Are there teams that have non-parent coaches??

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I agree with attempting to find non-parent coaches but don't get tricked into thinking they are all honest and will do exactly as they say. Granted the daddy ball dynamic is gone but non -parent coaches tell players want they want to hear also. Doing the diligence to find the right coach is the key and they may or may not have any ties to a player on the team.

 

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Finding strong teams with dedicated nonparent coaches seems to be what a lot of parents want. If you can find a team like that then that is great. But lets be honest, without parent coaches there would not be youth softball at all. Finding a parent coached team that is well run is just as hard as finding a NP coached team. That is where family expectations come into play. Being able to do the leg work to find the right fit for your daughter is critical. I have seen my share of NP coached teams where the coach is totally clueless. Problems occure with both types. My daughter was fortunate to have the same 3 parent coaches for her entire career - and she and our family would not have changed them for any NP coach. Families that do not like the coaching situation simply need to find one that fits them - parent or nonparent. Do the leg work!!

 

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Many of the Buckeye Heat teams have non parents.

 

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Finding a team without a parent coaching is difficult and it is not *always* the best course of action. A few years ago a friend of mine dd played for an organization (that shall remain nameless) that brought in young ladies from college ball to coach. This scenario can work (and works very well for the MV Express 00 team - those ladies were smart!), but in this case it didnt work at all. The coaches had no "stock" in the player and merely went through the motions. At mid-season they didnt even know all of the girls names. :-( Like you I am sick of daddy and I may be accused of many things, but favoring my daughter over others is not one of them. I run a very performance based team and my daughter does not start for me (much to my wife's dismay). Like most things in life you need to take a case-by-case look and make your decisions from there.

 

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Like Mark T., we were very fortunate to have had great parent-coaches all the way up through 18u. Maybe it was just the organization?

I think it's a mistake to write off ALL parent coaches when doing a team search. There are probably just as many bad coaches in other respects that are not parent coaches. I would compare the mindset of blindly disqualifying all parent coaches with disqualifying all coaches with mustaches. Why would you do that? (other than those with a 70s mustache JK!). But seriously - research the coach for their skills... you may be surprised at who you'll find.

 

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Funny thing is it really doesn't matter, many high school coaches are non parent coaches but they take as much if not more abuse then daddy ball coaches. If a kid isn't getting their way.... It's gotta be the coach.

 

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It's not rocket science, but do your homework, talk to other parents, it is ok. I have told many a person who would listen when they asked about the organization, that two of our favorite coaches were parent coaches and they got it right. That goes through the entire org. As well!

 

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I agree with flarays and coachtea that there are a lot of good and fair parent coaches out there, and that some non-parent coaches aren't very good, so it's critical that a parent does their homework re: coaches.

My DD recently completed her college career, and has been interested in coaching the game for several years. She was approached by a couple of organizations about head coaching, and was flattered by it. Please keep in mind that some organizations like to brag about the fact that they have ex-college players coaching. But similar to other college and professional sports even, just because you played a game at a high level doesn't automoatically make you a good coach. My DD realized that she still had a lot to learn about coaching, and has spent the past 3 summers and winters helping myself and the coach we are both assisting now, and admits she is learning so much more. I think some day in the not too far distant future she is going to be a heck of a coach, but she will have put in the time and effort to get there.

I personally think a non-parent is an "advantage", but that opinion is biased and you've got to do your homework.

 

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The Hammers organzation has no parent coaches involved with any of our teams. We have former/current college players that coach all three of our teams. It works well for us, but no situation is perfect. There have been some that don't necessarily like what our coaches offer, so they move on. Not saying our way is better than any organization that has dads coaching. This is just the way we choose to do things, and if you're interested in having your daughter play for someone that has played at a high level, knows the game, is passionate about the game and working with the girls, and is not a parent....the Hammers might be the organization you are looking for.

 

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Diamond Chix 13u Blue, head coach is not a parent or relative. Assistant is an aunt of one of the girls.

DD played with Amanda and Gina end of last season and fallball. They were great with the girls. Their practices were fun and intstructional, sometimes a tough thing to accomplish. I only have good things to say about them as I would highly recommend them to future players. The main reason we didn't hookup with them this season is difference in ages, DD will be going into 7th grade and their team will all be going into 9th next year. If you are 13 or 14 eligible next year and they are close to you, good option!

 

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How do you keep them dedicated if they don't have a vested interest in your team? We have had college girls say they are interested in coaching only to find they don't have the time to invest. We can't pay a coach... it's cost enough to play already!

I think former college players are a great asset, but as a head coach of team, they sometimes get over their heads when it comes to dealing with parents. Best formula often is an old ball coach with a young graduated college assistant. Once they get wet behind the ears, they can handle the situations that arise. Don't think there won't be situation, nature of sports and youth.

 

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Trying to escape daddy ball! Are there solid teams that exist with quality coaching but without the "daddy ball" element?

I coach the 12U Ohio Hurricanes. Next season we will be 14U. I don't have a daughter on the team. My Daughter is 17 and plays for another Ohio Hurricane team that also does not have a Daddy coach. The Hurricanes are trying to put coaches in place not dads. I coach for no money no fame just the love of the game. If anyone is interested in learning softball please contact me.

Matt Burk
440-343-5878
mburk72@gmail.com
Ohio Hurricanes

 

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How about "mommy ball"? I find as a woman coach- at least at younger age level- I think I am able to undestand, relate to and motivate the girls better than most male coaches my daughter has played for (she plays in two leagues/ two different teams every year- I coach one and just watch her play the other). The best things I have from my team are a picture of the whole team running up to me and giving me a huge group hug after our awards "banquet" at the end of this season and another team picture on which every girl wrote me a personal message about our season. I hung that one up at the house.
I know the girls like me, want to play on my team and want to do well not only for themselves but also for me.

 

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I was the coach of the Hammers when we were slowpitch and coached us to incredible records and a 12U USSSA World Series title. We had three dads and one mom as coaches. It wasn't perfect but we were successful and still have almost oll of the original girls still involved in the Hammer organization.
When we made the switch to fastpitch, I was in over my head and sought out a former all state player I knew that was close to the family. She has taken over the coaching along with her best friend and they have given me the faith that they can handle it. They are very dedicated and the girls love them. I handle the parents for the most part.
As far as daddy ball when I was coaching...I was fair. I told my twin girls you had better CLEARLY be better than everyone else on the team because if it comes to me playing you or another girl that is close to your abilities, I will play her. My girls worked to be the best they could be and there was little question as to why they played at that point. That kind of rules out daddyball in the definition I know it as.
Hope that helps.

 

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I coach the 12U Ohio Hurricanes. Next season we will be 14U. I don't have a daughter on the team. My Daughter is 17 and plays for another Ohio Hurricane team that also does not have a Daddy coach. The Hurricanes are trying to put coaches in place not dads. I coach for no money no fame just the love of the game. If anyone is interested in learning softball please contact me.

Matt Burk
440-343-5878
mburk72@gmail.com
Ohio Hurricanes

Coach had some problems this season which were somewhat out of his control, but know his kids like playing for him. Matt does a good job and I admire him for giving of himself for the girls and the sport. I'd have a hard time doing that with a boat in the garage and fish calling! Thanks for giving of your time Matt!