Well...coach did saySome of the first words spoken from DD paid coach is "we are going to focus on the fundamentals." I found that interesting because DD is playing 16U. DD also happens to be a recruited pitcher.
As far as the coach's not having an effect on the game, you should have watched our games. Coaches can definitely impact the game, good and bad. I watched two consecutive losses at Nationals due to poor (fundamental) decision making from the coaching staff.
Maybe something to do with the fact that we were allowed up to 4 hours a day to practice, but my college head coach absolutely coached, basics, drills, all day long all season long.
Maybe she/he just needed to kill 4 hours everyday. To assume that players aren't fundamentally sound by 16u is silly. Yes every one can get better but we are talking about diminishing returns by that point.
Lots of 16u travel teams beat college teams in exhibitions every year.
Usually in travel ball gm is an management title that means they dont know how to coach but they can get info on hotel rates.In reading the boards, and in a few years of being around the game, it seems like a lot of coaches are more interested in being General Managers of their teams than coaches. They actively recruit the best players available, and often sort of expect them to come onto the new team already game-ready. They may tweak a few things along the way, but it seems once girls get above 12, fewer and fewer coaches want to teach the game. Instead, they focus on finding players that are already developed the way they want them.
Anybody else starting to feel that way?