Head Softball Coaches

Good post Cheeze. When kids hit middle school if they have not played on a travel team and only played rec ball where they have to get the required innings in and have to play it seems that parents do not make the adjustment to their kid sitting the bench and being part of something (base running, pinch hitting, EP, etc.) They think that just because the kid has always had to play that they shouldn't have to earn a spot on the team much less a starting spot. Parents that are around the game should be able to look and see when another player is just better than their kid. When that happens then the parent should be willing to put in extra work with their kid so when it comes practice time the kid can open the coaches eyes and show what they can do and if there is a time in the game that they are called upon to come in a make an impact. To me playing time is not earned by coming off the bench in 1 pinch hit situation and getting a hit. It is hitting the ball day after day in practice. Playing time is earned in practice. If you break it down I would be that a player only gets only about 10 minutes of individual time one on one with a coach. Most if the time it is a group situation. That is where parents come in, Take the kid to the field and throw to them, hit ground balls to them. If you don't know anything about the game of can't then that is where private lessons come in.

 

HS Softball

Remember most high schools hire teachers and then ask them to coach softball. Very few high schools are prone to recruit a girls SB Coach. Every once in a while a school gets lucky and gets a teacher that makes a good SB coach. Many of our tournament players know more than their high school coaches about them game. Many of our tournament players over play their school teammates and that might be why their playing time gets curbed. Get your kid on a good summer team for playing time and let school be about friends and community pride. If your kid wants to play and loves the game, she will love it no matter where she is.

 

HIGHCHEESE4 and FPSOFTBALL23, I appreciate your input in this matter. I will say that my comments are not as a parent who's DD doesn't get to play. The DD does play travel ball. I'm speaking for some past experiences that my DD has gone through with a coach who believes that humiliating or embarrassing a player is the way to teach them. I agree whole heartedly that it is usually the ones you hear the loudest, but not always. But let us remember that we are supposed to be the strongest supporter of our kids and standing up for them fits into that catagory. I agree that if you want to win you put the BEST players on the field, but that is not always the case. What I'm saying is that when you are playing a team of less talent/competition let the girls that are maybe not the best have some time to shine a little too! Example: Gina Allen pitches every game no matter what, even against West Charlotte! Why not give someone else a chance to have a little glory! I think some of you are taking my comments, as I'm boo-hooing about play time. I'm not, there is a lot more that goes into being a coach than just deciding who plays what position and for how long. I do believe that girls by the time they are in High School should have a grip on their place and job on a team. This is the real world. But I know of many cases where the girls on the bench are evenly matched, but for some reason they get choosen to sit the bench, not play the game. I know there are good coaches but I know in all areas travel ball, middle school and high school there are those POWER HUNGRY coaches that should not be working with young atheletes at all. I would just like to see the POLITICS be removed from this arena! Travel ball is different than school ball in my opinion. Travel ball the players are hand picked/selected. School ball is an experience that even the not top talented girls should have their chance too! Just the fact that we are having this long exchange on the matter shows that there is a large gap in the way people feel about this issue. If your DD's have never had to deal with a bad coach then be very HAPPY for them. Not everyone has the same luck. I do truly appreciate your opinions on the matter though! Thanks!

 

Cheeze105 and CoachG, I strongly AGREE with both of your comments! Basically all I'm trying to say to all you coaches out there, try to remember these girls have feelings and their parents care about them. Try to think about it as though each of your players was one of your kids and treat them accordingly! Be fair, don't play favoritism, treat the girls with the same amount of respect as you expect from them and as coach do your homework and be as knowledgeable as you can! If you don't like dealing with kids then do not coach! I wish every kid could have great coaches to teath them the game! Thank you very much for all input on this issue. If nothing else maybe there will be some coaches out there that read what we are saying and take some of it to heart!

 

Softball4ever1987

Couldn't agree with you more. There is no place in any sport to humiliate or embarrass a kid. They deserve better than that. Coaches can have the greatest empact on a kids life (aside from the parents, and some cases more than the parents) because kids can learn so much about themselves. So many of lifes important lesson can be learned out on a field. If a good coach will listen he/she can learn from their players. I do believe in getting a players attention though. But to me that comes at practice when nobody but your team and maybe a few others are around. Still then it should be constructive, a teaching moment. The kid might not like what is said or the tone it is said in but still........ Then when they get it right you as a coach should be the first one to give a pat on the back, a little praise. As far as playing opponents that are not up to par.......thats when you can give others their moments. You can even start your entire bench. They work hard at practice too and deserve a chance when you can get them one.

