Hitting and Hitters Discussion Hitting lesson before a tournament

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It is a buyer's market this year, with many teams looking for players. You must do what is best for the dd. This is a tough decision and many of us have had to make it. Never easy. Hitter sent you a PM . This demo we use to convince coaches and players to keep the head down. Easy to demo and if that doesn't convince him. Then you have other issues.

There is more going on than just this. This is one thing. I will definately try the demo with him because my dd didn't respond very well to his correction of her. But if I can show him why she does what she does maybe he will stop trying to change that part of her swing.

As far as the practice before a tournament.....my dd will be at her hitting/fielding lesson and she will be fine for playing. She has been doing the same thing for 3 years of travel. I'm not worried about her having to sit the bench because of fatique!! That was an idle threat on his part!

 

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For four years my dd has always taken a hitting lesson usually the friday before a saturday tournament or sometimes saturday morning early before a tournament. She has a new coach this year and he got upset when he heard that a few of the girls where having a lesson before a tournament. They will have 5 hours in between their lesson and their first game. Just curiouse who out there does this? I have always felt my dd hit better after the lesson. ?????

Coach went as far to say that if any of the girls who takes the lesson before show up to the tournament tired he will sit them for the weekend. I personally feel if they show up tired to a tournament after a private lesson before hand we are going to be in big trouble come tournament weekends when we have three games to play in a day. This is the first time we have ever experience the chance of punishment for taking extra lessons to be prepared. I am shocked to say the least!!!!

Boy you have a huge miscommunications with the coach. It is obvious he thinks your players are doing a full hitting lessons vs. just a quick tune-up. I love it when my girls do a quick tune-up. The are more focused and tend to make sounder choices on pitches which lead to more balls in play.

I agree that you need to get a person to moderate the conversation between the parents and coach so he understands this is not a workout by any means.

Best of luck with the situation for you and your other players.

 

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You been doing it for 4 years and it has not been problem. Now a new coach wants to sit your DD for doing it even though he has not seen it be a problem. Sounds like an unreasonable, dictator like coach who didn't think this one out. Doing a my way versus the highway thing on you. Find a better situation if you can (new team) or stop it until you can gets his permission. Ask him to let you continue but you will stop if he ever sees her DD getting too tired during a tournament. It's his team. Me opinion.

 

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You been doing it for 4 years and it has not been problem. Now a new coach wants to sit your DD for doing it even though he has not seen it be a problem. Sounds like an unreasonable, dictator like coach who didn't think this one out. Doing a my way versus the highway thing on you. Find a better situation if you can (new team) or stop it until you can gets his permission. Ask him to let you continue but you will stop if he ever sees her DD getting too tired during a tournament. It's his team. Me opinion.

IMHO She shouldn't need his permission to take her to private instruction to make her a better hitter/player. And she is one of the better hitter/players on the team. She didn't get that way from him. ;&

 

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I heard an interesting comment on sports radio yesterday and It came from an ex qb in the NFL. He said each decision made by a coach or player should be evaluated by that person in the context " is this a me decision or a we decision" saying decisions should be based on helping "we" . I think that rule could be used here and it looks to me like the coach is making a me decision. Being careful to know I have one side of the story. Not doubting your story at all just saying I am sure his would be different.

 

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IMHO She shouldn't need his permission to take her to private instruction to make her a better hitter/player. And she is one of the better hitter/players on the team. She didn't get that way from him. ;&

Agreed, she shouldn't need it but he controls who plays and who sits so in effect she "needs" it if she wants to play.

 

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bh2424gh~that is a good way to look at it!
I know both of these parents and this is just one of several issues that is going on. From my (outsider) point of view this person is intimidated by the girls CONTINUING (they were doing these lessons BEFORE making his team) their outside instruction. It just doesn't make sense. What they are practicing outside of his practice are some of the things that gave him reason to put these girls on his team. To be offended by the fact that they are continuing this is just imho selfish. They are only taking lessons to better themselves for them and for the team as a whole.

 

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One other thing to consider....... what you do with your daughters outside of the team is none of the coaches business, PERIOD. As long as their instruction is positive and productive in nature. I could understand if the instruction they recieved was hurting them or the team. As long as a coach knows in advance before you join the team what your schedule is there shouldent be an issue. Sounds like a little bit of a Napoleon issue.... does he coach third with his hand stuffed in his shirt?

Tim

 

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bh2424gh~that is a good way to look at it!
I know both of these parents and this is just one of several issues that is going on. From my (outsider) point of view this person is intimidated by the girls CONTINUING (they were doing these lessons BEFORE making his team) their outside instruction. It just doesn't make sense. What they are practicing outside of his practice are some of the things that gave him reason to put these girls on his team. To be offended by the fact that they are continuing this is just imho selfish. They are only taking lessons to better themselves for them and for the team as a whole.

Having coached for several years, you learn that if a player is paying to learn a specific technique, it is just that. Every style of batting or pitching has been derived from someone at sometime trying something just a little different that worked and then sharing that with others.

To be intimidated by this as a coach would be self-defeating. To embrace this as a part of what makes your team dynamic makes your TEAM stronger.

Lyle Day, a well known retired coach from Illinois Wesleyan, always used to remind me of the following: Lead the girls by sound decisions. Surround yourself with a strong coaching staff, each strong in their own specific area. Never be afraid to ask for help or admit when you are wrong. A good coach is knowledgeable about many things; a Great Coach is constantly gaining knowledge from those they surround themselves with to elevate their own knowledge of the game.

