School Softball Program Shuts Down!

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So it would seem but we have had 5 coaches in 5 years and that says a lot for the unstable situation. There have been a lot of issues against the current coach also. Example, we had the top or at least in the top 3 pitchers in our conference as a freshman and when this person became head coach for this girl's sophmore season she was made the number 3 pitcher and 2 girls who only threw in grade school rec league were the starters as the coach had gotten tight with their mothers and from my earlier posts can you guess which two mothers I'm talking about? The real pitcher had it all, rise ball, change-up, 60 mph+ fast ball, ect and the other girls were just underhand tossers who either walked the runs in or were slammed once our opponents adjusted their swing timing slow enough that they stopped putting them foul down third baseline. When she did put the real pitcher in was usally last or next to last inning when the games were well out of reach and got in serious trouble with the pitcher's parents for making her throw without warm-ups. This girl did not return to play her junior year for this coach. The girls were miserable pride-wise riding back on the bus from away games with the baseball team who usually run ruled their opponent while the girls were the one's usually run ruled.

 

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Any more info on the when and where of this meeting tomorrow night?

 

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Sounds to me like the School Board needs to step up and do their job! Since the Principal or Superintendent isn't willing or able to do it. I dont care where the field is or what time of day the game is played, just dont start the game until they agree to leave. That way they have the pressure of 2 coaches 12 kids and many parents staring at them until they leave as well as the other team staring them down. It's worth a shot or make the School Board step up and put this problem to bed, otherwise it sounds like no softball season for alot of talented high school girls. Sorry to hear of such an unfortunate situation and I wish you the best of luck with this one!

 

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The big mistake in this entire "baffle" of the softball team is the administration not stepping in sooner and letting it come to this suspension. But the parents need to stand up and assume some responsibility - I have witness some nasty situations in that little village that had obsessive parents all over it!

 

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What finally pushed it to this point is when the new middle school coach told the superintendent that she couldn't come back because she can't handle what some parents put her through. Since he knew her as a student in the Hilliard school district which is where he worked previously he gave her full credibillity and decided enough is enough until a plan can be devised to get the program and some people straightend out. I made the point at the meeting that middle school and jv softball is NOT about the wins but the focus is that they must be looked at as developmental programs whose goal is to give all the girls playing time so they will advance as the best developed players they can be when they eventually come up to varsity. One dad was adament that the wins in middle school are important and didn't grasp the logic of what I said. I told him later that yes wins are good for the girl's morale and spirit when they come but at that level it isn't the ultimate goal, growth and development as a player is. Until parents like that can be made to understand, problems will continue because they bitch and moan because thay arn't on the same page as what the school will outline as the program's mission and objective.

 

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Yeah, those Middle school scouts need to see those wins..... dang some people will never get it...

What was the outcome at the meeting?

 

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I think they should hire local Grandview coach Rick Matt Simmonds, he runs a tight ship and will keep the parents in the stands and teach the true game of softball to the players.

 

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The meeting was held within the parameters the Superintendent set at the beginning of it otherwise it wouldn't probably have taken much to break out the torches and pitchforks if people were allowed to get emotional and speak out on all their issues. There was a noteboard with the question written on it "What makes a good softball program?" and all people were allowed to do was give input and opinion on that question only. All the responses were written down for study and review. He made clear the program at this point is only suspended, not canceled and he hopes to have enough answers to make a decision to reinstate it by no later than Christmas break. He commented on that a number of parents had a number of complaints against the head coach while others were happy with her and all I can say to that is I guess it is true that ignorance is bliss. He said no coach is hired as of yet and if he decides to reinstate it then anyone may apply for the job including the current person we've had. In all the years I've been involved with softball and the experience I've built up I will say with no doubts whatsoever that all the superintendent wants to try and change for the better will come crashing down if they bring that coach back. The superintendent has done well in my opinion on this and is not rushing any decision but time will tell if the decisions made will be the right ones. There will probably be more meetings to discuss and evaluate each step of the process of creating a strong goal and mission statement for Grandview Softball that all could and should adhere to.

 

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I 2nd GCKA's nomination

 

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this sounds like a real mess.

 

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I made the point at the meeting that middle school and jv softball is NOT about the wins but the focus is that they must be looked at as developmental programs whose goal is to give all the girls playing time so they will advance as the best developed players they can be when they eventually come up to varsity. One dad was adament that the wins in middle school are important and didn't grasp the logic of what I said. I told him later that yes wins are good for the girl's morale and spirit when they come but at that level it isn't the ultimate goal, growth and development as a player is. Until parents like that can be made to understand, problems will continue because they bitch and moan because thay arn't on the same page as what the school will outline as the program's mission and objective.

