Father to Clayton (10) and Bennett (8), husband to Carli, Health + PE teacher, former hs coach, now full time youth coach. Health and Happiness. Feed the Cats.
The last few games have been tough.
Even though its 7-8 year old "coach pitch" , it feels like some teams are showing up to win games — not to have fun and develop players.
And yeah, I think there’s a place for both. But not like this.
I’m not saying every kid should get the opportunity to play 1st base.
I’m not putting a kid there who can’t catch a ball — that’s how you create bad experiences and get someone hurt.
So I keep first base locked down with kids who can actually catch.
I’ll also stack the infield for the first inning and the last.
But everything in between? That’s where I mix it all up.
Everyone plays everywhere. Everyone learns.
Except 1B. That’s the one position I control for safety and so our team feels what its like to get outs on defense.
My plan is to do this all season long — giving kids a taste of every position, getting them to think, to try, to grow.
Come playoffs? Sure, I’ll lean on our top players a little more. But even then, I’ll still find ways to rotate and develop.
What’s been frustrating is watching other teams keep their best kids in the same spot all game…
…and sticking their least talented players in the outfield, where they might not see a ball once all game.
That’s not development. That’s not fun. That’s not how you build love for the game.
It’s also against our league rules — and more importantly, it’s against the spirit of why we’re here.
This is recreational, developmental baseball.
Our goal should be to get kids to come back — not to walk away discouraged because they never touched the ball.
So no, I’m not coaching to win the regular season.
I’m coaching to make sure every kid feels like they’re part of it.
Like they matter. Like they can get better. Like they belong in this game.
If we get that right, the rest takes care of itself.
Just a thought.
One love,
Captain Fun
⚾💪🔥
EHT High School Athletic Hall of Fame Nominations ⬛️⬜️🦅
Looking for the next class of
• Athletes
• Teams
• Coaches
• Special Contributors
🔗⬇️
https://t.co/vsi7JzalXF
10 ways to make your child more athletic…
1. Take them to the playground
2. Play tag
3. Play-Wrestle
4. Giant hopscotch
5. Rock climbing (even small rocks)
6. Backyard obstacle course
7. Jumps off the couch
8. Jump rope games
9. Learn to swim (life skill)
10. Ride/Race bikes
What your child doesn't need:
1. Online youth speed program
2. Knees over Toes youth program 🤦♂️
#LTAD
#ehtpride@DaveSholler for constantly providing people with motivation from your story…this time to the Stockton Class of 2024. It was chilling to watch it person. So proud!
Cheat Sheet To Becoming A Better Athlete
✅ Unresisted sprints for speed
✅ Heavy resisted sprints for force
✅ Moderate resisted sprints for power
✅ Unloaded jumps to improve vertical
✅ Aerobic conditioning to build base
✅ Broad jumps to improve hori force
✅ Lift loads <80% to improve power
✅ Loaded jumps to improve vertical
✅ Lift loads >80% to improve force
✅ Depth drops to improve vertical
✅ Bounds to improve hori power
✅ VO2 max training for game
✅ Decel drills to build brakes
✅ Sleep 8+ hours a night
✅ Fully rest on rest days
✅ Reduce BF% if high
Attn: Youth Sports Parents
I love you, but know that you have 2 options:
1. Volunteer to be an assistant coach
2. Be a supportive parent
But watching practices from the sidelines and randomly inserting yourself or shouting instruction across the field is not acceptable.
Either coach or dont, but there's no in between.