|
|
|
 Storm News |
|
Monday, February 4
TEAM STORM PARENT LETTER
Dear Parent(s):
I wanted to take this opportunity to put in writing my coaching philosophy and my goals for your child and the team. Fastpitch can be an exciting and fun opportunity for your child to learn new skills, make new friends, and have fun. As fun as it can be for your child, different expectations from the coach, parent(s), and player can take away from that positive experience in a number of ways. As you read through this letter please make sure that my philosophy fits with your expectations of what you want for your child and how you believe the team should be run. If not, this is your opportunity to let me know.
Coaching Philosophy
? I believe that kids gain confidence and a love for the game through positive feedback from parents, coaches, and other players. Skill level develops at different rates for kids, but effort and having fun can always be achieved. I try to always provide positive feedback for effort.
? I think it?s important that a coach takes more than a casual interest in the players. I strive to talk with all the players 1 on 1 at some point during the practices and games. I may not be successful getting to every player each day, but I want them to know that I?m interested in what they have to say and more importantly, I want them to know that their coach loves her as a person.
? I believe in trying to make practices as fun and entertaining for the kids as possible, while providing the practice and instruction that they need to improve. I?ve found that kids expect and respond to well structured and organized practices. I will strive to keep them moving and active.
? Teamwork and developing friendships is an important part of any team sport. I always try to tell the kids how important it is for them to support each other and to always be positive towards their teammates.
? Competition is an important element of any sport and as kids grow they naturally become more competitive. I don't talk to the kids about "needing to win a game" or "how important it is that we win". I feel my role and that of the parents is helping the kids develop the ability to deal with competition in a healthy way. Effort and attitude is my focus. If we can achieve that, then chances are we'll win the number of games that we are capable of winning.
I will work on teaching fundamentals and skills during practice, but I believe the game is their time. I will give instruction during the game if I feel it will help with their performance during the game. I don't think any of the kids want to be told what they did wrong during the game outloud. I will instruct them individually-privately. I hope as parents you will do the same. One missed ground ball can ruin the game for some kids. If your child misses a ground ball, tell them how proud you were of the effort they made to get in front of it. Strive to make them feel good so the next time they will want to do better.
Objectives
I have 5 primary coaching objectives which I believe are equally important.
1. Help your child develop the skills necessary to be successful at this level and to prepare your child for next season and/or school ball.
2. To have fun and have the kids develop a love for the game.
3. Learn about the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship.
4. Give positive reinforcement based on effort rather than results.
5. Provide a safe and healthy environment for all the kids on the team.
Playing Time and Positions
I will puts kids in positions where I feel they have the best chance of being successful for theirselves and the team. Playing time comes with commitment and attendance at practices.
Team Rules and Discipline
We will have a few team rules that we will make at the first practice. Rules may be added during the season if necessary.
Player Expectations
1. Have fun and always give your best effort.
2. I expect players to always show respect for the coaches, parents, and other players on the team.
Parent Expectations
1) Please try to get your child to practice and games on time. I know this can be difficult at times and impossible at other times, but it?s really hard to conduct practice or get ready for a game when players continually show up late. If you know your child will be late or won?t be able to make it to a practice or game, please let me know in advance if possible.
2) Help out with team volunteer opportunities. We have a number of items that require parent help.
3) Get involved in playing fastpitch with your child. This may be helping out at a practice when needed or playing catch in the yard on days we don?t practice. Kids love it when their parents get involved. Repetition is also crucial for skill improvement. There simply isn?t enough organized practice time for the kids. They need to work on the skills they learn at practice at home also.
4) Please encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, and officials at every game and practice. Please cheer for your child during games, but try to keep from yelling instructions to them. Remember their is a coaching staff that will provide instructions when needed. Much of the fun is lost if their Mom or Dad is always yelling instructions.
5) Please let me know if you have a problem with me or something that is happening. Same holds true if your child isn?t happy about something. I want to know if there is a problem right away. Very small things can cause a child to be upset. These problems can be fixed very easily if I know about them.
6) Safety is a primary concern for me. Unfortunately, I can?t watch every child every second. If you see any situation that you believe is a safety concern, please step in and help. Make sure you follow up with me so I know what has happened.
7) Please reframe from foul language while in the presence of these kids. I personally do not use that type of language and would appreciate not hearing it, especially with kids present.
COACHES STATEMENT
We know the tournament championships will not come easily but we are prepared to take on the best competition and improve every week. Our objective is to improve the young ladies as athletes as well as to learn to compete on the field and in life. It is not our desire to collect hardware. It is our desire to compete at the highest level possible against the best! Our concept is TEAM first! We will work hard, play hard, and have fun! We will represent our team in a positive manner at all times...on the field and off. We will accept defeat with dignity and win with respect for the other team. We will give 100% of our abilities all of the time, Academically and Athletically! Fast Pitch is a portion of our life that will pass at some point...the experience, discipline, and lessons learned will be remembered for a lifetime!
