I know everyone says not to get caught up high school softball because it doesn't really matter and everyone knows that the coaching (for the most part) is sub-par compared to travel softball. But I am here to tell you, it matters to the girls playing on the field and doing everything they can to help their school win games. With that being sad, the disaster called King High School Softball was on full display (again) today in the Torrance Softball Tournament.
For those familiar with this program, I don't need to re-hash the history of the person who is in charge of this program but the alarming amount of student-athletes who have either transferred out of KHS to another school or simply quit playing high school softball rather than suffer the emotional abuse of a head coach who should clearly not be mentoring young women says everything you need to know about this program.
King loses in Championship of Torrance Tournament! This would normally be considered a successful tournament for most schools but KHS has now lost to all 4 relevant softball programs they have faced this season. KHS does not have one notable win against an equal caliber school. And of course, the coach made sure not to enter the Michelle Carew classic out of fear of facing quality opponents. But forget about winning and losing, fans of the KHS softball team have learned all they need know about how hurtful and limiting this coach is to the development of these young women.
Straight to the point, softball is softball, but the KHS coach fosters a negative and abusive atmosphere that is counter-productive to what a high school sports program is supposed to promote.
The first thing that comes to my mind from todays events was a junior player who hit a home run in the semi-final game who was benched for a freshman (who has only 4 hits on the season) in the Championship game. That's a nice reward for the player who hit the home run....way to build confidence in the benched player. And what about the Freshman player, the pressure of being inserted into a Championship game for a player that had earned that opportunity.
This is the team that won the Corona Tournament last year and only lost 2 seniors.....but the program is pretty thin with good players. Since this coach took over this program, so many quality players have transferred to other schools (including a 3 year KHS varsity senior transfer to Poly) or who left the program (including another unnamed player who would be a great senior leader on this years team). KHS was a no contest in the Corona Tournament this year getting blown out by Chino Hills and Roosevelt.
Bottom line, my heart goes out to the girls on this team who are at the mercy of a bad coach who is single handedly testing their love for the game and it goes out to parents who have to endure the softball equivalent of hell. So, don't tell me high school softball doesn't matter....let's all hope that the lasting damage this coach does to the young women of this program doesn't linger into their adult lives.
For the love of the game and more importantly...the love for the girls on this team...step down already!
CA
56kid wrote:I know everyone says not to get caught up high school softball because it doesn't really matter and everyone knows that the coaching (for the most part) is sub-par compared to travel softball. But I am here to tell you, it matters to the girls playing on the field and doing everything they can to help their school win games. With that being sad, the disaster called King High School Softball was on full display (again) today in the Torrance Softball Tournament.
For those familiar with this program, I don't need to re-hash the history of the person who is in charge of this program but the alarming amount of student-athletes who have either transferred out of KHS to another school or simply quit playing high school softball rather than suffer the emotional abuse of a head coach who should clearly not be mentoring young women says everything you need to know about this program.
King loses in Championship of Torrance Tournament! This would normally be considered a successful tournament for most schools but KHS has now lost to all 4 relevant softball programs they have faced this season. KHS does not have one notable win against an equal caliber school. And of course, the coach made sure not to enter the Michelle Carew classic out of fear of facing quality opponents. But forget about winning and losing, fans of the KHS softball team have learned all they need know about how hurtful and limiting this coach is to the development of these young women.
Straight to the point, softball is softball, but the KHS coach fosters a negative and abusive atmosphere that is counter-productive to what a high school sports program is supposed to promote.
The first thing that comes to my mind from todays events was a junior player who hit a home run in the semi-final game who was benched for a freshman (who has only 4 hits on the season) in the Championship game. That's a nice reward for the player who hit the home run....way to build confidence in the benched player. And what about the Freshman player, the pressure of being inserted into a Championship game for a player that had earned that opportunity.
