Texas High School 5A Softball

[softballfan33]

Coaches can make a difference and in different ways. Sometimes it is putting the right girl in the right position and in HS that is a big deal. Many kids play in positions that in select ball they may see only as a secondary position or even a tertiary position.

Sometimes it is the coach staying out of the works and letting the girls who know what to do, do it. That was the case a few years ago with Canyon when they won state. Not that their coach isn't a good coach, but he had almost a complete squad that came from the Bombers Gold team and he let them pretty much do their thing. They had 3 phenomenal leaders on that squad and they made sure everyone was "where they needed to be".

The coaches in HS that win consistently (at least that I have seen) are the ones that know when to intervene with a group of girls that have mostly been playing their entire lives, how to manage complaining parents, and can set a line up that takes advantage of what is there. Do the coaches necessarily make them better batters, fielders, pitchers, catchers, etc....No! Do they have the ability to ruin a good and even great team.....You bet.

[txfastptchcoach]

Coaches can make a difference and in different ways. Sometimes it is putting the right girl in the right position and in HS that is a big deal. Many kids play in positions that in select ball they may see only as a secondary position or even a tertiary position.

Sometimes it is the coach staying out of the works and letting the girls who know what to do, do it. That was the case a few years ago with Canyon when they won state. Not that their coach isn't a good coach, but he had almost a complete squad that came from the Bombers Gold team and he let them pretty much do their thing. They had 3 phenomenal leaders on that squad and they made sure everyone was "where they needed to be".

The coaches in HS that win consistently (at least that I have seen) are the ones that know when to intervene with a group of girls that have mostly been playing their entire lives, how to manage complaining parents, and can set a line up that takes advantage of what is there. Do the coaches necessarily make them better batters, fielders, pitchers, catchers, etc....No! Do they have the ability to ruin a good and even great team.....You bet.

Well said and hit it on the head for me!!!!

I guess will see Lefty!!! You are right any team can beat another team on a given day. Will have to see where the cards fall. But the Metropolitan areas have a advantage because they see better competition on a weekly basis. So I still think Dallas and Houston areas have a distinct advantage on crowning a State title.

[93players]

Well, last year four Centex teams went down in the second round because many coaches tend to pick a 3 game series and the Centex teams each had one pitcher with limited pitch variety. Each of those teams had a second pitcher, but the coaches had not prepared the teams to go with anyone other than number 1. The South vs East comment related to how the brackets are drawn up. Austin teams go to north Austin first and then go to Houston for a couple of rounds. They used to go to New Braunfels first and then to San Antonio and then to the Valley and then back to Austin. Bowie and Smithson did not have to face Houston or Dallas area teams until the very end. The brackets, drawn mostly for football, have much to do with whether you can make it to STATE.

[softballdaddi]

Well, last year four Centex teams went down in the second round because many coaches tend to pick a 3 game series and the Centex teams each had one pitcher with limited pitch variety. Each of those teams had a second pitcher, but the coaches had not prepared the teams to go with anyone other than number 1. The South vs East comment related to how the brackets are drawn up. Austin teams go to north Austin first and then go to Houston for a couple of rounds. They used to go to New Braunfels first and then to San Antonio and then to the Valley and then back to Austin. Bowie and Smithson did not have to face Houston or Dallas area teams until the very end. The brackets, drawn mostly for football, have much to do with whether you can make it to STATE.

Got it thanks! See your point now

[slaphitter]

Coaches can make a difference and in different ways. Sometimes it is putting the right girl in the right position and in HS that is a big deal. Many kids play in positions that in select ball they may see only as a secondary position or even a tertiary position.

Sometimes it is the coach staying out of the works and letting the girls who know what to do, do it. That was the case a few years ago with Canyon when they won state. Not that their coach isn't a good coach, but he had almost a complete squad that came from the Bombers Gold team and he let them pretty much do their thing. They had 3 phenomenal leaders on that squad and they made sure everyone was "where they needed to be".

The coaches in HS that win consistently (at least that I have seen) are the ones that know when to intervene with a group of girls that have mostly been playing their entire lives, how to manage complaining parents, and can set a line up that takes advantage of what is there. Do the coaches necessarily make them better batters, fielders, pitchers, catchers, etc....No! Do they have the ability to ruin a good and even great team.....You bet.

I agree with what is said above. Some coaches that have that kind of talent, on a team, try to over coach instead of letting the girls do what they do best on the field "Play Ball".
It will be interesting to watch how Pearland and Deer Park coaches handle the teams with that many D1 recruits.

I also totally agree that the majority of the Girls coming to High School Ball from the Travel teams already have all the tools needed to play very good Softball. The Coach just needs to put a good line-up in the game and let them play. Yes She/He will have to make some decisions, changes etc thru out the game, but do not over Coach.

[lefty04]

Start of the High School Softball Season is getting closer.
From what I understand Deer Park Had tryouts Friday and Saturday. Do not know how things turned out.
Txfastptchcoach might have some insight on it.

What about the other schools anybody heard anything on tryouts and start of workouts for the girls.

[MavFan]

Tryouts are a mere formality. These coaches have had most of these kids in class since August, I don't think there are many kids that surprise a coach at a tryout, unless they moved in to the district or transfered in.

[DonnieS]

Tryouts are a mere formality. These coaches have had most of these kids in class since August, I don't think there are many kids that surprise a coach at a tryout, unless they moved in to the district or transfered in.

That's pretty standard in our area - the off-season school team would practice and play when possible, and the coaches could see for themselves. Tryouts , while apparently popular, don't always separate the practice players from the game players. My approach was throw the kid in the fire and see how she dances.

[slaphitter]

Tryouts are a mere formality. These coaches have had most of these kids in class since August, I don't think there are many kids that surprise a coach at a tryout, unless they moved in to the district or transfered in.

Is it being said that tryouts are a waste of time and energy and are held maybe to satisfy the parents, booster clubs etc and nothing else. Since the coach already knows who is going on the teams. Then why even have them ????? Let the teams be more constructive and start practising.

[MavFan]

Tryouts are a mere formality. These coaches have had most of these kids in class since August, I don't think there are many kids that surprise a coach at a tryout, unless they moved in to the district or transfered in.

Is it being said that tryouts are a waste of time and energy and are held maybe to satisfy the parents, booster clubs etc and nothing else. Since the coach already knows who is going on the teams. Then why even have them ????? Let the teams be more constructive and start practising.

The formal tryout is just a one day thing. The teams I am familiar with all practiced Saturday with the team already selected. I am sure there is some sort of UIL rule that requires a formal tryout. I really don't know. I just don't see the point, especially in an area where there is an athletic period, the coaches have been working with these kids for the past 5 months. Its not like a parent could legitimately go to a coach and say, she just had a bad tryout. She should have made the team. Coaches are aware of who can play.