How do you build a winning team?

[jazz10NE]

At 12u, give me the 3 highest-rated pitchers in the region and the 2 highest-rated catchers and then the 7 best hitters you can find. With that personnel, even someone who knows very little about coaching will have a winning program.

You're all right about having the ability to put bat on ball. The kids who can do it naturally are an asset, even if they're near-total liabilities in the field.

2 years ago my team represented this list. I said at the start "If I don't screw up we should win state" we did by an average margin of 6 runs a game.

Got close to this again this year and so far we are 17-5 record 1/3 the way through the season.

 

[GOINGDEEP]

jjsomer, valid argument.

I can't speak for others, but my coaching never ends although it does die down the older they get. I guess you could say I "coached" from 6-12, raw talent that needed to be taught and molded into players. Then about 14U it turns more to "managing" a team, with coaching on the side. And with management comes the responsibility of recruiting the best talent for the team's expectations.

Also as they get older most go to "specialized" coaches ( HC / PC ) off the field so that helps in regards to "teaching".

The physical part is easy IMO, what I do then is teach the mental part of this game. This is a strategic game for sure. There is more going on than hits, plays, pitches and outs.

 

[Jr10234]

jjsomer, excellent point. True coaching should be developing talent not seek the best. Teams who stay together with great coaching can develop into power teams, over picking the best and rebuilding every year. If the girls were put first-the experience of TB, competition, and fun, SB would be a whole different story. Coaches who look to win at any cost, are robbing the girls.

 

[JAD]

Pitching, pitching and pitching.....then throw is a couple of solid catchers, a couple of middle infielders and some big sticks and you have yourself a team!

 

[JAD]

Once you have a solid SS and 2nd baseman, I would be willing to take a slight downgrade on defense if a girl brings a big stick.

 

[02Crush]

Softball is not Baseball. It is faster and has a short game. Hitting is not always for power to score. Manufacturing runs is an very important part of the game however...Speed and Vision matter on the bag and in the field. I not so sure this is so cut and dry as Hitting vs. Defense. In a simple equation sure Hitting always matters. But I like Sluggers comments as he begins to assess positions to consider in line with the hitting theory. I think building a group of compatible players who know each others weeakness and stregths can be a winning combo. I see teams of all ages around here that cannot quite win...cannnot quite get over the hurdle. They are recruiting Big, Fast Hitters. Yet it is not working because team chemistry does not exist. Championships take time. They are not instant. Recruiting is important but at what point is Having an A level player with a serious attitude (b/c the parents feed them the "I am the best" cereal everyday) over a Solid B level player who knows their role and adds to the team depth. I do not claim to know all I just feel this is a fantactic debate that will rage forever and never be so simple.

 

[02Crush]

jjsomer, excellent point. True coaching should be developing talent not seek the best. Teams who stay together with great coaching can develop into power teams, over picking the best and rebuilding every year. If the girls were put first-the experience of TB, competition, and fun, SB would be a whole different story. Coaches who look to win at any cost, are robbing the girls.

And Robbing the Game....