After having 2 sons play select baseball for the past 11 years and high school baseball for the past 8 years my opinion is players are very lucky to play for a quality high school coach. Based on my experience they are few and far between. My older son was fortunate enough to play 3 years for Funneldrill. But I will tell you the worst year he and our entire family experienced was under FD. As I look back on the entire experience it was never the coaches fault for my sons success and failure. The coach did not throw the pitches or swing and miss, my sons did. I know my older son learned more from the failure he experienced his junior year in high school than all the success he experienced over the other 7 years in high school or college. He never gave up and battled through the experience. He has played summer college baseball for FD the last 2 seasons and their relationship is great.
The one virtue FD brings to the table every day is his passion for the game and the kids. Sometimes he too can be difficult to communicate with but at the end of the day the kids know he really cares about the game and them, maybe sometimes too much. If there is one thing all high school coaches could do a better it is communicating one on one with their players. If there is a problem with them, don't address it in front of the entire team and have them feel they are being ridiculed in front of their peers. Take them off to the side and explain to them what you like and don't like about their play or attitude or work ethic or any issues you have with them. At the same time you need to give them positive feedback, if most of your communications with any player is negative the player will surely tune you out.
I admire coaches like FD who coach the players with all of their heart and soul. At the end of the day these players will realize that their former coach was their biggest supporter and not in it for only their personnel success. I have seen FD work many hours to help a former or current player get the opportunity to move on to the next level. He does it with a passion you don't see from many coaches.
quote:Originally posted by Dtiger:
Not to be cruel in any way... but I find it humorous how you can "stir" things up with almost anyone, and then be nice to me... maybe I am special?
If you ever want a chance to meet, ask KCR when my next hitting lesson is... Lord knows I need more of 'em!
It's because your the only one who ever writes anything that makes sense and is right on target.
I'm just a amazed it comes from someone with your age.
Or it could be, your actually a player?
KG,
Most people confuse Point of Reference with bragging and that's a shame. I too have never met you but understand all your posts. It's a shame that these members don't have the inside track on what you stand for and what you're about. They have you all wrong. I for one know where you're coming from. BTW I also know that you invite a different opinion on anything....Makes us all think.
Most people confuse Point of Reference with bragging and that's a shame. I too have never met you but understand all your posts. It's a shame that these members don't have the inside track on what you stand for and what you're about. They have you all wrong. I for one know where you're coming from. BTW I also know that you invite a different opinion on anything....Makes us all think.
My Expectations for HS COACH:
Treat all the players as adults as each as an equal to the other--look them in the eye when you talk to them
Put the best 9 on the field every game and try your darndest to win every game regardless of the talent you are handed
Treat all the players as adults as each as an equal to the other--look them in the eye when you talk to them
Put the best 9 on the field every game and try your darndest to win every game regardless of the talent you are handed
why is that so hard?
The concept of the Best 9 being better than the 9 Best will cause trouble in River City or where ever one may hang his hat. Oh ~ It's true! 
reggie-3-77,
I remember that year. I wish I could have done things differently for son #1. I am sure that now, with a whole lot more experience, that I would have done things differently.
I think I am a better coach than I was in the early days when I coached your older son. I am alot more confident in myself as a coach and as a person. I am also supported much better by administration than I was back in that time...especially athletic administration.
Anyway, I hope son #2 had a great experience for his 4 years of HS baseball and hopefully college will be rewarding as well.
I remember that year. I wish I could have done things differently for son #1. I am sure that now, with a whole lot more experience, that I would have done things differently.
I think I am a better coach than I was in the early days when I coached your older son. I am alot more confident in myself as a coach and as a person. I am also supported much better by administration than I was back in that time...especially athletic administration.
Anyway, I hope son #2 had a great experience for his 4 years of HS baseball and hopefully college will be rewarding as well.
Funnelldrill,
Kudos to you in admitting that you have learned to be a better coach, and I'm sure a better person, over time. Some people have trouble admitting that, but I've found the better coaches/people admit to learning something new and improving everyday!
I'm sure you'll have a successful coaching career and I'm happy you seem to have found a home with a supportive administration.
I'm sure you'll have a successful coaching career and I'm happy you seem to have found a home with a supportive administration.
funneldrill,
Do the area coaches ever get together and discuss "coaching at the high school level", for lack of a better name. It seems that some of the younger and/or newer guys could learn from others experiance. It seems a shame, I can see a great coach in ours but he is making so many mistakes, in my eyes.
Do the area coaches ever get together and discuss "coaching at the high school level", for lack of a better name. It seems that some of the younger and/or newer guys could learn from others experiance. It seems a shame, I can see a great coach in ours but he is making so many mistakes, in my eyes.
HS coaches should be expected to:
Treat the players with respect.
Teach the game to their the best of their ability.
Be honest.
Help with recruiting but I would not lay the all the responsibilities at their feet, market your kid and get him looks.
Treat the players with respect.
Teach the game to their the best of their ability.
Be honest.
Help with recruiting but I would not lay the all the responsibilities at their feet, market your kid and get him looks.
En Fuego -- that's my list as well. Sound simple, eh?
quote:Originally posted by Panther Dad:
En Fuego -- that's my list as well. Sound simple, eh?
