my kid is a starter on her high school team but the coaching is so bad she doesn't want to return. I'm not sure I want her to return. Her TB team is a very solid ASA Team and it's always great experiance. What a let down it is when HS ball rolls around. Clueless coaches, drama and the worse team in the district. I think if you can spell "softball" they will let you coach. Why bother ?
High School Softball ,No Thanks I'll pass
- Thread starter Smitty
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you have to remember that at the high school level its hard to get a coach who actually knows the game. so they are stuck with hiring a teacher who knows nothing just to fill in a void.Most travelball coaches have regular jobs or what not.
Most schools are forced to higher a teacher due to union rules. I have been coaching for 10 years (HS and Travel) and cant find another HS job even though I interview every year. I am always told that they hired someone within.
If she doesn't like it, then there is no reason to bother with it. Simple as that.
For a good travel player to like a situation like that, she'd have to accept that the coaching is what it is and simply enjoy it because it's softball and because they like being around their teammates/classmates. If that's not enticing, then it's an easy decision. She either likes it, or she doesn't. No reason to put it down, IMO. The main priority of a high school is education, and hiring good classroom teachers trumps having quality softball coaches. The school shouldn't apologize for that, nor should your daughter apologize for not wanting to play.
HS ball can be crazy. It can be a wonderful ride, an average experience, or a nightmare.
I've said this before, you can control the experience to a point. But you have to think and act years before you get to HS. We were blessed to have a good group of local parents who worked together ( and for the most part stayed together ) from 6yo rec, to travel, to MS, to HS. Sure these girls could have split up, gone to play for BIG ______ team an hour+ away, but they chose to stick together and pretty soon they were beating those teams an hour+ away.
From experience I've seen that the best HS programs ( any sport ) are the ones where the kids have played together for years, it's that simple. I'm not going to lie, it's hard work, a few of us could have easily sent our girls to play for a more established organization. But "molding" a group from the same part of town sure has its long term rewards.
In the HS 27 year program they had only made it out of the district playoffs 5 times, in our groups 4 years.........we made it to the state playoffs 3 years in a row. THAT's the difference when you plan ahead for those magical HS years..........representing your school.
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I will offer that I've also seen a HS you might be involved in. We play a school that we run rule in the 3rd inning every time, 15-0. It is a sad thing to watch, I feel sorry that no one has helped those girls over the years.
I've said this before, you can control the experience to a point. But you have to think and act years before you get to HS. We were blessed to have a good group of local parents who worked together ( and for the most part stayed together ) from 6yo rec, to travel, to MS, to HS. Sure these girls could have split up, gone to play for BIG ______ team an hour+ away, but they chose to stick together and pretty soon they were beating those teams an hour+ away.
From experience I've seen that the best HS programs ( any sport ) are the ones where the kids have played together for years, it's that simple. I'm not going to lie, it's hard work, a few of us could have easily sent our girls to play for a more established organization. But "molding" a group from the same part of town sure has its long term rewards.
In the HS 27 year program they had only made it out of the district playoffs 5 times, in our groups 4 years.........we made it to the state playoffs 3 years in a row. THAT's the difference when you plan ahead for those magical HS years..........representing your school.
************
I will offer that I've also seen a HS you might be involved in. We play a school that we run rule in the 3rd inning every time, 15-0. It is a sad thing to watch, I feel sorry that no one has helped those girls over the years.
- Jun 24, 2013
- 1,059
- 36
DD had a great time in school ball, I am not sure she learned too much but I am not sure that was the point of the whole thing. I do know that she was better player/ person after she played despite some of her complaints.
Cannonball
Ex "Expert"
- Feb 25, 2009
- 4,881
- 113
I constantly read what you all say about HS coaches and it is so hard to believe. Yes, most schools hire a teacher. That doesn't mean that those teachers are clueless. In our area, I can't think of one coach that mails it in, doesn't work hard, and doesn't know the game. Of course our HS plays a very tough schedule and one of the toughest in our area and so, maybe we just come across good coaches due to the schedule. The coach that coached the softball team before I did at my HS won over 300 games and had fewer than 100 losses. When I took over, we won. The lady who took over for me was a player who still plays in a women's league and so, that is what we have at our school. Our rival school's head coach has around 250 wins and has been at it for long time. I know that some of the parents don't like her but she doesn't give in to who thinks who plays where because they play for this team or that. IMO, she does a very good job.
Per the OP now, I think HS has a lot to offer besides wins and losses. However, if your dd doesn't want to be there then don't have her play. Every situation like this is what you want it to be. My dd had an outstanding HS career. She loved representing her school and had goals to accomplish in practice for her development. She made the most of all of those practice opportunities. She made the most out of all of those opportunities to see live pitching before travel started. HS ball will be exactly what you and your dd want to make of it.
Per the OP now, I think HS has a lot to offer besides wins and losses. However, if your dd doesn't want to be there then don't have her play. Every situation like this is what you want it to be. My dd had an outstanding HS career. She loved representing her school and had goals to accomplish in practice for her development. She made the most of all of those practice opportunities. She made the most out of all of those opportunities to see live pitching before travel started. HS ball will be exactly what you and your dd want to make of it.
- Jan 25, 2011
- 2,282
- 38
Smitty, IMO the team will be better with out your dd on it. Sorry but if she feels the way you say she feels, then she will just ruin the team. Just think how more prepared those girls that decide to play HS ball will be then your dd? Maybe they will of had more practice and game time experience that they may try out for a TB team? Maybe the team your dd plays for? Wouldn't it be great? Some of her classmates could play with your dd? Maybe one of the girls from the HS team, with all the games they played earlier in the spring will get a starting spot on your dd's TB team? Maybe that spot will be where your dd use to start at?
You and your dd must not have much passion for the game. If we can't win, then I don't want to play. Guess what? In the real world, I doubt you will win everytime, more then likely you will lose more then win. You can get mad at what I wrote that's fine. But until you and your dd have passion for this game and take the good and the bad with it, don't bother responding to me.
Goingdeep, posted a video on the thread I started about my dd playing again. Take time and go watch it and share it with your dd. It was great, also youtube the death crawl from the movie facing the giants. You and your dd, need to get back your PASSION. By the way, I have coached rec., TB & AC for HS, sometimes a coach can learn more from their players, then their players from the coach.
You and your dd must not have much passion for the game. If we can't win, then I don't want to play. Guess what? In the real world, I doubt you will win everytime, more then likely you will lose more then win. You can get mad at what I wrote that's fine. But until you and your dd have passion for this game and take the good and the bad with it, don't bother responding to me.
Goingdeep, posted a video on the thread I started about my dd playing again. Take time and go watch it and share it with your dd. It was great, also youtube the death crawl from the movie facing the giants. You and your dd, need to get back your PASSION. By the way, I have coached rec., TB & AC for HS, sometimes a coach can learn more from their players, then their players from the coach.
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