete.
Click to expand...

Bingo
Oct 3, 2009 at 6:13 AM #43

Gman13'sdad Full Access Member

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Well said my friend!

The Major Leagues are littered with players that, when they were high school aged, would have been considered "gamers", "grinders" or "field rats". They weren't the most naturally gifted players out there, they were the ones who out worked, out hustled and in the end out played their competition... both from the other dugout and their own.
Oct 3, 2009 at 8:02 AM #44

bbrksfan Full Access Member

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Coach 27 said: ↑

I can tell you that I coach to win , period. And I want players in the same dugout that are there to play to win , period. I dont believe you should approach any game any differently regardless if its a showcase game , a high school game or we are getting after it in the backyard on a Sunday afternoon.

This idea that college coaches want to see this or see that I dont buy and quite frankly dont care. I know what I want to see. Guys playing the game to win the game. And doing what it takes to win the game. If that means a sac bunt is in order then get the FN bunt down and move the runner. When kids are more concerned with trying to impress a college coach than just playing the game for the sake of the love of the game and the desire to compete you are defeating the whole purpose of being there.

College coaches want to see kids play and compete. If they get upset because a kid lays down a sac bunt in a situation where it is needed to win a game then so be it. But I dont believe they do. I do believe they have a problem with kids that show up to the park like the game owes them something. Guys that dont want to put down a bunt. Guys that dont know how to hit behind a runner. Guys that dont know how to take a primary or secondary lead. Guys that cant throw through a cut off man. The list goes on and on.

Forget this showcase mentality stuff and just play the freaking game , play hard and play to win. If you do that the other stuff will take care of itself. I am not talking about WWBA events. Thats a true tournement environment. What I am talking about is the everyday weekend showcase tourney. Why should any player play any harder in one game or another? No one should be able to tell if your team is 0 and 20 on the year and out of it or 24 and 0 and playing for a state title by your effort and approach to the game. A real player competes regardless. He doesnt care. Its game time and all he knows is its time to compete.

College coaches are no different than the players they are trying to recruit. They want guys that love to compete and want desperately to win. They do not enjoy watching guys go through the motions weekend after weekend acting like there is a thousand other places they would rather be. So I believe every game should be approached like its the most important game you are ever going to play. Why? Because it is.

I could careless what your jersey says. I could careless what your ranking is. I could careless what type of accolades you have gotten or who says what about you. I want to see you compete. I want to see you get after it. I want to see what kind of heart you have. I want to see how much you really love to play. And I want to see if you can play.

What does this have to do with bunting? When a player gives himself up for the team its called a sacrifice bunt. If your not willing to sacrifice for your team keep your ass at home and do something else. Or play for someone who will allow you to be about yourself.

If your offended by this post then you just dont know me. I believe everytime you step on that field its an honor to do so. And you honor the game and your opponent by doing everything in your power to help your team find a way to win. If its about anything else I dont want to be a part of it.

For me I think part of the problem is players are spoiled today. They play every weekend. They play at venues so often that are so nice that they dont appreciate the fact they are getting to do some things other kids would die to do. They start taking the game and the opportunities for granted and they start going through the motions. They are so focused on the recruiting aspect of all of this they forget about why they should be there. It becomes old hat. Are they even excited about playing? Do they even care if they win or lose? Or is it just about trying to get that offer?

It should be about the competition and the desire to do what you love to do. And the by product of that is someone will want you to come do that where they coach. Do you love to compete? Then just play the game and compete.
Click to expand...

Amen Coach, I really appreciate your perspective.
Coaches want to see your intensity and enthusiasm for the game, not your spoiled antics when you strike out, pop out, or are asked to sacrifice bunt. Enthusiasm is very important to scouts. Recently I attended a scouting event sitting with a large group of scouts. Repetitive comments were made about the lack of enthusiasm of the entire group, and how quiet the event was. Guys, just play the game hard, and have fun with it. You only get to do this for a short period of your life. Enjoy it!
Oct 4, 2009 at 11:02 AM #45

tj21 Moderator

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Coach27,,, you hit the nail on those last comments.

To the original poster who started this thread,,, I applaud your sticking it out and handling the situation maturely,,,, ultimately any coach "HAS TO LIVE" with treating one of his players wrong, and that coach WILL understand what he did to your son even if he never admits it,,, one night when he lays his head on his pillow, he'll know. You are teaching your son much much more by sticking it out and not quitting and he can feel good about that.
Oct 5, 2009 at 1:03 PM #46

cougar man Full Access Member

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I agree! The last few posted have been very refreshing for me. I just love baseball the way it was intended to be played. No I in team!
Oct 5, 2009 at 1:34 PM #47

newcoach42 Full Access Member

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I have read this posts and I am sure I will miss something but from what I am gathering everyone has a problem of some sort with showcase ball. I have been involved with showcase ball for 2 years now. The way I look at it is we try to get all kids equal playing time. Someone has to sit but whoever sits you try to bring them in the game about the 4th inning. But I do believe showcase ball is a great thing for the players due to the fact they are put out to play every weekend in front of 3-10 scouts every time they play. So showcase ball is a place to do exactly what it means=showcase your talent. I have seen many teams who do not belong in showcase tournments playing but they are there to do the same thing. Thats why you don't see scouts at USSSA tournys as much.
Oct 5, 2009 at 1:55 PM #48

cougar man Full Access Member

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Showcase is what it is! I just personally don't like it! It is something to make life easier for the scouts. I would bet your father would not walk across the road to watch it and he loves baseball as much as I do!!
Nothing personal, I just don't think that is what baseball is about! I would have made you bunt with 2 strikes if you did'nt with one!!!! I don't like soccer either!
Oct 5, 2009 at 2:00 PM #49

newcoach42 Full Access Member

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Your right and I have said it before that showcase baseball is a business. I don't agree with somethings done in it but I also know that if we are just playing in a tourny where you get 4 games and go home then I am probably not going to have kids bunt
Oct 5, 2009 at 5:02 PM #50

bbrksfan Full Access Member

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Funny thing about showcase ball..

newcoach42 said: ↑

Your right and I have said it before that showcase baseball is a business. I don't agree with somethings done in it but I also know that if we are just playing in a tourny where you get 4 games and go home then I am probably not going to have kids bunt
Click to expand...

We always hear that it is not about winning these showcase games. Truth is, if you are not executing and winning, none of these scouts are going to come and watch you play. How many baseball people attend games where two teams are 0-3 on the weekend.

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