D1 dead period

Not sure when the council is scheduled to meet/vote but I am seeing some interesting "positive signs" out there.  A lower D1 and a mid-major I keep up with just added on campus prospect camps for early October and a Big 12 school just tweeted out that their camps would be back "Sooner😉 rather than later".  It could just be optimism on their part, and mine, but they seem to be telegraphing a lifting of the dead period.

I agree.  I'm getting the same "feeling". 

The question is, at what point will the NCAA realize that it's current approach is a disaster?

Based on my experiences over the years, I am pessimistic.  The tendency of the NCAA is always to double down on mistakes, to add still more restrictions, etc.

I sure hope the lid comes off Oct. 1, though.  The 2021's need time before early signing, especially since, at least around here, they are looking at shortened spring school varsity seasons as well.  The 2022's pretty much spent their summer looking just to play, get sharp, and improve.  Lots of webcasting is in the works at this point, but I have little faith in its efficacy.  If I were a college coach, I'll be damned if I would ever commit a kid without seeing him in person multiple times.

At least for the 2022's, the worst case is that everything gets crammed into next summer.  And it wasn't that many years ago that the summer after junior year was the hot recruiting period.  So that can't be but so disastrous.  But for the 2021's, this is truly the last hurrah.  And for a class that's already looking at programs that may have unexpectedly had their scholarship allotments consumed by 5th-year seniors deciding to return, they need the consideration right now.

Last month, it was announced on the 12th.  That said, there has been no consistent pattern on when they announce extensions since Spring.  I can't imagine it going any longer than early next week.  My guess would be by Friday.

I think that even if it was lifted, you will have coaches that are not going to travel.

I read last week that the NCAA is set to meet/vote on 9/16, so a week from today.  While I would LOVE to be wrong, my money says it's getting extended.  With D2 going live 9/1, I too, was optimistic until this was announced last week: 

https://d1baseball.com/busines...ractice-flexibility/

To me, this seems like the writing on the wall that the dead period isn't going away 10/1.  In other words "we know your unpaid assistants are hurting since we've tied your hands with the dead period, so here's a bone to help them."  And let's also not forget that for months now, we've been hearing reports that the plan is to extend it through 12/31.  Many were expecting that exact decision a month ago, but then they got our hopes up again (again), by only extending it another month.  Again.  So I am planning on a 1/1/21 lift date as best case scenario at this point.  I expect the NCAA to continue with the "you never know/let's not be the Big 10" approach and going month to month through the end of the year.  if the clouds miraculously part (possibly on 11/4?) before 1/1/21, then they can swoop in and bless us all with their grace.

I wouldn't get too excited by camp/showcase announcements.  My son signed up for a 9/6 D1 showcase (AAC) that was pushed to 10/4 with the latest extension.  If the dead period gets extended next week another month, my money says the camp will be pushed again to 11/8.  And so on and so on.  That way, the schools can be prepared in the event a miracle is bestowed upon us by the NCAA almighty.

D1 Council was supposed to meet today according to the calendar on the NCAA website.  Crickets....no announcements or even leaks one way or the other.  Anyone hear anything?

I’m hearing Jan 1 from a lot of people on Twitter?

D1 recruiting banned until Jan 1 for all sports.

💩

So with dead period extended to 1/1/21, no in person visits. Assuming the dead period is lifted in January, will there be any slots left at lower level D1s? If so, it will be a crazy spring. Feel bad for my 2021, but he is learning to deal with adversity. 

This really sucks!  I feel like it’s a trickle down effect of the 5 round draft and no MILB this season. 

While I anticipated it being pushed out, has anyone heard anything remotely close to a justification as to why D1 needs this but D2 doesn’t?  We can bash the decision to push it out (and be justified in doing so), but how obtuse is this double standard between divisions? There must be an answer to this. Anybody know how have an educated guess?

https://www.ncaa.com/news/ncaa...cruiting-dead-period

@DanJ posted:

While I anticipated it being pushed out, has anyone heard anything remotely close to a justification as to why D1 needs this but D2 doesn’t?  We can bash the decision to push it out (and be justified in doing so), but how obtuse is this double standard between divisions? There must be an answer to this. Anybody know how have an educated guess?

