What have you learned in HIGH SCHOOL BALL?

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DD had a fun year (with it's ups and downs) and her first year ended with thumping from Elyria today. No tears, just a lot of adrenaline and sweat, and she is a better player because of it (from what I have seen). She has learned to respect her teammates contributions and she likes getting rides to Chiptotle after the games with the upperclassmen. She is looking forward to next year, facing the rival schools again. She will get a well deserved 72 hour break before summer ball practices begin. Yes that first year was gone in a flash.:cap:

 

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It's a TEAM sport, It's about all the kids all the time, those that don't get that are clueless. I'm sick and tired of all the parents, relatives etc.. who think, act otherwise. Todays society in general is very sad when it comes to this, we're raising a society of selfish, entitled kids.

 

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After watching how varsity scorebooks are kept, I am reminded of the 19th century English politician who said, "There are lies, damned lies and statistics." Some of the stats I've seen have more padding than a scarecrow dress up as Santa Claus.

 

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It's a TEAM sport, It's about all the kids all the time, those that don't get that are clueless. I'm sick and tired of all the parents, relatives etc.. who think, act otherwise. Todays society in general is very sad when it comes to this, we're raising a society of selfish, entitled kids.

I played team sports in high school many years ago and there were selfish players and clueless parents then. There are many other avenues for the kids to pursue as far as playing their sport now vs. then. Coaches want the players to commit more time now vs. then. It's rare to see 3 sport athletes now vs. then. I honestly do not believe the kids to be more selfish in this era, they communicate differently and respond differently than way back. The athletes have better tools today than in the past, that's to be expected. But I look around the bleachers and I can relate behavior to people that used to come to our games waaaaay back, so no - that part of the equation has always been around.

 

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After watching how varsity scorebooks are kept, I am reminded of the 19th century English politician who said, "There are lies, damned lies and statistics." Some of the stats I've seen have more padding than a scarecrow dress up as Santa Claus.

stats can be useless thats for sure

 

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I disagree tanny ... I agree that I don't think the kids have changed that much, but parents have got worse. Of course many parents are just fine, but way more than used to are openly critical of coaches at both the high school and travel ball level. I think the fact that the girls are playing the sport year round is a factor ... the parents are overly invested in the sport and some think they know everything about the sport and they also rationalize that they need to make sure their little DD is treated like the star she is. Again, this is the minority, but it's a growing minority ...

 

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I disagree tanny ... I agree that I don't think the kids have changed that much, but parents have got worse. Of course many parents are just fine, but way more than used to are openly critical of coaches at both the high school and travel ball level. I think the fact that the girls are playing the sport year round is a factor ... the parents are overly invested in the sport and some think they know everything about the sport and they also rationalize that they need to make sure their little DD is treated like the star she is. Again, this is the minority, but it's a growing minority ...

I don't coach, so that may very well be. As a fan/parent I haven't observed anything different that what I did in the past - but memory is a tricky thing. The only advice I gave to my son & daughter when they began h.s. sports was this- Years later the things you'll remember are the bus rides, the pranks, the funny things that happened along the way and the friends you make - the games themselves wash away and become a blur. There are so many factors that go into the experience that you just never know what you're gonna get. Talent runs in cycles, coaches run things their way and it may not suit your style - lots of things may or may not go your way. It's a short season and you may slump. That's life.

 

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I have coached 30 plus years, HS, rec, travel, boys and girls and yes not all the kids are selfish and feel entitled but way more do now a days then 10-20-30 years ago way more. It's a direct refection of our more liberal society today I'm convinced. As the song goes..."thats my story and I'm sticking to it"

 

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I have coached 30 plus years, HS, rec, travel, boys and girls and yes not all the kids are selfish and feel entitled but way more do now a days then 10-20-30 years ago way more. It's a direct refection of our more liberal society today I'm convinced. As the song goes..."thats my story and I'm sticking to it"

I respectfully disagree. My experiences with the group my own hang and play ball with is quite the opposite. Far less of them into things they shouldn't be, good grades and all round good kids. This generation of kids in my experience with them has a very different outlook, and the future is their oyster. I do know their are still h.s. coaches that do not look upon travel ball as a good thing. The only thing I can say to that is it's a refusal to embrace reality. Rec leagues have been bleeding talent for many years in many sports, to not embrace travel ball as another tool in the kit is stubborn. Performance on the field is what should matter (travel ball experience shouldn't entitle anyone), but I think the results in h.s. tourney play would back that up. The only sport I can think of where the coach doesn't share players with another organization is football. Some coaches adapt, some don't. We just watched a game last night where the team had vastly improved from beginning of season to now, that's the mark of a good team with good coaching, imo. Take the talent and abilities available and coach them up, adapt the style of play to the abilities and voila - that's the best you can do. Should be simple, really. But it rarely is in high school- that's my take. There are tons of good kids around, you just have to pay attention.

