With all due respect coachb, we all have lives and jobs and manage to do them. Life happens. I feel the way I do and have lots of coaching experience. Don't assume that everyone does the same credible job that you do. They don't. People relating their experiences here ought to tell you that.
quote:
Originally posted by Texas2004:
A friend of mine who coached for years and is now a principal...
he said he remembers how if you win, everyone wins...and everyone takes credit...
but if you lose, you lose alone....
Victory has a thousand Fathers...deafeat is an orphan.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by CoachB25:
Are there bad coaches out there? Sure? Are there good coaches out there? You bet! When anyone speaks of overcoming, walk a mile in their shoes and then be the judge.
I'm sorry re: your recent family tragedies. I've been there, lost my Father & Mother within 8 months of each other. However, I still had to do my job & if someone takes on the job of HS BB Coach he has to do his job too.
I don't expect Joe Torre at this level but #1 don't put my kid or anyone else's kid in a position to where all he can do is fail. #2 don't jeopardize the health of a child. These kids may be bigger & stronger than moast "growed" men, but they are still children & YOU are responsible for them while they are between the lines. Don't risk their health just to win a freaking game.
I have no illusions/fantasies re:my Son's future in Baseball, he's more likely to own a Major League team than play for one, but I don't want him unable to carry his guitar in his right hand because some idiot HS BB coach blew his arm out to win a meaningless game.
Are there bad coaches out there? Sure? Are there good coaches out there? You bet! When anyone speaks of overcoming, walk a mile in their shoes and then be the judge.
I'm sorry re: your recent family tragedies. I've been there, lost my Father & Mother within 8 months of each other. However, I still had to do my job & if someone takes on the job of HS BB Coach he has to do his job too.
I don't expect Joe Torre at this level but #1 don't put my kid or anyone else's kid in a position to where all he can do is fail. #2 don't jeopardize the health of a child. These kids may be bigger & stronger than moast "growed" men, but they are still children & YOU are responsible for them while they are between the lines. Don't risk their health just to win a freaking game.
I have no illusions/fantasies re:my Son's future in Baseball, he's more likely to own a Major League team than play for one, but I don't want him unable to carry his guitar in his right hand because some idiot HS BB coach blew his arm out to win a meaningless game.
Amen
I also lost an immediate family member less than 6 months ago and know the pain you deal with.
I also had to go to the mat with my sons high school coach who threw him 120 pitches the first game of the year, letting him know that what he did before or after my son threw 80-90 pitches I did not care about and that he was not throwing away a college baseball career for a couple extra high school wins in his last high school season, period, end of story, not gunna happen.
I made sure he understood in so uncertain terms that it was unneccessary for my son to finish the season with his team and it was up to the coach.
I also lost an immediate family member less than 6 months ago and know the pain you deal with.
I also had to go to the mat with my sons high school coach who threw him 120 pitches the first game of the year, letting him know that what he did before or after my son threw 80-90 pitches I did not care about and that he was not throwing away a college baseball career for a couple extra high school wins in his last high school season, period, end of story, not gunna happen.
I made sure he understood in so uncertain terms that it was unneccessary for my son to finish the season with his team and it was up to the coach.
Tough Crowd! 
I think my point was missed so I must have done a poor job of presenting it. I can't defend anyone that pitches a kid the day after an 80 pitch outing. I'm not trying. Also, I wasn't asking for sympathy in my previous post. I wanted to share that sometimes there are so many demands of a teacher/coach that it is impossible to be everything to everyone. I know I'm not perfect. I couldn't cast the first stone and I'm lucky to have the parents I have because stones could be tossed once in a while but they also don't often cast stones. Yes, you all have jobs to do. However, I really doubt that those jobs entail the same challenges as teaching and coaching. We can all make our arguments why we're more special than the other but the bottom line is that if I'm bad, I hurt kids and so, I feel enormous pressure with every move within the classroom and on the playing field under a microscope. Heck, Heaven forbid I mention the word God. I could end up in court. I doubt very seriously that when you are not at the job, your day's decisions are dissected by the multitudes. Throw into the equation the fact that every parent in the stands has their own agenda (Please note, I'm not saying that all of their agends are bad.) and then you are open to even more criticism. I guess I was trying to defend the Coaching Profession. I wonder why anyone would do it. I know why I do it. Maybe some do it for the money. I sure get paid a lot. I make 2,800 this year and have already spent 1,300 on the field to create our 3rd batting cage. My Dad gave me some great advice that I have not followed and now I will. I want to apologize to all of you that have expereinced a "bad coach." I work hard to try and not be that guy. However, it is unavoidable. I will always be the bad guy to anyone that's agenda differs from what I percieve to be the best for the program. Perhaps coaching should be left for the professionals to do. Me, I'm just a guy that loves a game and kids and is willing to bust butt to give them all that I have.