Hopefully your coach will be able to look deep inside himself and be able to determine if he is making this statement based on sound reasoning or a bruised ego.

 

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feistymom
Good post

In this day and age a lot of your travel ball players take some kind of lesson good or bad. As a coach if it is helping you just go with it. If it is not you have to be able to talk to the player and parents and suggest another route. But with the ego's involved you must find the right way to approach the situation. Just remember the grass is not always greener on the other side, and you may get hit crossing the road.

 

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My dd and Sads are number one and two batter on their team. My dd has been playing travel 4 years, Sads 3. Both of these girls are very dedicated players, they both have alway taken extra instruction not b/c Mom and Dad want them too but because both girls want to become better. I will not discontinue my dd lessons for any coach. It just will not happen. These girls are where they are on this team b/c of their dedication.

At this point I have no problem saying JUMP SHIP!!!!!!

 

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If they weren't going to sit before they probably will sit now. Talking to the coach rather than posting "At this point I have no problem saying JUMP SHIP!!!!!! " would have been more helpful.

 

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We have voiced our concerns many, many times. The Pres. of our Organization has tried to help and offered invitations to his teams practices. We have been told after months of 2 hour practices with no drills and just scrimmages that things are going to change. Nothing has changed. I understand what you are saying but at the same time I dont think this would be ok for your dd or anyone elses.

 

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Tell your coach to pound sand. Sounds like he doesnt know what he is talking/teaching anyway. No loss to you. Any coach that tries to rule by being a bully needs to pull is head out of butt.

 

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Tell your coach to pound sand. Sounds like he doesnt know what he is talking/teaching anyway. No loss to you. Any coach that tries to rule by being a bully needs to pull is head out of butt.

Thank you! I beleive you are right. A Bully with a chip on his shoulder. Sad thing about all of it is that he is not a bad guy outside of softball. You can tell he wants to be a good coach but he would rather drink snake venom then take help and advice from more experienced coaches that have offered.

 

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I weighed in on this thread earlier, and now that I see the extent of resistance from the head coach, I'd say it's time to take your dd elsewhere. Clearly the coach doesn't understand the amount of time, repetition, technique and guidance it takes to excel at hitting in fastpitch. You gotta know your swing and it sure helps when someone else knows your swing, too, and can help you when things go off course. If your team coach can't support your hitting instructor, then do yourself a favor, find another team. There are too many coaches that do understand the art of hitting to stay with one that doesn't...or worse yet, tries to change what works for your dd. Pound sand, jump ship...yeah, those seem like good choices at this point. Good Luck.

 

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Sounds like it would be a very long season for the coach and your family if resolutions cannot be made. There are basic fundamentals of the game that if not being taught and enforced can be quickly picked up on by anyone familiar with the game...if those are not being taught I would not stay...it is early enough for all affected to adjust.....probably would not wait much longer though....gives everyone plenty of time.....

 

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I wish it were that easy. And most of you probably would say "take care of your own". But pulling my dd from this team pulls their #1 pitcher and leaves them with only one back up at this point. My dd likes all the girls on this team and I would hate to dissappoint them. I know this sounds like I am tooting my dd's horn, but there is a big difference, right now, between #1 and #2. This team would not be very competitive at 14u without at least one solid pitcher. Now, how do I take her and leave them hanging. I have always tried to honor my commitments and taught my dd to as well. We made the commitment and it is very, very hard for me to "jump ship". What does that say for our name in the softball community? I do feel like she would be better coached on almost any other team, but she is taking private instruction and she gives 100% when they practice (for what those are worth). She will more than likely pitch almost every game. She has not suffered a bit in that area. So to stay or go is a very tough decision.

 

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My dd has taken pitching/hitting lessons for a couple of years now (she's 12u), the team we are playing on this year has a VERY good coach, we drill twice a week, the instruction is very good. But I still go to these instructors (nothing will change that) because they have helped her build strong fundamentals. The pitching coach knows how to reach my dd in ways no other instructor has (we have tried a few others to test the waters), the hitting coach is flat out amazing. Her team coach does a great job of handling her during games/practices........he knows how to motivate her and helps her perform at her best during games (thats why I am there). Myself as a coach, would NEVER tell a kid she can't go to a hitting a lesson for any reason as long as it does not interfere with games. I personally, would view these sessions as extra practice. I believe in hitting several times a week during the season (we hit 3 times a week as a team) to keep the bats fresh. Overall, I see what your doing as a positive, the proof is in the pudding (or hitting...if you will). I hate to see anyone leave a team this close to the start of the season, but you have to do what is best for your dd.

 

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Sad, The hardest thing to do in this sport is to find a coach that will instruct and motivate your dd. Many times, it is very hard to determine whether a coach is going to have the knowledge/ability to teach and motivate your dd to help her grow and learn the game. From what I am reading, these kids are not getting the best instruction (which comes from a lot of drilling in many cases), scrimmaging is good, but you need both. I understand your dilemma.......maybe scouting for a team next year would be a start. We were fortunate to sub for the team we play with this year in 2008, which gave us some insight to the level of coaching, the parents, the kids, etc. The decision was pretty easy after you saw everything in place. Good Luck in 2009......I wish you and your dd the best.