Daddy Ball

[ocdad]

More on topic....I have coached both my girls. one is 11 and the other 8. They both play rec. The only reason I coach is because of the alternative..Their previous coaches sucked. Oldest dd's last coach was great...but he started a 14u travel team..what now?? I can't coach both..

I would have to think the vast majority of coaches started this way. Just trying to help out the team, but the coach spends more time talking to all the parents about how their day was then teaching the girls to just throw the ball to 1st base.

From what I have seen the better coaches are the ones that hate losing more than they do making sure their daughter is in all the key spots or getting the most time on the field, .

[GIMNEPIWO]

A guy I used to coach against in Rec now is an assistant Coach on a Travel Team of a Daddy-Ball Coach ... the way he describes it is " Bob coaches Brittany, everyone else plays on her team " ...

[KT93]

Hope this is on topic.....

I have helped coach my DD's team from her 2nd year in travel ball. Our first few years was great. We had what I thought was a good non "daddy ball" coach. After a few years of being in the real world I saw the light.... We were in fact playing for a "daddy ball" coach & I was on the other end of it. I was harder on my DD than the others. We never could get new talent come to tryout because of this.... I think it was around DD's 12u season that things turned around. Somehow we managed to get a new tallented catcher from another team who had a dad that "had been there & dun that" with his older DD. We became real good friend during the season & he opened my eyes to what was really happing with our team. After a miserable season a few of us decided it was time for a change in coaching & players. Long story short this dad & myself found ourself with about 8 players that really wanted to play ball. We picked up players during the fall & held tryouts the next spring & fielded a pretty good team. The next season was a learnig experience for us all. I was convienced that I was too hard on my DD & was driving her from the game. We came to the conclusion that I would not coach my DD during games & he would. With his help DD found her love for the game again without dad yelling at her constantly. We continued this for the next few season & I am proud to say DD has developed into one hell of a pitcher. I got the chance to return the favor when his DD hurt her back & was unable to catch anymore. She is now our 2B, not because she is a coaches kid but because she is the best at that position we have or can find.

I have seen players come & go but by far the hardest decision I have ever had to make was steping back & letting someone else coach my DD. Now 4 years later we had over 60 girls at tryouts last year & fielded one of the best 16u in our area. Teams & Coaches come & go but when you find that "special" one hang on to it. Looking back I am glad that I made the decision I did & was able to take a back seat in DD ball playing. It was the best for her & our team. If more parents & coaches would realize that there playing days are over & it is a game for there DD to enjoy we wouldnt be having this discussion.

One last thing I have to brag on DD & myself... We were at Nationals last season, DD was pitching & it was obvious that she wasnt on her game. I camly called time & removed her from the game. We wound up winning the game thanks to our other pitcher & a few clutch hits, but the best part of it all we wrode back to the Hotel in the same car & was on speaking tearms... Man have we boths came a long way in 3 years.......

[xyzdude]

I "retired" after several years of coaching daughter (through 14U). Not always perfect but have a great relationship with her which after all was the purpose for coaching her in the first place. We moved up the ranks from rec to travel and I certainly learned as we went. As a daddyball coach, there are certain political things that you must do to establish your credibility as the coach of all the players: your kid must sit first - if someone sits first inning of first game make it your own. Even if you dd deserves to play 95% of the innings - you must only play her 85% of the time. Your dd must start every season as the number 7, 8 or 9 hitter in the order and move up game by game based strictly on performance. If she has on o'fer day - move her down a few spots [this also teaches her how to hit under pressure]. Make sure that she is the best at her position or move her to another one. If you do it right, all of the girls have fun and learn the game. Your daughter will pay a certain price for having her father as the coach but the time you spend together will be worth it for both of you. DD moved to 18U team now and I serve mainly as driver. Actually it is nice having the time to work with her after years of spending majority of time with everyone else's daughter.

[DonnieS]

Actually it is nice having the time to work with her after years of spending majority of time with everyone else's daughter.

Dont forget to take pictures now that you are outside the fence.