I'm sorry you daughter had to go through what she did. To me that is the worst way to try to get the most out of the player. Kids will shut down on you. But really their are good coaches out their. But I will agree that there are fewer and fewer of them, especially in High School. They are just quiting because of the hastle they have to indure. :1peekdoor :1peekdoor

 

Some really good reply's to this thread.I believe that all coaches i/e travel ball, or school ball care about the girls or they wouldn't be spending their time coaching.It takes alot of time & dedication, that sometimes goes unappreciated.We are lucky ,with both my DD's having great travel ball coaches,that I know care about their girls.We went through the hard nosed, shouting coach, that favored certain girls,but we got through it ,& she blossumed after that.What's so funny he is now one of her assist coaches,& is really good.It took a few yrs to find a good travel ball coach,& don't give up.If you need to ,go to some tours,& watch the coaches in action,then maybe you can decide.Both my DD's teams carry 10-11 girls, so everyone gets playing time,& when it comes to crunch time the best 9 play.I feel like you owe it to those 9 gals on that field to give them the best opportunity to win,after all , they're the ones out there sweating it out at all the practices.I have also saw parents who are totally blind to their childs ability,& those seem to be the ones that cause the most trouble!
As far as high school ball,you have had to play travel ball some ,or it tells.To me ,the team that has the most travel team gals,have the better teams.This game can be so fast at times,you better know it,or it will catch up to you.We are also fortunate to have a good HS coach, who knows the game well.I know he is big on team,& he cares bout the girls.He will play to win,& the 1st chance he gets he will try to get every girl into the game,& I think that's great on his part!He could very easily leave his starting 9 in,& run up the score,but chooses to play all if possible.I know it's easy to criticize,& I know how tough it can be to coach,so I guess we need to give them a break every now & then,they're human too.Damn, maybe I learned something from this too!LOL Go COBRAS!!!!!!!!!,Go ATTITUDE!!!!!!!!!,& GO MUSTANGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

WOW!!!

This is about the best thread we have on here.
I want to commend everyone on the positive and helpful nature of the posts.
CF, Comet fan and I were at the CC tournament this weekend and talked about how this board went from trash talking and bickering to an informative and helpful place to enjoy our sport. This thread is just that.

:229031_ha :229031_ha :229031_ha

 

Thank you HIGHCHEESE4 and DAWGFAN for your input, I just want to add one note to what I have said. My DD has now found a wonderful travel ball coach and has moved on from her experience with the bad! With all the players and families that you come across in travel ball parents talk and discuss their past experiences and High School teams and some of the stories we have heard are horrible! Some are GREAT. I just wanted to open up some coaches eyes to maybe if they feel that they may have been these type coaches that embarrass and humiliate their players or never give kids a chance, that maybe they would notice all the comments coming on hear to this thread and take some of it to heart! One example is that we know of a kid who has played softball since she was 5 and travel ball since she was 10 and she just quit her High School team because of the coaching she was receiving. That is hard to hear, when you know the kid is a great player who really loves the game. I strongly agree that in all aspects of life you will have to deal with bad and good. I really do appreciate all of the input to my thread and keep it coming if you think there is anything to add! I enjoy being able to discuss these situations so not only I can learn but others can learn and help others at the same time. I never meant to critisize or make anyone mad, I just wanted to get some feedback on the issue. Again, thank you to all that have responded!eacemanm eacemanm

 

Humiliation...

Yeah, you have to wonder about intentional humilitation and why a program will allow it to go on. But I understand your situation. My DD is facing a totally different form of humilitation. Having her efforts ignored. Watching kids put forth less effort, skip practices, skip team meetings and still get played in front of her. Because of the coach's relationship with the parents. Believe me I know. School is school. And with the exception of private school, most kids don't get to choose what school the go to but they can choose their summer team and their summer team chooses them. That's the win/win scenario. Kids don't have to play high school ball to succeed. Kids choose high school ball because they love being around the game. The kid who humbles herself to endure humilitation in the name of friends and community and still reaches her true potential will be a better person for the rest of the world later. I think Eleanor Roosevelt said, "The only person who can make you feel bad about yourself is you." I just told my kid to work on her game and one of these days those DD's will be taking her order at the Diary Queen while she wears a college ring.