I think my point was missed so I must have done a poor job of presenting it. I can't defend anyone that pitches a kid the day after an 80 pitch outing. I'm not trying. Also, I wasn't asking for sympathy in my previous post. I wanted to share that sometimes there are so many demands of a teacher/coach that it is impossible to be everything to everyone. I know I'm not perfect. I couldn't cast the first stone and I'm lucky to have the parents I have because stones could be tossed once in a while but they also don't often cast stones. Yes, you all have jobs to do. However, I really doubt that those jobs entail the same challenges as teaching and coaching. We can all make our arguments why we're more special than the other but the bottom line is that if I'm bad, I hurt kids and so, I feel enormous pressure with every move within the classroom and on the playing field under a microscope. Heck, Heaven forbid I mention the word God. I could end up in court. I doubt very seriously that when you are not at the job, your day's decisions are dissected by the multitudes. Throw into the equation the fact that every parent in the stands has their own agenda (Please note, I'm not saying that all of their agends are bad.) and then you are open to even more criticism. I guess I was trying to defend the Coaching Profession. I wonder why anyone would do it. I know why I do it. Maybe some do it for the money. I sure get paid a lot. I make 2,800 this year and have already spent 1,300 on the field to create our 3rd batting cage. My Dad gave me some great advice that I have not followed and now I will. I want to apologize to all of you that have expereinced a "bad coach." I work hard to try and not be that guy. However, it is unavoidable. I will always be the bad guy to anyone that's agenda differs from what I percieve to be the best for the program. Perhaps coaching should be left for the professionals to do. Me, I'm just a guy that loves a game and kids and is willing to bust butt to give them all that I have.
Coach, Group Hug! 
You do it for the love of the game and the chance to make a difference in children's lives. It soothes your competitive spirit and brings you human emmotion that keeps you alive. That is why i did it and i think that is why you do it. Some guys do it for a paycheck! That is the problem.
BigHit15, thanks for the laugh. Today is going to be a bad day. I have to release a coach. Don't know if I'm up to it. Again, thanks for the laugh! 
Tough Crowd? A parent will do what is neccessary to protect their child, something some coaches don't understand, especially if they are not parents themselves.
I would literally take a bullet for my kid or about any kid. Protecting a kid by asking a high school baseball coach, paid or not, to do his job is no big deal for me or most parents.
I would literally take a bullet for my kid or about any kid. Protecting a kid by asking a high school baseball coach, paid or not, to do his job is no big deal for me or most parents.
Now that would stink. Which is worse cutting a friend or a kid. Talk about tough crowd, you guys cut coaches. 
Great post CoachB25. Would you like to move to Ct. and be our HS coach? We definitely need someone like you here. Our coach is giving my son, a junior, Varsity starting pitcher and right fielder, lots of grief. He's a good player, works hard, but the coach never ever encourages or praises him, just constantly puts him down, yells at him about everything. I told my son it's all part of life's lessons and stick with it and that the more the coach yells at you the more likely he thinks you're doing well!?
B25 I know what your talking about we had to let a coach go a couple of years ago. Its a tough job but sometimes it just has to be done. A couple of years ago I had to cut a coachs son at our school. The players mom who is a coach said "How could you cut my son". My response "Don't you cut parents daughters every year". She responded "But thats my son". My response "Yes, and thats someones daughter". I hate to cut kids. I want every kid to have an opportunity to experience being part of our team that is willing to pay the price. As far as protecting your children I totally agree. If the coach is incompetant you must step in. Any coach that would put a kid on the hill after throwing a complete 80 game the day before is incompetant. He deserves to be "taken to the wood shed". Treat every kid as if they were your own. That means discipline and protecting their health as well.
