In Search of a Pitching Coach
By: HiwasseeVol
July 26, 2004
A lot can be said and written about my search for a pitching coach while on assignment for High School Baseball Web, but finding the right words for our media savvy "websters" will be difficult. The University of Tennessee still must wait for the official announcement to comply with EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA rules, so I will be forced to keep the coach’s name silent in this interview.
I was able to make contact with the unnamed source at a local club in Miami, "Vegas South Beach Cabaret". I may have missed a few words of the interview because my eyes kept wandering.
HiwasseeVol: First off thanks for your time in allowing me this interview ..
Pitching Coach: No Problem at all. Thank you for taking the time to interview me, the drinks are on you.
HiwasseeVol: Tennessee’s team and recruits were hurt by the draft, but how do you see the team shaping up?
Pitching Coach: The team will be fine as long as we have no NCAA sanctions to worry about.
HiwasseeVol: Coach, Odd that you bring that up, have you ever had to worry about NCAA sanctions at another school.
Pitching Coach:: Cough… I’ll take another drink now.
HiwasseeVol: Could you give me three innovative ways to make the Vols a better team?
Pitching Coach: Sure! (1) I will need to be in charge of the baseball camps, these are a great place to give prospective players a job. (2) I need a website to sell my books and videos, the quicker we get those in the hands of the youngsters the better. (3) I need a partner for a sports club/conditioning club in Knoxville, it will help with my first two suggestions.
HiwasseeVol: The Vols seem to have a problem in the recruiting the best Tennessee talent to play for the state school in the past few years. Do you have any ideas here?
Pitching Coach: Problem? I don’t see a stinking problem.
HiwasseeVol: When it comes to recruiting, then let me put it this way, "Compare the players from the warm and cold climate regions".
Pitching Coach: "Usually the player from South Florida is more advanced at 18 coming out of HS then a player from North Florida, but we could save a little money on the flight by flying into Orlando".
HiwasseeVol: The Vols have had a tough time filling the seats at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. What can you do to fill those empty seats?
Pitching Coach: I plan on implementing a coach/players night out. We can use that night to go clubbing, buy a few drinks for the fans and we will have those seats filled in no time.
HiwasseeVol: Who do you think makes the best coaches? Do you think they have to be former players?
Pitching Coach: I think a coach has to be a good teacher and there aren't too many players who are good teachers. I think the best teachers are people who have to work hard at it. The best baseball coach may even be a former s****r player. Whitey Ford was never a good pitching coach.
HiwasseeVol: Do you think that you would be a good teacher at anything that you don't think that you're great at?
Pitching Coach: Umm . . . I've been helping some beginners with "swinging".
HiwasseeVol: And that's easier than teaching somebody to pitch a knuckleball? Are you telling me a pitching coach can help with hitting?
Pitching Coach: Heck no! I’m talking "Swingers"! I’m blowing this club and heading to "Chez Louis", this interview is over.
HiwasseeVol: Thank You again for your time and best wishes to you at Tennessee!!
Pitching Coach: Thanks for the interview, look forward to another as the 2005 season progresses, and remember you pick up the tab.
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