JV Baseball

I don't watch much, but I always like talking about this topic. I think JV plays a vital role in what you get at the varsity level. I'm not sure what Mount has this year, but I did hear they have a couple of young coaches which I'm also not a very big fan of. At this level, in my opinion you need guys who have been around the game for quite some time. I'm not sure if this the case at other schools but I believe Swanson has done something here he'll regret. If your JV players aren't getting the proper coaching, they are bound to suffer from setbacks once they arrive at the varsity level. So what are your thoughts on JV baseball and/or young coaches?

 

That's a good question Tigers and I'm not sure there is a concrete answer. I remember a young coach (Fisher), Fish to everyone who knew him, at Middle School and went on to be the JV coach at Providence. He was an excellent coach; patient, knowledgeable and had a great rapport with all the kids. He commanded respect as well. There is another young coach on the horizon ( Aaron Hammers ) at Independence. Just like Fish, he is patient, knowledgeable and earns respect.

Then there is Coach Rummage at South Meck. He coach's the JV program. Old school, patient and knowledgeable. His players love him.

Obviously, the commonality between Rummage and the younger guys are patience, knowledge and respect. So, I'm not sure that age is important, but the traits of a good coach is.

The old saying " Born to coach " is true. Some have it, some don't. The ones that do, stay on coaching forever. The ones that don't, eventually get out of coaching and sell insurance.

 

i guess i'm still just old school and like to see someone who has seen a lot and been through a lot. no one else have any thoughts on this topic?

 

ACHS has had the same JV coach for the last 8+ years I believe..I know for a fact that over the past 3 seasons his JV team has only lost 5 games..So that tells you that they defineltly have it together in the foothills..And there coach is a man that is in his late 40's and this was the first and only coaching job he ever had..But if a young guy took over I dont think a better job coul dbe accomplished..

 

I addressed this subject somewhat in another thread. I have seen the bad side of a JV coach who knows very little about how to manage a game. It really bothers me to see inept coaching at any High School level. Baseball is a thinking mans game and imho it is the most challenging of all sports to manage. You MUST know your stuff or other coaches will make you look like a fool. How can a coach teach a game that he does'nt know himself?

 

one thing that makes baseball so tough is that there are more than 1 solution to each situation...1 solution to a certain situation will make a coach look like a genius..on the other hand that same solution of a different but like situation will make him look like a bloomin numnut...

for instance...bases loaded, bottom of 7th, 1 out, best hitter at the plate, game tied...what do you do? lets start another thread on this...

 

It's not that I don't think they know the game because honestly I do. I'm just worried that w/ age similarities and lack of experience, it will be tough.

 

I believe it's more a matter of experience than age. If you played the game in college (or beyond), you are more likely to have experience worth passing on, regardless of age.

The skill of a coach isn't just experience, it's the ability to communicate that experience and that also is regardless of age.

You have to look at the individuals, you can't just state generalities. I'd rather have a younger coach, who talks to his players and has played the game in college than an older coach who didn't play and is just telling the players to "do it my way" because he has difficulty explaining WHY he is making his decisions.

 

jv baseball is to help develop varsity...