This is the team that won the Corona Tournament last year and only lost 2 seniors.....but the program is pretty thin with good players. Since this coach took over this program, so many quality players have transferred to other schools (including a 3 year KHS varsity senior transfer to Poly) or who left the program (including another unnamed player who would be a great senior leader on this years team). KHS was a no contest in the Corona Tournament this year getting blown out by Chino Hills and Roosevelt.
Bottom line, my heart goes out to the girls on this team who are at the mercy of a bad coach who is single handedly testing their love for the game and it goes out to parents who have to endure the softball equivalent of hell. So, don't tell me high school softball doesn't matter....let's all hope that the lasting damage this coach does to the young women of this program doesn't linger into their adult lives.
For the love of the game and more importantly...the love for the girls on this team...step down already!
Here come the Annual My High School Coach Sucks diatribes. This example is especially dramatic. I suspect you are roaming the fence lines at the games, stirring the pot. What a lunatic. Try to figure things out before you screw up your daughter's high school sports fun.
And BTW. Nice first post.
Welcome to HB.VETERANS....ALL GAVE SOME, SOME GAVE ALL
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Tyler Durden - Premium Member
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My apologies if what you get out of my post is me being a "lunatic parent roaming the outfield fence" and a "diatribe" about high school coaches sucking. It was meant to be about a team of great kids with a lot of talent who hope to accomplish big things on and off the softball field and a coach who limits their potential and hurts their development.
There is no explanation and no excuse for a coach who takes a player who hits a home run and helps a team win a semifinal tournament game and then doesn't see the field for the Championship game. You lose the game 5-2. The player doesn't even get a chance to pinch hit at any point during the game and doesn't step on the field at all. Call me a lunatic...but that's jus wrong on so many levels. Aren't these kids taught to Earn their Opportunities!!! What does that player need to "figure out"....
Everyone says high school is supposed to be "fun" and you should just kick back as a parent and relax....travel ball is what matters. You hear that all the time and read it everywhere on HB. But like I said in my original post...these girls want to win...to them...it's a matter of friendship and pride in their school and pride for their family. They don't just want to have "fun"......so when the coach is a major impediment to their success...isn't that a problem?
A coach is supposed to develop and support physical and emotional growth of these young lives. These aren't 18-22 year old adult women playing for this coach...they are 14-17 year old who need a positive environment to play in.
If this was a physically abusive coach...no one would tolerate that behavior. But emotionally abusive...should we tolerate or accept that! A 3 year Varsity Player transferred out her senior year to play somewhere else....how is that "fun" for that kid or that family. That is a major red flag in IMO.
And as far as being my first post on HB....at some point...someone needs to start the conversation about protecting the best interest of these girls.
There is no explanation and no excuse for a coach who takes a player who hits a home run and helps a team win a semifinal tournament game and then doesn't see the field for the Championship game. You lose the game 5-2. The player doesn't even get a chance to pinch hit at any point during the game and doesn't step on the field at all. Call me a lunatic...but that's jus wrong on so many levels. Aren't these kids taught to Earn their Opportunities!!! What does that player need to "figure out"....
Everyone says high school is supposed to be "fun" and you should just kick back as a parent and relax....travel ball is what matters. You hear that all the time and read it everywhere on HB. But like I said in my original post...these girls want to win...to them...it's a matter of friendship and pride in their school and pride for their family. They don't just want to have "fun"......so when the coach is a major impediment to their success...isn't that a problem?
A coach is supposed to develop and support physical and emotional growth of these young lives. These aren't 18-22 year old adult women playing for this coach...they are 14-17 year old who need a positive environment to play in.
If this was a physically abusive coach...no one would tolerate that behavior. But emotionally abusive...should we tolerate or accept that! A 3 year Varsity Player transferred out her senior year to play somewhere else....how is that "fun" for that kid or that family. That is a major red flag in IMO.
And as far as being my first post on HB....at some point...someone needs to start the conversation about protecting the best interest of these girls.
