D1 Frustrations Continue!

[Softball_Dad]

Starting the third year of ball now and still no improvement. Third year for the coaches. For the most part our pitching has improved, but our hitting has gone to the birds. In the coaches defense he was stuck with 7 or 8 kids who our now Sr's. We are getting very little production out of them, and the one who is hitting has the worst attitude and is now getting benched, rightfully so. As a player, like the coach or not you still have to respect him/her.

Now as for the coaching. The coach absolutely refuses to bunt when we get the leadoff on. We have hit into so many double plays this year it's ridiculous. Maybe the kids just don't know how to bunt. Teach them. The coaches comment to my wife was the kids don't like to bunt. Who's the coach here? Batting practice for the most part consists of hitting off of live pitching. Very few drills focused on maintaining/perfecting the swing mechanics. Hardly any feedback from the coaches to the players addressing hitting problems.

Simple fundamentals are being missed. 1B stretches before the throw is on the way. Ends up making ever catch difficult. Kids are off the plate way to far and end up striking out because they can't cover the outside corner. Taking too many good pitches. Our team batting average and record have been consistently in the bottom of our conference. So far this year we are the worst. We have 6 or 7 kids with one HR, so the potential is there, yet they consistently under-perform. No kids with 2 HRs.

The kids have travelled the last 4 weekends to play, I mean serious travel, 1000's of miles. Everyone is struggling with missed classes. This week was spring break. They have spent most of this time sitting around in hotels and restaurants. Played a few games. IMO you should be playing two a day or why bother.

In defense of the coaches they have there own personal issues going on behind the scenes which is tough. I feel bad for them in that sense. They are nice people. So many of the parents are extremely frustrated at this point. I keep telling my kid not to let it bother her and focus on her education. Tough to do when you miss so many classes though. Ugh....

Sorry about the book. Just doing some venting. I'm not asking for the world here, just a 500 team. We have so much potential with several high caliber athletes on the team. Underperforming has become the norm though.

[OCD]

HELLO MR. VENT
I FEEL YOUR PAIN THOUGH MY DD IS 14U. IM NOT AN EXPERT BUT AS A DAD WHO HAS WATCHED A TON OF TEAMS THE ONLY CHANCE YOU HAVE FOR AN UPSWING IS:
BRING UP THE STEAL ATTEMPTS (EVEN THROWS TO 1ST BASE THROWS)- HIT AND RUNS -
BUNTS ARE PART OF THE GAME, GET BACK TO THE BASICS - CHANGE THE LINE UP -
INCENTIVES FOR WINS - ON DECK ATTENTION TO THE PITCHER COULD HELP.
OTHER THAN THAT, KEEP YOUR CHIN UP AND PRAYER NEVER HURTS...... GOOD LUCK.
OCD (ORANGE COUNTY DAD)

[Whizzer86]

Starting the third year of ball now and still no improvement. Third year for the coaches. For the most part our pitching has improved, but our hitting has gone to the birds. In the coaches defense he was stuck with 7 or 8 kids who our now Sr's. We are getting very little production out of them, and the one who is hitting has the worst attitude and is now getting benched, rightfully so. As a player, like the coach or not you still have to respect him/her.

Now as for the coaching. The coach absolutely refuses to bunt when we get the leadoff on. We have hit into so many double plays this year it's ridiculous. Maybe the kids just don't know how to bunt. Teach them. The coaches comment to my wife was the kids don't like to bunt. Who's the coach here? Batting practice for the most part consists of hitting off of live pitching. Very few drills focused on maintaining/perfecting the swing mechanics. Hardly any feedback from the coaches to the players addressing hitting problems.

Simple fundamentals are being missed. 1B stretches before the throw is on the way. Ends up making ever catch difficult. Kids are off the plate way to far and end up striking out because they can't cover the outside corner. Taking too many good pitches. Our team batting average and record have been consistently in the bottom of our conference. So far this year we are the worst. We have 6 or 7 kids with one HR, so the potential is there, yet they consistently under-perform. No kids with 2 HRs.

The kids have travelled the last 4 weekends to play, I mean serious travel, 1000's of miles. Everyone is struggling with missed classes. This week was spring break. They have spent most of this time sitting around in hotels and restaurants. Played a few games. IMO you should be playing two a day or why bother.

In defense of the coaches they have there own personal issues going on behind the scenes which is tough. I feel bad for them in that sense. They are nice people. So many of the parents are extremely frustrated at this point. I keep telling my kid not to let it bother her and focus on her education. Tough to do when you miss so many classes though. Ugh....

