Coach Intervention...

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I told my neighbor that before making a decision he would regret, that perhaps he and the other rising seniors should approach the current coach and voice their concerns. They want to go to the administration and request the coaches swap back, but I just don't think that will solve a thing. They'd also like to speak to the current JV coach and ask him to move back up to varsity...something he obviously can't really initiate.

My thought is to both talk to the current varsity coach and possibly talk to the current JV coach. Not to ask them to switch back, but get advice from him and maybe voice their concerns with him. If they talk to the current JV coach, maybe he will be able to help them with some advice and possibly maybe he could in turn talk to the current varsity coach. If the current JV coach has the track record you mention and the two of them have worked together for 5 years, the younger coach may be more inclined to act on the concerns the older coach brings to him.

To be honest, this sounds more like a popularity contest than a real issue.


These boys need to grow up and this is one way to do it. Whining because the coach is mean to me is BS to me. The JV coach has coached for five years at that level and has shown that he is successful. The kids don't like getting yelled at. Well, that is tough. As long as this coach isn't abusing the kids or causing physical problems with them then the boys need to buck up and play the game.

Sorry but I'm not going to play because the coach is mean to me is not a reason to go to the school board. These boys need to grow a spine and go play the game. Like it or not but these kids are going to have to eventually deal with a boss that they don't like. If they love playing the game then they should be able to overcome it. If they are just looking for a reason to not play, then they should just quit.

This isn't parent coach anymore and not everyone gets a trophy for participating.

Curious how the players felt coming through the system when they played JV for this coach. Were there issues then? If not why now?

My new boss is an axx hole. Should I talk to the CEO and have him fired?

If something has to be done the only proper thing to do is the players man up and meet with the coach to discuss their perceived issues. Anything else, mommies or daddies standing up for them, going behind the head coach to the JV coach or the AD is pu$$ing out.

Along with a team full of parents I'm not thrilled with the way my son's coach treats his team. But it's not the parents job to step in based on a perception. My son spent the season getting screamed at in front of the park on several occasions. His response, "So what, I'm playing and we're winning. It's only a problem if I let it affect me."

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My new boss is an axx hole. Should I talk to the CEO and have him fired?

If he is bad then it is in the company's best interest to get rid of him.

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These boys need to grow up and this is one way to do it. Whining because the coach is mean to me is BS to me.

only reiforces my opinion that kids are soft. The coach is mean or yelled at me I quit. give me a break. Just tell them they are all stars and when they screw up just tell them to forget about it.

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Originally posted by Wklink:
To be honest, this sounds more like a popularity contest than a real issue.


These boys need to grow up and this is one way to do it. Whining because the coach is mean to me is BS to me. The JV coach has coached for five years at that level and has shown that he is successful. The kids don't like getting yelled at. Well, that is tough. As long as this coach isn't abusing the kids or causing physical problems with them then the boys need to buck up and play the game.

Sorry but I'm not going to play because the coach is mean to me is not a reason to go to the school board. These boys need to grow a spine and go play the game. Like it or not but these kids are going to have to eventually deal with a boss that they don't like. If they love playing the game then they should be able to overcome it. If they are just looking for a reason to not play, then they should just quit.

This isn't parent coach anymore and not everyone gets a trophy for participating.

This isn't a case of them being yelled at. If that is all it was, I would have given him the same advice. I've known the kid in my neighborhood since he was 7. Heck, I saw him lay out, completely horizontal as an 8 year old in the cul-de-sac (yea...on the road) trying to catch a ball in a kick ball game.

This is about an immature coach (the new varsity coach is only 29 years old) calling his players female genitalia and f*ck faces. I can't think of a situation where a coach should be talking to a player or players like that.

If you've ever coached in high school, you know the pressure is different going from JV to Varsity. Perhaps the other nuance is that for the past 5 years on JV, he had an assistant coach...a gentleman in his 50s. That same gentleman stayed on JV this year. The coach doesn't have any adult supervision alongside him. During playoffs, the former varsity coach (current JV coach) joined the varsity club for their playoff run. At no time during those two weeks did the current varsity coach "go off" on the players while the former coach was around. Sounds to me like the current coach needs some adult supervision around.

