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Pacific SportsBlogOkinawa-based sports reporter Dave Ornauer on military-related sports in the Far East. |
Compete or develop: Which is the better way?
Posted March 20th, 2008 by Dave OrnauerNo question, DODDS-Japan's developmental transition from slowpitch to fastpitch softball is the most unusual method ever seen in any sport in DODDS-Pacific's history.
Clinics and practice games designed to educate players, coaches and umpires on the differences between the two games and slowly bring everybody along to the point where they understand fastpitch and be ready to compete next year.
Some say that playing competitive games is the best way to prepare, no training like on-the-job training. Others feel that moving too quickly is the fastest way to kill the transition.
Play now or continue developing. Which is the better way?
Hypotheticals
IF DODDS was working towards a softball Far East, and IF the mainland schools got whooped by the other competition, the initial argument may very well be that the mainland schools were not properly trained. This is a safe way to cover that bet.
Calling them competitive games or practice games...what is the difference if you are playing? Even if you don't keep official stats, everyone in the league will know who the best team is. Football and soccer scrimmages, wrestling exhibition matches...the kids still compete just as hard.
Bring it on!!
We would take our whooping if it would mean a Softball Far East....
Play now!
First let me just say- I for one am glad we are playing. It is awesome and if we have to do this for one year so be it. It is just sad that the coaches were not in any way involved in this decision. DoDDS pays these individuals to COACH, which includes in some cases teaching players how to play the game. Yes, I will admit not every coaching selection brings with it a wealth of knowledge, but then you lean on each other and get through it. Every football, and basketball season you have players come out who never played organized ball before, but do you forgo a season because of that. It seems safety is a concern with "the girls".
The idea of a slow transition is a hard sell for most of the coaches and players. Some of the arguments made in Mr. Ornauer article in yesterday's paper about the switch to fast pitch seem defeatist. One AD's opinion in particular seems to be holding back the program. In the past her argument was there was no money. Now she continues to throw mud on the switch saying slow pitch is a life time game and insinuate that there is nothing to gain (scholarship wise) by switching to fast pitch. The idea that since scholarships have never been achieve in the past it will never happen is just criminal. I have seen girls come through these schools playing baseball and softball who could have had a chance at scholarships for at least Div. III schools if they had the opportunity to play fast pitch. We now live in age where technology brings players to the recruiters. Isn't ironic that on this very blog the talk of how to get scholarships was just discussed. Which proves it can be done.
Well now it is here and there is no turning back. By the end of the season when the teams gather in Zama for the Japan district tournament these girls will show they can play and the future can only get better for girls sports in DoDDS Pacific. So in the end, I am thankful, that the powers that be made it happen so one my daughters if the chose can play the game as was meant to be played in high school. Good job by all!
By the way, Okinawa, Korea and even Guam, some Japan teams (Zama in particular) are very interested in the idea of a Softball Far East, to bad the only answer is always, "there is no money." Maybe together we can make that happen. Anybody want to get together in May? Your field or ours, give the coaches a call.
Flaws
Your argument has flaws. When a basketball or football player comes out who has never played the sport before, they are almost always on the JUNIOR VARSITY where they can learn the game at a slower pace. Because the JV teams work at a slower pace and go over more fundamentals it cuts down on teh chance of injury to themselves or others. There is no JV softball team so this is probalby the best thing they could do.
DODDS kids rarely get scholarships, even the best athletes. If you understood the reasoning behind that, you wouldn't have made such comments about slow pitch being criminal. It's most difficult in team sports like softball. Some of our best athletes are lucky to get walk-on spots on teams.
I love when people whine about no Far East events and say "Let's make it happen." That's not how it works they are doing all they can just to keep the current Far East events going. If you understood how the athletics work over here, you wouldn't make such off the wall comments. And they would have to fall in line behind baseball and track, which have been waiting a lot longer.