Interstate travel. They don't want headlines about a high school kid flying in from a "hot spot" and infecting an SEC football team. Also the state to state quarantine laws. I know, that's a very small part of D1 recruiting, but very high profile, so take the easy way out and ban it all. D2 sports typically recruit within driving distance and most don't have the budget for flying kids in.

@MidAtlanticDad posted:

Interstate travel. They don't want headlines about a high school kid flying in from a "hot spot" and infecting an SEC football team. Also the state to state quarantine laws. I know, that's a very small part of D1 recruiting, but very high profile, so take the easy way out and ban it all. D2 sports typically recruit within driving distance and most don't have the budget for flying kids in.

I agree.  Also to consider probably was lack of funds for coach travel expenses, not affordable for everyone. I think that they were trying to avoid an unfair advantage.

I did post the NCAAs statement above.

I personally don't care about advantages or disadvantages, but if this was approved by a majority of the coaches, then so be it. I always figured it was the NCAA just making bad decisions.

I will agree with TPM.  I think it is the money part.  P5's can probably afford it but the smaller D1's are trying to hold on with all they got.  That is the reasoning for the extra coach is to not give some an unfair advantage if others can't afford it. 

I think it also stops them from bringing players on campus for camps or visits or the upcoming official visits for those about to sign NLI's.  Combo of things that will try to keep them playing this spring. 

If you are not directly involved in the logistics of college baseball and Covid, you cannot understand.  The fear of testing positive or your roommates or teammates testing positive.  The secondary quarantines and quarantines.  Coaches who were fighting the dead period have now given up and just want to do what it takes to play baseball to some extent this fall and hopefully have a season this spring.  They are not wanting to take any extra chances.  I feel sorry for you guys who are on the other side and can imagine how tough it is to figure out whether to spend your money for tournaments that won't have coaches at them.  I understand both sides.  But as they say you have to protect what is in your hand first and foremost. 

Agree with @PitchingFan. This part of the release seems to reinforce the idea that part of this is to protect their students:

”Members also adopted emergency legislation prohibiting schools from giving complimentary game tickets to prospective student-athletes and their high school or two-year college coaches during the dead period.”

Look at it this way: if some parents are willing to get divorced to help their SA’s future, then it’s a nobrainer that some parents would (knowingly or not) bring an asymptomatic kid to a campus visit. 

I appreciate the information that helps explain the decision.  I can't say that all if it makes enough sense for me to agree with the decision, but there is almost no information out there substantiating it.  If it truly is a just and fair decision, it would do the NCAA wonders to be transparent about it.  Their decision very well could be sound, but for crying out loud, the way they're disseminating things, it comes off like the courageous equivalent to "ding dong and ditch."  Drop the info and run and hide.  If the decision was well-thought out, a certain percentage of the mob would subside if the NCAA took the time to be transparent and educate. 

Just curious. If the dead period has been going on since March and will be extended thru Jan 1 - does the NCAA just not anticipate any schools to have a 2021 recruiting class? 

Obviously it's going to happen and there are ways around it, but let's assume you were to play by the rules. That would either mean that they expect coaches to recruit without ever having seen a kid play in person or they expect athletes to commit to a school without ever having visited the staff and the campus. 

Does that sound like they have the best interests of the student athlete in mind? 

@DanJ posted:

I appreciate the information that helps explain the decision.  I can't say that all if it makes enough sense for me to agree with the decision, but there is almost no information out there substantiating it.  If it truly is a just and fair decision, it would do the NCAA wonders to be transparent about it.  Their decision very well could be sound, but for crying out loud, the way they're disseminating things, it comes off like the courageous equivalent to "ding dong and ditch."  Drop the info and run and hide.  If the decision was well-thought out, a certain percentage of the mob would subside if the NCAA took the time to be transparent and educate. 

I am not sure what it is that people want. I don't agree with everything that the NCAA does, but my understanding is that they don't have allegiance to anyone but their member institutions and their student athletes. Where are they dropping the info (D1 dead period extended) and hiding? They don't want anyone on campus that doesn't belong there. They dont want their coaches traveling and bringing back COVID. Jeesh, we used to go watch practice and we can't.  

I posted the link last night to their statement. They don't owe anyone further explanation.

If you didn't read Pitchingfan's post, read it again.  And again.

Some of you live in an area not hit hard by the virus. Some live in areas  battling to keep their players healthy, while treating them like adults and not children. 