It sounds like the new coach is trying to put his stamp on the program and leave no doubt in the players minds who is in charge. It also sounds like he is going about it the wrong way.

The older coach needs to have a sit down with the young coach and explain to him that respect is not given it is earned.

The Puxxy thing or it's many variations is pretty standard coach stuff. The fXck face is over the line. I agree with Coach May here that the experianced coach needs to help this young man settle into the job.

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Originally posted by larrythompson:

quote:

Originally posted by Wklink:
To be honest, this sounds more like a popularity contest than a real issue.


These boys need to grow up and this is one way to do it. Whining because the coach is mean to me is BS to me. The JV coach has coached for five years at that level and has shown that he is successful. The kids don't like getting yelled at. Well, that is tough. As long as this coach isn't abusing the kids or causing physical problems with them then the boys need to buck up and play the game.

Sorry but I'm not going to play because the coach is mean to me is not a reason to go to the school board. These boys need to grow a spine and go play the game. Like it or not but these kids are going to have to eventually deal with a boss that they don't like. If they love playing the game then they should be able to overcome it. If they are just looking for a reason to not play, then they should just quit.

This isn't parent coach anymore and not everyone gets a trophy for participating.

This isn't a case of them being yelled at. If that is all it was, I would have given him the same advice. I've known the kid in my neighborhood since he was 7. Heck, I saw him lay out, completely horizontal as an 8 year old in the cul-de-sac (yea...on the road) trying to catch a ball in a kick ball game.

This is about an immature coach (the new varsity coach is only 29 years old) calling his players female genitalia and f*ck faces. I can't think of a situation where a coach should be talking to a player or players like that.

You stated the kids are going into their senior year. So far the only thing that the coach has done is yell at the kids and use some very inappropriate language. Does the way he manage the team put the kids in danger? Does he manage the kids so that pitchers aren't overworked and does he do a good job running the game?

If the boys really love playing baseball then this is a good learning opportunity for them. In their life they will have several bosses, some good, some bad. They can learn from both. Ask the boys if they really want to give up their last year of playing a sport they love simply because a coach calls them names?

I agree using such profanity is over the line but there are ways to correct that short of getting the guy canned. Parents as a group can go to the coach and state flat out that they are very offended with the language used around their children (these are still minors) and that if he doesn't control his language around them then they will complain to the school board. I suspect that he will back off on the four letter words pretty quickly.

No one is talking about getting the guy canned. The issue, for me atleast, is to figure a way to keep my neighbor from making a mistake he will later regret.

My suggestion to him to discuss the matter with the coach is still the best approach in my opinion. I like it when young men step up and in an appropriate way, challenge authority when they think they are being wronged or a coach is making a mistake. There is a time and place for everything...now that the season is over, the timing couldn't be better for this young man (and his peers) to address the coach in a calm and respectful manner.

Maybe but you might also wnat to remind the boys as to why the old coach is turning the reigns over to the young coach.

The younger coach has had these boys for their JV season and the older coach probably thinks this is the perfect time to turn the reigns over to him. The JV coach knows the boys, knows their weaknesses and strengths probably better than the Head Coach does. I suspect that maybe the older coach is starting to work his way out of being in charge and wants the new coach to take over with kids he knows. That way he doesn't have the stress of trying to learn all about a bunch of new boys while trying to incorporate his system into the high school play.

What is with the language bit ?? It is part of life

Be a fly on the wall in the dugout and listen to the players chat---it will shock the bejeebers out of you--they tak about things that you, as a parent, never taught them

They are a lot more worldly than you can imagine--myself and my coaches see it every year with each different group of players

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Originally posted by TRhit:
What is with the language bit ?? It is part of life

Be a fly on the wall in the dugout and listen to the players chat---it will shock the bejeebers out of you--they tak about things that you, as a parent, never taught them

They are a lot more worldly than you can imagine--myself and my coaches see it every year with each different group of players

If you think the boys are bad, I coached showcase softball and heard stuff out of girls mouths that would curl your ears. I had to tell them to knock it off several times.

Immature teanagers with foul mouths are expected because they haven't grown up yet and they still need to be taught a thing or two hundred.