Good points
You make some good points about the JV alternative. But look at my "criminal" statement this way. Let's say your a parent of one of our softball players and you read this article and the AD opinion on scholarships what would yours impression be. As a parent you are going to think athletes in DoDDS especially softball have no chance for scholarships and not even attempt it. When in today's world of technology it is possible. You will have to make some effort as a parent and your child will have to make some effort. But the AD approach is defeatist. As an educator the AD shouldn't be making statements like this. The power of positive thinking works. The AD should of said something like this, "Now that we have fast pitch softball our girls have a better chance at competing against stateside girls for scholarships in softball." As for all the"who should get a Far East first" arguments, I agree with you all. DoDDS need to find time and money and support Far Easts for all sports.
idealistic vs realistic
There's a big difference in the 2 terms. Seeley is being realistic. The statistics prove that in all honesty, a DODDS student should not waste time trying to get an athletic scholarship. The numbers prove that our kids don't get them or art scholarships. However, we do get a lot of academic scholarships, and an amazing percentage of the JROTC scholarships. Could an athlete over here get an athletic scholarship, yes but they have a better shot at others.
This is the kind of thing you will learn the longer you are in DODDS. Having lofty dreams is one thing, but realistic plans and a coach who won't blow smoke up your bumbum are another.
Also the fact that most of our athletes believe they belong in D-I programs is another problem, and they scoff when a coach suggests a D-II or smaller school (because they're all going pro). Calling it criminal is juvenile on your part, she is being honest. It's too bad our kids aren't given this info more often. Everyone tells them how exceptional they are in everything they do, and they go back to the states and are shocked that they are mediocre (in athletics and other aspects).
Old school vs. New school
She is also being safe. Change is more work then routine. I am glad she finally supported the change. That was the problem I have with this situation. You can call me juvenile and idealistic because I am from the new school of thought. I don't have 20 years of routine and experience to fall back on. I have the world I know, which allows students to access many more opportunities then say ten years ago. I see things much differently then the old school. But it is a good thing to have a little bit of both. That is how change happens. I agree with the students in DoDEA do get that big fish in a little pond experience, but coaches, parents, teachers and ADs can do more to make students understand a diploma is still a diploma no matter what division or school it is from without blowing smoke. I will admit I have an elementary point of view of this, so maybe I am dreaming, but as a parent whose daughters will some day attend one of these DoDEA high schools I am allowed to question and advocate for the level playing field DoDEA says it gives students. You can be both realistic and idealistic with kids, the problem is when you slide to far to one side. Maybe Bonnie and I are on different sides of the middle, but I would hope our goals would be the same. Criminal is a strong word, I apologize.
Let's get it right...
If DoDDs is going to add any FE competitions, then Baseball (our national past-time) or Track and Field should be well ahead of softball in line to get the $$ and the tournament. I am happy to see softball go to fast pitch, but they need to get in line to receive any consideration for a tournament behind programs that are/have been long established.
Dead
Baseball as our national past-time is dead. I think everyone knows that football is now #1. I'm not saying that because I like football better, but when you look at revenues, popularity, marketing, TV ratings, etc. it's hard to argue against it.
Ghost Writer is a spooky name
I'm too lazy to look it up, but I still think baseball brings in more money and more fans (if for no other reason than the 10:1 ratio of games played) than football. But I'm with you, GW. I like football better. Somebody post George Carlin's Baseball/Football routine here:)
Change
I would agree that things are not the same as they were 20 years ago, but I am not positive as I have only been teaching and coaching for 7 years and I would definitely say that I am progressive and new school. I have two daughters and where as it would be nice for them to get athletic scholarships, the chances of that are very slim. I expect them to get the grades though to keep those posibilites open.
Game film is great and if you work hard you can market yourself, but comparing our level of athletics over here to that of stateside varsity sports is not easy. It's like apples and oranges, both are fruit but extremely different. I would say of the only sports where DODDS kids can get scholarships would be XC or Track, because your time is your time and they can see your form on video tape. Everything esle is relative to the level of competititon.