I?m looking forward to a fun and rewarding season. If you have any questions or concerns, please don?t hesitate to call me.
Sincerely,
Buddy Robinson
Head Coach, Team Storm
Monday, February 4
Letter From The Atlanta Journal Constitution back in the summer of 2007
AJC Article
TRAVEL SOFTBALL....
an article in the AJC ..... FYI
If you think you really want to find out about the meaning of the words like dedication, commitment, competition, planning, and reward, then just get yourself (or really your child and yourself) signed up on someone’s fastpitch softball “Travel Team”. For the past 10 years or so, I have been coaching, managing, or umpiring travel team fastpitch softball on the north side of Atlanta, and have been asked to share some of the experiences with the readers.
Travel softball in Georgia provides girls in our area with the opportunity to compete at a higher level of competition, with and against the most talented and dedicated players, along with the opportunity to meet and make friends with girls from other communities and schools. At the 16-U, 18-U, and 18 Gold levels of competition, the travel team players may be from all over the state, or maybe even some players from out of state, a wide variety of high schools, and they all have a higher than normal commitment to individual and team goals. Team make up for younger age groups generally includes players from smaller geographies, but the focus, intensity, and time commitments may be just the same as the older groups.
If you are already involved in some form of travel ball, you may know all or many of the aspects. If you are not, well let’s go over just a few of the details and expectations. The travel team is somewhat like a small business. Travel teams have budgets, generate funds, require a variety of coordinators (finance, travel arrangements, fundraisers, sponsors, uniforms and equipment, web sites, communications, etc.), and usually take up many hundreds of hours of time for practice, travel, tournaments, and games.
Pitchers, catchers, and better than average hitters practice year round, while the remainder of the team usually practices periodically as they may be involved in other sports in their school or community. Travel ball season usually begins to take shape in early January with tournaments starting in late February and early March. High profile teams will generally play in 2-3 tournaments per month from March through July, with National tournaments in early August. Expect approximately 15 or so tournaments, and expenditures of between $10k to $15 k that does not include your travel costs for room, travel, food, and miscellaneous items. Travel ball is expensive. However, the rewards are irreplaceable, as the time with your child is worth so much more. One father (Ed Lynch) whose child played on our team since she was 10 years old recently told me about the money he was saving on her softball scholarship to Tennessee Tech as a result of the years of hard work. We quickly realized that he had paid in advance via the expenses of travel ball for this great reward. We believe the real reward includes the lessons in life we learned during the thousands of week and weekend hours spent together with these special athletes and young people.
When you ask or wonder why these girls give so much time to this sport, a variety of answers will be given:
• I play softball because I love the sport and the competition.
• I play softball because of a desire and to take my talent and skills to the next level.
• I play softball because I love the heat and challenges of competition.
• I play softball because I want to work hard in practice and win in games.
• I play softball because I enjoy being coached and learning to be a better athlete.
• I play softball because I’m not afraid to fail.
• I play softball because I always have some skill that I need to work on.
• I play softball because I love being a part of a team that becomes family.
• I play softball because doing the little things leads to accomplishing great things.
• I play softball because my friends and I can be out on the field working together.
• I play softball because I have won big tournaments and there is no better feeling.
Characteristics of travel team players on successful teams in the Atlanta area seem to have similar or common traits. Most of these athletes are extremely self driven. They will come early and stay late. They will come to practice and to ever changing game or tournament schedules without complaining. They will freeze and burn up together in the challenges of our weather. They love game knowledge and game strategies, and are constantly interested in how she can make herself better. These players have a large amount of inner or self confidence. These girls enjoy a public challenge and will generally take on public criticism at anytime, if warranted. She also will stand up for her team in those circumstances or conditions that present themselves during the long and grueling season.
Many of the travel team players are most comfortable working on their own progress; she is more of a coach’s player than a player’s player. These players are usually the blue chip prospects that college coaches look at and look for in the needs for their own programs.
In the travel team arena, most of these athletes are a coach’s dream. They usually are the MVP’s of their respective high school teams, the best pitchers, the best hitters, the fastest runners, the best thinkers, etc, and one might tend think the easiest to coach. These players are expected to work hard, to give 100 % effort and a constant positive attitude. They should be consistent, accountable, and responsible. They have to know that on this team, she may not be the greatest athlete and its o.k. if both you and your team know that fact.
These travel players at the older age groups have to be emotionally available and stable. They are all great captain candidates. We have expected them to each be a role model, a great energy giver, and making excellent first impressions every time they go onto the field. These players and types of special individuals deserve your public and individual gratitude. They can handle public criticism, but understand that she will take it to heart. She doesn’t want to ever let the coach down, or her team, or her family. She appreciates everything she has and is thankful to be on the team.
