Good Coaching

When my older son was a freshman in high school he was given the gift of playing for an amazing man by the name Bob Starcher. Coach Starcher lived in our area and had retired from college coaching and agreed to coach our high school team for a year or two as kind of a mentor for the next coach. Starcher was a man of small stature and a steely quiet but powerful voice. He treated his players with respect and got respect in return. I was absolutely amazed at how the kids hustled and all had their jobs at practice and pregame drills. He gave the kids confidence and a desire to be the best they could be. In his first year the team set a school record for wins in a season and were taught lessons for a lifetime, lessons about respect, responsibility, and lessons about the power of team over "me".
At 59yrs of age Coach seemed to me to be in great shape, but had a heart condition that most of us didn't know of. Coach Starcher passed away doing what he loved, in the dugout with his boys, of a heart attack during one of our final league games. An amazing man, great teacher, one of Gods finest servants, shaping the lives of our young men before he took that final step. Thank you Coach, thank you God for coaches like Coach Starcher and the legacy they leave with the most precious things in the world, our children.

My two sons have been very fortunate and have played for many very good coaches. My older son has had the same pitching coach for 4 yrs now and I have never heard him make one negative comment about the man, I think that say's a lot about the man. I hesitate to start giving out names but he(my son) has been very fortunate with coaches from college, high school, summer teams, travel and youth baseball. And yes I would definately put in that good group! Baseball been berry good to us! My little one has also had the privilege of playing for some very good coaches, one who was taught by the late afore mentioned Coach Starcher. I know we don't give enough credit to the guys out there who put up with us parents and do such a great job with our kids! So for all you great coaches out there, Thank you!

My son just started playing for a team called the Jr. Toppers. I have been most impressed by the coaching STAFF. There are 5 guys that invest their time in the kids teaching them the game and life lessons. They have each seen to it to teach him something about all the areas of the game. He pitches, plays first, and outfield. They have each given him advice and tried to make him a better player and person. Most of all they are teaching him about life. Instilling in him that he needs to have fun and enjoy life with the ability to be very competitive on the field.