As much as I love coaching and these kids, we don't hold up too strong against stateside athletic programs. Those kids back home also play a lot longer and don't have to deal with PCSing.
You make it sound as if Bonnie Seeley was some evil mastermind behind all of this. She wasn't, but was just one person with an opinion. She hasn't even been the coach for 3 years now.
Road Block
No she is not an evil mastermind, and honestly I don't even know the woman, never met her, etc. And your right she hasn't been a coach for three years. What she has been is a AD who is respected and listened too. All I want to be know is next time the district makes a decision like they did with softball they need to ask the coaches and the players what they want. Yes, sometimes we need to guide students and even coaches so they don't rush off and do something dangerous, but their opinion should matter. We are now two weeks into softball and the teams are playing. I wouldn't say it was pretty, but the girls are playing. Next time we should trust the that the coaches hired by DoDDS can teach these players to play the game. Last thing, so I am clear, I feel Bonnie was a road block when it came to this transition year for softball and honestly she would have done everyone a lot of good if she would have just coached softball. But from what I saw on Saturday I might understand why she chose not too and that is not a knock on Yokota's current coach.
As for the scholarship issue, I never said it would be easy. And you are right, our programs do not compare to stateside programs. That is why I want them to improve and set higher standards.Fast pitch softball is astep in the right direction. I do know these scholarships are happening. Zama will have a few students this year getting scholarships based on both academic and athletic abilities in volleyball and XC/track. We should ask Dave to celebrate those students before the summer so students, coaches, and parents can see that they are possible.
TELL ME!
And I would ask that anybody out there who knows of any of our Pacific student-athletes being given athletic scholarship offers, to PLEASE TELL ME! I don't find out about these things by magic. I can almost set my watch to it; we do a story every year about scholar-athletes in our graduation edition in early June. About a month before, I send out e-mails to coaches and ADs inviting information about one of theirs. Invariably, after the story publishes, I get six or seven e-mails saying I'd forgotten about so-and-so at such-and-such school.
We've already spotlighted Zach Nabors of Guam High. To paraphrase a favored soccer coach of mine, "Pass me the information, because my fingers never get tired of typing."
Thanks. :)
Confusion
I don't understand half of what you say. How was Seeley a roadblock? And then you wish she were still coaching? Why? I don't think she's not coaching because the team is struggling, that makes no sense.
How long have you been in DODDS? From your statement about the coaches being trusted to teach the game, I don't think too long. DODDS hires teachers and then asks if they can or would coach. DODDS has a warm body syndrome with their coaching staffs and are lucky to get the few good coaches they do. I would say that easily 50% of the coaches wouldn't be coaching in the states, and of those that would, most would not be head varsity coaches. It's the nature of the business, and one of the reason the int'l schools can do so much better. They recruit coaches who can teach instead of vice versa.
The DODDS bigwigs have seen time and again stupid coaches making stupid decisions (heck, I'm one of them) and they are trying to prevent the same from happening in softball. The transition is probalby to teach the coaches just as much as it is to teach the kids! I know the YHS coach this year has no experience, and she's problaby not the only one!
"inside baseball"
Like I said I was not knocking the softball coach for not having any experience. Actually she is doing the best she can alone, with no help, or assistance and I respect her for that. I watched and listen as some of her players disrespected her on Saturday as she tried to coach two bases alone. I watched Yokota softball players disrespect their then coach two years ago in Misawa. It seems someone needs to step up and help this coach. Bonnie could have been that person. Why she won't is her business. Instead she has been a road block for this this sport. Why do I see her as a road block because every year for the last three years when this paper published an article about switching to fast pitch she would make the excuses for not and like I said her opinion matters to some. But this is becoming to much "inside Baseball".
