What do you as parents expect from your high school coach

One of the best posts I've read here. Way to go, Coach.

Nice post coach I can tell from your posts over the years you did it right. I never had one player not go on to play college baseball that truly wanted to. Not one. I had players that said they wanted to, parents of players that wanted their kids to that didn't.

It's very simple. If your coach helps great. If he doesn't no worries there are plenty of other people who will. But it starts with the player. When a player doesn't show the desire, work ethic, toughness, ability, etc and the parent is leading the charge sorry I can't help you. In many cases when I hear these complaints I'm seeing this tired scenario played out.

The coach is not going to stop a player who has the work ethic, desire and ability to play in college. And the coach should not ruin his credibility and ability to help those that deserve it by helping those that do not.

How do all these kids make it to college as freshman each year with all these HS coaches holding them back? And what does all the complaining get you? Go to work. Take the help you get. And if he won't help there are numerous ways to reach your goals without it.

Please relax. This is not about the HS coach showcasing your son. It's about him coaching his team. The college coaches understand. They make their own decisions about their own team too.

 

Get used to it.

Your right, it's not the HS coaches job to showcase my son. in fact at this point I think it's best that he not get involved. He needs to coach his team..... I think he feels it's a distraction.

Coach B....that was a very good post.  Your players were extremely fortunate to have you by their side, as you went above and beyond what anyone would expect.  Mad respect to you.

Ditto Coach B.  I love "good rants" like that.   That is how a high school baseball coach should run a program IMHO. You provide an opportunity and let the kids figure out for themselves if college baseball is right for them.  If they aspire for college baseball, you help them.  Well done.

Coach B your kids were very lucky to have had you in their corner.  

 

It would have been great to have a coach like you that was as involved in the process however I never expected my son's coach to do that much.  His baseball coach also coached football and girls basketball (spring, fall and winter sports).  I can't imagine how he would have ever found the time to play the role of recruiting agent for my son (no less the dozens of other kids he coached in a year).On top of that he has three small children that might need a bit of his time.

 

In fairness to those that think their HS coach should take point on recruiting, maybe I didn't expect as much because most of our sons exposure came from his summer activities so we didn't need his HS coach to be active in finding an opportunity.  Even then I wouldn't think it was the coaches job?

 

IMO as long as the coach gave an honest evaluation of my son when asked, provided an idea when he was going to be on the mound when needed, passed on info received from recruiters/scouts and gave my son good instruction and council...then we were happy. 

 

Again Coach B...great post, your kids were lucky to have you.

Great post, I wish our coach had the players best interest at heart like you do.  I just wanted our coach to pitch son when he said he would and when the scouts drove over to see him.  I wonder going forward if the scouts will want to come back to see future prospects...

I wonder going forward if the scouts will want to come back to see future prospects...

If they're genuinely interested, they will come back as often as they want too.  That is a sure thing.

Wow B25, you really showed a tremendous dedication to your players.. i totally commed your efforts. I average 1 or 2 per year that move up a level.  I try to help kids, and some do it all on their own with the help of their parents. I write a lot of emails and make a few calls, most of my efforts go into keeping the field up, fund raising and then practicing baseball.

 

 

I expected a fair evaluation and not asking him to do anything out of the norm that could harm his health. Coaching ability can be considered a plus at some high schools. My son's coach ran a strong practice, was a poor game coach and had poor interpersonal skills. He was paranoid of the parents, especially those with good coaching backgrounds. My son had a positive experience. That's what realty matters. 

http://www.pdpreps.com/news/ar...aling-with-bad-hops/

 

Sometimes we need to focus on the coach and his motivation for coaching for a "low" wage.

 

Paul is a friend and a very respected coach and my former player at SSU and his former players now successful in MLB, I believe, Paul will eventually enter professional baseball as a scout.

 

Sonoma County has been blessed with a wealth of outstanding high school coaches.

Maybe it is the local college programs at SRJC and Sonoma State which contributes.

When I attend local games to select players for Australia trips, I visit with the parents and grandparents and hear no criticism of the coaches.

 

WHY IS IT, ONCE A PLAYER IS IN COLLEGE OR PRO BASEBALL, WE HEAR NO

COMMENTS.

 

For the same reason when we travel Internationally, there is no criticism of our coaches [pro scouts and former MLB players]

 

Bob

 

 

Parents quiet down after they realize that they have no control anymore. 

 

Reverse. What do coaches expect of Parents?

