Developing players vs those developed by others

[softballfan33]

Who are the organizations, coaches, teams that are best at development of players? Which ones tend to take talent from other teams rather than develop their own? I know a lot of this comes down to the coaches, but some organizations keep coaches that develop players rather than those that recruit them.

This can be 8U up to 18U.

What are your opinions?

[softballrulznut]

Hardly any are developing players. Are you kidding? Everyone just takes the next great thing and adds them to the roster. Some are just worse about it than others.

A better question would be, who is doing a good job of "coaching up" there players as opposed to those that just throw talent out there and try to manage them.

[Seven's Mom]

I would nominate the 96 AXE. The core of that team is made up of the same girls that were there 3-4 years ago. A few have come and gone, but overall the coach has done a great job of developing the talent of the players he has while looking to fill holes with competent players if someone leaves. It's really a class act. We enjoy playing them.

[Two's Dad]

After several years of coaching, I've come to the conclusion that majority of the development of each player happens on there own time, if they are indeed going to develop into a talent. You can coach em up as much as you can, but we don't have enough time with them to truly "develop" them. I spend time with Dads and Moms after practice coaching them on what to work on with there kids. That way I don't spend as much time trying to fix how their folks have screwed them up with bad fundamentals. I'm only partially successful, because most parents still don't get it, even after I've tried to explain it to them several times. Some of them think they know better and some are just clueless.

I would suggest. Instead of looking for someone else to develop your DD. take the time to educate yourself the correct way to teach the fundamentals and develop her yourself. Then find the organization that suits your fancy.

[soreshins]

If you want you child to excell at a high level, she needs to get private coaching. Pitching lessons, hitting lessons or both are required. If you rely on the travel ball coach to teach your kid to hit, she will be left in the dust. A good hitting coach will teach your player correct fundementals. By watching the teaching, the parents can learn enough to help her stay on track. I am not saying that you have to take hitting lessons forever, but when in a long slump, going back for a re-fresher is a good idea. In contrast, most pitchers go to pitching lessons every week until they go to college.

A pitcher has to practice long hours outside of team practice to hone her skills. Hitters should do the same. Once you get to gold, the coaches expect you to "get your swings" on the side.

[softballfan33]

This really wasn't a question in regards to my DD - i.e. outside coaching. She gets lessons 2X/week (both batting and pitching) and has her own batting cage she works in everyday so I was asking more from the standpoint of good coaching and those willing to "refine" skills vs. as one of the others out there commented "just throw them on the field and see". Also what organizations tend to "hold on to" the better coaches. I have seen coaches mess with kids that were fine and were just in a "slump". I have also seen organizations that live and die off of "using" other teams players from week to week. Just curious about different areas of Texas. We are almost at the age where I am willing to put her in the car to play for a team that might be 3-4 hours away for the coaching and/or the organization that takes the really good players and makes them "better".

Thanks for the input though.

[fastpitchguru]

I think that there are some very good programs out there that develop players and do a very good job of hanging onto their players....here are just a few by area:

North Texas: Fusion: This group to me is doing a great job of developing players in its program. Very good coaches and the players certainly seem to be achieving some success. Lots of Division 1 scholarships

Houston Area: Hard to really find a a program that develops players and hangs on to them.....the better players usually end up playing for Impact Gold or one of the other Gold teams. But forced to pick one , I will go with Sudden Impact.

Central Texas:
Texas Blaze - Has really good teams from top to bottom and seems to do a very good job of making its players better! They also seem to do a very good job marketing its players. Lots of Division 1 scholarships

Texas Bombers - This program has really done a very good job of building this program. Its teams play very hard at every level , from 8U to 18U they will fight you for every out! The coaches on their Gold team can really coach them up....from my understanding most of all the players on their Gold team have played together for many years! Also lots of division 1 scholarships!!!

[homerunnerfan]

The unfortunate part is that developement should start at the very beginning, bad habits are hard to break. There are some organizations that give their name to anybody, ie SK Impact Gold yet are not involved in the younger sister teams , have nothing to do with what coaching is going on, if there is actually any teaching of fundamentals etc., then when these girls try to move up they are not at that level.

[Lunatic Fringe]

The promise of development is almost always a sales pitch in my humble opinion. Your DD needs to hone her skills with private lessons then get playing time and opportunity with her travel squad. A good travel coach is someone you can deal with and who relates to your DD. If you don't work to keep her interest up, she will be playing soccer, volleyball, golf, cheerleading or tonsil hockey with her boyfriend before you know it.

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