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When you are a coach you get the blame for all the bad things and no credit for the good things
You get used to it after awhile--do not let it get to you--turn a deaf ear
You get used to it after awhile--do not let it get to you--turn a deaf ear
28special,
You are in a difficult position in so many ways.
First, you are a 15 year old team playing up. Never have been a big fan of teams playing up. The exceptional team can do it (which of course makes up about 90% of the travel teams out there), but many are doomed to a season of losses, parent revolt, and coaching self-doubt.
Secondly, you replaced someone else. The other guy (like the backup QB in football) is always the most popular guy to the fans.
Third, you have tried taking some chances that haven worked out, in hope that they would work out and spark the team. My only advice for you in this area is that taking a chance should be backed up with sound reasoning why you took the chance. If you can justify the risk, you should rest easy at night, no matter what the fans are saying.
You have obviously devoted much time, energy and thought into coaching this summer. None of that matters to many of the parents of the players on your team. They want results. Don't let it get you down. Always be prepared, carry yourself with class and dignity, and be ready to defend your moves at 3B with sound reasoning.
Many times a coaching change mid-season is a knee jerk reaction by the head coach to try and deflect criticism off of him/herself. The best person for the job was supposed to be the first person who had the job. You have been given an opportunity. If you want it, go for it, and try not to let it bother you. If you don't want it, let the head coach know. Coaching 3B is and can be difficult. I gave it up about 10 years ago, cause I found I couldn't manage and coach 3B and be effective for my team.
Good Luck!
You are in a difficult position in so many ways.
First, you are a 15 year old team playing up. Never have been a big fan of teams playing up. The exceptional team can do it (which of course makes up about 90% of the travel teams out there), but many are doomed to a season of losses, parent revolt, and coaching self-doubt.
Secondly, you replaced someone else. The other guy (like the backup QB in football) is always the most popular guy to the fans.
Third, you have tried taking some chances that haven worked out, in hope that they would work out and spark the team. My only advice for you in this area is that taking a chance should be backed up with sound reasoning why you took the chance. If you can justify the risk, you should rest easy at night, no matter what the fans are saying.
You have obviously devoted much time, energy and thought into coaching this summer. None of that matters to many of the parents of the players on your team. They want results. Don't let it get you down. Always be prepared, carry yourself with class and dignity, and be ready to defend your moves at 3B with sound reasoning.
Many times a coaching change mid-season is a knee jerk reaction by the head coach to try and deflect criticism off of him/herself. The best person for the job was supposed to be the first person who had the job. You have been given an opportunity. If you want it, go for it, and try not to let it bother you. If you don't want it, let the head coach know. Coaching 3B is and can be difficult. I gave it up about 10 years ago, cause I found I couldn't manage and coach 3B and be effective for my team.
Good Luck!
Id start by not writing in all caps.
It has always amazed me with parents. Years ago you never heard of the stories that are posted here. But that is the way it is today. You mention that parents complain about your decisons at 3rd base saying "you cost us another game" Now let s put the shoe on the other foot. Suppose "their" son makes an error or strikes out or gets picked off base. Can coaches have equal time in this blaming scenario? As a coach go up to the parent of the boy and say your son cost us the game.
When you become a coach (in any sport) you paint a big red target on your back.
It's on your back because no one ever has the guts to say to your face what they say behind your back.
Remember you are doing it for the kids. Do the best you can and if you can live with yourself after that, that is all that matters.
It's on your back because no one ever has the guts to say to your face what they say behind your back.
Remember you are doing it for the kids. Do the best you can and if you can live with yourself after that, that is all that matters.
28special I feel your pain. I went through that last year. It funny how your everybody's friend when you winning and then when your losing your the a different person. I had a good team but they peak during the high school season and never got better. No matter what I did we didn't play well and gave games away. Even though had two tuff 1 run games in state I still got heat. I tried explaing to the players and parent who where all frustrated because the summer team wasn't cheap that I told everybody in the beginning that I wasn't going to garantuee anything: playing time, wins, tons of exposer, etc... I told them that my JOB was to teach them the game of baseball both the physical and mental. All the pressure and non pressure situations that came up was going to better help them in their high school season. Sure enough this year I have had parent thanking me for last season and telling me how much I helped them for the high school year. I would tell your parents that even when you can still make it productive in terms of learning things. A lot of times your aren't learning or getting better when your winning all the time and kicking teams butts because you see the WIN but don't look at the little mistakes that were made the game and had it been a close game could have cost you.
They parents on your team should have respect for your position and not second guess you. Next year when you pick your team make sure you have a good group of parents and not just a good group of kids. Cause parents can sometimes make or break a season for a coach in terms of heads and arguements.
They parents on your team should have respect for your position and not second guess you. Next year when you pick your team make sure you have a good group of parents and not just a good group of kids. Cause parents can sometimes make or break a season for a coach in terms of heads and arguements.