- 56kid
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Sat Mar 23, 2013 9:38 pm
56kid don't waste your time responding to a "coach in disguise" protecting their PERS (retirement) that is their only priorty at MLK.
I was glad to read your post and you don't stand alone. There are many stories to add to this I have been hearing this about MLK and this particular coach and her mini me(jv coaches) that she also chooses and rules. I'm happy this conversation has started and I hope it continues until this coach is removed. I hope more parents like yourself step up in this forum.
What she does to the girls is what the schools in the state of California call the "no tolerance" clause by one student to another and that is "bullying" she bullies the girls with threats like telling one of the girls "never go over my head" the girl was cut from the team because her parents refused to bow down to her threats.
I was glad to read your post and you don't stand alone. There are many stories to add to this I have been hearing this about MLK and this particular coach and her mini me(jv coaches) that she also chooses and rules. I'm happy this conversation has started and I hope it continues until this coach is removed. I hope more parents like yourself step up in this forum.
What she does to the girls is what the schools in the state of California call the "no tolerance" clause by one student to another and that is "bullying" she bullies the girls with threats like telling one of the girls "never go over my head" the girl was cut from the team because her parents refused to bow down to her threats.
- hilaryC
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Sun Mar 24, 2013 3:48 pm
Spazsdad wrote:hilaryC wrote:56kid don't waste your time responding to a "coach in disguise" protecting their PERS (retirement) that is their only priorty at MLK.
[b]Are you insinuating that our esteemed Mr. Durden is a HS coach?[/b]
Durden is either a HS coach, a HS coach that based on his pic enjoys inducing pain on himself and or he is the individual who is in fact the one that lurks over fences and walks around softball fields enjoying watching the girls in pain and therefore also enjoys watching pain being induced on others.
I was glad to read your post and you don't stand alone. There are many stories to add to this I have been hearing this about MLK and this particular coach and her mini me(jv coaches) that she also chooses and rules.
I would imagine that in most cases the jv coaches fall under the head coach and the rules they set and your point?I'm happy this conversation has started and I hope it continues until this coach is removed. I hope more parents like yourself step up in this forum.
If you think a few disgruntled parents venting on Heybucket will have any influence on a HS coach being removed you are too generousl.
First to call parents that watch their daughters in a obvious abusive situation and speak out "disgruntled" lowers the value of a human being. Second This would not be venting on HB I would call it gathering information because if this is how this coach treats players openly and has gotten away with it imagine what is going on behind closed doors. This tells me there is a lot more going on at MLK and MLK would not be the first. So let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater just yet. What she does to the girls is what the schools in the state of California call the "no tolerance" clause by one student to another and that is "bullying" she bullies the girls with threats like telling one of the girls "never go over my head" the girl was cut from the team because her parents refused to bow down to her threats.
BTW welcome to the bucket.
Thank you for your welcome!
- hilaryC
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Sun Mar 24, 2013 3:48 pm
56kid aka HilaryC. The irony of my Avatar reflected in your dual-screen-name approach on this thread seems to elude you. Too bad because it seems hilarious to me. And no, I am not a HS Coach. There's no way I'm qualified for that role.
And Spaz, your use of the adjective "esteemed" was too kind, albeit perhaps a slight exaggeration.
And Spaz, your use of the adjective "esteemed" was too kind, albeit perhaps a slight exaggeration.
VETERANS....ALL GAVE SOME, SOME GAVE ALL
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Tyler Durden - Premium Member
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WOW 
Now that is some good stuff! I am sorry to say but, 56kid is speaking the truth.
I am amazed and entertained that it has lasted this long.
The stories I have heard about this coach must be true. I know of 4 X MLK students at my dd's school, and 2 others that didn't even bother with MLK as freshmen and came to avoid it.
I have seen some GREAT talented athletes quit MLK ball than have to deal with it. "shame"
As a parent or student HS ball IS important, it's the opportunity to represent your school, show friends and classmates what you do.
