Who has class?

[Skarp]

But I do feel that this environment might contribute to these girls' thinking its normal to be in an abusive relationship later on in life when they are adults.
Yes, that is the extreme end, but I wouldn't want my daughter to accept this as normal behavior by an adult male.

If this guy was running some inner-city after-school program for parentless kids, I might buy that. These are travel ball kids. If there is a demographic with more involved parents, I couldn't tell you what it is. If the kids aren't seeing appropriate adult behavior modeled elsewhere in their lives, they have bigger problems than one over-the-top coach.

Plus, kids are able to differentiate based on context. Behavior that is normal for coaches is somewhat different than behavior by other people in other environments. Unless it is truly abusive and harmful, I seriously doubt that one coach's behavior could possibly affect the future interactions that his players have with men.

[artomatic]

But I do feel that this environment might contribute to these girls' thinking its normal to be in an abusive relationship later on in life when they are adults.

Arto, I have alot of respect for you. I really do. But C'mon!

im just saying why I wouldnt want my my kid in that environment.
I said contribute, not cause.
i also said that was the extreme end of the spectrum...
and i know not everyone feels that way.

To some extent, I was that guy in 8's and 10's, and as each year passes, it just seems more and more ridiculous to act that way around the girls...

[Skarp]

To some extent, I was that guy in 8's and 10's, and as each year passes, it just seems more and more ridiculous to act that way around the girls...

I think "psycho Art" should make a guest appearance at the field from time to time. Just for entertainment value.

Cuz let's face it: being "ridiculous" is really this guy's principle offense. It would have been funny as hell to watch that go down...can we all agree on that?

[ontheblack]

You really think it was viewed as a comedy act at the time by most bystanders who were not familiar with this coach's unique motivational skills?

There are plenty of Bobby Knights out there, and he certainly motivated and won with his own style. I just prefer the John Wooden style and believe that he instilled more positive qualities in his players than Knight did. That is certainly something past players say was what they admired him most for as a coach and person.

I wonder how many of Knight's players would have preferred to play for Wooden instead if given the chance. I doubt there are many who would have left Wooden for Knight.

[Battle]

i also said that was the extreme end of the spectrum...
and i know not everyone feels that way

LOL... I knew that as I was deleting that part of your post, it was going to bite me in the a$$.

[Battle]

You really think it was viewed as a comedy act at the time by most bystanders who were not familiar with this coach's unique motivational skills?

There are plenty of Bobby Knights out there, and he certainly motivated and won with his own style. I just prefer the John Wooden style and believe that he instilled more positive qualities in his players than Knight did. That is certainly something past players say was what they admired him most for as a coach and person.

I wonder how many of Knight's players would have preferred to play for Wooden instead if given the chance. I doubt there are many who would have left Wooden for Knight.

1st....How do we know there was bystanders other than the opposing team? Any championship game that we was lucky enough to be a part of, there wasn't many people left to be many bystanders since there was only 2 teams left.

2nd.... How many Knight players would have preferred playing for Wooden? You tell me because I have no idea. I wasn't there and have never asked them. The answer might supprise you.

I would like to know though, so if you would be so kind as to enlighten me.

[Boracho1]

[quote="ontheblack"]You really think it was viewed as a comedy act at the time by most bystanders who were not familiar with this coach's unique motivational skills?]


I just needed to respond to this because it hit home. I was on my way to the snack bar when I passed a team whom had just lost, now this team had a few errors that was uncommon for them because they are a well respected organization. The language and anger that I heard from the coach of this team made up my mind right there and then that my daughter would never ever play for this coach no matter how many trophies he had. His daughter was part of that team that he was cursing out, and I believe that she may have been playing 14's at the time. I think that coach ended up taking time off for a season and returning to coach again, I just hope he realizes that bad impressions leave emotional scars on impressionable kids.
IMHO, I do strongly believe that coaches leave impressions on our kids and just because it's sports related doesn't justify someone berating them publicly, you wouldn't want a teacher to do it to your kid in a class of their peers.......

[kdelswick]

I dont care how you spin it Tennessee Mizuno KDelswick these are 11-12yo impressionable girls. Tell us how this builds positive character traits for the future? To me the coach breaking the trophy during the post game speech says if you dont win first place second isnt worth sh!t. This coach is the RickyBobby of softball. And look at Ricky Bobby's kids.

I thought softball was about positive character building traits making better adults from our youth. Tennessee Mizuno fastpitch coaches and parents you fail in my book.

JMO

2nd place has nothing to do with this. Besides softball isn't the only thing that defines a person.Regardless of age our girls are not affected by one incident but the whole. trophy's mean nothing to a group who work hard to achieve what they believe in. So thanks for Your opinion.

[weekend4trvl]

Perhaps we should create a list of "Heybucket approved" coaching tactics, and condemn any coach who doesn't conform to its prescriptions. We'll give every member veto power over every item on the list, so that nobody here is uncomfortable with any approved strategem. Coaching by least-common-denominator, if you will...

Or perhaps we could enlist Dr. Phil or some such, to tell us exactly what does or does not motivate every 11-year-old girl on the planet. In either case I'm sure we'll get a more accurate read on what's best than the actual parents of the kids involved.

you give us travel ball parents to much credit. If my kid has a starting spot in the infield he could be the town drunk and I'm good with it. If my kids in right field or on the bench...well that changes everthing. I did tell my kid that right field was a very important position, but she's not hearing it.

[Skarp]

I just hope he realizes that bad impressions leave emotional scars on impressionable kids.

Oh dear Lord. Is there anyone out there who still doesn't understand why this country is finished as a superpower?