Did some searching, nothing here on DFP, so I'll ask the question in the hope of starting a dialog: Where are all the coach the coaches clinics?
I've been here a short time, and I have no TB experience at all. That said, I read all over this board about how there aren't enough good pitchers, about how thinly spread the talent is (blamed on too many TB teams mostly, but I'm not buying), about TB girls who lack this or that knowledge of how to play the game.
I coach rec. This was my 6th year as a rec HC, just following my DD along and using my old baseball skills and knowledge to try to teach my girls. It was not until I found DFP that I had even the vaguest idea that softball is not baseball. It is even worse for 1st year rec bucket dads/coaches. If Candrea is a 10, and A level TB coaches are 5’s (just to give us a scale to work with), then 99.9% of rec coaches are in negative numbers. Some of us are in double digit negatives.
Now, I know some leagues have 2 or 3 hour coach the coaches clinics, but really that's just basic "how should the catcher stand," "what should the pitcher do," and "don't make the girls cry" stuff.
I posted this elsewhere, but if TB coaches and organizations want more, better players, organize a real coach the coaches clinic or 3. Get with the local rec leagues to offer it. Push for the rec leagues to make it mandatory for coaches. Then make sure that the rec coaches are brought up to speed on how different softball is from baseball, how to deal with pitching issues (does she have a PC? What is IR/forearm fire? How can you help her?), how important small ball is as skill levels increase. How to run effective practices, effective drills. What you can expect from girls at 8U, 10U, 12U. Think about all the things you wish you’d known then and offer it to the rec coaches. Hold the meeting at one of your TB practices so that we can see how it is supposed to work.
Don’t cry about misplaced player talent, help fix the missing coaching talent so that we can get you more quality players trying out for your teams.
I've been here a short time, and I have no TB experience at all. That said, I read all over this board about how there aren't enough good pitchers, about how thinly spread the talent is (blamed on too many TB teams mostly, but I'm not buying), about TB girls who lack this or that knowledge of how to play the game.
I coach rec. This was my 6th year as a rec HC, just following my DD along and using my old baseball skills and knowledge to try to teach my girls. It was not until I found DFP that I had even the vaguest idea that softball is not baseball. It is even worse for 1st year rec bucket dads/coaches. If Candrea is a 10, and A level TB coaches are 5’s (just to give us a scale to work with), then 99.9% of rec coaches are in negative numbers. Some of us are in double digit negatives.
Now, I know some leagues have 2 or 3 hour coach the coaches clinics, but really that's just basic "how should the catcher stand," "what should the pitcher do," and "don't make the girls cry" stuff.
I posted this elsewhere, but if TB coaches and organizations want more, better players, organize a real coach the coaches clinic or 3. Get with the local rec leagues to offer it. Push for the rec leagues to make it mandatory for coaches. Then make sure that the rec coaches are brought up to speed on how different softball is from baseball, how to deal with pitching issues (does she have a PC? What is IR/forearm fire? How can you help her?), how important small ball is as skill levels increase. How to run effective practices, effective drills. What you can expect from girls at 8U, 10U, 12U. Think about all the things you wish you’d known then and offer it to the rec coaches. Hold the meeting at one of your TB practices so that we can see how it is supposed to work.
Don’t cry about misplaced player talent, help fix the missing coaching talent so that we can get you more quality players trying out for your teams.