How to maintain a great HS BB team?

Is it the Coach, the feeder program or both?

Who does a great job of both and how does AAU, AABC and Travel teams affect this.

 

Maintaining a viable HS baseball program

HS coaches come and go...An excellent example of building a strong program in a hurry is Hopewell, which should win the ME-CA 8 outright. There is a good feeder program in the north end of Mecklenburg county. They fielded a team of Juniors & Sophomores that were entirely from North Meck the previous year and finished 3rd in the conference.

The coach obviously had little impact on the quality of the program. He inherited a good group of ball players.

But feeder programs are cyclic. There are great years with strong classes of players coming through the pipe-line and down years where there just doesn't seem to be the quality that was present in the past. The cycle up in the north end seems to be one outstanding group of players every 3 years. I don't know why, but that's the way it seems. Any ideas?

 

It used to be a HS coach had tremendous impact on their players. The lessons taught were lifetime and seemed to motivate alumni to return to help in some capacity.

I think Coach Bagwell at South Meck still does a good job of going to Rec games and Middle school games to check on prospects. Of couse, it helps that many summer games are played on his field. Coach Greason at East Meck has recognized the benefit of Summer games on his field and always scouts for talent.

To me, a good feeder program is a must. But it seems it is getting more difficult when the players are scattered amongst Travel teams. Not to change the subject, but did you realize that some parts of our region is developing 5-6 yo Travel teams...Ugh. I know..another topic.

I have noticed, NCBBall, that quantity of good talent is cyclical. but maybe that's only in our area.

 

Feeder Program & Travel Teams

I think that travel teams are a must in order to develop talent in an area. But I have always encouraged the travel team players to play in the local rec league. Since they are usually the pitchers, they don't pitch much in rec because they are saving their arms. We have always tried to schedule our rec season around the travel players needs so that they can compete in both.

Baseball below HS needs to be about more than W/L. The frendships that you have developed over the years from age 5-6 should be maintained. You need the game experience against the best players but you can get that in the summer & fall. You need rec in the spring (up to HS age) in order to remember that it's still a game and people must come first.

An old axiom is that you get better playing against the best competition. A true axiom is that you get better with good coaching against any competition. You get better by practicing and playing the game.

 

Re: Feeder Program & Travel Teams

Amen brother!!!

 

BTW, NCBB, who are the younger players Hopewell is counting on this year?

 

Hopewell

I'm not associated with the Hopewell program but here is my guess of the Juniors/Sophomores that should contribute to Hopewell this year.

Ben Beard, Jr: Can lash a baseball, line drive hitter. Defense is suspect at times and may be better suited to the OF than 3B where he normally plays.

Walt Himes, Jr: 1B/3B. Fundamentally sound hitter. Soft glove and solid defense.

Dan Woodall, Jr: Catcher but may be out of position. He's a good hitter and blocks/frames well but doesn't have the violent throwing motion you like in a catcher. His pop times are suspect and he may be better at 1B/OF. Good speed.

Steve Laco, Soph: CF. Suspect at the plate but defense makes up for that. Greased lightening on the base paths. Needs to work on bunting skills. With his speed, anything to the left side should be a single with ease. Needs more experience reading pitchers at 1B.

There are some more but my mind is drawing a blank right now.
The team will be able to hit with anyone.

 

Is there a particular school you like to follow

 

Braves

Yes

 

I thought so, but I just wanted to be sure. Of course, many Hopewell/ North Meck kids grew up together. Is your son attending Tom House Clinic ?