TBR Interview with Coach Charlie Dobbins, Peace College

Cheeze: Good morning Coach Dobbins, will you give us some information about yourself and your career:

Coach Dobbins: Thanks very much to TBR and the opportunity to talk a little about fastpitch softball and how it has been one of the major passions in my life.

I was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island in the shadow of McCoy Stadium, home of the AAA Red Sox. I am a proud and sometimes suffering member of the Red Sox Nation. I moved south at the age of 5 and graduated from high school in Richmond, Va. I returned to New England and graduated from Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island in 1981, where I played baseball and football.

I will celebrate my 25th wedding anniversary in August to my best friend and wife, Lisa. I have two children: Niki, who graduated from Peace in 2006 and Corey who will be a freshman at NCSU this fall.

I started playing fastpitch while living in Louisiana in the seventies, fastpitch was still very popular throughout the south during that time, with many towns or factories fielding teams that barnstormed the area. When I went to New England for college, fastpitch was the sport of choice. After college, I played in the men's major division. Men's fastpitch was two sanctioning bodies, similar to the may that makeup the girl's game now. I played for The Express/Cheers II team, based out of Southern New England. Our goal every year was to get to the National Championships for ASA and ISC (International Softball Congress). We won several New England championships during the 80's and finished in the top 10 nationally 3 times.

In 1992, I was offered an opportunity to play a three-week schedule with the King and his Court as they traveled through New England. I have toured every year with them since, usually 4-5 weeks during the summer, when they play their east coast schedule. The experience has allowed me to meet so many people, all with a passion for this great sport. I have played games in small town America, in almost every minor league stadiumin America, football fields and parking lots. The craziest places have been in the middle of the casino at Bally's in Las Vegas and on the deck of the aircraft carrier, Midway and in the Toronto Blue Jays Sky Dome the day Roger Clemens recorded his 2000 strikeout. On May 27th, 1998, Don Porter and the National Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma recognized Eddie Feigner and the Court for our contributions to the sport of fastpitch. We were the first professional team honored by the Hall of Fame.

It is a tradition that, in sports, is amazing. This is something that is real, that happens every night, 150-200 times a year in small town America. Sports Illustrated voted us the 7th greatest team of all time in 2000. Eddie Feigner, founder and icon passed away in February this year. . . . but the tradition and legacy continues. . . I just returned from Michigan on Monday, July 2nd where we played at various 4th of July celebrations in Flint and Novi, Michigan.


I have been the head coach at Peace since 1999. We joined the USA South Athletic conference in 2004. I have had 15 players named USA South All Conference and 8 players named to the Louisville Slugger/NFCA Atlantic All Region teams. Peace College and the City of Raleight recently hosted the 2005 and 2006 NCAA National Div III Softball Championships at the Walnut Creek Softball Facility. We were the first single gender school to host a NCAA softball national championship.

In the summer of 2005, I traveled to Australia with a USA Collegiate team and competed in the World University games at the 2000 Olympic sity in Blackstown, NSW, Australia. In 2006, I was the head coach of a USA collegiate team that had 12 collegiate players from North Carolina. We went 6-0 as we swept 2 series (3 games each) with the Spanish pro team: Hercules and the French National team.

 

Cheeze: Would you give us your opinion of the role of athletics in higher education?

Coach Dobbins:
The role of athletics in higher education should be to provide a support system that will promote academic success, a positive athletic experience, and overall personal growth for the student athlete.

I believe participation in athletics should be a positive experience in which the physical welfare of the student-athlete is paramount. The primary emphasis of the athletic program should be placed on enhancing the personal development of the student-athlete. I also recognize that winning is a legitimate objective, when achieved in an ethical manner.

Coaches should be considered educators and coaching is a specialized form of teaching. Their curriculums should stress the values of training, strategy, teamwork, vigorous competition, and winning and losing, which are all part of a sound educational experience. In addition, establish policies for sportsmanship and ethical conduct consistent with the educational goals of the institution.

The goals of the intercollegiate athletic program should be sufficient to the challenge the abilities of the coaching staff, to merit the interest and support of the student body and school staff, and to command the respect of the communities in which we are located.

Athletics should be one part of the total educational experience at the College. Athletes are students and students are athletes. The athletic program exists only because the academic program exists, supporting it and not detracting from it. Participation on an athletic team is a privilege, which should be earned daily by the student athlete.


Cheeze: How do you feel about scholarship vs financial aide?

Coach Dobbins:

The emphasis on getting the coveted "college scholarship" should not over shadow the main reason for attending college, to get educated and become adults. This is a chance to continue your athletic career for another 4 years, to continue to play for the love of the game. Being a star athlete is a dream that everyone who has ever played a competitive sport strives for. The cold hard reality is that there are a lot of "star athletes", all with the same dreams.