 

 

My son's coach was very clear in the preseason meeting. The players are big boys now. If there are issues they should come forward, not parents. In four years, other than once, the only discussions I had with the coaching staff were casual, general baseball discussions. The only discussion about my son was when the coach showed up at a showcase to watch him and a couple of other players.

 

Parents don't complain as much when someone makes a living like a college coach with baseball as their profession. There are so many baseball loving men who would kill to be a college coach, clearly only those with a talent for teaching the game and spotting talent actually succeed to this level or if one slips in, he's not going to last because he won't get positive results which means he won't keep his job. 

 

 It's easy to believe if your kid doesn't play there is someone else who is better because the coach is paid to win and actually must play the best kid. 

Ha!  That's easy.  Support the team through the boosters if they can.  Otherwise, the parents should only be expected to show up on game day and cheer on the "team".

 

Son plays on a DII JUCO and that's exactly what we do.  We show up on game day when we can and support/cheer on the team.  If our son plays, it's just gravy.....

For us it's help the booster club raise about 75k a year. work on the field, concessions, ticket gate, drive the players  to games  ( no buses for us)  and whatever you do don't question their baseball knowledge or ask them to help you with recruiters

This is very important for the HS program. However the Head Coach has to "break in" a new group of parents/supporters every 2 years. Each parent and player have their own objectives. From the book "3 Nights in August" by Tony La Russa and Buss Bissinger

{author of Friday Night Lights] the following is quoted.

 

"Mark Prior is very cocky, like many young athletes, who at first sign of prowess are singled out by parents, coaches and teammates and the player loses all link to the grace of HUMILITY"

 

Bob

what do you expect of a high school coach? Play my kid every game and bat him lead off.  

You're the first parent to not say "3-hole."  

We have a nwe HS coach and I have learned 2 weeks into the season, that what he sys isn't always true. 2014 is being recruited mostly for pitching, I had 3 colleges ask when he is going to pitch, so I asked the HC if he knew and if he could let me know in advance, simply so I could tell the colleges. HC was very nice and said he was going to pitch Monday against a big rival with another 2014 which is being recuruited as well. I passed that on to colleges and the one coach was especially happy because he could see both pichers (evidently he is recruiting both). Come Monday I walk up to game 10 minutes before and see 5 colleges here to watch (including the 3, I had informed), but found out my 2014 wasn't pitching because coach changed his mind and wanted to pitch him Tuesday against same team so we could go 1-1 versus maybe winning or losing 2. Colleges were NOT happy and neither was I. I understand HC strategy, sort of, but would have been nice to get a heads up so I could tell colleges. Those colleges got to see a very fine performance by opponents pitcher, but did not come next day to see an equally fine performance by my 2014. Not sure how to go forward with when colleges ask when he is pitching now.

I got just what we wanted from my son's high school coach.  He made him a better player.  He made us relative again in baseball again.  When college coaches called he advised what kind of player and teammate my son was and when he would pitch if they wanted to come watch.  When he recently signed with a college he set up the "signing" at the school in front of parents, coaches and school officials for the local papers.  I think our coach is the personification of what you should want and expect from your high school coach. 

On Tuesday, I visited with several of our alumni who traveled to Australia with our Scout Teams. One player, a LHP mentioned to the Head Coach that I would be watching the game. The Head Coach, I have known for 30 years and his brother is a famous College Coach.

 

There was 9 pro scouts watching his team. The LHP played DH, hitting #9. At his 1st AB [3rd inning], he hit a "booming" double off the fence and started a rally.

 

High School coaches are "good people" and give back to the game - many times.

 

Bob

I feel your pain...........exact same thing happened to my 2014.  All I can say is that these types of HC need to get another job.  They should see these opportunities for student, just like they would if a student had a career day and could talk to a college or potential employer.

during my tenure as a high school coach the college coaches would call me to find out if a certain boy was pitching after all I was the one who made the lineup out. coaches do have the progative to change their mind and to do what they think is best for the team.

No arguement with that,  Actually did work out exactly as he planned 1-1 vs them. I had no problem that he changed his mind, Just wish he had informed me or more importantly teh college coaches. I know 2 of the colleges contacted HC first and HC did not reply, I had given HC contact information to them after asking his permission. That is why the college coaches contacted me to ask. this is his first year as HC at our school (he is a teacher there and was JV coach for several years bofore getting HC job for 1 year each at to other schools where he was let go as coach, before he got this job. Just not sure how to approach him on giving accurate inofrmation to colleges. any suggestions would be great.

i agree, don't tell a player he's playing and get the recruiters over to the game only to not play him...... better to tell him he's not pitching, then have to pitch him to win  with no recruiters there.

