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Thread on WINNING and DEVELOPMENT ...
Imagine arriving at the field to play a game and the opposition said... “We’re not going to try and win today. It’s not important to us.”
You’d feel cheated. You’d feel like not playing. Why compete if the prize is no longer worth it.
Imagine arriving at the field to play a game and the opposition said... “We’re not going to try and win today. It’s not important to us.”
You’d feel cheated. You’d feel like not playing. Why compete if the prize is no longer worth it.
So many folks scream “It’s not about winning, it’s about development.” 
Of course that’s true in the BIG PICTURE. 5 years from now their college coach won’t care what their WIN/LOSS record was for the GoWags LumberKings. What they will care about is “Can they play?”
Of course that’s true in the BIG PICTURE. 5 years from now their college coach won’t care what their WIN/LOSS record was for the GoWags LumberKings. What they will care about is “Can they play?”
But the great coaches honor both. They develop skills AND they play to win.
Our young people learn more by observation than anything else. They must see how competitors act.
If you really want to honor that college coach you must also train the competitor NOT just the skills.
Our young people learn more by observation than anything else. They must see how competitors act.
If you really want to honor that college coach you must also train the competitor NOT just the skills.
Develop skills and play to win. What’s so hard to understand? Seems logical. 
Because some coaches PLAY TO WIN without using their entire roster. This forces MOM/DAD to question a coaches values. Since everyone plays to win, this must be the problem. No, that’s not the problem
Because some coaches PLAY TO WIN without using their entire roster. This forces MOM/DAD to question a coaches values. Since everyone plays to win, this must be the problem. No, that’s not the problem
The problem usually comes down to 2 things....
1. Communication
2.
If you’re not going to play a 12 yr. old in a game, explain to them why. There might be a great reason.
If a kids on a roster forreasons with no intention of playing him there’s not a good reason. 
1. Communication
2.
If you’re not going to play a 12 yr. old in a game, explain to them why. There might be a great reason.
If a kids on a roster for
reasons with no intention of playing him there’s not a good reason.
This is what makes travel baseball at the 13 and up levels so complicated. Travel coaches need a BIG ROSTER to protect their young arms. You must choose pitcher health over almost everything. To protect arms implies more bodies. More bodies implies more bench time. Parents get 
The worst advice that a young coach can hear is “Don’t talk to the parents.”
How else are they going to know that Ricky isn’t playing as much bc we needed 3 arms this weekend and they’ve traveled from Spokane so I’m obligated. But, it’s in the best interest of his arm.
How else are they going to know that Ricky isn’t playing as much bc we needed 3 arms this weekend and they’ve traveled from Spokane so I’m obligated. But, it’s in the best interest of his arm.
DO THIS...assign an Asst. Coach to track at bats and defensive innings. Review these as appropriate. Share with the parents. Tell them I’m not looking for equal (bc I’m playing to win) but I am looking for equitable.
Travel rules are flexible. It’s not hard if you care.
Travel rules are flexible. It’s not hard if you care.
