Developing players, developing none...playing to win?? Nope.

Lets start by realizing when "parents complain" who are we talking about.  Even in the best situation, the 80/20 rule controls.  So you'll have 20% of the parents complain - on a 20 man roster, that's 4.  If the team is competitive, and the coaches are doing most things "right" I'll bet it is less than that.  

On the other hand, if the coach is "bumbling idiot" and your team is getting run ruled every other game, and they still do that same old, same old -- well that's the definition of insanity.  Obviously, this will lead to more complaints. 

Now I think second guessing in game decisions that don't work out happens.  But truthfully, I don't think it leads to an erosion of confidence.  It's actually a learning experience for the player and the coach.  Sometimes things don't work out as planned and people understand it.  

Backpick25 posted:

 " I saw a JV program with a purpose and a strategy and execution of that strategy the other night and I want that for my town.  I just don't see that as crazy and if when my son graduates I can help make our town program better for the next group of kids to me that is a win."

What you describe is clearly developed prior to ever setting foot on a HS field. The HS coach simply assembles the puzzle of players. 

All HS baseball players, unfortunately, do not have the same motivation or the same end goal. Most share the love of the game, some, more than others. Some workout consistently, eat clean, hit on their own, pitch on their own, field on their own, ect............Some are only willing to simply put in the required practice it takes to be on the HS team.

The game does demand a high level of commitment and "extra" is part of the game that most players are not willing to dish out. For some it's just not of the same importance as it may be to a motivated player seeking an opportunity beyond HS. For others, it could be college/career interest, girls, trucks, fishing, mission work.....you name it.

These are all observations from my perspective as I have watched my sons go through the process in hockey and baseball. I have an infield, pitching tunnel/cage at my home ( yes, a rink/flood pond in the winter) . My sons have reached out to teammates many times through the years to hit, workout, throw..........the ones that have participated consistently through the years I can count on one hand. It cost no money to participate, nor does it cost to dream. The cost is hard work, sweat, perseverance and saying no to things that are not in your best interest. To me, EXTRA is the basis of the purpose, strategy and execution you are craving for others. It comes from within.

Start up FREE clinics at the youth level, maybe you can get the community behind it. You will likely find most will show up but a time or two. I myself, doubled back to coach youth baseball  locally to teach fundamentals of the game after years of coaching at an academy. I have about 3 or 4 that attend every practice out of 13. The other 9 or so parents and players have little respect or skin in the game and are distracted by other activities.

Right.  But then you have CoachB25's experience.  Sounds like he'll have almost a full team volunteerly working out for 4 hours on Sunday.   

Sometimes it comes down to dedication.  And dedication stars at the top.  I had an interesting conversation with an old HS coach.  He was at the same bar and unsolicited made comments about the "dedication" of some coaches at our school.  He couldn't believe how un-dedicated they are.  Leadership and expectations start at the top.   

Golfman25 posted:

Backpick25 posted:

 " I saw a JV program with a purpose and a strategy and execution of that strategy the other night and I want that for my town.  I just don't see that as crazy and if when my son graduates I can help make our town program better for the next group of kids to me that is a win."

What you describe is clearly developed prior to ever setting foot on a HS field. The HS coach simply assembles the puzzle of players. 

All HS baseball players, unfortunately, do not have the same motivation or the same end goal. Most share the love of the game, some, more than others. Some workout consistently, eat clean, hit on their own, pitch on their own, field on their own, ect............Some are only willing to simply put in the required practice it takes to be on the HS team.

The game does demand a high level of commitment and "extra" is part of the game that most players are not willing to dish out. For some it's just not of the same importance as it may be to a motivated player seeking an opportunity beyond HS. For others, it could be college/career interest, girls, trucks, fishing, mission work.....you name it.

These are all observations from my perspective as I have watched my sons go through the process in hockey and baseball. I have an infield, pitching tunnel/cage at my home ( yes, a rink/flood pond in the winter) . My sons have reached out to teammates many times through the years to hit, workout, throw..........the ones that have participated consistently through the years I can count on one hand. It cost no money to participate, nor does it cost to dream. The cost is hard work, sweat, perseverance and saying no to things that are not in your best interest. To me, EXTRA is the basis of the purpose, strategy and execution you are craving for others. It comes from within.

Start up FREE clinics at the youth level, maybe you can get the community behind it. You will likely find most will show up but a time or two. I myself, doubled back to coach youth baseball  locally to teach fundamentals of the game after years of coaching at an academy. I have about 3 or 4 that attend every practice out of 13. The other 9 or so parents and players have little respect or skin in the game and are distracted by other activities.

Right.  But then you have CoachB25's experience.  Sounds like he'll have almost a full team volunteerly working out for 4 hours on Sunday.   

Sometimes it comes down to dedication.  And dedication stars at the top.  I had an interesting conversation with an old HS coach.  He was at the same bar and unsolicited made comments about the "dedication" of some coaches at our school.  He couldn't believe how un-dedicated they are.  Leadership and expectations start at the top.   

There is some truth to that train of thought but ultimately the HS coach is on the receiving end of what the community has developed for him. 

Bad youth coaches, lack of baseball fundamentals,  lack of strength,  lack of movement.............heck most kids at the HS level don't even hold a ball correctly. I don't care who's coaching at the HS if the community didn't assist in development. At the HS level you need a certain level of talent.