And again I agree there is a warm body syndrome in DoDDS when it comes to coaching. But the other 50% who can coach deserve the respect of asking them how they would like to make a transition in their sport. Another example of how the system is broke would be the switch in format for the wrestling Far East this year. No one asked the coaches. I don't know you or what sport you have coached but honestly think about how you would feel if DoDDS made a major change in your program and then told you you couldn't play a real season in your sport. Could you keep players coming out for clinics and exhibition games? Yes, we all know of the idiots who coach for the money and let the team coach themselves but equally we all know who the real coaches are and their opinion should count for something. But again this is becoming to much "inside Baseball".
The point of this whole conversation is was the transition a good idea- they didn't do in Okinawa or Korea and there programs are running just fine. I think it was not needed.
Fun Dialogue
This is a great conversation, who cares if it's becoming inside baseball. Thanks Dave for providing this venue.
When it comes to coaching in DODDS, it's always done on your own. And I give the YHS softball coach credit for being out there, but don't forget she had to apply and campaign for the job. If she didn't want it or couldn't do it she shouldn't have taken it. The same for the coach 2 years ago. I love when coaches get in over their head and then try to blame the administration for not supporting them. Why blame Bonnie? Many coaches turn to the military community for help, and if she hasn't is that Seeley's fault? Bonnie doesn't want to coach anymore, what's wrong with that? Run with the big dogs or get on the porch! Coaching is more exhausting than anyone can understand. Have you offered to go out and help the team? I'm curious, do you coach?
As far as the diesrespect comments, these kids are not stupid and when you take on a job and don't know what you're doing, it doesn't take long for them to figure it out. I have coached several sports over here, and I once took over for an idiot who knew nothing about a sport but lied about it. I didn't know anything about the sport either, but was honest about it from the beginning and better than the alternative. Never had one issue with disrespect.
Exhibition games or real games, I honestly don't understand what the difference is. The kids are competing, and everyone will know who the best team is. And I HAVE been affected by DODDS decisions more than you know. It's just part of the business, you have to accept it and roll with it. It's no better in the States, trust me. As a matter of fact, you are more detached from the decision makers over there.
Run its course....
Ghostwriter you make some valid points about DoDDS coaching being on your own. Your right the Yokota coach didn't have to be alone out there. I just always felt that Yokota took pride in their sports and with high school softball they seem to just be watching waiting for the coach to fail. And when or if she does it will be the girls and the program that will suffer. Honestly, I think the girls may give up before she does. And again that is not a knock on the coach it is a pointed statement towards the leaders on that team who are not acting like leaders. I think given the chance and with patience she will be fine, but she does need help. I have coached a lot of youth and some high school softball/baseball so I know you cannot do it alone. As for helping her myself I can't my schedule and loyalties lie elsewhere. As for Bonnie like I have said repeatedly, I don't know her except for her quotes in the paper and they speak for them self. I am also enjoying this conversation to bad it has run its course.
Softball
I know fast pitch is being played at the college level. In the late 90's we made a at go at starting a men's fast pitch softball leaque on base.We could only muster up 3 teams and only had two pitchers . although I don't think slow pitch compares to fast pitch in enjoyment ,It allows more people to play the game. Our goal should be to get as many students involve in sports as possible. With people PCSing there is now way we can make this sport grow
the game
I made the varsity volleyball team at guam high school with no experience. I made the varsity basketball team with no experience. I made varsity soccer and softball with 12 years of experience. Guam high school has stuggled the past few years in all of their sports, but they're still playing, they still have teams, and they're still having fun. I left guam a few years ago but i could tell you the name of every player on my teams and what postions they played. To be defeatist, and im not saying she's the only one, I've seen plenty, towards these kids who are just playing the game to PLAY is wrong. I have learned more about myself, leadership, teamwork, and hard work through fareast and regular season play than i have in any other venue i have experienced. And as far as scholarships go Zach isnt the only one. Megan Silk played soccer for GHS for three years and got noticed by the Naval Academy before she moved for her senior year. Joesph Chop recieved huge local scholarships. Kimberly Lazama was accepted into the Coast Guard Academy's summer program because of her hard work in GHS's athletics. There are ways if you try.