For the teams on campus having practice, coaches working their butts off 6 days a week, trying to get through spring practice.  There are no camps allowed, the NCAA is allowing D1 programs to pay the volunteers who would normally get money from camps. So I am sure decisions are made due to budget restraints on every program.  

If your son (anyone reading) is a 2021, 2022 and no commitment, maybe it's time to look into other options. There is nothing wrong with D2, D3 baseball and a D2, D3 education.  The player must be proactive, no one is going to offer anyone an opportunity if they haven't made an real effort.  And if the parent is doing all the work...stop!   

I am apologize for my tone, but I am so tired about the complaining about the NCAA and feeling that their HS uncommitted son is getting screwed!

Most of the coaches in D1 are recruiting guys that they have seen before.  How many 2021 D1 baseball players are just this year starting to play in the tournaments/showcases that had coaches at them?  Most D1 teams were 75-90% completely done with their 2021 class before Covid appeared.  Now they are especially with the circumstances we are in.  If there is a smaller class than normal, it will be the 2021 class because I believe most 2020 recruits will be redshirted since you have so many upper classmen.  You won't need as big of a 2021 and maybe 2022 class.  The big dogs will get signed but the lower ones will fall down a level as we have been saying. 

Many universities are not allowing any of their employees to spend university money to travel right now, nor to to bring (academic) visitors to campus.  So, I wonder whether this is part of the reason for the ban.  Some schools might not be able to pay for athletic travel, when the rest of their university can't do it.  I don't know why that wouldn't also apply to D2, although, as MidAtlanticDad noted, the travel might be less.

Great, great points from TPM above!!!

D2 and D3 Baseball is awesome.  The best teams from those divisions can and do beat many many D1 teams.  I don’t understand the D1 or bust mentality.  

Is it about what’s best for the kid, or is this about the immense feeling of pride and accomplishment you anticipate from posting your kid’s D1 commitment on Facebook and Twitter?

@3and2Fastball posted:

Great, great points from TPM above!!!

D2 and D3 Baseball is awesome.  The best teams from those divisions can and do beat many many D1 teams.  I don’t understand the D1 or bust mentality.  

Is it about what’s best for the kid, or is this about the immense feeling of pride and accomplishment you anticipate from posting your kid’s D1 commitment on Facebook and Twitter?

I don't get it either.

I also want to add that there are other schools that are not NCAA members.  

@PABaseball posted:

Just curious. If the dead period has been going on since March and will be extended thru Jan 1 - does the NCAA just not anticipate any schools to have a 2021 recruiting class? 

Obviously it's going to happen and there are ways around it, but let's assume you were to play by the rules. That would either mean that they expect coaches to recruit without ever having seen a kid play in person or they expect athletes to commit to a school without ever having visited the staff and the campus. 

Does that sound like they have the best interests of the student athlete in mind? 

In coaching this past weekend, I heard several of our kids talking in the dugout about their recent commitment and that they never have seen the campus. They said given the backlog in college baseball right now and the dead period, they did not want to wait around and wanted to secure their offer.  

@ARCEKU21 posted:

In coaching this past weekend, I heard several of our kids talking in the dugout about their recent commitment and that they never have seen the campus. They said given the backlog in college baseball right now and the dead period, they did not want to wait around and wanted to secure their offer.  

Beyond baseball, football is a sport where the overwhelming majority of guys commit their senior year as they have their senior season before the signing day. 

Considering football is the bread and butter for the NCAA you'd think they would have done something that benefits either the athletes or the institutions, but they did neither. 

@anotherparent posted:

Many universities are not allowing any of their employees to spend university money to travel right now, nor to to bring (academic) visitors to campus.  So, I wonder whether this is part of the reason for the ban.  Some schools might not be able to pay for athletic travel, when the rest of their university can't do it.  I don't know why that wouldn't also apply to D2, although, as MidAtlanticDad noted, the travel might be less.

All D1 programs in every sport.  I am guessing D2 coaches have travel restrictions, not sure. I can sak if anyone is interested.

@TPM posted:

I am not sure what it is that people want. I don't agree with everything that the NCAA does, but my understanding is that they don't have allegiance to anyone but their member institutions and their student athletes. Where are they dropping the info (D1 dead period extended) and hiding? They don't want anyone on campus that doesn't belong there. They dont want their coaches traveling and bringing back COVID. Jeesh, we used to go watch practice and we can't.  

