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Member
We can't always be magicians as much as you'd like us to be. Coaches aren't issued a magic wand to wave over a player and give them talent and ability.
Agreed. Where ever did the idea come from that the TRAVEL team coach was the primary one responsible for player development? I've always been puzzled by that assumption! It's like expecting your employer to give you "on the jobe training" AFTER they've hired you. What criteria was used for making the travel team? Being a good listener? Great personality?
I always thought that a better formula was to PREPARE yourself skill-wise to prove to a team coach that you are capable of helping the team effort! That preparation comes BEFORE the team effort, NOT during games.
I never once expected my DD's team coaches to teach her anything about hitting or pitching. However, I fully expected my DD to work very hard on her own to improve her skills to help her team. If she failed in her team efforts, it was not because of her team coach, it was because she was not prepared: READ training away from the team effort. Practice at home, bring your skills to team practices, then use your skills to win games!
I guess I'm old fashion in this respect. It used to be you made a travel team based on your ability and existing skill level. To me, this ability came almost exclusively from individual skill development. I guess there is now a level of "developmental" teams at the travel level? I can understand this concept for a 10u team, where most of the kids are one level removed from rec. league. But at older ages, isn't it about competing for a spot? There is so much controversy over playing time in travel ball nowadays that it seems like a carryover mentality from rec. ball.