At issue at this school is that if you say anything your kid will suffer. (On a side note some of those parents will complain no matter what)
Most just bear it, like a 4yr root canal. 
56kid,,,,,be careful of " The power of the Bucket " it can be unforgiving.
And I like Durden's avitar, and many of his points of view have great weight and merit.
Now that is some good stuff! I am sorry to say but, 56kid is speaking the truth.I am amazed and entertained that it has lasted this long.
The stories I have heard about this coach must be true. I know of 4 X MLK students at my dd's school, and 2 others that didn't even bother with MLK as freshmen and came to avoid it.
I have seen some GREAT talented athletes quit MLK ball than have to deal with it. "shame"
As a parent or student HS ball IS important, it's the opportunity to represent your school, show friends and classmates what you do.
At issue at this school is that if you say anything your kid will suffer. (On a side note some of those parents will complain no matter what)
Most just bear it, like a 4yr root canal. 56kid,,,,,be careful of " The power of the Bucket " it can be unforgiving.
And I like Durden's avitar, and many of his points of view have great weight and merit.
I see further, because I stand on the shoulders of giants
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Safebyahare - Premium Member
- Posts: 1099
- Joined: Tue Sep 27, 2011 9:29 am
Dear 56kid
I have a little idle time on my hands, and have pondered your post about the evil HS coach, and may shine some light into your world, from a different perspective.
My dd played JV her freshman year with a great lady coach in my book. She was positive,knew the game, was competitive and all around a wonderful individual. Had she stayed with my dd's HS she would have rather played JV for her sophemore year rather than move up to varsity.
Her sophemore year she made Varsity for a different lady coach. Now this coach was harder on the players and she had different rules for different players. Her favorite players could do no wrong, while other players like my dd could do no right. Now I am not saying my dd is the BE ALL player, but she was good, and applied herself.
That season she sat,,,,and sat,, while others watched strike 3 go by, or would make errors. I made the mistake or was it???? of meeting with this coach and asking about opportunities for my dd, because talking about playing time would be the nail in the coffin. Now about this point in the season I would not pee in this lady's mouth if she was dying of thirst in the desert. And she did finally say after dancing around the topic, that she DID have 2 sets of standards and that my dd was on the other. So I had done it,,,I screwed it up for her,,,,,then again she wasn't going to play her anyway.
Well my dd did not give up. She practiced every day after school, she went to a place similar to EM after every game, She was determined to get on the field.
Well she never let her on the field except to base run. Well that season sucked.,,,,,,,,,,,but wait.
What I didn't know was that, that coach had given my dd the best gift a coach could give. As strange and queer as it might seem, she gave my dd the willingness to persevere and a true desire to win, and to know the cost.
Her junior yr she lead her team in obp and developed a really good bat. She got one of those "all american player" awards,,ect. ect. Now if I ever see that coach again,,,,,,I might just smile and thank her.
In closing maybe just maybe, this coach might have something to offer..
NAAAH just kidding.
,
I have a little idle time on my hands, and have pondered your post about the evil HS coach, and may shine some light into your world, from a different perspective.
My dd played JV her freshman year with a great lady coach in my book. She was positive,knew the game, was competitive and all around a wonderful individual. Had she stayed with my dd's HS she would have rather played JV for her sophemore year rather than move up to varsity.
Her sophemore year she made Varsity for a different lady coach. Now this coach was harder on the players and she had different rules for different players. Her favorite players could do no wrong, while other players like my dd could do no right. Now I am not saying my dd is the BE ALL player, but she was good, and applied herself.
That season she sat,,,,and sat,, while others watched strike 3 go by, or would make errors. I made the mistake or was it???? of meeting with this coach and asking about opportunities for my dd, because talking about playing time would be the nail in the coffin. Now about this point in the season I would not pee in this lady's mouth if she was dying of thirst in the desert. And she did finally say after dancing around the topic, that she DID have 2 sets of standards and that my dd was on the other. So I had done it,,,I screwed it up for her,,,,,then again she wasn't going to play her anyway.
