Hitting and Hitters Discussion Bustos Blast Hitting Clinic

default · May 26, 2008

To the Bustos Ultimates:
Tom, you all did a great job hosting the hitting clinic this past weekend! Just want to thank you for letting Kayla be a part of it. She always has a great time with the girls and of course the added benefit of spending the day with Howard. Your older girls looked like they had a great time working with the younger ones too.

Howard, again you did a great job. I can't tell you how many people stopped just to say how much their DD enjoyed being there and getting to work with you. CB may have some competition with the fans next year if the long lines waiting just to talk to you is any indication. Thank you for all you do for the girls. We here in Ohio are lucky to have you around. You always give your all for the girls and as the mom of one lucky enough to work with you I can't thank you enough.

Looking forward to the next clinic!

default · May 26, 2008

Howard has become a true rock star!

default · May 26, 2008

Howard is man with a HUGE heart! My dd had the privilege to work with him this past week and walked away with an understanding she has never had before. We also attended the clinic this weekend and she was amazed at how many girls were learning the same way she is .
Thank you Howard, you are amazing.

default · May 27, 2008

I have been to many clinics. What I told Howard ,that made this one special. All the kids stayed in one station instead of moving. Same instructor the whole time. You didn't have to move losing time back and forth. Howard and Tom then could walk around and visit each station. I really liked the softball complex and the way it is built with 6 fields.

default · May 27, 2008

Thanks to everyone for coming and I am sorry for cutting it off at 60 kids however Tom and I wanted quality not quantity as to instruction.

Crystl and I changed to this format about 3 years ago so when we bring them out to the circle we are ALL working the same issues at the same time.

The kids really liked the PVC sticks and hitting the softball off the whiffle ball i.e. the Tee Stacker concept.

I would also like to thank Dr. Paulson for sharing with the parents and players what it is like being an athlete and having a learning disability. He touched a lot of peoples hearts. Several parents shared some very touching stories with me about their kids and coaches who call their kids stupid and dumb because of their learning disability or being dyslexic.

Thanks again Doc...you helped more than you will ever know!

default · May 28, 2008

Hey Howard,
I want to thank you for addressing the learning issue. I must tell you we tried very hard to hide our daughters learning issues to keep coaches from discrimminating (she has been playing a long time).

Our daughter had coaches who wrote girls off if they did not succeed the first couple of chances. Remember the girls who would hit well, go into a slump and then sit the bench the rest of the season. I'm don't even think they had learning disabilities. Who'd want to give the coach a reason to sit ya out. Our daughter was lucky, she could always hold her own in one position or another.

Oh my gosh, if they knew she had a reason for not getting it (signals etc.), that would have given them an excuse for not giving her a chance. Anxiety was already an issue for her (she was not the coaches daughter). The pressure was much greater for her cuz she had to try harder to prove herself (because of learning issues etc.) We were not under the impression coaches were there for the "feel good" story. They wanted to win. We did not want a "crutch" for either our daughter or the coach.

Developing players was not something all coaches could do or wanted to do. They wanted you to be good right off. Developing "pitching" was only for the coaches daughters. I'm not bitter, it was the reality at that time our daughter started playing, remember, this has been awhile.

People wanted to critize her for checking out different teams. But if ya knew the coach wasn't receptive, why stay. She had goals. Every person does not have the same learning style as the coach or his own children.

If your taking on the responsibility of coaching and took the girl on the team (obviously she has potential), you have to have an open mind and work with each and every girl to make them the best she can be (if she is a willing participant).

They do blossom, all at different times. NOt everyone can be the best, but it doesn't mean they are not good. It takes many girls to make a team. There would not be many teams if everyone had to be "exceptional".

This sport has grown because of all the dedication of girls with all different levels of ability. They usually figure it out on their own if they can't cut it.

Our daughter is nearing the end of her softball career, but not by anymeans is it over. SHe has had many successes in her career and has "proved herself" many times over. She may not be the best in the state but she has given alot of teams a run for their money. She is reaching her goals athletically and academically and, again, is not finished yet by any means. She still has alot more in her. I think she'd be a great coach. She knows what it is to work hard.

THanks!

default · May 28, 2008

Mort said:
Hey Howard,
I want to thank you for addressing the learning issue. I must tell you we tried very hard to hide our daughters learning issues to keep coaches from discrimminating (she has been playing a long time).

Our daughter had coaches who wrote girls off if they did not succeed the first couple of chances. Remember the girls who would hit well, go into a slump and then sit the bench the rest of the season. I'm don't even think they had learning disabilities. Who'd want to give the coach a reason to sit ya out. Our daughter was lucky, she could always hold her own in one position or another.

Oh my gosh, if they knew she had a reason for not getting it (signals etc.), that would have given them an excuse for not giving her a chance. Anxiety was already an issue for her (she was not the coaches daughter). The pressure was much greater for her cuz she had to try harder to prove herself (because of learning issues etc.) We were not under the impression coaches were there for the "feel good" story. They wanted to win. We did not want a "crutch" for either our daughter or the coach.

Developing players was not something all coaches could do or wanted to do. They wanted you to be good right off. Developing "pitching" was only for the coaches daughters. I'm not bitter, it was the reality at that time our daughter started playing, remember, this has been awhile.

People wanted to critize her for checking out different teams. But if ya knew the coach wasn't receptive, why stay. ?She had goals. Every person does not have the same learning style as the coach or his own children.