Sorry about the book. Just doing some venting. I'm not asking for the world here, just a 500 team. We have so much potential with several high caliber athletes on the team. Underperforming has become the norm though.

At the end of the day.... Will SHE have a degree and will SHE have enjoyed it. I know it's tough because you're the one whose probably paying the way but ultimately it is about her. I feel your pain though, what we as parents envision and what is reality sometimes is hard to take.

[Skarp]

HELLO MR. VENT
I FEEL YOUR PAIN THOUGH MY DD IS 14U. IM NOT AN EXPERT BUT AS A DAD WHO HAS WATCHED A TON OF TEAMS THE ONLY CHANCE YOU HAVE FOR AN UPSWING IS:
BRING UP THE STEAL ATTEMPTS (EVEN THROWS TO 1ST BASE THROWS)- HIT AND RUNS -
BUNTS ARE PART OF THE GAME, GET BACK TO THE BASICS - CHANGE THE LINE UP -
INCENTIVES FOR WINS - ON DECK ATTENTION TO THE PITCHER COULD HELP.
OTHER THAN THAT, KEEP YOUR CHIN UP AND PRAYER NEVER HURTS...... GOOD LUCK.
OCD (ORANGE COUNTY DAD)

Some friendly advice--if it is that difficult to use the shift key, no caps is far preferable to ALL CAPS. All caps is the equivalent of shouting. Just fyi.

[Tucson]

Softball Dad, I truly believe that you have described 1/2 of the programs out there, whether they are D1 or not. I know of one, where the parents aren't allowed to know what hotel their DD is staying at.

When I hear stories like yours, I think that someone on the team needs to lead. Someone needs to call a team meeting and define everyone's roll and what they need to focus on.

I know that the seniors drug the underclassmen along at Uof AZ., by doing just that, last year.

[softball_parent]

Welcome to college ball. For the most part it is not any different than the past years have been with the exception of a few. The coaches still have their favorites, parents wonder why some kids are still playing, the players still make mistakes, and I could go on. I remember when my daughter was in 12U and one of her friends and teammate had an older sister who was in college on a full ride. The father and the older sister said its not all it is cracked up to be. (Kind of like marriage I think ) I didn't really understand until mine got to college, D1 with money. It was alot of work and not always fun no matter how much she loved the game. It retrospect I wish I had save some of the money we spent on softball. It is the education that is important because that is what they will need to succeed in life.

[Sam]

If all D1 schools won all their games....who would lose?

[GIMNEPIWO]

HELLO MR. VENT
I FEEL YOUR PAIN THOUGH MY DD IS 14U. IM NOT AN EXPERT BUT AS A DAD WHO HAS WATCHED A TON OF TEAMS THE ONLY CHANCE YOU HAVE FOR AN UPSWING IS:
BRING UP THE STEAL ATTEMPTS (EVEN THROWS TO 1ST BASE THROWS)- HIT AND RUNS -
BUNTS ARE PART OF THE GAME, GET BACK TO THE BASICS - CHANGE THE LINE UP -
INCENTIVES FOR WINS - ON DECK ATTENTION TO THE PITCHER COULD HELP.
OTHER THAN THAT, KEEP YOUR CHIN UP AND PRAYER NEVER HURTS...... GOOD LUCK.
OCD (ORANGE COUNTY DAD)

Some friendly advice--if it is that difficult to use the shift key, no caps is far preferable to ALL CAPS. All caps is the equivalent of shouting. Just fyi.

What's that Skarp ? ... I couldn't hear you over all the shouting ...

[ECSB]

I am in Florida on a business trip and stopped in at the Rebel Spring Game today to catch my alma mater play (mid-major D1). Here is my take:

- the parents are the same as travel ball. There was the guy sitting by himself in left field, and the "brain trust" - three obvious ex-travel ball coaches, now reduced to dads, second guessing all the coaches moves, and still - coaching their kids from the stands (I couldn't believe that one- the kid did what dad said!).

- the umpiring is no better in college - the game turned on a a bad call two outs, two strikes, he called a clear strike a ball to load the bases, and then a double and a home run....that was it.

- the kids still make dumb mistakes - not calling for the ball, etc.

- the opposing coaches are still jerks and the other team annoying with too much chanting and cat calls (I know which team is off my list for my DD - coach you never know who is watching)

- the freshman pitcher still get nervous when the bases get loaded.

So things never change. It was kinda fun to see, and although my team lost, I had a good time and learned something. That is what counts.

[geterdone]

Good Luck! It is out of your hands, I hope your DD has a great season