SVD 15u
You state that the next time you pick a team make sure you have a good bunch of parents. Sort of tells you the state of things. How do you do that? Do you let a good player go because the parents are obnowious? A good friend of mine just left coaching high school after 20 years. We talked. I said what led you to make the decision. He said it had nothing to do with the kids. Kids are kids. He has had good teams league championships several players drafted and many going on to play college. Dealing with school administrators and "some" parents just wore him down. Sad but it happens.
You state that the next time you pick a team make sure you have a good bunch of parents. Sort of tells you the state of things. How do you do that? Do you let a good player go because the parents are obnowious? A good friend of mine just left coaching high school after 20 years. We talked. I said what led you to make the decision. He said it had nothing to do with the kids. Kids are kids. He has had good teams league championships several players drafted and many going on to play college. Dealing with school administrators and "some" parents just wore him down. Sad but it happens.
Will, to answer you question yes I have turned away players because of their parents. Either I didn't pick them up again or I just didn't pick them up period. I am lucky enough in orange county s. cal there is plenty of talent to chose from so if I lose a player no big deal.
svd16u
It is a problem but in some cases you save yourself a lot of headaches. Manytimes the kid is caught in the middle and is the one that gets hurt. I guess you can always find another team but you ar sort of stuck with your parents.
It is a problem but in some cases you save yourself a lot of headaches. Manytimes the kid is caught in the middle and is the one that gets hurt. I guess you can always find another team but you ar sort of stuck with your parents.
I have a rep up here of not putting up with headache parents. Even so, some folks try to slip in under the radar. Best parents you could ask for until Johnny makes the team, then wham, they start showing the ol' true colors. They even sign a parent agreement at the beginning of the year, basically agreeing not to be a horse's butt. Funny how rules apply to everyone else nowadays?
Some of the best coaches I know take full responsiblity for a loss and direct every bit of credit to the players when they win....
Since coaching 3rd base is more than being a handsome guy in a coaches box
...
You have to understand what the game situation is and act on all that information in a split second. If, after the play is made, you would consider it a "good send" and repeat the decision...You should not worry about being second-guessed.
Since coaching 3rd base is more than being a handsome guy in a coaches box
...You have to understand what the game situation is and act on all that information in a split second. If, after the play is made, you would consider it a "good send" and repeat the decision...You should not worry about being second-guessed.
Sniping from the stands happens with every coach and every team. Self proclaimed "experts" are at every game. They don't matter in the least. As a coach your interaction and relationships with your players is what counts, not with their parents. You are coaching the kids not mom & dad. Suicide squeeze? If it works you're a genius "what a call!" If it doesn't it's "what the @#$%^%# is he thinking?"
I've coached for over 20 years and found that no matter who's in your group of parents, there are always a percentage that will question your decisions. Make your calls and live with them. One thing to be careful of though, many times when a team is having a rough season we (coaches) can get caught in the trap of over coaching, calling too many plays or trying to dictate too many things during a game in an effort to "will our kids to a victory". Sometimes you simply have to back off and
let the players play" Hit & runs, steals, bunts, squeeze plays, sometimes we try too many of them in an effort to "make something happen" Just be careful not to go overboard with that.
Many times you have to be like an umpire, ignore what you hear, react to what you see.
Good Luck
Frank Coit
Head Coach
San Diego Prospects Baseball Club
I've coached for over 20 years and found that no matter who's in your group of parents, there are always a percentage that will question your decisions. Make your calls and live with them. One thing to be careful of though, many times when a team is having a rough season we (coaches) can get caught in the trap of over coaching, calling too many plays or trying to dictate too many things during a game in an effort to "will our kids to a victory". Sometimes you simply have to back off and
let the players play" Hit & runs, steals, bunts, squeeze plays, sometimes we try too many of them in an effort to "make something happen" Just be careful not to go overboard with that.
Many times you have to be like an umpire, ignore what you hear, react to what you see.
Good Luck
Frank Coit
Head Coach
San Diego Prospects Baseball Club
matadordad
Great advice. They are all experts. At the high school level unfortunately sometimes they get the ear of athletic direstors and other administrators. I just had a former colleague of mine let go because the parents got together and basically got him removed. I am sure this is not a first but it happens. good coach just did not please the parents.
Great advice. They are all experts. At the high school level unfortunately sometimes they get the ear of athletic direstors and other administrators. I just had a former colleague of mine let go because the parents got together and basically got him removed. I am sure this is not a first but it happens. good coach just did not please the parents.
There are three things the average man thinks he can do better than anyone else: build a fire, run a hotel and manage a baseball team.
ROCKY BRIDGES
ROCKY BRIDGES
As the 1st post said, every coach understands that when you win, it's the kids fault and when you lose, it's the coaches fault. Simple concept, but always true. Parents will always have opinions...doesn't mean they have a clue what they are talking about. Most just want to find an excuse for why their "rose-colored son" can't get the job done. Nothing to worry about - do what you know is right and let the naysayers spit their venom.
