Thoughts on how to improve Fastpitch

[wvanalmsick]

The only way that change will come to the fastpitch community is if enough people voice legitimate issues and fixes to the sanctioning bodies. Sanctioning bodies......hmmmm. What can we do there?

It is ok to have different sanctions bodies. To each his/her own. But if you are going to be a sanctioning body, put more teeth in your bylaws and enforce them. In today's workplace, companies need to be ISO certified. To become certified, these companies need to enact a set of standards that they will adhere to. Once these standards are in place, then they can start enforcing those standards. All of the current sanctions have tried to enforce the "money-making" portions of their bylaws, like insurance, and we all saw what happened when enough flak was sent to them. Your voice matters.Now if they can come up with a set of standards that deal with "non-money making" issues and they start enforcing them.

Here are some the the items that I believe should become standards.

1. Coaching. Sanctions need to require each head coach to attain specific coaching credentials before they are allowed in that sanction and they need to attain "X" amount of credential training every "X" year(s) to maintain that coaching status and also have a recertification requirement process every "X" year(s). There also has to be a Coaching Code of Conduct that needs enforcement and penalties for things such as poaching, on-field behavior. I feel that the coaching requirements will lead to better coaching, happier families, and more stable organizations.

2. Rostering. Toughen and enforce the rostering bylaws. It can to model the Volleyball rostering. Have standards that are tough, but fair to both the athlete and the team. Once the coaching standards are in place, then you will see 2 things, 1-a lot of the daddy-ball teams disappear and 2-the remaining teams will be better coached and offer a more stable environment for players and families.

3. Tournaments. If a sanction is going to attach its name to a tournament, then that tournament needs to adhere to a set of standards that the sanctioning body has in place for the proper conduct of a tournament. If standards are not met, then financial penalties should occur.

Well, there it is. I know there are more but I cannot think of them right now. Will any of it come to fruition? Probably not but we were ask for ideas and all ideas start on a white board and then get refined until a final product occurs. This softball community has contacts within most all of the sanctions. Start the rumblings and make them listen.

 

[coachjwb]

Bill ... good food for thought, and I'd like to hear more about your ideas.

I definitely like the idea of the sanctions having coach certifications, though it would be nice if there was one common standard one that the different sanctions all supported as opposed to each having their own. (Isn't there something like this now though?) I thought it was interesting that you mentioned poaching in that point as well ... what are you thinking there? Poaching and the related issue of entire teams changing organizations is something that has been bothering me some though that's definitely a topic within itself, but I'm interested in how it might be addressed and "enforced" within a code of ethics.

And I'm also interested in hearing more about what you're thinking on rostering. While I've seen rostering issues in the past, I guess I thought of them more as annoyances vs. a fundamental issue, but I may not be up to speed on that.

I personally am also concerned with, but admittedly have mixed feelings about the early recruiting (i.e., 13-15 year-olds) and it's impact on the sport. I realize it's not unique to fastpitch, but it seems to me like it's a bigger thing in fastpitch than it is in most other sports, relatively speaking at least. I am all for young ladies and their families getting recruited by colleges, but if that happened more in the 16-17 year age groups instead, I think it would be better for families, better for colleges, and better for the sport. There are too many parents and coaches obsessed with this at ages when the players should be learning more about the game and enjoying the sport.

 

[Louuuuu]

Once the coaching standards are in place, then you will see 2 things, 1-a lot of the daddy-ball teams disappear ...

A great idea, but it would never happen because sanctioning bodies want more members, not fewer. It's always about the money.

 

[daboss]

While I believe your hearts are in the the right and believe your suggestions for change could possibly better things I have to admit I'm stuck agreeing with Louuuuu on this one. It's about the money. As mentioned, all sanctions want growth. ASA has taken the stab at certifying coaches in the simplest of ways in hopes it would make a small difference but few go past the minimum required certifications. Your hope for change is not in that package.

I'm hoping I am wrong but fear I am right. We want more girls participating and your suggested changes can be countered easily by others taking a stand against your changes. Sorry.

 

[MD 20/20]

I like the ideas also, but cause does not always equal effect. Because a coach is educated (or sits in conferences) does not mean that they will either A, be a good coach. B, Stabilize their organization, or C, not have parent issues. When I was with the org. that I managed for, we were always about knowledge. Not only gaining it, but then sharing it with the other coaches/teams within the org. I have found that alone to be the exception, not the rule. As far as the education goes, for those who have done the ASA Ace program, know that it starts off OK in the lower levels, but as it goes on into the higher levels and the "continued education" levels, its all about the $$$. There wasn't anything in those that helped me be a better coach.

I think sometimes, like in government, we "think" we want things, until they are put into place, then it is too late to undo it.

There will always be great, good and below average coaching. As a parent, do your research on the coach and the org. Now that I have stepped away, I really see things in a really different light. When new parents ask me my opinion, I find its a far different one than I may have given a few years ago.

I could not agree more with the rostering. There are set rosters for a reason. The sanctioning could be a money issue as well. But if we are on the subject of sanctions, how about this.....One Sanction and/or one set of rules. Now for rules, my least favorite rule was with ASA and that I could NOT bat my roster with free substitution if I CHOSE. My opponent does not have to "match" my roster-batting. I understand that batting 11 may decrease my ability to win over my opponents 9 player line-up, but why can't I? In my mind, ALL of your players work and practice very hard and should be playing. I also think that if your doing your job as a coach, every player that YOU CHOSE at your try-outs should be able to play meaningful innings to help your team win and advance.


Someone help me down from my soap box