I posted the link last night to their statement. They don't owe anyone further explanation.

If you didn't read Pitchingfan's post, read it again.  And again.

Some of you live in an area not hit hard by the virus. Some live in areas  battling to keep their players healthy, while treating them like adults and not children. 

For the teams on campus having practice, coaches working their butts off 6 days a week, trying to get through spring practice.  There are no camps allowed, the NCAA is allowing D1 programs to pay the volunteers who would normally get money from camps. So I am sure decisions are made due to budget restraints on every program.  

If your son (anyone reading) is a 2021, 2022 and no commitment, maybe it's time to look into other options. There is nothing wrong with D2, D3 baseball and a D2, D3 education.  The player must be proactive, no one is going to offer anyone an opportunity if they haven't made an real effort.  And if the parent is doing all the work...stop!   

I am apologize for my tone, but I am so tired about the complaining about the NCAA and feeling that their HS uncommitted son is getting screwed!

 

 

We do need to keep it in perspective, which is hard given that all of us are obsessives about our sons and their futures. 

My '22 is in the 'get you on campus' stage with a few schools and it will be interesting to see how that plays out. A mad dash after 1/1? Lots of moving parts here, which I think adds to our collective anxiety. 

Well, alright.  @TPM work for the NCAA much?  I have no idea what TPM does for a living, but it's fair to speculate he's not in management.  I am.  No, that doesn't make me special/better.  But I make decisions all the time and in no universe am I given the autonomy to make decisions that impact others and tell them I don't owe them any further explanation.  How easy would my job be if I could drop my decision and walk away?!  But I manage in 2020 and our culture doesn't allow for that old school, directive/authoritarian approach.  Those who aren't transparent, get inundated, if not completely pummeled.  Ask Kevin Warren.  Are there laws or rules that the NCAA owes us further explanation?  Nope.  Would it be SMART for the NCAA to be transparent and educate?  Absolutely.  Who could argue that?  

Look how many people come here just to learn the intricacies of the NCAA and their rules and processes.  If they did a good enough job, we wouldn't be here asking and answering near as many questions.   Spoiler alert!  in 2020, the NCAA doesn't have a sterling reputation.  Go look around.  Read what people are saying.  Unrest/dissatisfaction - if perpetuated long enough - gives way to bigger problems and sometimes, revolution.  But it doesn't have to be this extreme.  I think the masses (myself included) would be satisfied with a little more transparency and education.  I'm not asking the NCAA to come over to my house and mow my lawn.   How about a page of FAQs?  Is that too much to ask for?  The laymen can look at D2 flying free (in hot and cold Covid) zones and look at D1 all locked up and fairly ask why one is this way and the other different.  Sure, different divisions, but last I checked, both are part of the NCAA.  Is it more nuanced than that?  Yep.  But the NCAA leaves it up to us to do all the legwork.  "We'll give you the decision and you can go figure out why on your own."  How many business operate that way?  That are still in business?

@TPM if you're that tired reading the complaints, maybe change the channel?  You've been here since 2003 so you know some of this will be here.  Also, you assume too much. My 2021 is committed to a JUCO.  My son is not getting screwed.  But if you can't appreciate that many other children are, you're looking through a very small lens.  None of us get to dictate what constitutes a tragedy to another.  I like to say that Covid deaths don't own a monopoly on tragedy.  Lots of people are suffering and in many different ways.

@DanJ posted:

Well, alright.  @TPM work for the NCAA much?  I have no idea what TPM does for a living, but it's fair to speculate he's not in management.  I am.  No, that doesn't make me special/better.  But I make decisions all the time and in no universe am I given the autonomy to make decisions that impact others and tell them I don't owe them any further explanation.  How easy would my job be if I could drop my decision and walk away?!  But I manage in 2020 and our culture doesn't allow for that old school, directive/authoritarian approach.  Those who aren't transparent, get inundated, if not completely pummeled.  Ask Kevin Warren.  Are there laws or rules that the NCAA owes us further explanation?  Nope.  Would it be SMART for the NCAA to be transparent and educate?  Absolutely.  Who could argue that?  

