Coach Kusters' Corner

The Videos of CHAMPIONS

buckscountybaseball — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 01:50:23 +0000

TCU Baseball 2012 – The Grind

TCU Baseball 2011: Quiet Confidence

A Champion

buckscountybaseball — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:26:08 +0000

Those of you who have been around BCBA for a while, and those of you who have been to our Indoor and Summer Camps/Clinics, know first-hand that we rarely talk about wins and losses – the coaching staff and instructors talk about playing the game the right way, playing with integrity and character, playing as gentlemen, and playing as a team. The “We Train Champions” adage is that we consider A Champion not necessarily to be those who win games, but those who take losses or challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. We consider A Champion to be one who never gives in even when he appears beaten. We see A Champion as a person who is resilient and continues to compete regardless of the situation. We see A Champions as one who plays as a teammate, with self-discipline, and selflessly…one who gives up personal success for team success. It is often difficult for payers to not be aware of personal stats since baseball is frequently discussed in numbers. It is not easy putting aside personal success for team success, but as a college coach and a high school head coach, players that comport themselves as such are the foundation of a successful program.

A Champion is one who plays with respect for his opponent, his teammates, his coaches, his parents, the umpire, and for himself. We see A Champion as one who takes responsibility for his own success and failure does not transfer blame to others such as the umpire, the other team, the mound, the dirt, the coach. Leaders and great coaches hold this philosophy as the base of their constitution and speak to their players and athletes about this frequently.

Baseball is a very difficult game, and there is a lot of failure. At times, honestly, the game is just unfair. It is important for the players to understand these concepts. It is necessary for coaches to talk with the team frequently about these items. Also, the reality is that very few ball players will play high school ball, even fewer play college, and the very talented and fortunate will have an opportunity to play professionally. BUT, we hope that each young player has a chance to grow into adulthood, with a career, and a companion (and maybe kids if he chooses). Hitting the ball the other way, staying down on a hard hit ground ball, or throwing a curve ball are little help then. But understanding self-discipline, being resilient, and just competing every day – these are skills that will help each ball player as a man. That’s what baseball coaches are really teaching – Being A Champion!

Integrity and Coaching

buckscountybaseball — Mon, 16 May 2011 18:41:19 +0000

As Coach Marlow says, we coaches are the stewards of the game of baseball. Our responsibilities include educating young ball players about the game and how to play the game, but also we have a responsibility to each player to prepare him for life after he hangs up the proverbial cleats. At the 1991 College Football Hall of Fame Dinner, Joe Paterno, Penn State Head Football Coach, said, “What are coaches? No. 1, we’re teachers and we are educators. We have the same obligation as all teachers…, except we probably have more influence over our young people than anyone, other than their families.” Both Coach Marlow’s and Coach Paterno’s insights carry much weight and hold a resounding truth. Coaches have many responsibilities, none greater than upholding the integrity of the game and educating young individuals on how to play the game with character and pride.

A team’s behavior reflects the leadership of the coaching staff, primarily the head coach. The head coach creates the culture of the team, and the assistant coaches follow the head coach’s lead regarding disposition, language, behavior, and character. The head coach is responsible for teaching his player’s appropriate behavior during games. He is also responsible for the actions of all of his players as well as the action of his coaches in practice and in games. For instance, players should never question as umpire’s calls or cheer against the other team. Teams that do this lack character and class, regardless of record and success on the field. Also, ballplayers should never throw helmets or other equipment. This is unacceptable and show poor emotional maturity. A head coach must set a high standard. Do not lower yourself and debase your team and program by conducting yourself at the level of another poorly coached team. Play with class.

Many ballplayers do not play the game past the Little League level because the game gets more complex, intense, and challenging. Very few will play high school baseball, and even fewer, less than three in 50, or about 5.6 percent, of high school senior baseball players will go on to play men’s baseball at a NCAA member institution. Also, less than eleven in 100, or about 10.5 percent, of NCAA senior male baseball players will get drafted by a Major League Baseball (MLB) team. Approximately one in 200, or approximately 0.5 percent of high school senior boys playing interscholastic baseball will eventually be drafted by an MLB team. (http://www.hsbaseballweb.com/probability.htm). With this in mind, as each young athlete grows to be a young man, he takes the intangible lessons with him. The lessons he learns about self-discipline, character, integrity, playing with class, and overcoming failure and adversity are the skills that will enable one to succeed beyond the diamond. This is how a coach should define success.

Welcome!

buckscountybaseball — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 02:10:18 +0000

Welcome Everyone, and thank you for taking the time to read my blog.

I will be sharing insights on topical issues relevant to the game of baseball for parents, players, coaches, instructors, and any other fan of the game. Information will be germane to many components of the game, such as, but not limited to, the following: choosing a summer team, what coaches are looking for at tryouts, game day/practice routines, pitcher’s bullpens, arm care, selecting a camp or clinic for instruction, rainy day workouts and practices, developing baseball IQ, base running, hitting, pitching, defense, and books to read regarding the game. Occasionally, I will opine about some personal philosophy of the game of baseball.

Yours in Baseball,

Dan