Who are the best coach's in Ohio ?

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Much talk has been made about getting together the best talent and forming " Team Ohio" or National level travel teams . Who would be the leaders/teachers to be able to lead such a team. It would require a person with thick skin for sure. The individual would have to have some reputation as being a producer of D-1 level talent. Who would you think be the best individual(s) to lead such a team.

A guy like Bill Lilly obviously without the side issues. Someone that available, that driven, with that type connections and that type access to the best instructors in the game. Any nominee's ?

 

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Interesting question.

The best candidate I've seen would have to be Adam Wahl. Of Ohio Ice fame. 'Has the big picture. (and my Louuuuuise never played for him.)

 

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I dont even remember the guys last name or many details but Duane from the Sun Dogs. You don't finish 2nd at 18u ASA nat's w/o a pretty good grip on whats going on.

I'll throw out a shout to the Laser girls , they swing the bats very very well (gosh I will get flamed for that) but someone somewhere is doing a good job of teaching a swing. Maybe many someone's.

 

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Sunagel.....Duane Sunagel! He's a great fella!

 

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Well, Bill Lilley can't have any contact with minors, so he is automatically out.

 

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Safe assumption would be to look for the Organizations that have competed at the ASA/USA level for the past 4 years minimum (12U and above), and then the teams that have placed in the top 25 and then you could compile your coaching staff. Should be able to select 2 sets and create a 16U and a Gold and then be successful so kids desire to play for the best once they hit the showcase circuit, otherwise I'm still going to recommend for playing for the Largest/Best Organization Names to assist with the recruiting process.
Yes, BigTrain is out, http://www.akronnewsnow.com/news/itemdetail.asp?ID=42171, he is not able to coach below the age of 18!

 

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Maybe I wasn't clear enough but in no way was I suggesting Coach Lilly, I said " a guy like him without the side issue(s)" But his knowledge, and approach to the game was very successful .


Teams that have competed at least 4 years in a row at ASA/USA and finished in the top 25 or top 1/3 --- I'd say the Lasers (they send a lot of age groups) and ______ ?? I believe the Nightmare does a great job at the 16u-18u age group but not at the younger age groups. MD

 

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Might I be so bold as to suggest that we're veering off the original topic already?

MD was looking for a leader/teacher. With thick skin. Knowledge of D1, etc...

To simply round up the coaches who have been in the winner's circle doesn't automatically qualify a person. Some coaches have a few succesful years, then the right girls start showing up at tryouts and you breeze through another succesful season. and repeat. and repeat. It doesn't mean that they're good teachers, or that they know the college recruiting system.

 

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I would easily put Dave Day on this list.
He has done quite well with the players he has from NW Ohio.
Fundamentals are strong and is constantly teaching.

 

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Might I be so bold as to suggest that we're veering off the original topic already?

MD was looking for a leader/teacher. With thick skin. Knowledge of D1, etc...

To simply round up the coaches who have been in the winner's circle doesn't automatically qualify a person. Some coaches have a few succesful years, then the right girls start showing up at tryouts and you breeze through another succesful season. and repeat. and repeat. It doesn't mean that they're good teachers, or that they know the college recruiting system.

Not in the traditional coach vain but I would have to say Howard Carrier has been responsible for quite a few players going to play in college. He would have to mentioned on the hitting side of things.

 

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I'd have to say Dave Day SGS Magic- White, Since I've gotten into coaching, he is the coach that has had the biggest impact on me. I love his approach, I have copied or he has influenced many things I do with my team now. I bounce a ton of things off of Dave in regards to my little team. Great coach.

I aspire to be as good of a coach as Dave.

 

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I would offer up Rick Heaverly of Valley Extreme. His girls have been extremely successful since they were wee mites.

Throw in Hillhouse as a pitching coach and Howard as a hitting coach.

 

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I was going to throw up for a minute there.... Class and character should come into play with this topic.....

 

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MustangSally hit on a good point. A top Ohio team may have a barely adequate coach, but it's the skilled players he/she recruits that make the team. A good recruiter doesn't have to know how to teach ( but a plus if they do). I know we're talking travel ball here, but I'll give an example: A high school coach could be of Mike Candrea caliber, but if all he gets at HS tryouts are third class kids, he can't polish those apples into winners no matter how hard he tries. Conversely, I've seen some pretty bad HS coaches ride a group of travel kids with a stellar pitcher all the way to the state finals.

The qualities I would look for are a coach that knows how to surround himself/herself with talent - both players and assistant coaches. A coach who sets goals and demands his/her players get quality off-season instruction and show ongoing measurable improvement in their skills. Few team coaches can double as private instructors and get results like the specialists - H. Carrier, Hillhouse, Kobata etc. etc. I say pick a coach to manage the team and coach, then demand the players go to specialists for hitting, pitching, fielding, etc.

 

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I was going to throw up for a minute there.... Class and character should come into play with this topic.....

To whom are you referring?

 

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MustangSally hit on a good point. A top Ohio team may have a barely adequate coach, but it's the skilled players he/she recruits that make the team. A good recruiter doesn't have to know how to teach ( but a plus if they do). I know we're talking travel ball here, but I'll give an example: A high school coach could be of Mike Candrea caliber, but if all he gets at HS tryouts are third class kids, he can't polish those apples into winners no matter how hard he tries. Conversely, I've seen some pretty bad HS coaches ride a group of travel kids with a stellar pitcher all the way to the state finals.

The qualities I would look for are a coach that knows how to surround himself/herself with talent - both players and assistant coaches. A coach who sets goals and demands his/her players get quality off-season instruction and show ongoing measurable improvement in their skills. Few team coaches can double as private instructors and get results like the specialists - H. Carrier, Hillhouse, Kobata etc. etc. I say pick a coach to manage the team and coach, then demand the players go to specialists for hitting, pitching, fielding, etc.

I agree 100%. However, I also think that these managers should specify which specialists are on the "approved" list since we all know that some people who bill themselves as specialists are nothing more than dads/moms who have attended their children's lessons and think they can, in turn, teach these things.

 

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The qualities I would look for are a coach that knows how to surround himself/herself with talent - both players and assistant coaches. A coach who sets goals and demands his/her players get quality off-season instruction and show ongoing measurable improvement in their skills. Few team coaches can double as private instructors and get results like the specialists - H. Carrier, Hillhouse, Kobata etc. etc. I say pick a coach to manage the team and coach, then demand the players go to specialists for hitting, pitching, fielding, etc.

I havent heard of half of these people mentioned. I do think this is the best description of the perfect coach, this what i would strive to be.

 

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I havent heard of half of these people mentioned. I do think this is the best description of the perfect coach, this what i would strive to be.

I think that is what is fundamentally wrong with the whole idea. None of us really knows a lot of coaches in other parts of the state.

 

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Dave Murphy has my vote.........

 

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My 2 Nominees:

The reason I nominate these 2 guys is 1st-they can take very good talent and compete and beat the supposed 'great teams' almost every time, because they know the game and are Loyal to their players.

I think someone else said earlier there are alot of great recruiters or managers that get the best players on a team but dont know the game and it shows in the big games when split 2nd decisions have to be made sometimes.

John Miller -Doom 96 - 1st the guy really cares about the girls, he has a big heart and behind that tough guy look- he's a big teddy bear,knows the game about as good as anyone I have been around, best practices hands down.

Mike Wilson-Formerly Lasers black- Have known Mike for many years,knows the short game and when to use it better than most and understands game about as good as anyone, takes very good players and beats the great ones!