So how many coaches would stand there in a team meeting in the outfield after a tough loss and have the team captain say to them "Hey sh#$head that hit & run you called in the 5th cost us the f#@king game. That was a pu$$y move and you have to be better than that Fu%^face. I am sick and tired of you S#$king C#@k with every worthless motherf$$ing dumb a$$ decison you make"

Not many I'd bet and they would be right. They are wrong to think kids/children should be taking that Sh$t from them. Pull your heads out of your a$$. And don't give me that kids need to toughen up bullsh#t either.

Here's why:

Coaches work for the school district and more is demanded from them as part of the employment agreement.

Can the English teacher scream Fu#$ face at a kid that gets a 60 on a test in front of the class? IMO when the English teacher can do it so can the coach.

As a matter of fact try doing that in business meeting (AKA the real world) and you are done. If you get to stay your company is in for a doozy of a hostile workplace lawsuit and they will lose.

In the 21st Century this is inappropriate anywhere from anyone. It is as big a no brainer as there can be short of actually touching people.

luv baseball


I do think that the world I have lived in and still live in is a lot more real than yours--you are a just a tad bit idealistic

And yes kids today need to toughen up--we are creating a few generations of wet noodles

TR

Granted there are a bunch of softies out there. IMO every generation thinks that of their children and grandchildren. The whole I walked uphill to school in the snow both ways kind of thing.

As far as the cussing of kids I can even accept I am being a bit idealistic to thinking that sports or the world changes at anything but a glacial pace. Never the less change has happened. Noone is allowed to hit kids in school anymore and that was part of it when I was coming up. It ended while I was in school but it did end. I doubt my father or grandfather ever thought that would happen.

If the coach in question is doing what he's being reported as doing one cell phone recording of him doing it will be enough to get him blown out of there. We have changed that much as well.

The ironic question is if one of these players is willing to take the heat for recording him and reporting him. If they aren't tough enough to do that then they will continue to take it or they walk away. Either way nothing changes until the coach is confronted by someone.

All of this assumes the facts are as what is in this thread.

What happened to players "manning up" with the coach face to face ??

That's a good one. Since when have players ever told coaches how to run anything?

John Wooden explained to Bill Walton that he could keep his hair any way he liked but if it wasn't cut to his specification he would not play at UCLA. Walton cut his hair.

Doubt this coach is in that league or he'd take to a "debate" from one of his players much more than the Wizard did.

luv baseball

Who is talking about telling a coach how to run his program ?

I am talking about a player talking with a coach face to face to discuss his problem.

I've thought about this and tried to imagine it being my son, and what I would tell him. Here's where I came out:

1. The worst thing to do is quit.

2. The second worst thing is to go over thecoach's head. The odds of the administration changing their minds is low, and he'll be tagged a snitch.

2. That leaves the choice of talking to the offending coach (as a group would be best) or just ******* it up. Let your conscience be your guide on that one.

This is a difficult situation. Let us know how it works out for your neighbor.

If you want to discuss something as fundemental as his personal style you are challenging how he runs the program in the most intense way possible.

Coaches are not receptive to this from anyone much less 16 year olds.

In the end though I think twotex has it outlined correctly.

I suppose it is time for these kids to learn the greatest life lessen baseball has to teach which is the people in charge who should know better don't and foul up royally too. Do your best anyway.

luv baseball I'm going to disagree with you. I've always had an open door to talk to my guys. If they have any issue they want to talk about from things going on at home to school to girls to anything going on with the team they can come talk to me. The coach is the boss without a doubt but he cannot be unapproachable. I readily admit I make mistakes and when I do I want to do everything in my power to fix it. One thing I try to get across to my players is that if there is a problem you can approach it two ways - 1) gripe, complain and try to blame someone for what went wrong or 2) find a way to fix it because that's more important than who's to blame. In order to fix problems you have to be able to talk about them.

Now just because I have an open door policy doesn't mean I'm going to just agree with them and do whatever they want. Sometimes things I'm doing get explained better, sometimes they just want to vent or whatever.

As for the situation going on here I like the list that twotex came up with. To me that's great advice.

This was in yesterday's Memphis Newspaper:

Bartlett police have issued a warrant for a 29-year-old man who allegedly pointed a loaded gun at a youth baseball coach during an argument regarding playing time for the suspect’s son.