 

in my sons case, we were run ruling the other team and our coach did not want to embarrass the other team further....sounds like a nice coach, but we know what happens to nice guys.

Food for thought...

Chef and bacdor... I believe you both are or were travel coaches.  It is important to distinguish the difference between HS and travel.  With better travel teams, as you know, it is typically high on the priority list to get players seen by those at the next level.  Things are usually scheduled accordingly, particularly pitchers' appearances.  In Scout ball, there is a constant cycling during the course of a weekend double header of pitchers coming and going to pitch one or two innings and scouts doing the same.  Often times, it is more important to stay on the posted pitchers' schedule than to win the game.  That is not and should not be the case in HS. 

 

With our HS program (currently quite successful, BTW), it has been very difficult to get starting P's on a regular rotation, whether it be consistency of performance, injury, more capable starters than games in a week, mental readiness at that moment or other reasons.  Sometimes, we have a planned rotation but show up game day and find that our scheduled starter is not going to be the best option for the team that day.  Sometimes it's just a tweak they feel or you can see the way they are carrying themselves, they aren't totally mentally ready or they warm up in the bullpen and just don't have it.  Should we still start them because a college RC is going to be there to see them?  Is that what is in the best interest of the TEAM?  If we decide not to start them, should we be fired?  Sorry, things just are not always that simple or black and white.  It is NOT the same as a career day.  It is HS game day and the HS TEAM is relying on the coach to make the best decisions to put the TEAM in the best position to accomplish it's primary goals, whatever those may be.  Career day is an individual thing.  HS baseball is not.  Should the coach have Billy on the bench pitch that game because his grandma is here to see him from out of state?  Hard to tell Billy's mom and dad but, no.

 

So, backdor, with your son's team run-ruling an inferior opponent, do you really think that it would be the right thing for the coach to insert your dominant college-bound P son at that point?  What do you think the AD would think of that move?  I can tell you that if he was put in, the opposing team's AD would likely call your son's AD the next day and complain about that move by the coach.  AD is the HS coach's boss - who he needs to answer to first, regardless of how much he may want to help your son in his recruiting efforts.

 

Also, I think it is always a dangerous situation if the parent is the one communicating to the college when son is supposed to pitch.  It should not be a HS coach responsibility to have to remember to circle back and tell every parent when plans change regarding line-ups, starters, etc.  They change all the time. 

Sometimes, we get colleges contact us about coming to see players play.  They usually don't bother contacting about position players as they assume they will be playing.  Once in a while, that player is hurt or ineligible or will sit because we want to give another player some PT against a weaker opponent.   That can be unfortunate but college RC's understand.  If they ask about P's, we tell them tentative schedule but try to include "tentative" in our verbage. 

 

I know it's tough when we are in the heat of the battle with our kids being recruited but we need to be a bit more realistic and understanding as the recruiting path and HS team paths cross.  JMO.

Cabb, you are correct, I was a traveling coach and understand that summer and HS are very different. HS is so short a season (at least in Ohio). Hard to fit everything in. And I expect a HS to play to win, In fact, I want that, and so does 2014, heck my 2014 is crazy competetive, I did not have a problem with our HC changing  his mind. Heck, I did that as a traveling coach often, less so from a pitcher point of view last year (My last coaching) because of getting kids seen, but in younger years, it was always about the team, protecting arms, etc. My only issue with him, is communication. I wish he had communicated with the colleges when they asked him, but he did not.  Then they asked me, so I asked him.  I agree that being the one in the middle telling colleges when he will pitch is a bad thing. I truly wish that they did not have to ask me, but he would simply communicate, and any answer would have be fine.As far as changing his mind, again, I  have no problem, Just wish he had told someone (the college coaches). One drove 4 hours one way to watch him.

 

I don't think he should be fired, I think he has not dealt with recruiting much if any. I would welcome how to ask HC to help accomplish letting colleges know.

CAbb, I think you are a HS coach (correct me if I am wrong), I know from your earlier posts that colleges contact you about who is pitchign when, etc. I am assuming you tell them your projected pitching lineup IE Johnny  is pitching Tuesday and Mike (I always wanted to be a pitcher ! Wednesday. But do you inform them if you change your mind? I don't mean when he is warming up and doesn't have it. I mean on in the morning of game or before. do you contact colleges and let them know of your changes?

