quote:
Originally posted by workinghard:
Ok then, exactly what is the role and/or responsibility of the pitching coach at the collegiate level.
The role of the college pcoach, IMO, should be that he knows each individual player and what he needs to improve to be successful at that particular level he will be playing. The icing on the cake would be one that looks farther beyond the college game and that also would be for each individual player as well. I know my son's coach prepared them the best he could according to each individuals strength. Remember, it also has to do with being a coachable player, to be willing to accept your faults and work on them as instructed. Can't tell you how many times son and his pc went at it because son just didn't want to listen, and he wasn't the only one, but the pcoach's philosophy was you listen to me, I'll make it happen, but you are going to go through lots of tough times for it to happen and most players don't like that. Most players don't like to see their ERA's fall when going through changes and that is why many coaches don't make many changes to players, going though changes can mean a loss or two. So it is not always a bed of roses and hugs and kisses at the end of the day. My son didn't like, in the beginning, being pushed to the limit, but that was how you learned. And I agree that it's important to have a coach who knows his pitchers well enough (and makes it his business) to watch for fatigue and know when to pull the player, and the HC should be in tune to that as well.
I know there has been a lot of going around in circles here but there have been good points made during that. One has to decide what is best for them, it you are looking only for max dollars then you have to take what comes with it, and that may not be the best bb experience, perhaps taking less and working with a better coach, better program may mean more to some than others. These are all personal decisions, but in the end it is the player and family that has to decide what is best, with no whining afterwards.
Many pitchers are not recruited directly by the pitching coach, but it is important that you make it your business to talk to that coach before a decision is made. Because my son had serious aspirations of going pro, that was very important and my husband made it his business to talk to each individual p coach to ask what they liked about son and what they would change and what they would leave alone, if they had to clue he advised son that may not be the right place for him IF this was important to son.
Another suggestion, watch the team ERA, a big indication the pcoach knows what he is doing. Check out innings awarded, there most likely will be 2-3 that have a heavier load, but not be so lopsided that the work load is not spread out.
Yes, it is true that coaches come and go, but that is the HC's responsibility to make sure the replacement is able to do the job for his particualr program, so that is where the HC's experience comes into the picture. If a program has a big turnover of assistant coaches, you might want to look into that further. The problem I see is that players make decisions based upon division, conference, etc. I certainly would hope that my player would prefer a D2,D3 with a good solid staff and program over a floundering D1. Or a smaller program with good stats, good win/loss percentages over a larger one that struggles.
JMO.