Look how many people come here just to learn the intricacies of the NCAA and their rules and processes.  If they did a good enough job, we wouldn't be here asking and answering near as many questions.   Spoiler alert!  in 2020, the NCAA doesn't have a sterling reputation.  Go look around.  Read what people are saying.  Unrest/dissatisfaction - if perpetuated long enough - gives way to bigger problems and sometimes, revolution.  But it doesn't have to be this extreme.  I think the masses (myself included) would be satisfied with a little more transparency and education.  I'm not asking the NCAA to come over to my house and mow my lawn.   How about a page of FAQs?  Is that too much to ask for?  The laymen can look at D2 flying free (in hot and cold Covid) zones and look at D1 all locked up and fairly ask why one is this way and the other different.  Sure, different divisions, but last I checked, both are part of the NCAA.  Is it more nuanced than that?  Yep.  But the NCAA leaves it up to us to do all the legwork.  "We'll give you the decision and you can go figure out why on your own."  How many business operate that way?  That are still in business?

@TPM if you're that tired reading the complaints, maybe change the channel?  You've been here since 2003 so you know some of this will be here.  Also, you assume too much. My 2021 is committed to a JUCO.  My son is not getting screwed.  But if you can't appreciate that many other children are, you're looking through a very small lens.  None of us get to dictate what constitutes a tragedy to another.  I like to say that Covid deaths don't own a monopoly on tragedy.  Lots of people are suffering and in many different ways.

 

 

I am not a he, but a she. Sometimes it's a good idea to read Webster's bios.   

You assume too much.....

Yes there are MANY people suffering right now.  But people  here still find time to complain, and freak out because D1 coaches can't go out on the road. 

Once again, I posted a link last night as to the NCAAs position. 

You have a problem with their reasons, send a letter.

@OskiSD posted:

We do need to keep it in perspective, which is hard given that all of us are obsessives about our sons and their futures. 

My '22 is in the 'get you on campus' stage with a few schools and it will be interesting to see how that plays out. A mad dash after 1/1? Lots of moving parts here, which I think adds to our collective anxiety. 

Make sure that your son keeps in weekly contact with those coaches, perhaps through email.

I am sure that as soon as they can they will invite him on campus.

As far as the NCAA, it's hard to know what they are thinking, that's why all NCAA schools have compliance officers who keep the coaches informed and help interpret rules.

@TPM posted:

Make sure that your son keeps in weekly contact with those coaches, perhaps through email.

I am sure that as soon as they can they will invite him on campus.

As far as the NCAA, it's hard to know what they are thinking, that's why all NCAA schools have compliance officers who keep the coaches informed and help interpret rules.

 

 

 

Sound advice, thank you. 

Touché, @TPM!  I did assume wrong and I apologize for that. No sure what Webster’s bios is, but I don’t dare complain about it! 

This thread might need to be migrated to the Golden Threads or forum rules now because apparently feedback isn’t welcome if someone here considers its complaining.  Unhappy with how your PG or PBR showcase experience was? Don’t bother bringing that nonsense here. Apparently your only proper course of action would be to send PG or PBR a letter. Catharsis, honest dialogue and questions have no place here. 

Listen, I get the point. No one loves listening to whining, but not all dissension is whining for the sake of whining. It often leads to dialogue, information sharing and increased understanding of perspectives different than our own. The beautiful thing is, we always have a choice as to whether or not we read it.  Tolerance can often be a virtue. 

@DanJ posted:

Touché, @TPM!  I did assume wrong and I apologize for that. No sure what Webster’s bios is, but I don’t dare complain about it! 

This thread might need to be migrated to the Golden Threads or forum rules now because apparently feedback isn’t welcome if someone here considers its complaining.  Unhappy with how your PG or PBR showcase experience was? Don’t bother bringing that nonsense here. Apparently your only proper course of action would be to send PG or PBR a letter. Catharsis, honest dialogue and questions have no place here. 

Listen, I get the point. No one loves listening to whining, but not all dissension is whining for the sake of whining. It often leads to dialogue, information sharing and increased understanding of perspectives different than our own. The beautiful thing is, we always have a choice as to whether or not we read it.  Tolerance can often be a virtue. 

You keep wondering why the NCAA doesn't give clear concise reasons. Why?  Because the NCAA doesn't give clear concise reasons!  

FWIW, the dead period  for baseball under normal times begins end of October, see NCAA recruiting calendar. So it's not too hard to understand why they extended it. Also, as explained to me the NCAA has to go by the advice of their medical team. Just as schools have to go by advice from their medical teams. So there are obviously quite a few reasons to consider as to why.