 

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My daughters are wrapping up their HS careers. Their next loss will be their last and we all will be heartbroken it is over. I have loved HS ball and so have my girls. The friendships they have made over the last 4 years will last a lifetime. I have had some great parents along for the ride with me and I think we have all had the same experience for the most part. If you ask any of the girls and the parents what they have gotten out of it I am sure they would all respond the same: the relationships they have gained.

 

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My daughters are wrapping up their HS careers. Their next loss will be their last and we all will be heartbroken it is over. I have loved HS ball and so have my girls. The friendships they have made over the last 4 years will last a lifetime. I have had some great parents along for the ride with me and I think we have all had the same experience for the most part. If you ask any of the girls and the parents what they have gotten out of it I am sure they would all respond the same: the relationships they have gained.

Agreed! My daughter finished HS ball last year and moved to college ball this year. She'll never step foot on the field again with her HS teammates but they're the first friends she seeks out when she's able to come home.
BTW, all you HS parents that think the season went fast....just wait until they are seniors or playing in college! You've never experienced how quick 40+ games can go by.

 

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I learned that tourney time is my favorite time to watch games.

 

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Losing breeds drama....So win em all!!!

 

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My daughter's first year wasn't all that bad. Coach wasn't awful. Assistants have some knowledge. Competition was usually tough. There are some talented young ladies that don't even play summer ball. Some kids are less selfish than you'd think. Our rivalry game at the opponents' field is cool. It's played at night with music, lights and an announcer. Some girls say really silly things when they are on the air. Less drama than some travel teams. It's cool that her teammates can drive her home (though I might think otherwise if I were in the car). The girls are really creative when TP'ing the seniors' houses. They go garbage picking and find all sorts of creative gifts to leave behind. There was a nice picnic table in centerfield I had all to myself, my coffee mug and my phone with the Game Changer app. The weather in NE Ohio stinks in April. I learned it goes fast and the clock is ticking before I can't watch her play anymore.

 

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My daughter's first year wasn't all that bad. Coach wasn't awful. Assistants have some knowledge. Competition was usually tough. There are some talented young ladies that don't even play summer ball. Some kids are less selfish than you'd think. Our rivalry game at the opponents' field is cool. It's played at night with music, lights and an announcer. Some girls say really silly things when they are on the air. Less drama than some travel teams. It's cool that her teammates can drive her home (though I might think otherwise if I were in the car). The girls are really creative when TP'ing the seniors' houses. They go garbage picking and find all sorts of creative gifts to leave behind. There was a nice picnic table in centerfield I had all to myself, my coffee mug and my phone with the Game Changer app. The weather in NE Ohio stinks in April. I learned it goes fast and the clock is ticking before I can't watch her play anymore.

Thank god there is someone out there who appreciates High School ball as much as [ Earned Arrogant ball ] and yes the weather is awful in April but the best part is still to come,the State Championships at Firestone , If anyone gets the opportunity to attend you should there is some good softball played more meaning and emotion than travel ball.

 

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Thank god there is someone out there who appreciates High School ball as much as [ Earned Arrogant ball ] and yes the weather is awful in April but the best part is still to come,the State Championships at Firestone , If anyone gets the opportunity to attend you should there is some good softball played more meaning and emotion than travel ball.

The High School tourneys are great. As far as "Earned Arrogant Ball", well, our team has a mix of those who do and those who do not play travel ball and they seem to get along fine. Perhaps the coaches and the parents should just accept that there's a place for both and they can co-exist just fine.

 

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Tanny ... agree with you on that. My daughter enjoyed both high school and travel ball very much and, for the most part, girls got along just fine. The arrogance in this case comes from parents and coaches (on both sides). But there definitely is a place for both, and many special memories and life lessons to be learned in each.

 

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I don't think parents should be able to coach high school teams that starts more drama then what its worth

 

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Tanny ... agree with you on that. My daughter enjoyed both high school and travel ball very much and, for the most part, girls got along just fine. The arrogance in this case comes from parents and coaches (on both sides). But there definitely is a place for both, and many special memories and life lessons to be learned in each.

Exactly. My two have done it differently. The oldest has his last day of school today. He doggedly stuck with it and finally made varsity this year, he's contributed every time he's been in this year and has had a great year. The other has had a significant role since setting foot on the field freshman year.

If you asked them, I don't think either would trade places and it's been a joy to watch them both. It goes very fast. I'm just ready for the next phase, dad goes fishing and golfing in the spring and summer.

 

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I will add one other thing. Coaches- before you open your pie hole in anger after a play, think it through. Far too often I've seen the one player that executed her portion correctly get the brunt of that dialogue - it's humiliating and infuriating when this happens to a kid. And it does carry over. A good player can't overcome the shortcomings of others and a private talk in the dugout would be far better than a public tongue lashing.

And that's about all I have on High School ball.