Yes indeed it does sound simple...
funnell,
sent you a pm.
sent you a pm.
then why are there so many "bad" coaches?
Many reasons,
1) lack of motivation,
2) lack of resources,
3) poor people skills,
4) they are treated like 2nd-class citizens,
5) no booster club support,
6) double standards in their athletic programs
7) baseball "book" knowledge, rather than experience
8) today's youth
9) today's parents
10) aluminum bats
to name a few.
1) lack of motivation,
2) lack of resources,
3) poor people skills,
4) they are treated like 2nd-class citizens,
5) no booster club support,
6) double standards in their athletic programs
7) baseball "book" knowledge, rather than experience
8) today's youth
9) today's parents
10) aluminum bats
to name a few.
Like many things in life, isn't it interesting how the coaching grass seems greener on the other side of the fence?
En Fuego where did you get your fireball pic?
En Fuego where did you get your fireball pic?
[QUOTE]Originally posted by T-Ball:
Like many things in life, isn't it interesting how the coaching grass seems greener on the other side of the fence?
En Fuego where did you get your fireball pic?[/QUOTE
I am truly sorry for any player that is having a bad experience with a coach and program. We wish one thing of my sons program and that is to INSPIRE all "players" on and off the field. And for that we will be forever grateful.
Its got to be a tough job....how many of us are having people posting their expectations of us in the jobs we do....just a thought.
Did I agree with everything our coach did in regards to my son...no....but it is his call and my son will just have to work harder to prove himself.
Like many things in life, isn't it interesting how the coaching grass seems greener on the other side of the fence?
En Fuego where did you get your fireball pic?
[/QUOTE I am truly sorry for any player that is having a bad experience with a coach and program. We wish one thing of my sons program and that is to INSPIRE all "players" on and off the field. And for that we will be forever grateful. Its got to be a tough job....how many of us are having people posting their expectations of us in the jobs we do....just a thought.
Did I agree with everything our coach did in regards to my son...no....but it is his call and my son will just have to work harder to prove himself.
quote:Originally posted by swingdoctor14:
KG,
Most people confuse Point of Reference with bragging and that's a shame. I too have never met you but understand all your posts. It's a shame that these members don't have the inside track on what you stand for and what you're about. They have you all wrong. I for one know where you're coming from. BTW I also know that you invite a different opinion on anything....Makes us all think.
I appreciate that post.
But I also realize what I'm dealing with. I've been banging my head against the wall as a coach and now it's sorta fun on this forum.
What's the old saying.........you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink it.
Huh, I remember one year spending hours among hours trying to convince a family they were gonna have many opportunities at the D1 level if not better. Over and over I explained this and told them to relax..........................
But looking back, I couldn't blame them. All the BS being thrown around from folks who have no clue or experience. It's just that way and I need to accept it. But that something inside me won't let me sit back and say nothing.........
So I keep banging my head against that wall.
The following year this player was drafted in the first round.
T-Ballerrrrr....sent you a PM!
quote:Originally posted by screwball:
then why are there so many "bad" coaches?
It is the same as with anything else in life. There are good and bad businessmen, doctors, police, etc. No different in coaching. There are some great coaches and some bad coaches. And good coaches.
At least in HS baseball, you can be sure that none of them are in it for the money...
OLDPITCHER HAS HIT IT ON THE HEAD ABOUT EXPECTATIONS OF A H.S COACH
quote:Originally posted by TT53:
Funnelldrill,
I'm sure you'll have a successful coaching career and I'm happy you seem to have found a home with a supportive administration.
Thanks! The day I think that I know everything there is to know, is the day I need to quit! I am always looking for better ways to do things/show things/say things. I talk to coaches all the time, especially college coaches, trying to pick their brains for new ideas.
I look back on some of the things I have said or done in the past and have to just laugh at myself...did I do that???
Anyway, good luck to those still in the playoffs. Offseason is boring...necessary...but boring!
quote:Originally posted by funneldrill:
Thanks! The day I think that I know everything there is to know, is the day I need to quit!
That could be taken to heart by some other posters (or poster) on this board.
Being a student of the game is certainly one hallmark of a good coach. And probably a characteristic of every great coach.
quote:Being a student of the game is certainly one hallmark of a good coach. And probably a characteristic of every great coach.
Indeed, Texan. I concur.
The day you think you know it all, is probably the day you need to hang'em up. One of the most inspirational aspects of teaching/coaching is learning. There is so much wisdom and knowledge in the most unassuming places. Knowledge is a powerful gift, but the use of that knowledge to help others is a blessing.
Colliker,
Why don't you go ahead and quote that famous philosopher Socrates that said "True knowledge is knowing that you don't know" That's the King James version.
Why don't you go ahead and quote that famous philosopher Socrates that said "True knowledge is knowing that you don't know" That's the King James version.
Since we are talking about the King James version:
Proverb 1:7 - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge...
Proverb 1:7 - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge...
quote:Originally posted by swingdoctor14:
Colliker,
Why don't you go ahead and quote that famous philosopher Socrates that said "True knowledge is knowing that you don't know" That's the King James version.
Doc, Socrates was made to drink hemlock for his over zealous brilliance. That scares me.
I'll take mine with Sweet-N-Low 