Wow! High School Softball Contract

Ok, so I'm going to throw something in here that many might not agree with. I have never treated all players equal. I was always considered a disciplinarian. However, I disciplined players in different ways. I coached one young man who came from a very bad place, didn't have parents who cared about much but getting high and never came to his games. He found it hard to fit in although he wanted to play baseball in the worse way. One day, I put him in my car. I told him no matter what, he wasn't going to make my throw him off the team. I told him that we needed him but he needed us and, to be honest, he needed us a lot more than we needed him. He could not believe how up front I was. Long story short, his punishment was different and everyone knew it. I know some say that this is not fair. I never promise fair. As one of my buddies always says, "Some coach to win games. I coach to win kids." Not all kids are the same.

In my parent's meeting, I have a talk with the parents and laid everything out. The problem with having everything typed out, signed and recorded is that now there is no leeway for the coach and/or player.

Out in Left Field said:

I guess that team has the luxury of too many coaches with nothing better to do.

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This is one of the odder things you've said. How would you have any idea if they have nothing better to do?

BrianMonk said:

This is one of the odder things you've said. How would you have any idea if they have nothing better to do?

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Well if you read how many coaches they have, then they most likely have more time.

Cannonball, I agree 100% with that difference in equality. It's the starter that gets to do "what ever" because she is the starter that eats me.


As far as being too busy, well, they are going to be suspended a game anyway so get it done in one practice.

You knew the rules and chose to break them anyway. Not my problem. Get to work....

I hope these guys put as much thought into their game plan as they put into their punishment plan.

I often wonder why adult coaches feel the need to intimidate youth sports players. Not to mention I don't see where running hills or poles will help a player improve her grades. Mandatory, additional study time sure. Extra homework, ok. But conditioning? Work the problem, people. Unless the goal is to drive players away.

For those who don't think it's ridiculous, how about just putting a doggy shock collar on the kid and let the coach zap her so she learns that poor grades or not turning in assignments is unacceptable? It's basically the same thing.

Now, if you want to do extra conditioning for disrespecting an umpire or a teammate, throwing a bat or helmet, that sort of misbehavior I can see it.

Ken Krause said:

For those who don't think it's ridiculous, how about just putting a doggy shock collar on the kid and let the coach zap her so she learns that poor grades or not turning in assignments is unacceptable? It's basically the same thing.

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Out in Left Field said:

Many state FEDs have limits on the length of practice

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Just curious what those states are and what in-season limitations they have? I don't know.

nanotech14 said:

Well if you read how many coaches they have, then they most likely have more time.

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Correct, but I'm not sure how it's surmised that they have nothing better to do with their time.

so what are reasons to bench a player? a missed practice or game (but not due to a death in the family or the player is sick or another school activity)? I have a player going away for spring break and she will miss two practices and two games....do I bench her for a game? I have made players run for cursing or arguing with the ump! what about being late for practice..what should the punishment be? Are we just teaching the game or self-responsibility also and how do we do that?