Coaches Confidential: What is the top challenge for Gastonia, Shelby baseball, softball?

Each new season presents its own set of challenges for high school baseball and softball coaches. But what issues are most common among Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties?

We granted area coaches anonymity, allowing them to offer their perspective on a bevy of topics affecting high school athletics as part of a series called “Coaches Confidential.” Today’s question: What do you believe is the biggest challenge in high school baseball and/or softball today?

Coaches throughout Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties were emailed and asked to submit their answers. Here are their responses.

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Travel ball quandary

“Lack of numbers due to travel sports and sport specialization.”

“Buying into the team atmosphere; travel ball and high school ball are so important to the development of these young players. But in many aspects, (they) are completely different games. In the summer, coaches want to see the big arm, big swing, the high (velocity); that is what gets you in the door. But when you get there, they expect you to hit the (cutoff) man, shorten up with two strikes, move runners up when behind in the count, throw strikes, etc. (During the season players are asked) to play the team game and move away from the individual accolades they follow during the summer. So, I think the biggest challenge is to tie the two concepts together for the best development of the kid and your team. High school coaches have to stop slamming travel ball coaches and programs, as well as travel ball programs and coaches have to stop slamming high school coaches. We need to work together to give our kids a distinctive advantage and enhance the development of baseball in our area.”

“Competing with travel sports/coaches that try to make athletes specialize and play year-round or commit (to the sport) year-round. It is hard for a high school athlete to play multiple sports in high school.”

“Controlling work loads for arms with so many extra innings happening outside of our high school season.”

Lack of participation a reason for concern?

“Seems to me that softball is slowly decreasing in our area.”

“Finding dedicated athletes to improve their skills.”

“Girls getting started early enough.”

“Kids are not growing up playing baseball in the city limits anymore. Schools within the City of Gastonia are having a hard time.”

“Participation and transfers.”

“Lack of interest and player individualizing sports, not a lot of pitching options.”

“Since COVID, the number of students participating in sports.”

The parent trap

“Parents who will not allow coaches to do their job and discipline their children as needed.”

“Parents and realistic expectations of their son.”

“Unrealistic player and parent expectations. Travel sports.”

Summing it up

“There are so many it’s hard to pick one. From funding to facilities, players transferring to unrealistic requirements (certifications, paperwork, etc.) for coaches and so much more, all to be paid pennies in return.”

Other responses

“Preparation time; first game (in February) and I still did not have all my players. More than likely, we will have less than 10 full practices all year with all of our players. Maybe 15 if we get zero rain days.”

“Not allowing the players on TV to dictate how we handle ourselves.”

“Keeping players motivated and focused to work hard throughout the entire season; including workouts, practice and games.”

“Keeping kids healthy and managing pitch counts.”

“Commitment.”

“Development.”

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: NCHSAA baseball, softball: Gastonia, Shelby coaches discuss challenges