That's certainly understandable, Chef.  It sounds like the best direction, in your situation, is to have a discussion with HC acknowledging that you totally understand that your son's recruiting efforts cannot get in the way of his primary coaching commitments with the HS program but asking how you can best work together to facilitate the college RC's inquiries or how he recommends these inquiries be addressed.  Then, during a collaborative discussion, bring up the fact that some of these RC's are traveling several hours just to see a kid play so you want to make sure they are getting the most accurate info possible but you understand things can change.  If he is made to feel he is a valued, important part of a recruiting process, he is more likely to react in a manner that is in your son's favor.  Sounds like the HS coach can benefit from dealing with the experience as well. 

Best wishes..

I get the feeling from my HS coaches that they do not owe anything to the college coach.

Cabb, thanks. I''ll try to have another sit down with him (and 2014). and not a ballfield. Like I said, he is a nice guy, Maybe in over his head. Other 3 2014's being recruited are pos players (mine is at moment projected as 2 way -so we will see how that falls), so which day doesn't matter as you said. I thought I had done all of that from teh advice I got on here and it did not work, but I will try again . I did not talk about how far some were coming, I will try that approach as well as repeating what I had said at last sit down.

 

Worst case sceneario is colleges don't get to see him until summer I guess.

 

 

As a HS baseball coach here is what I owe parents.

1.  When their child graduates they are a better human being than when I got them.

2.  Help their athletes maintain the highest GPA possible for that player.

3.  Make sure that when they graduate they have skills to be a success.

4.  Honesty

5.  A fair evaluation of the player.

6.  The opportunity to get playing time.

7.  Promotion to the next level based on the player themselves.

 

In regards to promotion I believe in this day and age this is 2 part.  One I need to align them with the best possible travel team as possible.  Now a days college coaches do not always have time to see them play during season due to their schedules.  Also they do not want to see them compete against a roster of kids that are not college bound.  They want to see them compete against kids of the same skill set and due to the amount of schools now a days that is hard to do in HS baseball.  The 2nd part of promotion involves me making contact with as many college coaches as possible in order to let them know that Player A is out there and available.

 

In regards to owing college coaches something, here is what I believe I owe them.  If I tell them a kid is going to start or indicate to them that I have a specific rotation I must stick to that if they are going to make a trip to see a kid.  If I am going to deviate from that I must let them know ASAP.  In the past when I have had a guy, it is his day to start, and I know someone is coming to watch him I will check in with him on the morning of the start to make sure he is good to go. 

IEBSBL - In regards to owing college coaches something, here is what I believe I owe them.  If I tell them a kid is going to start or indicate to them that I have a specific rotation I must stick to that if they are going to make a trip to see a kid.  If I am going to deviate from that I must let them know ASAP.  In the past when I have had a guy, it is his day to start, and I know someone is coming to watch him I will check in with him on the morning of the start to make sure he is good to go. 

 

That would be perfect and as far as teh rest of your post, as a parent, i could not ask for anything more out of a coach

Yes, still HS, but have also coached a fair amount of travel.  Our HS situation is consistent with others - most recruiting efforts and communication go through the better travel organizations and showcases our boys are involved with.  More typically, we will field calls on player abilities and character.  So, to be honest, it is not all that frequent that we get requests for scheduling.  But, when we do, yes, we communicate tentative starting P's and if we knew in advance that things were changed and had told a college coach directly that a P was scheduled to go, we would make an effort to contact him regarding the change.  I'm guessing the waters would get a bit muddied if communication went through the parent.  In fact, I know that we would discourage this to begin with for fear of possible change and miscommunication.  To me, this is putting the parent in a position they should not have to be in.

 

To touch on the OP, here are some of the things we do try to provide as a HS staff...

- An environment that is structured and disciplined but still allows the boys to enjoy playing the game.

- An understanding that, typically, only a few will have the combined desire and ability to play at the next level - so we focus on the HS team as a HS team.

- Active practices with lots of reps and instruction combined with competitive aspects.

- Scheduled coached bullpens to assure pitchers are progressing to their potential.

- A standing offer that we can provide guidance if needed regarding the recruiting process for those few who are interested.

- A winning culture that is a source of personal, school and community pride for the boys.

- Provide information regarding our summer program, travel team opportunities, instructors/academies and other avenues that may help each player advance his skills and have the best opportunity to compete and win at the HS level and, secondarily, be in position to advance to the next level if that is their desired path.

- An assurance that a college coach who asks about them will get a fair and honest assessment in every aspect of their game and value as a teammate.

 

 PS - sorry,typed same time as IEBSBL.  I like some of his better