I have to take exception to this comment because I know Craig. He has done a ton for Grandview softball. Here is a clear example of part of the parental problem in Grandview:
One parent thinks they know it all points a finger blaming someone else and never...and I mean never thinks to look in the mirror because they might be part of the problem.

No, John and Brian I have no interest in being a Softball coach at Grandview but I would love to be a Bouncer for whoever they choose as the next coach.
I thought the meeting was a good start and I am looking forward to the next one.

 

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I would ask that exception not be taken on what was said but do you really know which parents were key in running off the new middle school coach? The superintendent does and I guarantee that those parents she named to him do not have his respect and their opinions will be given the least consideration. He is much more upset about losing her than he showed at the meeting. How can people expect to have a functional program when their only experience has been grade school rec league? They have all these expectations but are softball ignorant. People around here have been exposed to Ohio State football for too long and think winning is everything and it has to be somebody's fault when a loss happens! Regardless of who you have respect for or are friends with if a parent is adament that winning is more important in middle school than development then add that to the list of problems that need corrected. I've been part of this community for 50 years and I can't name one person who lives here that's done anything to make softball a viable sport and seen it instructed properly with one exception. I believe the previous middle school coach lives here and she was very gifted as a player and a coach but she too was only here one year and thats not enough time for someone even with her knowledge to turn those girls around. Some others also have tried to educate but it always failed. How many of those parents at that meeting would know what you were talking about if say you tried to discuss Right View Pro with them? They would just look at you blankly wondering what you're talking about. The only exception may be dads whose son's play high school baseball here. Up to this point there are only one or two girls who ever played softball in Grandview who are capable of playing in college and what got them to that level was never learned in Grandview. When I see girls playing varsity whose form and technique hasn't changed since grade school somebody has dropped the ball badly. ( No softball pun intended.) There was only one girl last season on that entire team who swings with hands inside! I'm as sorry and sad as anyone over it but that's the facts as I see it. There was never intent to put down what was said at that meeting, only to show the need of getting on not only the same page, but the correct page.

 

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"What makes a good softball program?"

My, they really are at square one if they don't know the answer to what makes for a good high school sports program.

 

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"What makes a good softball program?"

My, they really are at square one if they don't know the answer to what makes for a good high school sports program.

The superintendent is indeed starting at square one Joe as he truly is trying to educate the parents. If we restart softball and the parents continue to act in ways to push away new coaches we run the risk of his shutting it down for a LONG time. I'm not saying if there is a bad coach people shouldn't want somebody better qualified in there but do people there really know the difference between the two? I have to wonder sometimes.

 

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I made the point at the meeting that middle school and jv softball is NOT about the wins but the focus is that they must be looked at as developmental programs whose goal is to give all the girls playing time so they will advance as the best developed players they can be when they eventually come up to varsity.

You hit the nail on the head with that statement. I couldnt agree more.

 

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I have been reading this thread for days now and I can't sit by any longer without saying something. The OP on this thread brings up some very interesting points in regards to the administration and the current flock of parents but doesn't seem to ever want to do anything about it. I too sat in on the meeting and watched the Superintendent tell the OP that he had said enough (a few times) and it was someone elses turn to make a suggestion. It seems as though the OP is a great judge of talent and knows quite a bit about the game (not only school ball but travel as well) why not throw your hat into the coaching box? I've seen you around and we have talked on several occasions. You are certainly willing to give your opinion in regards to game time situations and what should or should not happen. I personally think with all your knowledge and know how that you would make a perfect candidate for the position. The deadline is December, if we can ever get this program back on track.
As for the girls not having the talent to play in college - well I'm not sure about this one. I will tell you that folks like Cameron and Sarich have been working with the 9th and 10th graders since they were in the 7th grade. Taking them to summer softball tournaments and building a nucleaus of girls who want to play ball and want to get better. It is a shame that seasons past may ruin the chance for the 9th graders to step on the field whether it be JV or Varsity.
Is there parent involvement that has tarnished the program, yes! Are we willing to come together and support our board and make the changes necessary, absolutely! But I will say the AD and staff need to make a push to get girls to play JV ball and assure the kids that if they want to play that there will be a JV program. Can you tell me the last time GV had a JV program? I know the impression out there is that they don't have the girls to form a team but I'm telling you that's false. Many parents sat in the meeting and were blown away that there is actually a paid position for a JV Head Coach. Many of them have been told it is varsity or nothing. Just think about how many girls the program lost to not having an opportunity to go anywhere and play. Can you tell me the name of the JV coach that was hired last year or the year before? I really have a hard time believing that there was actually one in place.
As for coaches, I believe one of the former players said it best "We need consistency in the Head Coach position". 4 head coaches in 6 years is absolutely absurd and if the coaches left because of parent involvement then some of the blame lies on the AD. There must be consequences for parents who step out of line! Yes, I agree but there must also be consequences for those that have allowed it to get this far.
In the end, I hope this program gets back on it's feet. I have a daughter that has been playing travel ball since she was in the 5th grade. Yes, we have stepped outside the bubble and I agree our school program could use a good dose of reality but to punish the kids is the wrong way to go about it. This community needs to realize it isn't them playing ball but it's the kids and this is too valuable to ruin for them.
OP, I once ran into you at a fall ball tournament and I was wearing a Grandview Softball shirt. You turned to me and said, "Grandview Softball, I would be embarrassed to wear that shirt". I have never forgotten that and I hope someday you will change your mind.
BTW, my DD will be playing for the Classics this weekend in one of the best 14U tournaments around. Come by, we'll talk and maybe you can let me know if she has any talent.