There is just so much going on right now, it's a very difficult time for everyone. It's just not about baseball. The objective is to get football and basketball going, except for the top baseball programs that bring in some money, all other programs come last. 

Not too many have complained, the same few do it often.  I think more folks here really have a very good understanding how difficult things are. I  respect parents for making efforts to have their players seen this summer.   I am sure it hasn't been easy.

So does the Dead period still apply after the NLI signing 11/11? Per the NLI, it completes the recruiting process, so in theory, it shouldn't apply. So the guys "should be" allowed on campus as they're no longer recruits, but official....  Just wondering on the "official visits" where the guys get all geared up and take pictures and the signees and schools tweet it out. Great to get the signing class together. 

Any idea? 

@Eokerholm if you look at the definition of a dead period on the NCAA website it says that: "During a dead period a college coach may not have face-to-face contact with college-bound student-athletes or their parents...." (emphasis added)

I'm no NCAA expert but I interpret that as meaning anyone not enrolled. After signing the NLI, a commit will still be "college-bound" even though his recruiting process is over. My take on it is that the schools will let us know differently but my expectation is no official visit until after the dead period is over, if at all. Frankly, as fun as official visits are, I wish the money that is normally earmarked for official visits could go toward additional scholarship money this year. There is more than enough time for pictures in uniforms and class bonding once the players show up on campus. 

Wow interesting discussion, and spirited. I think in general TPM has it. Dan, I too have been in leadership in my professional life and I understand your point about transparency and accountability. In this case I believe it comes down to they are scared !$&&less to lose D1 basketball and football revenue plain and simple. That’s not the issue with D2/3, juco NAIA. I don’t have to agree totally with it but in the end it’s their game and we are just kinda swept up in it.

as the Dad of a ‘21 I can empathize. It’s been maddening, upsetting,mentally taxing and borderline abusive to the 21 class. Now TPM hold your hat.....over the past 8 years  we didn’t spend 35k (conservatively) on travel ball, speed class, weight training,Repeating 8th grade PG,PBR, etc. to play anything other than really D1 as his first choice. He wanted to play against the best and that was his goal.in our area there is a difference in my mind in facilities, coaching and overall talent. To have that basically erased in front of him and limit the opportunity was a tough lesson. So we pivoted. He by chance ( you never know who is watching or..... coaching against you!!!lol) happened into a good D2 opportunity, we realized the landscape had changed so he took it. Was it what he wanted? No, but it was the best package and education he had in front of him of the 2 D2 and 4 D3 “offers” he got.

Was  he D1 talent kid? Yep most likely in a normal year. He was told that plenty of times by college coaches at all levels. I’m comfortable , having coached 8 D1 ss in high school as an “infield guy”, to look and say yes talent wize he was at that level.I was a D1 ss, both his uncles were D1 ss’s. I have enough independent sources(mlb,Pbr,PG etc) that confirm that rating. In short I think I know what one looks like.Is he a P5 top pick type kid? No, just a slightly undersized (5’10 ,160) good solid player.Enough D1 coaches saw him this summer(yes it happened and was legal) but each one basically didn’t have the roster spot or were bringing in less for the ‘21 class. It hurt when my alma Mater went with another kid basically because “ the head coach wants MIF’s over 6ft”. Really pissed me off and I’ll probably never give them another dollar. Did it suck? Yep for sure. 

so in some ways it was bittersweet, in general he’s happy to get the opportunity and overall it’s a decent package and a decent conference. The fact is he probably got more baseball$$$ than he would have ever got in a D1 setting. I’m excited to watch him develop as a person and player and watch some good college baseball as a Dad ( my Dad has always said it was the greatest 4 years for he and my mom). We will always wonder “What if” but boy is this game ever filled with that. 31 years later at times I catch myself going over it with myself, and then I realize it’s never changing and things have worked out ok.

my advice to others is to step back, honestly evaluate and pivot to what might be available. Waiting in my viewpoint won’t change much for the ‘21class. If you have a legit offer at this point I’d take it.

JMO, flame away.... but I’m sharing in hopes of helping.As a coach I spent 24 years trying to find the 1 kid I could help the way my coaches helped me learn about baseball, myself and life.Maybe I can help someone here.