The incident occurred Saturday afternoon at the baseball fields adjacent to Shadowlawn Middle School. The gun-pointing culminated a profanity-laced argument after the father became upset claiming his son got fewer at-bats than other players.

An aggravated assault warrant was issued Monday for the father, Nicholis Williams, of Memphis. He was not in custody this afternoon.

Efforts to reach Williams were unsuccessful, but a woman who identified herself as Williams’ wife, said her husband denies pulling a gun, and wondered why he was being charged, saying the coach — Joseph Powell, 21 — “insulted him first.”

She said their son is 10 years old.

Powell declined comment today.

The play at Shadowlawn is under the supervision of Ellendale Little League, according to Bartlett officials. League officials did not return calls or e-mails.

According to police reports, Williams confronted Powell and the other coaches about his son’s at-bats. Williams’ antics were enough for the director of the league and the coaches to ask him to leave the field.

Williams went to the parking lot and was sitting in his car as Powell put the baseball equipment in his truck. The coach thought the parent had “cooled down,” according to the police report, and Powell went to Williams’ car to ask him not to curse in front of the young players.

Williams’ response was to tell the coach to “Shut the ---- up,” according to Powell. At that point, the report states, Williams pulled a gun from under the floor mat, put a bullet in the chamber and pointed it at Powell.

The coach pulled the man’s arm over the car door, disarming him, then took Williams to the ground. Other witnesses separated the two, four of them holding Powell as Williams drove from the parking lot, the report states.

Several witnesses, according to police, said Powell called Williams “a punk-*** *****” before Williams pulled the weapon. They added that Powell was choking Williams as they were fighting over the gun.

One of those witnesses picked up the weapon from the ground and placed it into Williams’ car through the passenger window as he was driving away. A black holster was left at the scene and taken into evidence.

Bartlett does not ban guns in parks. Aldermen declined last fall to override a state law that allows permit holders to bring their weapons into the areas.

There is no indication through several web sites that Williams is a permit holder.

.............I don't think this is the way to handle a discussion with a coach by a parent. Or vice versa.

When I manage people or coach kids I have a policy of ... Don't come to me looking to complain. If there's a problem come to me with a solution or help in looking for that solution.

So the players come to the coach and say to him...

You are the problem and the solution is for you to go. Wonder what happens then

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Originally posted by luv baseball:
So the players come to the coach and say to him...

You are the problem and the solution is for you to go. Wonder what happens then

Two things stand out to me with your post

1) Why do the players go to him and think the solution is for the coach to resign or get fired?

2) Give the players more credit than you are because I would bet that somehow someway they would come up with a more diplomatic way of expressing they believe a change in the coaches attitude would do more.

It was a joke.....

My apologies for not getting it.

I don't think there's anything wrong with an open dialogue; it can be done, how people react is the tricky part, and a little depends on how its positioned originally.

Coaches usually have team meeting at the beginning to lay the ground rules. things like a 24 hr cool down period, or having an appointed parent rep to forward issues is best pratice. Team captain could possibly substitute for the parent rep - depends on ages of kids.

Coach2709,

No problem. It does kind of show how complicated it is if the commucation is broken that even with a smiley face my joke could still be taken as a real comment on the situation.

I hope that that group finds a way to solve its issues and gets back to focusing on playing the game.

Whatever happened with this? Did they talk to him?

I agree today's players need to toughen up a bit. But I don't think a representative of a school should be cursing at students - it shows a lack of maturity and a definite lack of vocabulary.

I know of a situation where a parent and a "coach" got into fisticuffs over language used toward the player. Could have easily been avoided.

i do not condone using foul language I never used it when dealing with players who as they say screwed up. I got in their face. Yes I did . cursing aside I am sure that is not accepted as proper behavior by those tht make it their business to make such distinctions. I do feel kids today are different than those of years gone by. Seems like in todays world we spend more time trying to make sure we do not offend somebody rather than just stating the obvious. Could I coach today? probably not I would tell a kid he messed up or if after messing up too much I benched him in favor of another player and have to deal with the reaction.
In the real world everybody does not get a trophy you have to earn it.