The NCAA regulates the number of scholarships that Division I and Division II are allowed to award. The distribution of these monies changes yearly as kids graduate and new players cycle into a program. The number for Division I is around 12, and Division II is around 7. Most teams carry 22-24 players. DO THE MATH.

Schools are not limited in the amount of financial aide they can grant to individuals. The monies are academic performance based, and do not discriminate between athletes and non-athletes. 98% of the students (athletes and non-athletes) receive financial aide at Peace. Other monies can be awarded after the parents have completed the FAFSA and the families of EFC (estimated family contribution) is generated. This is where any need-based monies are awarded (i.e. Pell, Stafford, etc.), based on a family's income.

The Div 3 option allowes you to be the true STUDENT ATHLETES. In the case of Peace, our graduates enjoy a 80% Placement Rate in Graduate School or Professional School, 11-to1 Student/Faculty Ratio or 95.7% Job Placement Rate.

Remember, athletic scholarships are limited on availability and renewable every year. Merit based awards are for 4 years . . . there is no obligation to play any sport. The funded monies stay as long as the student meets the minimum grade point average determined by the school.

If you eliminate all schools with athletic scholarships, you eliminate nearly half of your options for college softball. Parents and players should ask themselves.... which is more important... my ego or my wallet? An education is one of the greatest gifts you can give or receive. If someone offers you any way to pay for part of your education, take the money and run!!!

Start the process early when looking at schools...ask hard questions to the coaches involved. Understand the requirements of attendance and those of eligibility.

One last point. Division I is only an athletic level, not a measure of the quality of academic programs. Secondly...Are you really good enough to play Division I sports, or will you be stuck on a bench or practice squad when you could be playing at another school at the Div II or Div III level? Take time to access every aspect./

Don't make your signing day the greatest day of your career.......

 

Cheeze: Everyone seems to shoot for a Div I school, can you discuss the differences between DI vs DII vs DIII school programs and talent level??

Coach Dobbins:

We all play the same game...3 strikes your out, 7 innings, whoever scores the most runs wins...

The difference is the amount of time we as coaches have with our athletes. At the DIII level, I am allowed 19 weeks with my kids. 16 days in the Fall during the non traditional season, and then no more than 40 games in the spring during the traditional season. Post-season conference tournament play is in addition to the 40 games.

DI and DII have many more rules and more contact with their student athletes.

Division I is a JOB...It does not matter if your are the full ride pitcher or utility player who is getting book money...THEY OWN YOU...Be prepared to accept the role the coach gives you, even if it's not what you wanted. NCAA regulations state that they have to give you a day off every 7 days...Enjoy it!

Division II also has strong responsibilities to the program in regard to time spent in season and out. The rules are very different for DII schools, as they can try out perspective athletes prior to offers of monies.

Division III has no monies to award based solely on athletic performance. Merit scholarship awards are based on a matrix that applies to all that apply, including non-athletes at a particular institution. At the DIII level, it is all about the student athlete and their collegiate experience.

Treat this like a job search...

If you really want to play softball in college, make sure you and your parents don't waste one minute sitting around talking about how great a player you are; don't compare yourself to other athletes and assume just because they got a scholarship, you're bound to be offered one. Finding a job might be the most important thing in your life once you graduate college, so make your college and team search a practice run. Develop a play of action; investigate all opportunities and listen to all suggestions; be assertive and willing to work hard; and, most importantly, never give up. Assuming that you are academically and athletically on track to compete in college, I guarantee you will find a team to play for

If you meet these three criteria:

1). You, the athlete, want to play softball in college because you love the game and want more than anything else to continue competing. Your must want to play for yourself, not for mom or dad, your coaches, or because your friends are doing it.

2). You and your family are willing to do whatever it takes to find a team, including putting lots of work into your college search if necessary.

3). You and your family are willing to look at lots of different options, i.e., you should consider all types of softball teams and find the one that offers you the chance to make a contribution while at the same time, allowing you to get the education you need.

And after you've found the school and team that are right for you, you will know you've got what it takes to find that perfect job when your years with softball are over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Cheeze: In our past conversations, we have discussed the quality or lack of, of the training and coaching on our local travel ball teams, will you expound on this topic??

Coach Dobbins:

This is a problem.

While there are many qualified softball travel ball coaches in North Carolina, there are too many that are turning girls away from this sport. We are in a war with soccer and women's basketball for these female athletes.

These are the issues and problems that I see.