Well my dd did not give up. She practiced every day after school, she went to a place similar to EM after every game, She was determined to get on the field.
Well she never let her on the field except to base run. Well that season sucked.,,,,,,,,,,,but wait.
What I didn't know was that, that coach had given my dd the best gift a coach could give. As strange and queer as it might seem, she gave my dd the willingness to persevere and a true desire to win, and to know the cost.
Her junior yr she lead her team in obp and developed a really good bat. She got one of those "all american player" awards,,ect. ect. Now if I ever see that coach again,,,,,,I might just smile and thank her.
In closing maybe just maybe, this coach might have something to offer..
NAAAH just kidding.
,I see further, because I stand on the shoulders of giants
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Safebyahare - Premium Member
- Posts: 1099
- Joined: Tue Sep 27, 2011 9:29 am
Spazsdad wrote:You keep mentioning an "abusive situation". If this was truly the case and my daughter was involved I would have already persued action with the school or removed her from the situation. Your assumption that no other avenues of action in dealing with coach's abusive conduct would be erroneous. It is only HS softball, why would you leave her in an environment that is as negative and damaging as you describe? This is more than just HS softball. This is our community. This is our girls high school where they have established friends, these are their teen high school years, these are their high school memories. WHY SHOULD THEY RUN? These teachers are paid with our tax dollars. Every person working in private industry that doesn’t have the luxury of PERS that our tax dollars contributes to and every business large and small that pays taxes and contributes to these teachers retirements THAT’S WHO HAS THE RIGHT NOT TO RUN from this coach. THE PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO be in THEIR FACE and find out WHY this is HAPPENING?
If this were a math, English or geometry teacher would we take out daughter(s) and run? No we would address it. Yet when it comes to sports and these coaches the best suggestion is run?
REMEMBER the untouchable Penn State/Peterno/Sandusky anyone? It just took brave people to stand up and not give up.
- hilaryC
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Sun Mar 24, 2013 3:48 pm
hilaryC wrote:Spazsdad wrote:You keep mentioning an "abusive situation". If this was truly the case and my daughter was involved I would have already persued action with the school or removed her from the situation. Your assumption that no other avenues of action in dealing with coach's abusive conduct would be erroneous. It is only HS softball, why would you leave her in an environment that is as negative and damaging as you describe? This is more than just HS softball. This is our community. This is our girls high school where they have established friends, these are their teen high school years, these are their high school memories. WHY SHOULD THEY RUN? These teachers are paid with our tax dollars. Every person working in private industry that doesn’t have the luxury of PERS that our tax dollars contributes to and every business large and small that pays taxes and contributes to these teachers retirements THAT’S WHO HAS THE RIGHT NOT TO RUN from this coach. THE PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO be in THEIR FACE and find out WHY this is HAPPENING?
If this were a math, English or geometry teacher would we take out daughter(s) and run? No we would address it. Yet when it comes to sports and these coaches the best suggestion is run?
REMEMBER the untouchable Penn State/Peterno/Sandusky anyone? It just took brave people to stand up and not give up.
Going to the Sandusky analogy? Well now. That is creepy.
You have annoited yourself one of the "brave people". Excellent. Tomorrow morning, log out of HB briefly, and you and 56 march into the King AD's office and demand an immediate firing of the HC. Otherwise, I will conclude that you are really just another disgruntled parent who is positive that your DD is a varsity starter. Raging on HB about the injustices being perpetrated at King isn't accomplishing your goals.
Upon your triumphant return from King, please log back in and let me know when i can expect to see that HC job posted up on EdJoin. Thanks and good luck.
VETERANS....ALL GAVE SOME, SOME GAVE ALL
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Tyler Durden - Premium Member
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