My Hat is Back On

Submitted by Debbie Lantz on Fri, 10/17/2008 - 20:59. | comments

I spoke too soon. My last post shared a great attempt by the Ultimate Youth Football League to eject a team from their league for adult fighting. I just heard a follow up report on the news last night that reported the league cancelled all their playoff games due to public pressure.

I'm not sure of all the facts but the report left me feeling disappointed. The parents of this beligerent team got their way.
All the teams that did the right thing all season got punished too. What message does this action send?

Hat's off to the League with Guts

Submitted by Debbie Lantz on Thu, 10/16/2008 - 20:23. | comments

There is an old saying that one of life’s greatest travesties to a culture is when good people do nothing. I’m not sure who penned that truth but I have to admit I’m guilty of it from time to time and have seen those who have the title and influence to do something look the other way.

Arthur Kimmel

Justified Behavior, Unsportsmanlike Behavior or Assault: You Decide

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 10/08/2008 - 00:03. | comments

Below is a link to a videotaped recent incident of a coach pushing an 11-year-old out of a handshake line after a youth football game. It is obvious that the coach was very aggressive toward the youth; however, it does not show anything that might have caused such an inappropriate response. Take a look:

Coach Shoves 11-year-old player: link 1

or

Coach Shoves 11-year-old player: link 2

Brooke de Lench

Grace Under Fire

Submitted by Brooke de Lench on Tue, 09/30/2008 - 16:44. | comments

When my sons were eleven their youth baseball team had reached the championship game. There were two outs in the bottom of the sixth. Our team was down by a run, but the bases were loaded. Taylor, the first born of my triplet sons, was at the plate. It was a pressure-packed situation, but Taylor was the team’s leader in runs batted in and had come through in the clutch all season long. A walk would tie the game. A hit might bring in two runs and win the game.

Ball one. Ball two. Ball three! One ball away from a bases-on-balls which would knot the game. Taylor swung and missed at the next two pitches. Full count.

Arthur Kimmel

Inspirational Quote of the Month

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 09/28/2008 - 13:26. | comments

Home

“Putting forth the effort to accomplish something others believe to be impossible brings with it intrinsic rewards not usually found on the 'easier path'. Facing this type of adversity with determination and will on your side creates the opportunity for achievement not easily seen by doubters. In the end, however, it will not be the achievement of your goal that will hold the most value but the willingness to travel such an arduous path toward a goal which only you see as within your grasp.”

5 Common College Recruiting Mistakes

Submitted by Stacie on Fri, 09/19/2008 - 07:27. | comments

As someone who's been through the college recruiting process and as a coach who works with high school aged athletes that are currently going through the college recruiting process, there are a few fundamental mistakes I see families making again and again. In this audio I share these common mistakes in hopes that you'll be able to avoid them. Also included in this free audio resource are answers to 5 Frequently Asked College Recruiting Questions. Hope this helps!

25 College Recruiting Facts

Submitted by Stacie on Fri, 09/19/2008 - 07:22. | comments

The college athletic recruiting process, while an exciting time, can be quite overwhelming, frustrating, and complicated. It can also end in serious disappointment and regret if you’re not well informed. Many people, even those who’ve already been through the process, don’t have the information needed to make the most of the experience.

Here are 25 college recruiting facts you may not be aware of.

Arthur Kimmel

No-Cut Polices: Absolute or Independent Practice? / Realistic or Idealistic?

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 09/16/2008 - 02:11. | comments

Home

The concept of giving opportunity to all interested athletes wanting to participate in competitive sports, up through high school, is certainly an initiative worth looking at. I wholeheartedly agree, in principle, with the idea that the positive learning experiences, intrinsic values, and life lessons taught through participation in youth sports behooves us to examine the possibility of “no-cut” policies across the board.

Coach, Be Consistent

Submitted by Stacie on Fri, 09/12/2008 - 08:31. | comments

When you learn about raising children, you hear about consistency. When you learn about working with animals and training animals, you hear about consistency. This key of consistency also applies to coaching softball as well.

7 Free Ways to Increase Your Coaching Knowledge

Submitted by Stacie on Fri, 09/12/2008 - 08:29. | comments

Great coaches know there is always more to learn about the game. Most are actively seeking new knowledge on a regular basis. If you want to step up your coaching game a bit, there are certainly a multitude of options. But if you're just starting out or simply on a tight budget and don't want to spend a lot of money on books, DVDs, coaches clinics, seminars, or other paid resources just yet, I have good news for you. There are a number of free resources with quality information available for you to learn from.