1. Failure to focus on the fundamentals, which are a base for success later.
2. Blatant Daddy Ball
3. Lack of knowledge of the game.
4. Lack of knowledge of the rules.
5. Teaching techniques that couse injuries
6. Setting poor examples in respect to umpires and opposing teams
7. Coaching like it is baseball, not adapting to the smaller diamond

I don't know how to change this, but we lose female softball players every year to the other traditional women's sports because we don't make it fun for them. We focus so much on winning, when the focus should be on development.

Here is a checklist I use when working to TEACHING FUNDAMENTALS TO YOUNG PLAYERS

1. Fundamental techniques remain the same regardless of age or presumed ability
2. Understanding that performance will be different by age and aptitude.
3. Teach life shills through the game
4. When teaching, be sure your players know what you mean
5. Do not expect your players to know what you have not taught
6. It is okay to strive fore perfection; always realizing it can not be achieved
7. Perfect practice makes perfect. This assumes uqality of training; not quantity of repetitions
8. Plan your practice; and practice your plan..

I have been asked often about how to teach different age groups. I believe coaches need to keep in mind their audience. Have a pland and goals for your team or organization. If your team is comprised of beginning elementary age players, goals should involve fun, physical agilities, coordination, introducing aggressiveness, positive attitude, and hustle. 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th graders need to be taught fundamentals in the techniques of the game.

Reinforce good and positive attitudes, team play, work ethic, and continue having fun. Focus should not be totally about winning, It should be on the process of working hard, smart, learning the game, practicing properly, etc. At the junior high level of 7th and 8th grades (with respect for the many changes going on in your player lives) and the entrance into high school (9th grade) they need to continue focusing on fundamental skills and techniques. Most importantly, they need to play as many games as possible. Play whenever and wherever they can. Even pickup games. The strategies of the game need to be taught and understood with the coach's philosophy.

Players should consider more than one position. Sophmore year through high school is all about showing off those skills and all that hard work up to this point. If the desire is to play in college, these are the years to impress the recruiters. Skills and techniques continue to be worked on by making them game-like as much as possible and challenging each skill by increasing the degree of difficulty in practice. It is important to select the best match and team possible during these years for exposure and improvement.

Cheeze: And finally Charlie, discuss the mental aspect of playing college softball.

Coach Dobbins:

"Why do you want to play?"
"What drives you to play?"

Most players really have fun playing this game. Some can't think of playing anything else. All want to continue playing in college. Your all have different reasons for playing, but if you are going to spend all this time at practices and games, you might as well develop an attitude to get better. This is where your coach cannot help you. This is where your parents cannnot help you. This is where your teammates cannot help you.

Your dedication comes from within. You cannot become the best you can be if you find excuses not to improve. You cannot improve if you find excuses not to practice at home. You cannot improve if you do not or cannot honestly evaluate your mistakes, take responsibility for your own deficiencies and work to improve them.

Team Breakdowns, the unexpected beats you every time!!!

Time should be set aside during practice for the mental approach to the game. Make it interesting enough so they pay attention and retain what it is you are telling them.. To think that strategy is instinctive can lead to disaster and disappointment. First step is for you to make sure they learn and understand the different points of interest and strategy that your are emphasizing. Demand that your players spend some of their own time working on being a better player. Give this a try and instead of moaning: "I thought she knew that!" you can now say: "She should of known that". The difference? Can you be upset with someone who doesn't know what to do if they have never been taught it? Of coarse not or at least you shouldn't be. But if you have spent the time to teach and they didn't feel the importance to learn what it is you taught, be upset!! Don't take the "I didn't understand what you meant" line. Did they ask questions when you discussed it? If not, then there should be some kind of disciplinary action taken to show to everyone how important these strategy talks and drills are.

The key to success is to make it interesting enough for them to learn BEFORE they are used as an example of what not to do next time the team talks about. It will win you games!!!!

Five things a Coach should do every game:

Stress to your players that we play ourselves every game, and that we are our toughest opponents.
Make everyone responsible and share the ownership of the results.
Acknowledge all of their contributions, no matter how large or small.
Treat everyone as a member of the team
Share the glory!!!!!!!!

Last but not least...thanks to all the kids that I have had an opportunity to coach with or against. I have loved every minute of it....


GO SOFTBALL, OLYMPICS 2016!!!!!!!!!!

Cheeze: Thanks Coach Dobbins for doing this interview. We appreciate the shared knowledge and direction to college that you have given us. Hope you will come back for another interview in the future.

 

welcome cougarcoach to this board rocks softball forum. appreciate the input and hope you will keep posting.

 

Questions???

now I know some of you players and parents have questions for Coach Dobbins, just jump right in and ask!!!