 

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First of all let me apologize on the Grandview Softball comment. I meant it in a humorous context but I would not say something like that to intentionally to insult or hurt anyone's feelings. As far as girls from Grandview not having what it takes to play college ball doesn't mean they don't have talent, they certainly do but it is undeveloped talent. They are so to speak "diamonds in the rough." For a girl to have development to play college you have to play and develop outside the school system and that is not a Grandview thing but for all schools. Travel ball players get recruited to play in college, not high school teams. The girls I referred to were the only ones that I'm aware of who have gone that route of extra development who are currently or have recently been in high school. I also commend those parents for the time and effort on getting girls playing in the summer and the benefits the girls will reap from it. One of the points of concern made to me by the superintendent was since it is also the job of the head varsity coach to oversee all the school's softball programs, her lack of doing anything to steer the girls into summer or other programs for development was one of the many issues he's looking at. It took some dedicated parents to do this. I have offered my help to him in compiling lists of summer league, travel, fall and winter ball that is available to our parents if they so desire to go that route along with the numerous college instructional camps and clinics that are out there. From what my DD told me is the girls who dropped out of softball in the high school have done so either because they can't stand the coach or they are as fed up with it as anybody over the instability of the program. We have the numbers to field the JV team if we can convince them to change their minds. The trouble is in such a small high school once word is out about a coach and what they put their players through they're toast. Nothing I know of at that point will convince the girls who've bailed to come back with the way things have been up to this point. I don't think anything other than a new coach and a strong promise by the school to keep better watch on things can get our numbers up in the high school. We owe it to our kids in all our sports to have a positive and learning experience so they keep coming back, not quitting after one season. By the way the previous middle school coach had agreed to coach the JV program last season if we had enough girls but as usual we only had enough to barely field the varsity team. I have no intention to try and coach for a number of reasons but primarily I have another four years of ball with my DD coming up and that is my focus. When she is done I would like to volunteer time in instruction as we do need qualified people to assist in helping the coaching staff but again that is years down the road. Run26, PM me the details on your schedule this weekend and we'll see about making it. By the way, trust me, you've gotten you DD off to a great start in softball and I wish we had more like you!

 

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Run26
It might be hard for OP to coach the Bobcat ladies, I think he still lives in Mayberry with Andy

Remember the softball game between GMS and Trinity last spring? After the game I witnessed 3 encounters of parents with coaches before I got a chance to speak with the coach and tell her good game. There lies the problem. Heck, I had 1/2 dozen girls from Grandview on a 10u team ions ago, and the only two who stuck it out now go to
Watterson and CSG - their parents not only understood the game, they understand sports in general - the others did not (another problem).

.

 

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Run26
It might be hard for OP to coach the Bobcat ladies, I think he still lives in Mayberry with Andy

Remember the softball game between GMS and Trinity last spring? After the game I witnessed 3 encounters of parents with coaches before I got a chance to speak with the coach and tell her good game. There lies the problem. Heck, I had 1/2 dozen girls from Grandview on a 10u team ions ago, and the only two who stuck it out now go to
Watterson and CSG - their parents not only understood the game, they understand sports in general - the others did not (another problem).

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During the game it was pretty bad also. To put that young a coach on an island like that and not have any support from the people that hired her is reprehensible. IMHO

 

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That's not fare to the young ladies and the past coaches that worked hard for the program! Looks like its time for someone one to put the "FOOT" down?