Your HS program

Like: Team is everything ... as in, "Teamwork means not allowing others to fail."

Hate: The cold.

And we're in Texas, so I've obviously become soft.

There were many things I liked about our son's HS program.  First and foremost - the coach.

But perhaps the best operational thing was how he and his staff allocated practice rotations such that the varsity hitting/fielding/pitching and head coaches got time with 1-on-1 instruction with the JVs and frosh every week.  Created a real sense of 'one team' throughout the program and let kids know from the start what varsity was like and what was expected.

Like:  Boys are bonding with their friends, competing against some others they previously played with growing up in Little League, local tournaments or in travel ball.

(Severe) Dislike:  The politics!

I like it! 

This year I am going to try and like everything.  As many have said, it is time to enjoy the ride, and I am going to try and not let all the little things bother me this year.  There is a lot to like about son's HS Team.  Large School, Beautiful Field, Talented Group, and good people...

My son is past high school ball now. But then ...

The coach was in his first year when my son was in 8th grade. He took over a program that had losing seasons in 17 of past 20 years.

Pro: He has control of the program from varsity all the way down to the 7th grade team. Every level is on the same page. He implemented an off season program (fall ball, winter fitness, agilty speed, strength training). Practices were very organized. The kids knew what to do and when. He brought discipline to the program. My son said he knows how to teach fundamentals. But knows nothing about pitching.

Cons: He motivated by fear. He was intimidating. The kids never knew where they stood unless they were established. He was a poor communicator. He was a terrible in game coach. He had a strange view of talent. His opening day lineup was always wrong. But he would get it right by the fourth game. He would call up a kid from jv and bat him fourth.

To net it out he's been successful. The local travel kids bring the talent and he keeps them organized. They've won the conference three times in the past five years after two losing seasons he spent sorting out the dead wood and attitudes.

Great thing to have coaches that are good. You are fortunate, 2 of my nephews are having a hard time with their coaches.

likes: the bonding my son gets with lifelong friends, the idea that community is important and he plays for them, the good baseball both on his team and in his league, the parents who also have  that sense of community and pull for each and every boy, the field, the hitting/ pitching barn that was built 2 years ago that is attached to home dugout, the assistant varsity coach who this year has taken over the off season training

dislikes:the parents who only only worry about thier kid and bitch and gripe if it isn't all about him, the head coach who is a very likeable guy but like the title more than the work needed 

Very successful Program that takes Baseball as serious as a lot of colleges. This year they go for their 5 straight State Championship. The kids work as hard or harder than anyone with very limited if any time off so they live very busy and structured lives during the season. If you are fortunate enough to make this team, you will get better, period and you will be prepared for the next level.

Cons: Facilities leave a lot to be desired. Contradictory to above and although  I would never say a word, I think a day off now and then would do wonders...