Opens spots on Varsity

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• Jan 19, 2010

• #21

It has acctually been said by coaches that not doing a freshman team would be a "wasted opportunity" because the incoming freshman #'s are so good.
I dont have a problem with a good freshman player not making varsity for any # of reasons, but creating a freshman team to play a schedule that would be even worse than a JV schedule (often a subject on here).
Our school probably wont have the #'s to do it, this is just me watching Bear's counter and pulling out the little bit of hair that I have left

 

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• Jan 19, 2010

• #22

soft77:

Don't disagree with you regarding JV play. But unless the freshman team is playing against JV teams and not other freshman teams, freshman ball can be detrimental to the travel ball player's hitting and fielding mechanics.

 

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• Jan 19, 2010

• #23

As a new High School head coach, but not new to the program, I have the advantage of having seen all the girls play during high school and travel ball seasons. Sounds like this coach may not have had that luxury. Or,maybe like many other coaches, he plays the older kids out of some kind of misguided loyalty. There are many different philosophy's out there in regards to who and when to play different kids. I always thought that you play the best 9 regardless of age. With so many kids playing travel ball all summer, and fall and winter leagues, freshmen now have played more games in a year than most kids played in a four year varsity career just 5 or 10 years ago. Freshmen are so much more advanced in terms of playing ability, in many cases without knowing what grade they are in, it is hard to tell they are freshmen. Every situation is different, but all coaches are charged with the task of winning now and developing the program to win next year and the year after and so on. I guess if coaching was as easy as some think, everyone would do it! Give him some time amd see how it plays out.

 

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• Jan 19, 2010

• #24

I have to agree that the best nine play ! That is what we have done for years and we have always had a very good team that goes far in tournament play. I'm sure we have the same issues that other high schools have. Older kids don't think they have to work and can just show up and play the spot they had last year. Many will not have a spot with that attitude. We have some freshman that play softball fall and winter and show up every night we have open hitting. They will start this year while others may not even make the team. Like anything in life, nothing is given to you, you must earn it.

 

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• Jan 19, 2010

• #25

"Open hitting":lmao:
What a concept, you mean that girls can go to the school and get some work in? We have a hitting cage suspended in the gym that hasn't been lowered since last March. It can't be used by the football team so it is of no use to our school.
If they did an open gym or hitting on Sunday mornings at 6 I know 5 freshman that would be there.

 

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• Jan 19, 2010

• #26

Yes, but the high school coach cannot instruct those that have played high school softball. Freshman are not softball players yet! So we go 3 times a week.

 

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• Jan 19, 2010

• #27

I know that the HS coach cant instruct(from what I've heard he doesn't do much during practices either). Its just disappointing that no opportunity is being provided. The incoming freshman are working on their own and with their travel teams and they will all continue. There seems to be no desire to build the program or create an expectation that the players do the work or see what level of dedication there is among the girls that will be playing this spring.
I know of other communities that provide facilities year round for there players and it is up to the players to take advantage of what is offered. Not just for HS players but down through middle school and below. I have asked and will continue to ask for more from the school. After I see how this season goes "asking" will change to demanding.

 

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• Jan 19, 2010

• #28

Flatline:

Been there, done that. At some point you may find that the energy you expend and the less than friendly/helpful responses you receive are just not worth it. I hope I'm wrong. I know of several REALLY good HS programs, so I'm not knocking HS coaches. It's just that if your portrayal of the program is accurate, I wouldn't get your hopes up about changing it. You should definitely give the coaches a fair opportunity. But if things don't improve, take a minute to reflect on whether making demands is in your best interest or in the best interest of your DD. She might become the lightning rod for the coaches' hostility to you. It's a tough call.

 

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• Jan 19, 2010

• #29

cgs said:

Flatline:

Been there, done that. At some point you may find that the energy you expend and the less than friendly/helpful responses you receive are just not worth it. I hope I'm wrong. I know of several REALLY good HS programs, so I'm not knocking HS coaches. It's just that if your portrayal of the program is accurate, I wouldn't get your hopes up about changing it. You should definitely give the coaches a fair opportunity. But if things don't improve, take a minute to reflect on whether making demands is in your best interest or in the best interest of your DD. She might become the lightning rod for the coaches' hostility to you. It's a tough call.

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Lightning rod for the coaches and other kids

 

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• Jan 19, 2010

• #30

A lot depends on how this season goes. Hopefully he sees the time and effort of the underclassmen and tries to work to make it even better. I've also been told stories of coaches that sit back and say- Great, my job just got easier.
When I coached at the community level my goal was always to provide a solid group of girls to the HS at my daughters age level. Finding dedicated girls and helping them beyond what I was able to teach them. It was an uphill struggle from the day I took girls out of the "wreck" program. It is a great group of kids and I look forward to seeing all of them playing at the HS. They may not be superstars but they have done the work for years and they will make the HS program better.
Hopefully I can get better dealing with Dec. Jan. & Feb.
Tell me it gets easier
Going to practice last night my daughter was talking about driving to practices next year herself

 

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• Jan 20, 2010

• #31

Fast2Home said:

I heard a new head coach who was inquiring about last year's JV team from the JV coach. The varsity coach said that he only had two spots available since two seniors graduated.
Am I too stupid to think that there should be 11-12 spots open on varsity instead of automatcally granted last year's varsity players a varsity spot??

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Might it be possible that the JV coach misinterpreted the new coach. And that the new coach was simply trying to get a handle on where returning strengths lie?