Top Travel Coaches......

[default]

I will have to say John Miller Cincy Doom 96.

John has attended numerous clinics throughout his coaching days and it shows. I felt I was a competent coach, but I personally have already learned ten-fold assisting John.
John not only has some of best drills many of us have ever witnessed, but he explains in detail to the girls what they are doing wrong every time.John does a great job every practice whether its hitting, defense or pitching, we even at every practice during snack break go over defensive positioning for every play or hit ball that you can think of, John assigns all his asst. coaches certain tasks that we must do every practice or game, but is also willing to listen to all in-put whether it be from a coach or a parent. We also talk about school grades and nutrition for games. Simply the best practices I have ever attended.

One last thing John sincerly cares about the girls!

So yuo like him?

 

[default]

Absolutely!!!!!!

 

[default]

Big Train hands down. Nobody has or may never put together such a comprehensive training, practice, skills, and marketing program. Nobody close.

I can't wait to see how many of his kids get full rides and to where. When that day comes, those facts are hard to beat, and will take several teams and coaches to equal what he and his girls will accomplish.

He's clicking on all cylinders, for all his girls, all the time. TRULY AMAZING TO SEE.

 

[default]

I agree, Big Train.... has the vision and the guts to make it happen.

 

[default]

Bill White 16u Valley Extreme Blue!

Couldn't ask for a better Manager!

Along with his coaching staff George Gabriel, Brett Modic and Dave Harrison!

 

[default]

As a coach of an 18/u program for the past 7 years, I have encountered many great coaches, teams and programs. As far as teaching and coaching @ the 18/u level I give my respects to the coaches of the RoadRunners Elite and the Bandits. Year in and year out they have both done a very consistent job in bringing a strong competitive team to the field.

 

[default]

pickledad-
Agree with you completely. I know I am beyond biased, but I wouldn't have my DD with "Jimbo" for the 6th year if he wasn't one of the best people I know. He has helped make her a better all around player and a better person.

 

[default]

I know some of the people in my post have already been mentioned but I believe they deserve another vote for being some of the "Best" coaches in their age groups.

18U
I will give my props to Elliott Thompson from the 18U Bandits. I believe he is the best coach in the Northeast Ohio area. He truely teaches every aspect of the game. All I know is you better LOVE softball if you want to play for him.

I would have to say Phil Marcantonio along with his assistant coaches, Todd Arney and Jim Berger of the Wolfpack Black 18U also deserve some recognition.

Ron Poole of the 18U Ohio Ice

Jerry Goodpasture of the 18U Grand Slam (Not coaching travelball this year).

Bill Hielman of the Maddogs Organization (Not coaching) but when he coached he was one of the best.

Dave Patton of the 18U Valley Sting (Not coaching)

I can't ever remember his name but the coach from the Pittsburgh Spirit is also one of the best that teaches the game.

Joe Abraham of the 18U Buckeye Heat (Moved on to BIGGER and better things...College) but he too deserves to be recognized as a very good teacher of the game.

Honestly I think there are many good coaches at the 18U level but If I had to pick one it would be Elliott of the Bandits.


16U
I think Dave Beckham of the 16U Classics Black does a nice job of teaching the game and more importantly teaching the girls how to be young ladies!

Bill White of the 16U Valley Extreme.

Marie Sharver of the 16U Lasers Orange.

Joe Abaruzzee of the 16U Nightmare.

14U
Bill Lilley of the 14U Slammers....Can't disagree with all the connections and time and effort he puts in to get his teams playing at the highest level.

I'm not going to comment on the younger teams because I really don't know many coaches below the 18U and 16U levels.

One last thing I'd like to say... ANY person that is willing to coach a travel team and put in the time and effort and everything else that goes into being a coach deserves a "Congratulations" ........ "Good Coach" or "Bad Coach" ......... There is a lot of work involved with putting a quality team on the field year in and year out!!!

 

[default]

Jamie,

NO DOUBT. Great comment!

