HS "Rebuilding" Strategy

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LetsPlayTwo

LetsPlayTwo
Jul 4, 2014
24
0
Ohio
HS coach drops by our last local 16s tournament last Sunday afternoon to "scout" the girls - some of which he's had on the HS varsity team for several years. TB team is an older 16s town team with mostly local girls, all of which will be HS seniors next year. HS program has enjoyed a decade+ of success with multiple conference championships and multiple trips to state tournament and one state championship. They have been blessed with at least 1 stud pitcher every year as you might expect. Next year...not so much. In all likelihood they will hit a brick wall compared to what is typical for this program. At the tournament, Coach is dropping hints that he is going to focus on playing freshman/sophomores for experience, letting them take their lumps in preparation for the next couple years. The seniors (non of whom are slouches, but no D1 recruits either), will take a back seat, because without pitching, the contribution of the seniors wont mean much. This isn't the usual debate about "is a senior entitled to play because they're a senior". This is writing off what will likely be a dismal season as far as W's go. Needless to say, the word spread quickly and everyone is buzzing - including talk of a number of these girls just not trying out next spring. I told my daughter to keep her ears open and mouth shut and relax for a month or so now that the TB season is over, and that we have plenty of time to see how this plays out before making a decision. Why did he tip his hand? Is this good/bad/ugly HS program management?
 
Last edited:
Jul 16, 2018
120
18
I mean with some of the things I've been reading lately I guess I shouldnt be surprised. But alas - As said above you play the best 9 regardless. Im okay with him telling fresh/soph they will be considered for playing time but the whole thing about the seniors not mattering is a huge red flag for my daughters future so Id be apt to tell him no thank you.

sigh...
 
Jun 10, 2018
19
3
At least he’s being honest. Not a great situation but everyone knows the score.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Strike2

Allergic to BS
Nov 14, 2014
2,044
113
HS sports can by very mercenary. The coach sometimes needs to do what's in his own best interest. He gets paid to be there, and to produce results.

That said, if the coach doesn't have any particular loyalty to a player, that player owes nothing back. In that situation, each player needs to lookout for themselves and do what's best for them. I know a number of very solid players who don't play HS ball because of the way the coach runs things. Frankly, I know few people who are happy with their HS team regardless of where they go to school.
 

Cannonball

Ex "Expert"
Feb 25, 2009
4,854
113
I have coached HS for 31 years and have been the HC of 4 sports. I have never seen a HS coach give up and get rid of seniors who can play. When you say that the coach is "dropping hints," I have to wonder. What the heck does that mean? Did the coach say he is going to get rid of the seniors or not? Maybe the coach perceives that he has a class that lacks dedication and so, wants to motivate them. Maybe the coach doesn't mean what you think you have heard at all. In short, if your dd is a player and can handle the competition for whomever steps up, she will be fine. If not, then she will be replaced.
 

sluggers

Super Moderator
Staff member
May 26, 2008
7,132
113
Dallas, Texas
HS program has enjoyed a decade+ of success with multiple conference championships and multiple trips to state tournament and one state championship

Clearly, the coach is an idiot.

My DD#3's college coach was a similar kind of idiot. My DD#3's college hoops team went 40-1 and won the national championship. If only her coach had played my DD#3 more, they would have went 41-0.

Why did he tip his hand?

Call him up and ask him.

It is entirely possible that there are really good freshman players who will take the spots of the seniors.

Is this good/bad/ugly HS program management?

There is six months to softball season. At least wait until after the first game before you bring out the torches and pitchforks.
 

LetsPlayTwo

LetsPlayTwo
Jul 4, 2014
24
0
Ohio
Good points, Cannonball, Sluggers...Full disclosure, I didn't hear the words from his mouth. No, he didn't have a meeting for all to hear the same thing so its always possible there is a misunderstanding. However, this coach has reputation for not always having a "filter" on his messaging, but the program's success has made that tolerable. The similar message was conveyed to me by 3 other parents, unsolicited - enough so that the thought of not going out for the team was considered in one afternoon. He wouldn't get rid of them as in "cutting" them, but rather by "benching" them in favor of underclassmen development since even "motivated" seniors could not overcome lack of pitching. IMO, the seniors are far from unmotivated (I was a TB AC for several years so have seen the motivated-unmotivated spectrum and coached a couple of them a few years ago). I don't have stats on this year's underclassmen or the new freshmen so anything is possible, but I am skeptical that all the seniors could be replaced based on tryout performance. There is an organizational meeting after Thanksgiving break to discuss the start of the season (captains practice in Jan). That is the time for Q & A.
 
Sep 17, 2009
1,637
83
This is a great way to kill a program. Because what if those fresh/sophs don't produce, I guess they won't play junior or senior year either. Pretty soon, girls stop coming out and/or politics are more important than play on the field.

Coaches should be an advocate for getting the best play out of all players -- THEN you put the best nine on the field.
 
Nov 29, 2009
2,975
83
Good points, Cannonball, Sluggers...Full disclosure, I didn't hear the words from his mouth. No, he didn't have a meeting for all to hear the same thing so its always possible there is a misunderstanding. However, this coach has reputation for not always having a "filter" on his messaging, but the program's success has made that tolerable.

I wonder if you have a parent of a bottom 1/3 player trying to stir crap to make sure their DD doesn't get cut? I've heard of some really desperate parent trying that kid of crap. Which would be minor when compared to the cheerleader mom who tried to kill a rivals mother right before tryouts.
 

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