Coachs that coach for a paycheck are easily spotted by players parents and by other coachs. I would not want my son to play for one of these guys either. Coach because you love kids and want to make a difference in their lives. Coach because you love the game and the competition that it affords you. Coach because you want to give back what was given you and even more. My wife when I first started coaching often asked me "Why do you put up with all the junk you have to put up with to coach. You make 2,200 a year and you spend every waking moment at the field. What is wrong with you". After a couple of years she quit asking me. All it took is one bus trip with the team to an away playoff game. We stopped at Mc Donalds on the way back. While inside she saw a couple of the guys not eating. She asked me why are they not eating. I said I dont know I asked them if they needed money. She walked over to them and asked them why they were not eating. They said they were not hungry. She knew they were. She came back to me and said "Give me some money those boys are hungry and they are going to eat". After we got on the bus they came up to her and gave her a hug and said "Thanks Mrs May". Later that night she told me "Now I know why you do it. I will never ask again. I love you." Since then she makes sure that every kid that needs cleats has new cleats if they can not afford them. I bust my butt to get every kid in a school that I feel can play at the next level Juco D-3 etc. But that is not why a good coach coachs. You coach for the relationships that last a lifetime. To make a difference in young mens lives. We have a game today at 4:00. One of my boys will have a great game. One of my boys will not have a great game. But all my boys will be there with me. Man I love this game.
I believe it's possible that some who post are in fact more the problem than the solution. I've dealt with parents and I can say with all honesty, some are a huge pain in the rear. Everyone who has ever coached will agree.
I'm not sure about things when I hear the word "unfair" used. It would be great if we could always hear the other side, the coaches view point. In cases where players are being abused because of the importance placed on winning or lack of knowledge, throwing too many pitches for example, this has to be addressed. There are a large number of coaches who should not be coaching for a variety of reasons.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. I don't think I know the guy, but "Coach May" and a few others on this site, leave no doubt about their passion for the game and their desire to help young people. Too bad all coaches can't have the same thing said about them.
I'm not sure about things when I hear the word "unfair" used. It would be great if we could always hear the other side, the coaches view point. In cases where players are being abused because of the importance placed on winning or lack of knowledge, throwing too many pitches for example, this has to be addressed. There are a large number of coaches who should not be coaching for a variety of reasons.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. I don't think I know the guy, but "Coach May" and a few others on this site, leave no doubt about their passion for the game and their desire to help young people. Too bad all coaches can't have the same thing said about them.
Coach May
Good luck today and every day. My son played for someone like you last year, which makes this year such a let down.
We made sure last years coach knew how much he was appreciated. This week my wife delivered a 10 pound scrap book of the teams "storybook" year to him and his wife, as they all watched his son play college baseball.
Good luck today and every day. My son played for someone like you last year, which makes this year such a let down.
We made sure last years coach knew how much he was appreciated. This week my wife delivered a 10 pound scrap book of the teams "storybook" year to him and his wife, as they all watched his son play college baseball.
I have stated over and over again that the coaches on this site are not the problem. Well there is the one from........never mind! 
The very fact that they are on this site shows that they care enough to make a difference. I salute good coaches from sunny Florida.
The very fact that they are on this site shows that they care enough to make a difference. I salute good coaches from sunny Florida. quote:
Originally posted by mmac:
Great post CoachB25. Would you like to move to Ct. and be our HS coach? We definitely need someone like you here. Our coach is giving my son, a junior, Varsity starting pitcher and right fielder, lots of grief. He's a good player, works hard, but the coach never ever encourages or praises him, just constantly puts him down, yells at him about everything. I told my son it's all part of life's lessons and stick with it and that the more the coach yells at you the more likely he thinks you're doing well!?
I'm sorry this is happening. Sometimes the best lessons in life is learning how not to treat people. I ran into a fence my senior year and still carry some scars from it. The Assistant Coach on my high school team said I looked like Wiley Coyote from the Road Runner Cartoon. Then, he began calling me Cartoon. I was hurt both physically and emotionally. I learned a lot and one of them is that I will never do that to my players. Sarcasm is funny only to the one doing it. The recieptiant typically doesn't find it very funny. I try not to do that to my kids. Your son can learn a valuable lesson in life. Sorry that is the only help I can give.