I also need to clarify that a constant in my years in coaching is parent support.  Parents have always been allowed to watch practice and even when I did basketball.  For me, the bad have been few but those bad have been major pains.  My entire day today has been taken up with what I am going to now deal with.  If you were to talk to the vast majority of parents of my players, they would say that they are initially stunned by what we do but then came to see the bigger picture.  I know that there are horrible coaches out there and they shouldn't be allowed to coach.  For the life of me, I just don't understand why someone would willingly destroy a player's HS experience due to their incompetence.  

Backpick25 posted:

Golfman25 posted:

Backpick25 posted:

 " I saw a JV program with a purpose and a strategy and execution of that strategy the other night and I want that for my town.  I just don't see that as crazy and if when my son graduates I can help make our town program better for the next group of kids to me that is a win."

What you describe is clearly developed prior to ever setting foot on a HS field. The HS coach simply assembles the puzzle of players. 

All HS baseball players, unfortunately, do not have the same motivation or the same end goal. Most share the love of the game, some, more than others. Some workout consistently, eat clean, hit on their own, pitch on their own, field on their own, ect............Some are only willing to simply put in the required practice it takes to be on the HS team.

The game does demand a high level of commitment and "extra" is part of the game that most players are not willing to dish out. For some it's just not of the same importance as it may be to a motivated player seeking an opportunity beyond HS. For others, it could be college/career interest, girls, trucks, fishing, mission work.....you name it.

These are all observations from my perspective as I have watched my sons go through the process in hockey and baseball. I have an infield, pitching tunnel/cage at my home ( yes, a rink/flood pond in the winter) . My sons have reached out to teammates many times through the years to hit, workout, throw..........the ones that have participated consistently through the years I can count on one hand. It cost no money to participate, nor does it cost to dream. The cost is hard work, sweat, perseverance and saying no to things that are not in your best interest. To me, EXTRA is the basis of the purpose, strategy and execution you are craving for others. It comes from within.

Start up FREE clinics at the youth level, maybe you can get the community behind it. You will likely find most will show up but a time or two. I myself, doubled back to coach youth baseball  locally to teach fundamentals of the game after years of coaching at an academy. I have about 3 or 4 that attend every practice out of 13. The other 9 or so parents and players have little respect or skin in the game and are distracted by other activities.

Right.  But then you have CoachB25's experience.  Sounds like he'll have almost a full team volunteerly working out for 4 hours on Sunday.   

Sometimes it comes down to dedication.  And dedication stars at the top.  I had an interesting conversation with an old HS coach.  He was at the same bar and unsolicited made comments about the "dedication" of some coaches at our school.  He couldn't believe how un-dedicated they are.  Leadership and expectations start at the top.   

There is some truth to that train of thought but ultimately the HS coach is on the receiving end of what the community has developed for him. 

Bad youth coaches, lack of baseball fundamentals,  lack of strength,  lack of movement.............heck most kids at the HS level don't even hold a ball correctly. I don't care who's coaching at the HS if the community didn't assist in development. At the HS level you need a certain level of talent.

Not really in our area.  If you remember the LL World Series team from Chicago that had to be vacated, out local team lost to them at the state level.  They are usually pretty competitive in LL tournamenmt.  Then most move on to travel ball. Most are individually pretty good ball players.  But the rest of the area is too.  So you definitely have to work.  

And as an example with our girls basketball coach who has a handful of regional championships.   A park district coach (5th grade and under) contacted her for some advice.  Instead of telling him what to do, she went to practice.  She is deep into her upcoming players.  

CoachB25 posted:

I also need to clarify that a constant in my years in coaching is parent support.  Parents have always been allowed to watch practice and even when I did basketball.  For me, the bad have been few but those bad have been major pains.  My entire day today has been taken up with what I am going to now deal with.  If you were to talk to the vast majority of parents of my players, they would say that they are initially stunned by what we do but then came to see the bigger picture.  I know that there are horrible coaches out there and they shouldn't be allowed to coach.  For the life of me, I just don't understand why someone would willingly destroy a player's HS experience due to their incompetence.  

Well you can start a "parents suck" thread.

I'm sure it will all work out.  But you can't please everybody.  Good luck.  

No! Don't Call Bunt! posted:

  Think we are out there 4 hours on Sunday hitting?  Heck sometimes we don't even hit before a game.  

So while Bunt may be over the top sometimes, I can definitely feel his pain.  

This one struck me as amusing.  JV has never practiced on a Sunday.  They have hit before the game maybe half the home games.  For away games the kids get dismissed from class early with Varsity. Then varsity goes into the gym and we have a drop-down cage they use for pre-game BP.  JV is not allowed to hit before games, they stand outside and wait for varsity and then they get on the bus together.  The coach brings no tee for kids to take a swing before away games.  You step up and hit. 

We don't have any time for pre game hitting because the school wants the players to miss as few instructional minutes as possible.   We get to games 30 mins before it starts.  This is the same for all teams in our league.  When I was AC I questioned many things the HC did, but after taking over as HC I found out that we share many of the same ideas on how to develop talent but managing the teams talent and attitude at the same time is such a grand task itself.  

rynoattack posted:

I'm of the belief, "It's not about the X's & O's, it's about the Jimmy's & Joes!" 

In football I have never lost a game on our dry erase board.  Undefeated I'm telling ya