Even with a packed schedule these past few months, I fortunate enough to take some time off and head up to Gosford, NSW for the annual Coasties Cup tournament and see so many Diamond Dreams players in action and playing so well.
Many players went up there with a point to prove heading into their respective state cup selections trials while others were there for the first time and taking in the experience. The weather this year played a major factor in the tournament with the majority of games being played on absolutely saturated fields.
Diamond Dreams was well represented with 23 players competing in the U12 and U14 age groups. It was challenging to get around seeing everyone, however it was my goal for the weekend and on I achieved. What many teams and associations lacked in pre-tournament and pre game preparation, it was rewarding to see how prepared and ready to play all the Diamond Dreams players were.
The Coasties Cup gives a great insight into the level of player development throughout the NSW Associations. Many people who I have spoke with have praised the work Diamond Dreams has done for the elite players across Sydney. What concerns me is that most people do not recognize that most players come to Diamond Dreams during the early stages of their baseball development. Many players seek our services in large part because they are not receiving the coaching and instruction at the club and association levels. This is worrying.
Changes to how associations evaluate players and construct programs that promote development needs to be amended and implemented. This article is by no means meant to cast judgement upon any individuals, merely to report on the tournament and personal observations.
Well done to all the Diamond Dreams players for their hustle, game awareness, and passion displayed throughout the weekend. Diamond Dreams might possibly enter a team for next year, so please provide your feedback and we will make it happen.
5 comments on “Coasties Cup Wrap-Up”
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A big congratulations to the DD players and their coach. Your statement about coming to DD in the early stages of a young players development is so true. Craig and DD help these young players to develop skills that allow them to play the game the right way.
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Craig,
With your comments about development of young players early in their playing career you have hit the nail on the head why we are a loyal customer of DD. I am sure Maddi would be wrapped to play in a all DD team next year if you had one.
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Craig,
I appreciate your comments regarding coaching and in particular that…
“…Many players seek our services in large part because they are not receiving the coaching and instruction at the club and association levels…”
The fact is that baseball is a very technical sport. Teaching a kid to throw, while sounds simple, is not easy.
I have been involved in teams in which the instruction has been poor and ultimately leads to dissatisfied kids and parents and hence they do not return to the sport which is disappointing.
At club level we are ultimately dependent on volunteer parents to coach children. It is at this level that we need to focus our efforts if we are to lift the sport.
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It often takes the same amount of time to do something correctly as it does incorrectly. Volunteers are incredibly valuable, but greater attention to detail imperative. Young players do lose interest if they cannot see progression in their own game. Many would have as much fun playing cricket with their mates.
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Jarrod,
I agree completely that volunteers are incredibly valuable but time required to teach the game correctly can be as much as to do it poorly. Volunteer coaches while unpaid have assumed the responsibly of mentor and instructor to the players. In many cases greater effort to learn more beneficial coaching techniques would give kids a better foundation to learn.
For example: The intern who’s job it is to get the boss his morning coffee would not dare bring back the wrong order. While the intern is not paid to get coffee it is still unacceptable to get it wrong. Surely this thinking can be applied to the youth coaching community. After all, a youth coach is a big influence in a young players development.
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A big congratulations to the DD players and their coach. Your statement about coming to DD in the early stages of a young players development is so true. Craig and DD help these young players to develop skills that allow them to play the game the right way.
Craig,
With your comments about development of young players early in their playing career you have hit the nail on the head why we are a loyal customer of DD. I am sure Maddi would be wrapped to play in a all DD team next year if you had one.
Craig,
I appreciate your comments regarding coaching and in particular that…
“…Many players seek our services in large part because they are not receiving the coaching and instruction at the club and association levels…”
The fact is that baseball is a very technical sport. Teaching a kid to throw, while sounds simple, is not easy.
I have been involved in teams in which the instruction has been poor and ultimately leads to dissatisfied kids and parents and hence they do not return to the sport which is disappointing.
At club level we are ultimately dependent on volunteer parents to coach children. It is at this level that we need to focus our efforts if we are to lift the sport.
It often takes the same amount of time to do something correctly as it does incorrectly. Volunteers are incredibly valuable, but greater attention to detail imperative. Young players do lose interest if they cannot see progression in their own game. Many would have as much fun playing cricket with their mates.
Jarrod,
I agree completely that volunteers are incredibly valuable but time required to teach the game correctly can be as much as to do it poorly. Volunteer coaches while unpaid have assumed the responsibly of mentor and instructor to the players. In many cases greater effort to learn more beneficial coaching techniques would give kids a better foundation to learn.
For example: The intern who’s job it is to get the boss his morning coffee would not dare bring back the wrong order. While the intern is not paid to get coffee it is still unacceptable to get it wrong. Surely this thinking can be applied to the youth coaching community. After all, a youth coach is a big influence in a young players development.