Coach May sounds like my kind of guy. Too many people get into coaching for the wrong reasons. My sons have had two different youth league coaches that told me point blank that their reason/compensation for coaching is so that their own kid can get it all (bat leadoff, pitch, etc.). I disagree. Being a coach is a sacred trust that should never be abused. The coach's son should be no different than any other player and take his turn on the bench. I am returning to a younger generation what some adults did for me years ago. It takes sacrifice and a desire to do it, like Coach May. I used to go to Sam's or Costco or a sporting goods store and buy up in bulk bats and gloves that were close-outs. Then I would find the needy kids in the league and quietly tell them that I had too much baseball gear in my garage and would they mind taking the bat or glove. They always managed to do me a "favor" and take it off my hands. I guarantee that I felt better about it than they did. You will, too. My father used to say that he was sad that he had no shoes until he saw a man with no feet. I feel blessed that my sons still play baseball with the whole picture in mind.
Coach May echoes what a lot of us feel. And the kids of these coaches will be better adults for having seen how life, and baseball, should be. Hats off to those of you who live the Golden Rule.
Coach May echoes what a lot of us feel. And the kids of these coaches will be better adults for having seen how life, and baseball, should be. Hats off to those of you who live the Golden Rule.
quote:
Originally posted by Coach May:
Coachs that coach for a paycheck are easily spotted by players parents and by other coachs. I would not want my son to play for one of these guys either. Coach because you love kids and want to make a difference in their lives. Coach because you love the game and the competition that it affords you. Coach because you want to give back what was given you and even more. My wife when I first started coaching often asked me "Why do you put up with all the junk you have to put up with to coach. You make 2,200 a year and you spend every waking moment at the field. What is wrong with you". After a couple of years she quit asking me. All it took is one bus trip with the team to an away playoff game. We stopped at Mc Donalds on the way back. While inside she saw a couple of the guys not eating. She asked me why are they not eating. I said I dont know I asked them if they needed money. She walked over to them and asked them why they were not eating. They said they were not hungry. She knew they were. She came back to me and said "Give me some money those boys are hungry and they are going to eat". After we got on the bus they came up to her and gave her a hug and said "Thanks Mrs May". Later that night she told me "Now I know why you do it. I will never ask again. I love you." Since then she makes sure that every kid that needs cleats has new cleats if they can not afford them. I bust my butt to get every kid in a school that I feel can play at the next level Juco D-3 etc. But that is not why a good coach coachs. You coach for the relationships that last a lifetime. To make a difference in young mens lives. We have a game today at 4:00. One of my boys will have a great game. One of my boys will not have a great game. But all my boys will be there with me. Man I love this game.
Wow. That's a freaking awesome post. Hats off to you sir, and may you continue to coach for years to come.
Sorearm
What you described about some coaches being in it so their kids can lead off pitch etc is a sad state. Of course there are kids that are on the receiving end of that scenario.
What you described about some coaches being in it so their kids can lead off pitch etc is a sad state. Of course there are kids that are on the receiving end of that scenario.
Voodoo
Sunshinestate website shows a score from your area for March 23: North Broward Prep 12 Grandview Prep 11. Does your son pitch for Grandview Prep?
Sunshinestate website shows a score from your area for March 23: North Broward Prep 12 Grandview Prep 11. Does your son pitch for Grandview Prep?
quote:
Originally posted by BB Fun:
Voodoo
Sunshinestate website shows a score from your area for March 23: North Broward Prep 12 Grandview Prep 11. Does your son pitch for Grandview Prep?
Can you explain what that has to do with my original post or any of the other replies?
Voodoo
Your original post discusses your dissatifaction with the coach's judgement and his excuses for the loss, especially the last paragraph. My only point is that it is somestimes helpful to have a heads-up on coaching style for anyone thinking of a new school in your area. Didn't mean to get you defensive. I've heard great things about the school and baseball program.
Your original post discusses your dissatifaction with the coach's judgement and his excuses for the loss, especially the last paragraph. My only point is that it is somestimes helpful to have a heads-up on coaching style for anyone thinking of a new school in your area. Didn't mean to get you defensive. I've heard great things about the school and baseball program.