I'm both a HS coach and TB coach. More importantly I feel I am a student of the game. I definitely don't pretend that I know it all. I also help run a HS coaching association in the state that I work in. I can tell you that the HS coaches that I have met through this organization are tremendous. Most coaches also run their own TB teams and organizations. A lot of them give back to the game, sharing ideas, thoughts, and drills. Our association puts on a coaching clinic every year with amazing presenters at it. This year we have Carol Bruggeman, and Rachel Folden, along with a HS coach or 2 to present as well. Every time we have our clinic, I always see the TB coaches there as well.
To be honest, I'm tired of hearing that HS ball is this or that and. Maybe YOUR HS coach or team is like that, but the programs and coaches I know are great organizations. I feel that HS coaches get a bad rap. Trust me, I'd love to have all elite players, and just manage the game. My HS boundaries don't allow for that. They give me the 11 - 13 girls I get for the year, some who last picked up a mitt at the last out of the previous season, to the D2/D1 pitcher who plays travel.
From that point, it's my job to make us competitive, and have skill improvements. It's great to see improvement from ALL of my players.
A quick story.
I also oversee and run TB practices, defense, hitting, and pitching for a new organization that just started up. An old friend of mine who is coaching his daughters 14u B travel team (that is with another organization) asked me to come out and watch a practice (his daughter will feed into our HS program). I was sick to my stomach. It's a hitting practice and all they have is a pitching machine from the mound, and a T to hit into a net. So 2 kids are hitting and the rest are shagging. UGG! I'm sorry I don't find this practice acceptable for any level of Travel Ball or HS ball.
So you can say what you want about HS coaching and HS ball is this or that, I think it truly depends on the coach! I've seen both good HS coaching and good TB coaching. I've also seen things from both that make me sick!!
Lastly, it's about being a student of the game, and growing. I've been coaching now for 20 years. I'm still learning, still e mailing coaches, and still working on my craft. If you find a TB or HS coach that knows it all, let me know! I have a ton of questions for them!
To be honest, I'm tired of hearing that HS ball is this or that and. Maybe YOUR HS coach or team is like that, but the programs and coaches I know are great organizations. I feel that HS coaches get a bad rap. Trust me, I'd love to have all elite players, and just manage the game. My HS boundaries don't allow for that. They give me the 11 - 13 girls I get for the year, some who last picked up a mitt at the last out of the previous season, to the D2/D1 pitcher who plays travel.
From that point, it's my job to make us competitive, and have skill improvements. It's great to see improvement from ALL of my players.
A quick story.
I also oversee and run TB practices, defense, hitting, and pitching for a new organization that just started up. An old friend of mine who is coaching his daughters 14u B travel team (that is with another organization) asked me to come out and watch a practice (his daughter will feed into our HS program). I was sick to my stomach. It's a hitting practice and all they have is a pitching machine from the mound, and a T to hit into a net. So 2 kids are hitting and the rest are shagging. UGG! I'm sorry I don't find this practice acceptable for any level of Travel Ball or HS ball.
So you can say what you want about HS coaching and HS ball is this or that, I think it truly depends on the coach! I've seen both good HS coaching and good TB coaching. I've also seen things from both that make me sick!!
Lastly, it's about being a student of the game, and growing. I've been coaching now for 20 years. I'm still learning, still e mailing coaches, and still working on my craft. If you find a TB or HS coach that knows it all, let me know! I have a ton of questions for them!
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