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What are the characteristics of a great HS program?

justbaseballjustbaseball10,000+ posts
Happy Easter everyone! Wink

I believe this has been discussed in many ways before. But I thought it could be interesting to re-visit this question.

To me, a GREAT HS baseball program has some of the following:

* A stable coaching staff (frosh to varsity). Continuity. At least one good mentor who is the "father" of and "owns" the program. I also think its important that most of the coaches in the program are integrated into the school...teachers, workers at the school.

* Tradition. Doesn't need to win section/state every other year...but a mindset that "we are good and we can beat anyone today." A sense of getting the job done because those before them have and they don't want to come down from that. Having a coach or two who actually played at the HS is a plus.

* A supportive administration. I've witnessed firsthand both ends of this spectrum and it makes a huge difference. A principal and AD who are very supportive makes a BIG difference and ones who could care less (or worse) can really screw it up.

* Facilities? I put a question mark because I don't believe you need super-duper stadiums or locker rooms or scoreboards. But a clean, well-kept facility is definitely a plus. My younger son now attends a school where the varsity and JV/frosh fields are right next to each other and this arrangement provides tremendous continuity in this program...players on all levels know each other well, help each other, watch each others' games and BBQ together after games. It is the single best thing about their facilities.

I can think of others, but I'll stop there and listen.

Thoughts?
Last edited {1}
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RJMRJMHSBaseballWeb member since 2007
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* Emphasis on citizenship and education. These can be deal breakers in the recruiting process. They're also good traits for kids to develop for their long term prosperity away from the game.

* Develop a relationship with area college coaches to help place players at the next level.
Last edited by RJM
norstarnorstar10+ posts
For our town it has been the same guy for 30 plus years.

He gives every player an opportunity to make varsity Freshman Through Senior..

And does not by into the politics that sometimes goes with HS sports. He does not care if you are a booster, ex player, member of the PTA or administration. Each kid is given the same opportunities, regardless of who their parent is or position they hold. I guess this explains why he has been the HC for so long.
B bb1100+ posts
To me a quality coach is someone who truly cares about his players. One who will walk to the mound and say you've done enough and take the kid out. One who watches out for a kids health. A coach who will question a kid on what he may or may not be doing off the field. That includes grades, working out, as well as drinking, drugs, etc. A coach who keeps improving himself as well as his team. One who believes that you can never know it all and can always learn. Do this and kids will respect you and run through fire for you and winning will come.
norstarnorstar10+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Will:
quote:
He does not care if you are a booster, ex player, member of the PTA or administration. Each kid is given the same opportunities, regardless of who their parent is or position they hold. I guess this explains why he has been the HC for so long.


why should you have to care about such things? Had to ask


Why?

You have to ask?

Let me add - Not that I care, It is just the way he runs his program. Only ones it seems to bother are some of the boosters, PTA members..etc.
Last edited by norstar
CADadCADad5,000+ posts
Justbaseball put out a good list. I believe a great program wins year in and year out through an emphasis on developing all of the players and giving up a win here and there to get more wins in the future.

I watched a good example over the weekend during a non-league game as a pitcher was hammered in the first inning but the coach stuck with him and he went several more innings without giving up a run. The coach of the other team had a kid get in trouble and give up a home run later in the game. He pulled the kid and put in one of the starters, rather than taking a chance and giving the kid a chance to get his confidence back.

The second team ended up winning the game. The first team ended up a better team than they were going into the game.
Last edited by CADad
TRhitTRhit10,000+ posts
For me it has nothing to do with winning and losing , it has to do with the team being a team, a team being happy as a unit ---I have seen numerous kids in losing programs, not every program wins, have a great time and enjoy the game---the coach is the key--he needs to make it fun win or lose--


All the other stuff is non meaning
justbaseballjustbaseball10,000+ posts
I think thats a great one PG...the single best one and I agree completely.

quote:
Posted by RJM:
Develop a relationship with area college coaches to help place players at the next level.


I think this is an interesting one. I've known coaches who absolutely do not believe this is in their job description...and I wouldn't call them lazy or bad coaches either (at least not all of them). I too think its important, but I don't think I'd put it in the top-5 or so because far more HS players are finished after HS than move on. It has to be a great experience for the masses first and foremost. JMO.
Last edited by justbaseball
Bulldog 19Bulldog 195,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by justbaseball:
I think thats a great one PG...the single best one and I agree completely.

quote:
Posted by RJM:
Develop a relationship with area college coaches to help place players at the next level.


I think this is an interesting one. I've known coaches who absolutely do not believe this is in their job description...and I wouldn't call them lazy or bad coaches either (at least not all of them). I too think its important, but I don't think I'd put it in the top-5 or so because far more HS players are finished after HS than move on. It has to be a great experience for the masses first and foremost. JMO.


I completely disagree with it being a requirement of a "great HS program" to have those relationships. Sure, it can't hurt. But if "high school ball means so little" then why should the coach bother with it?


1. Fundamentally sound. Sure mistakes are made, but do they do the basic things right?

2. Play the game right. Sportsmanship, hustle, etc

3. Competitive drive. I think it's important players want to win. I don't see how losing is fun??

4. Academics. Are the players all 'C' students or worse? Do they float in and out of eligibility? Remember these are student-athletes. I'm not worried about how many athletic scholarships are given out, but what about the students going to college? The military? Are they advancing themselves in some way?

5. Citizenship. Not every player goes to the next level, but all of them are citizens of the school, community, and country. They should be good ones.

6. Fun. I think baseball being fun is needed. Do the players look back and honestly say that their high school baseball career was fun?

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