I personally have mixed feelings about a very strict travel ball program. Below are some pros and cons of a strict coaching style:
The Cons:
physical activity shouldn't be a form of punishment, it might be humiliating
it could create animosity among players and resentment
players shouldn't be afraid to make errors, mental or otherwise (they will)
softball should be fun
coaches should focus on the positives, not the negatives.
the Pros:
might creates discipline and team unity
expectations are clear from day 1
you play in the game how you practice
you stay focused and play hard every play
if you fool around, the whole team suffers (peer pressure)
it might motivate the players
players are responsible for everything (set-up and breakdown equipment, treat their equipment with respect, cheer fellow players during drills, practices, and games, keep dugout clean, etc.)
With my DD having gone through many rec teams with very little discipline or organization, I am leaning on the side of appreciating the fact that she is playing for a more strict TB organization. For example, yesterday I was pleasantly surprised to see her place her glove on the bench correctly so that it was open, with fingers down (not on its side, smashed like a pancake, thrown on the dirty ground under the bench). For years, I have been asking her to take care of her equipment so it lasts a long time. Even practices are run like well-oiled machines. Fast-paced, organized, no fooling around. Contrast that to this summer, where the players talked back to the coaches (dads), some players were disrespectful, and too much fooling around at practice (that carried over into the games), and just a general lack of discipline with no real consequences for their actions. So far, I am buying the Kool aid...time will tell...
Amy - I guess the purpose of grabbing the bat and handing it to the player serves several purposes: a) tells the player I got your back; b) there is never any kind of throwing of bats (for example, after a walk the batter hands the bat to her teammate to place in the bat rack); and c) the batter in the on-deck circle gets in a habit of retrieving the bat at home plate in case there is a play at the plate.
All very good reasons to have order-IMHO its consequence of a forced action vs the positive reinforcement of a desired action. I took my beatings playing sports as a result of my errors. Long ago we realized there are better ways to motivate people than physical punishment-problem is its too easy to punish a kid than educate yourself on how to teach the desired action in a respectful manner.
Beat your dog until it learns or spend more time training your dog till it learns. Choices.