Good coaching is important in order for baseball and softball players to reach their full potential. So is a parent’s role. If done properly and intentionally, baseball and softball can be used as a vehicle to help young men and women win at the game of life.
Some parents may not know a lot about the development process of baseball and softball, but they know their children and want the best for them. I recently sat down with three parents to talk about their view of today’s baseball and softball industry. Here’s a snapshot of our conversation:
Keelan Chambers
How were you introduced to baseball/softball?
I was introduced by my grandfather.
Describe the qualities of the best Travel Baseball/Softball coach.
Great communicators don’t embarrass or humiliate as a teaching tool. They don’t let ego get tied up in the outcome. They understand the individual differences of each player. They continually challenge themselves. And they are not defensive about their interactions with players or parents.
Describe the qualities of the best Travel Baseball/Softball team.
Cohesiveness. Discipline. Not too many players
What don’t you like about Travel Baseball/Softball?
The cost and how coaches would bring in kids on game day who had never practiced with the team before.
Describe the type of person you want your child to be at age 30.
Godly. A man of integrity. A hard worker. A giver to his local community and local church. Compassionate.
What are the top five things that a young person must have to become a “good person?
God. Concerned parent/parents. Supportive community. Mentor. A great attitude.
What are the top five things a young person must have to become a collegiate/professional athlete?
Discipline. A great work ethic. Good playing abilities. Great attitude. Ability to adapt.
How much time are you willing to invest in your child per week to become an elite athlete?
As much as needed.
How much are you willing to invest in your child per week to become an elite baseball/softball hitter?
Not sure, but I am willing to do what I need for my kid.
Describe the qualities of the best youth sports parent.
If you have a problem with the coach wait at least 48 hours to discuss. Understand that you don’t have the only kid on the team. Be as enthusiastic about all players as you are about your own. Make your payments on time.
Michele Dumas
How were you introduced to baseball/softball?
Through my daughter’s basketball association with Gresham Park.
Describe the qualities of the best Travel Baseball/Softball coach.
Ability to relate to and motivate children. Be a quality male role model at all times. Have knowledge of the sport as a player and coach. Understand fundamentals and best practices of the game. Have the ability to communicate effectively transparency. Have knowledge of the rules associated with the various tournaments. Be able to assemble a team to fundraise/coordinate events. Be able to put the team first in front of self-interest, i.e., no “daddy ball.”
Describe the qualities of the best Travel Baseball/Softball team.
Motivate and hold each other accountable. Recognize that perfect practice makes perfect. Have the ability to stay together and develop over time. Possess excellent sportsmanship. Be able to form bonds off the field. A placed where players are encouraged to play multiple positions and there is no guaranteed spot. Perform or let someone else make the play.
What don’t you like about Travel Baseball/Softball?
I feel the cost associated with older kids is a way of discriminating against children of color who may not be able to afford the outrageous fees. Everything is centered around one side of town. There must be opportunities to play at a high level spread out.
Describe the type of person you want your child to be at age 30.
God-fearing, intelligent and treats others the way he wants to be treated.
What are the top five things that a young person must do to become a “good person?”
Believe in a power greater than themselves. Have the ability to communicate effectively. Have work and personal life ethics. Understand that love is what you do and expect nothing in return. Be able to live in the moment and understand that nothing is promised to us.
What are the top five things a young person must have to become an elite athlete?
Understanding of the game. Excellent practice habits. Good mentor opportunity. Be able to demonstrate their ability. Have a supportive family
How much time are you willing to invest in your child per week to become an elite baseball/softball hitter?
Is this a joke? I already don’t have a life Friday through Sunday. I live at the field. Five hours.
How much money are you willing to invest in your child per week to become an elite baseball/softball hitter?
$60
Stephen Mikolajczak
How were you introduced to baseball/softball?
I began playing tee ball at age 6 when my parents signed me up. I took age 7 off to play soccer, but then when one of my friends invited me to play with their team at age 8, I fell in love with the game and played for the next 12 years.
Describe the qualities of the best Travel Baseball/Softball coach.
The best coach understands each player individually—what motivates them and what detracts them. They are not afraid to share praise, but hold players accountable when they need to improve. The best coaches aren’t afraid to try new methods and find ways to make each player and the team relax and gel.
Describe the qualities of the best Travel Baseball/Softball team.
The best travel team has a visible chemistry on and off the field. There is a selflessness that exists and they have built a sisterhood (in the case of softball). They stick together when they fall down and push each other to get better. They are genuinely happy for each other when they succeed. Last but not least, they have fun together. This typically starts to show itself in performance on the field. I believe winning is a byproduct of team chemistry (and talent)
What don’t you like about Travel Baseball/Softball team?
I don’t like the “win at all cost” mentality that some coaches show or when they lose sight that these are young ladies. I don’t like the audacity and disrespect some parents on the sideline show for the umpires/other parents/other teams players/or other players on their kids own team. I hate to see what happens when a kid does not live up to her potential—what happens to the child’s confidence and how the parents begin to act. I don’t like that sometimes politics are involved in playing time, but other times the child stops making a positive impact on the field. I don’t like when too much pressure is put on the players by either parents or coaches.
Describe the type of person you want your child to be at age 30.
I want my daughter to be confident in herself and her abilities regardless of the situation. I want her to be someone who is respected for the actions she does and the difference she makes in the world. I want her to be compassionate, loving and open minded. I want to see her use all of her talents and skills to improve others around her.
What are the top five qualities your child must have to be a “good person?”
Integrity. Humility. Compassion. Generosity. A continuous student.
What are the top five things a young person must have to become an elite athlete?
Athletic. Coachable. Driven/work ethic. Disciplined. Good coaching.
How much time are you willing?
This is certainly a pain point for us, given all the expenses that come with travel ball in general. To manage our family budget, we have to balance the time with a paid coach. So we try to work on every other week schedule and spend around $40-$45 per lesson.
Remember: Intelligence tops being smart.
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C.J. Stewart has built a reputation as one of the leading professional hitting instructors in the country. He is a former professional baseball player in the Chicago Cubs organization and has also served as an area scout for the Cincinnati Reds. As founder and CEO of Diamond Directors Player Development, C.J. has more than 12 years of player development experience and has built an impressive list of clients, including some of the top young prospects in baseball today. If your desire is to change your game for the better, C.J. Stewart has a proven system of development and track record of success that can work for you.
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