With all of that said, you can imagine how valuable these travel team experiences can be to individuals and families who get onto and stay firmly connected to a travel team family. Now please know also that many challenges arise during these times together. Like the old saying, “you pick your friends, you don’t pick the people you work with”, well travel ball can present some of the same conditions. Team, player, and parent chemistry is a criterion that you have to keep in mind, and constantly work at during the entire experience. Just like the players, the parents are competitive. But unlike the players, the parents are generally protective and most especially interested in one child on that high profile team. With all the many rewards of travel ball experiences, the memories and friendships developed through the years may be the hardest to beat. It is a truly great experience.
The geography we live in provides for numerous travel team opportunities for these young ladies. A variety of programs or teams exist with numerous levels of coaching, teaching, philosophies, expectations, and requirements for their programs and players. The most important thing you can do as a parent is to be sure that you get your child on the right team for you and your child. Be realistic with your expectations and goals. Every child is not a Division I player. Be careful with your dreams and hopes and make sure that they coincide with the players.
Parent enthusiasm is a great friend for the coach especially when it is in synch with the abilities and possibilities for the player. Travel team softball is a great ticket to the next level of competitive softball for any interested player. Travel team programs support and promote players and their abilities resulting in better high school teams and programs. High school coaches and their time restraints as directed by GHSA are limited to the amount of influence they have on these great young athletes. Good high school coaches and programs promote travel teams, and travel programs where players are encouraged to compete with the best players in the age group throughout the country. Good travel team programs promote high school programs and high school coaches. Fastpitch softball in Georgia is a great avenue for young ladies to develop their individual skills, their character, and their opportunities for a college education, and quality of life afterwards.
In my opinion, and with 10 + years of wonderful memories and great experiences to go with it, I would encourage you and your child to get head over heels involved in a fastpitch softball travel team in your area, or one appropriate for your level of competition and individual goals. It can be the best time you will spend with your child and this new softball family during these valuable and rapidly passing years.
 |
DIRT / GRASS STAINS
|
Softball games are won and lost in the dirt and in the grass. Winning or losing a game often comes down to a play or two 'in the dirt' or 'in the grass'.
Once you reach a certain age group, everyone can catch a ball thrown or hit right to them. The game-breakers are the tough-to-handle balls...the balls hit or thrown in the dirt that have to be stopped...the hits that cause the outfield or infield to get dirty and give the additional effort to keep the ball from getting by. Those are the plays that win games. Those are the plays that stop losses. Those are the plays that make uniforms dirty.
We want to see dirty uniforms and smiling faces... satisfied with a job well done! We want our parents complaining because they can't get the red dirt and grass stains out of the uniforms.
Written by Ron Holt, Coach of the Texas Comets
|
THE 6-INCH PLAYING FIELD
|
THE 6-INCH PLAYING FIELD is the part of the ball field between the player's ears... the brain. Arguably, about 90-95% of the game takes place in this relatively small area, yet it is the most difficult part of this game to master. It is THE KEY component of this game. The only thing a player can control in this game is how they are going to respond to a situation. Everything else is at least partially up to chance.
Knowing, expecting and recognizing the situation is where the 6-inch playing field comes into play. Mastery of this 6-inch playing field is the single most important fundamental of the game and is often left out completely. Mastering this small area includes, but is not limited to, knowing what to do with the ball, admitting mistakes/errors and shaking them off, concentrating not on hits, but Quality At-Bats, visualizing success, focusing and playing this game ONE PITCH AT A TIME.
Softball, like baseball, is one of the few games in the world that is designed for failure. After all, the best hitters in baseball hope to fail only 7 of 10 times at the plate. Constantly dealing with failure, be it offense or defense is frustrating. The only way to combat the feeling of failure is to focus on the positive. Quality-At-Bats will generate hits. Concentration on the current situation coupled with visualization and focus will generate the necessary defense. This game is played ONE PITCH AT A TIME no matter what else happens.
Written by Ron Holt, Coach of the Texas Comets |
Saturday, March 29
About Team Storm
|
Team Storm began as a SRSA League sponsored travel team playing out of Coweta County, GA. The team formed in the fall of 2005 after an undefeated All-Star season in the summer.(see more in "History"). We are currently a part of the Peachtree City association and practice at
Meade Fields in Peachtree City.
We play a couple of tournaments each month, and possibly a third tournament when there is something special that the girls want to participate in. We travel mostly to tournaments in the Atlanta, GA area. Our TEAM places a high emphasis on putting together a group of girls who enjoy playing softball, building life long relationships and learning to be the best ball players possible.
Our goal this season is to take the girls to Panama City Beach this summer for the big USFA tournment. Our girls work very hard throughout the season and are looking forward to meeting new friends, creating life long memories and playing some serious softball in PCB.
Click on the options in the lefthand menu to track TEAM STORM.
|
|
|
