I am sure this post will get me in trouble, once again, but I am posting anyway. I am here to tell you what you NEED to hear not what you WANT to hear--take it or leave it--this needs to be said
I hear all the griping about how hard the college coach is on his kids--- take note--- THIS AINT REC BALL OR HS BALL--- I am looking at the record of one school right now ,37-12,and looking to secure a NCAA Spot--if so it will be three consecutive seasons--in the coaches first year I heard parents at game on campuses other than his, complaining about this certain coach and how tough he was. TUFF !!!!
Folks hear this and hear this well-- college coaches keep their jobs by winning--if your kid is told to lose five pounds over Xmas holidays and he doesnt and gets cut--DO NOT BLAME THE COACH !!!!
The real world is here--- and the sooner the dreamers wake up and realize the real baseball world is here the better they will be-- I have truly gotten tired of all the excuses given for the failure of the kid---
This is just a tip for those now entering the recruiting process-- it can be an unreal world if the head is not screwed on properly.
Look at it realistically and with logic and open eyes !!!
TRhit
Posts: 19266 | Location: Manchester, CT USA | Registered: December 26, 2002
Nowadays I dont' think it ever stops--- I hear stories regarding parents physically attacking coaches at college and universities simple becuase they did not agree with how the coach was using their "child" !!!!
And it is not just in baseball !!!!!
Players with known "baggage" get dropped from the radar screen real quickly
TRhit
Posts: 19266 | Location: Manchester, CT USA | Registered: December 26, 2002
I just want to say I think pretty much all college coaches are too tough on us. If he thinks I should be getting out of bed at 5 a.m. to go on a 5-mile run ...
OH, you were talking about tough on my kid. Never mind.
Let me tell you, I'am old school and proud of it. My HS Football coach would probably be put in jail today if he were still coaching. But let me tell he knew how to make us tough and win ball games. He fed us salt tablets, NO water on the practice field and we practiced in the hot & humid Virginia heat twice a day until school started. NO water, the only water we got during games was at half time using our hands to scoop it out of the spigot in the locker room. He had an assistant who walked around with a broom that the handle had been shortened and the bottom taped up with athletic tape, you got out of line you got your rear end lifted up off of the ground promply. We had to piggy back our team mates up and down this big hill, Let me tell you it was tough as H***. But I survived it and a better person for it. Do I advocate coaches hurting players?, absolutly NOT. Do I think kids today are too soft, affrimative.
My opinion...
CV
Go Blue Devils - Go Sting - Go Captains !
Posts: 1369 | Location: Central Virginia | Registered: December 26, 2002
When I played it was the same-- salt tablets before the game--water only at breaks--no bottles being passed into the dugout or bench area by "doting" parents and God forbid you brought food into the dugout
Yes the times have changed--for the better --I am not quite sure
TRhit
Posts: 19266 | Location: Manchester, CT USA | Registered: December 26, 2002
We only got water at breaks and we didn't get salt pills. Modern athletic training has made things better and safer.
But the point remains the same: Many of today's athletes are babied through the high school years, by coaches but far more by parents and hangers-on, so to speak.
The speed, pace and intensity of the game goes way up in college. And TR give out a warning to those fortunate to stay in the game.
You are correct about the kid's in the USA being soft. That is why so many Latin players are making it to the MLB. They are tough kids that take on the challange of hard work. Another plus for them is they are drafted at 16 and have no reason to return home. Even living with 2 or 3 other players in very small living quaters is better than what they have at home.
Posts: 601 | Location: USA | Registered: December 26, 2002
When my son was in 8th grade he was lucky to have a young and energetic coach with lots to offer...
<When my Dad coached at UMaine he had assembled a coaching binder, filled with information he used to teach his team. The ss on the last team he coached copied the material in the binder for his own use as he started out in the coaching ranks. When my son was old enough to start playing call he sent me a copy of the binder>.....
We passed the binder on to this young coach at the middle school and going through it we chuckled at a few pieces of info in it..... One of them was this: Stay away from water...If you are in shape you will not need it!
_________________________ Nothing is sometimes a good thing to do.... but always a good thing to say.
Posts: 2525 | Location: Northeast | Registered: December 31, 2002
TR, I agree kids have to get tougher and parents need to let them grow up. But for all of you old school types, here is alittle info of the necessity of water. If you are thrusty, your already 20% dehydrated. The average body is reduced in efficiency 25% by losing 1 1/2 quarts of water, and during strenuous activity in hot weather this much can be perspired in an hour. Salt tablets only replace sodium chloride not water. The rule of thumb for activities like hiking and cycling is drink and drink often.
Ball players should bring their own or have the coach supply it no argument with that.
Also, if you've ever experience dehydration to the point of serious fatige, your not a better person for it. Hopefully a smater person to never let it happen again.
TR, I did read your post and my point is that in athletic activities hydration is essential and water often is the only way to maintain proper hydration. All the other sports drinks will not maintain hydration better than water. Watch any sport on TV today and you see athletes drinking all the time. Over the years we have learned more about the body, nutritioin and what it takes to perform at its peak athletic levels.