If your taking on the responsibility of coaching and took the girl on the team (obviously she has potential), you have to have an open mind and work with each and every girl to make them the best she can be (if she is a willing participant).

They do blossom, all at different times. NOt everyone can be the best, but it doesn't mean they are not good. It takes many girls to make a team. There would not be many teams if everyone had to be "exceptional".

This sport has grown because of all the dedication of girls with all different levels of ability. They usually figure it out on their own if they can't cut it.

Our daughter is nearing the end of her softball career, but not by anymeans is it over. SHe has had many successes in her career and has "proved herself" many times over. She may not be the best in the state but she has given alot of teams a run for their money. She is reaching her goals athletically and academically and, again, is not finished yet by any means. She still has alot more in her. I think she'd be a great coach. She knows what it is to work hard.

THanks!

On the other side of this coin...I wish parents and players would be more forthcoming to the team and coaches, when it comes to learning disabilities, both mentally and physically. ?

I have had numerous players over the years that I felt were lazy, not paying attention, or just plain stupid!! ?My frustration with these players would continue to grow, until I would finally just give up on them. ?I don't know what the reasons for them not responding, but had I known there was a problem, I would have taken the extra steps to make it work.

I even went as far as to ask them if they had problems, and they would tell me "No". ?There is only so much we can do as a coach, if we are not given all the information needed to help make good decisions.

I understand that some players and coaches will not understanding, and it may create an uneasy situation, but you have to take that chance for everyone involved.

default · May 28, 2008

Like I said in my post. She has to be a "willing participant". My daughter was. She did not need to use it as a "crutch." I'm not sure any lazy, stupid or uninterested player would have made it through your tryouts, right?

default · May 28, 2008

Mort said:
Like I said in my post. She has to be a "willing participant". My daughter was. She did not need to use it as a "crutch." ?I'm not sure any lazy, stupid or uninterested player would have made it through your tryouts, right?

I'm referring to HS ball, and I'm posting in sincerity, not trying to chastise anyone.

default · May 28, 2008

Mort I know Lady Knights pretty well and it is from his heart that if parents would trust some of these coaches it would help as to how they coach and the techniques they use to teach them.

I just got a PM from a mother that was at the clinic and so was her daughters coach...they are going to sit down and explain it to him.

She now feels like she is understanding the mechanics to hitting and even told her mother that she wants to do some additional testing at her high school and now she is not as afraid as she once was about people knowing she is wired a little differently however she is not stupid and is a good athlete.

She is going up to the plate with a confidence of not if I am going to hit the ball but where is the defense going to give me the greatest opportunity to hit it.

Thanks for sharing Mort and again Lady Knights heart is in the right place.

default · May 28, 2008

Howard,
I understand and realize this could be a really emotional issue, and not trying to stir the pot.

We have the utmost respect for those who go above and beyond for the girls. We probably did not trust the coaches as much as we should have, but no one was talking about learning issues then.

Just know learning issues doesn't always equal a behavior problem. In all likelihood it's a confidence problem with some memory issues attached. It's a different learning style. It's being told more than twice for reinforcement and shown on more than one occasion. They need extra memory reinforcement drills just as much as muscle memory drills. The brain is a really big muscle.

It DOES work if the kids get support. The more relaxed our daughter was the better she did. This is true for any girl, learning issues or not. She always needed extra time to prepare.

I can't tell you how many times we invited a coach to come to a lesson just to see what our daughter was learning in hopes it would be reinforcement for her during a game. We tried everyway we could to get them to understand without saying "she has a learning issue." The crazy thing was they did not want us to talk to her during a game, but we would try to reinforce memory and relaxation. We really weren't trying to be lunatics. If we'd have said why, maybe they would have had better understanding. ANyway..... Well, I think we tried but the coaches got too caught up in the game.

I strongly suggest girls be upfront with coaches when they don't understand a rule or signal or a technique etc. Don't use the learning issue as an excuse. If the coach is not receptive, find another one the next tryout. Take private lessons with an understanding instructor. Do not let your girls become discouraged. It's a fun sport. There are so many other lessons to be learned while playing. Parents and coaches, don't be to hard on your girls, you don't want to teach them to be quitters.

Our daughter is dylexic and it was an auditory issue that frustrated her. She has always been a visual learner with reinforcement being key.

default · May 28, 2008

My personal experience has been at the high school level it is difficult to get the coach involved as they don't have time...and some just don't want the involvement especially if it comes from the parents.

As to getting them to come to any instructors sessions be it hitting, pitching, fielding or catching good luck.

The college coaches when recruiting will normally listen if the athlete is the person they want for a certain position as one of our kids signed that is LD and will get the support required to attend college and play softball. Finding the right coach for the right player is easier at the college level than it is for the high school level.

Difficult to sell your house and move to another district so you face some difficult times and choices when playing high school ball.

You are correct when it comes to travel ball and finding a coach and a group of kids that are accepting of your daughters situation.

The point we tried to make at the clinic was for the parents to get involved with the coaches that start with, "are you stupid or just dumb?"

The parents want to hide the issues of having a learning disability or being dyslexic and it causes more issues with the child on and off the field.

That is why I ask Dr. Paulson to talk about his issues with playing baseball and being a student...to offer some insight to other parents trying to be over protective and what the athlete is going through emotionally.

Your view point is also insightful and may help someone else just by talking about it.

Your daughters condition is also why we use mirrors to help her see it, feel and fix it during our instruction...it helps them get connected.

Hitting and Hitters Discussion Bustos Blast Hitting Clinic

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