 

[default]

i think that hickorybuck is the best coach! i belive that a good coach must be able to keep his / her cool at the worst of moments in a game or tourney. they also must be able to communicate with their players without making them cry...not gonna name any names but that is just my opinion.

 

[default]

Lucky

Thank You. Since your one of the few that got this right!!!!! I'm the MANAGER yes I get involved with coaching but my coaches Brett Modic, George Gabriel and Dave Harrison are the heart and soul our TEAM. It takes more than one coach to assemble, organize and train any group.
I would think that everyone named on here feel the same way about their entire coaching staffs. This thread had me sick at my stomach this winter when it first came out. If you have ever watched or played our team then you are well aware of our coaching chemistry.

I usually don't even respond to these posts, but I felt I needed too!!!!!

Thanks for the honor of mentioning our team. But it is a group of talented young players and a group of coaches that truely make up a TEAM> Together Everyone Achieves More!!!
No one player or coach is above the rest.

Thanks
Bill White, Manager
16U Valley Extreme Blue

 

[default]

I would agree with Mr. Intensity-- Gambone?--- as being an excellent hitting coach. The gold girls may go for private lessons, but that guy knows his stuff.

 

[default]

Gee so many to choose from......I'm gonna go with three look-a-likes see if you guys can put it together?

 

[default]

Would anyone like to add to this list of top coaches, an updated 2011 votes would
be nice to see.

 

[default]

I am not going to toot the horns of our own team. I am going to give props to someone from a small organization that I feel every year gets the most out of her girls....

Kelly Braun from 16U Ohio Danger. I've seen her for three years now and she is intense, has her girls focused and ready to play every weekend. You can tell she loves the girls on her team too. Seems like a very passionate person...and I really don't know her all that well. This is my opinion as a complete outsider.

 

[default]

I would say Todd Brininger From Buckeye Heat 97"s has been a great coach to watch and to play against, His girls know how to play the game and also know how to show great sportsmanship thru his examples. He is a class act.

 

[default]

He sure has the credentials..

Yea, he sure does...

 

[default]

Phil Shepler (Marion Diamonds 16u)
Mike Slob (Marion Diamonds 14u)
Mike Wilson (Lasers/Lightning)
3 coaches who are all well respected by their players and proven coaches.

 

[default]

Julie Kusmits - 12U Diamond Dogs
She is an amazing coach from many aspects...she relates to the girls and truly puts her heart and soul into coaching. She loves the game and it shows. Julie reaches the girls on a level no parent can (or at least I can't). She is a phenominal coach from all aspects of the game but most importantly she teaches the girls the sport of softball from all angles: the physical and emotional sides of the game. She's hilarious and coahces in a manner that encourages the girls to improve and play hard. My daughter absolutely loves her!!!
In fact, my daughter did not play in Julie's age group last year and Julie still welcomed my DD to all of her team practices just so she could help my DD on catching skills. My DD was so thrilled to play for her this year and has had a blast all season long with her!
I must admit her husband Kirk is also great! They have a wonderful system working with eachother and both play a vital role in coaching. They both love the game and the girls, and it shows!

I must agree with a previous post...hats off to all coaches, you coach with no monetary compensation, deal with obnoxious parents, organize practices, fork over time and energy for the sake of the team and rarely get recognized for your efforts...thank you!

 

[default]

Here's the true test, after any of these coaches (or others not mentioned here) actually lose a game (and playing devil's advocate, they probably don't lose much because they probably recruit athletes like girls get back pimples), what do they say to the opposing coach?
A--do they just **** it up, say good game after it's over when they see them in the parking lot?
B--do they make excuses like, "my #1 was in Elite Force Academy Camp" or "all my girls are injured so.." and "we made so many mistakes, we gave u the game." In essence they put the opposing coach down even they they won. And if so, are they really that much of a class act to be responsible in leading these young ladies?

A true coach wins and loses with class. just sayin