Posted on Wednesday, 4/22/2009 - 2:19 a.m. PDT — by softballspectator
Can anyone tell me what's going on with this school??? I've been following this school for a few years now. I was amazed when they won the NCS championship with such a young team of girls. I figured at that point they would only get better not worse... It seems to me that the girls are still the same but the coaches are different. What are these coaches doing? They seem to have taken a championship team and turned them into a non winning team. Can anyone shed some light on this subject???
Joined: Nov 2008
Current Posts: 9
Spectator, go watch a Heritage Varsity softball game. They are free and everyone is welcome. When you are watching the game look carefully and you will see what is going on. I can tell you, it is not the coaches. This team is probably one of the best fundamentally coached teams in the area. The coaches know what they are doing and give the girls all the tools to win. The problem is the team plays with no heart or desire, and I'm not talking about the whole team. There are 4 - 5 players on the team, leaders of the team who just don't care if they win. It shows when they play, no motivation or effort from these players. The simple answer is, these 4 -5 players just don't care and when the leaders of the team don't play hard or care, you lose. It is like cancer, it spreads and infects the team. Personally I would bench these 4 - 5 players and cut the cancer, maybe then you would see some motivation and desire on the leaders part.
Joined: Apr 2009
Current Posts: 5
First of all I agree with Softball Spectator. My reasons why are because 2 years ago they WERE the best fundamentally coached team in the area. Since the coaching change, I've seen the skills they were taught replaced by the new coaching style which is their gameplay today. As far as the 4 or 5 players that play with no heart or desire, only the coaches and other teamates could verify that. Its hard to be as successful as they were in such a short time to say any player on this team doesn't have any heart or desire. For whatever reason if they don't play at 100% that's a coaching and team issue, but I would have to put the majority on the blame on the coaches because they're the ones that should be setting the standards of what is expected and not expected. Change is never easy and sometimes not accepted, but when you're used to playing hard and getting results, I believe it's even harder to want to play and keep getting negative results. This team has had a target on their back since their first year of varsity. I feel the girls still have high expectations of doing good and getting better every game, but how many losses in a row can you have and say it's 4 or 5 girls? Last of all, you're not much of a person yourself if you put all of the blame on the kids. I'VE SEEN THESE GIRLS PLAY WHEN THEY HAVE ALL OF THE TOOLS.
Joined: Apr 2009
Current Posts: 3
After reading everyone's comments, I have to say I have seen several games this year as well as in the past. I have noticed a big change in the girls playing since Rebstock has left. I agree that some of the girls have some attitude but I also believe that the coaches have ALOT to do with the actions that happen on the field. Look at Antioch for instance. Since Rebstock and his team have been back to Antiioch, the team has reversed and is coming back strong. When the girls play they are having fun as well as connecting together as a team. That is definitely a Rebstock characteristic. Look at the girls at Heritage, they do not seem to be having fun anymore. The girls just look like a beat up team. Yes, some of it can come from the losses but I think alot of the feelings come from the head coach. His attitude and feelings transcends to the girls. I just hope they are able to turn things around and at least make it to the NCS semi finals.
Joined: Feb 2007
Current Posts: 16
We have to give credit to the former coach for leading a bunch of sophomores to an NCS title, then scratch our heads trying to understand why he left after winning it all. The team was left with the high expectations, but hasn't been able to recapture the magic since he left.
That former Heritage coach is now at Antioch and they are undergoing a resurgence.
Joined: Apr 2009
Current Posts: 5
2 years ago Rebstock took a raw group of players with a great pitcher and catcher and they had a terriffic season capped by winning the 2a NCS. Let's give the program credit for coming out of nowhere to over achieve that year. We all know about the changes that have occured mostly the coaching because most of the players are the same. So to ask the Q- why is Heritage having trouble winning games with a much more experienced team? I have watched Heritage play and they have competed well for the most part but seem to come up short against the Freedoms 2-1 Antioch's 4-3. This year they are not getting the breaks and losing close games late. My theory is after winning the NCS 2years ago Hertiage was no longer a quiet secret their success cause them to become a target for other teams. Kind of like winning the Super Bowl, it's hard to repeat. I also strongly feel that the other BVAL teams have since caught up to Heritage other than Pittsburg there are no door mats in the BVAL. With the BVAL realignment its become a tougher league. So instead of saying some girls are cancer or it's a coaching issue why don't we give credit where credit is do- the other teams have gotten better.
Joined: Nov 2008
Current Posts: 9
Lampshade, Have you seen any of the Heritage games? I have seen many of their games this year, as well as last years games. You can see the difference in the actions of the girls. You can blame it on the coaches if you want, but they don't play the game. The coaches have given these girls all the tools to go out and win, but it is always easier to blame the coaches for non - performance of the team. People like to put the blame on somebody else instead of where it should be, a reason why this generation is has not learned displine, respect, or responsibilty for their actions. Give 100 percent and good things will happen.
Joined: Apr 2009
Current Posts: 5
k9fb - Apparently you didn't see 1 game before last year, because if you had you would've seen displine, respect, responsibility, execution,good decisions, patience, confidence and ALL the tools to go out and win. The few times I saw them play it was like watching a well oiled machine.Your answer to curing cancer is the bench, why not try coaching? After all that is why they are there. APPARENTLY YOU'RE NOT ONE?
Joined: Nov 2008
Current Posts: 9
Lampshade, they have the coaching. As far as benching, didn't say the whole season. Sometimes you have the ones with the attitude sit down for a game or two, and watch the attitude change. Apparently you are one who likes to cuddle. Send a message, change the attitude or play, their choice. Now if you look above I didn't say all the girls have the attitude, just a few. The coaches for Heritage are excellent coaches, and have lead other softball programs to Championships. I watched some of their games the year they went to NCS and won it, and from that year to this year is what I'm comparing the attitude change. Take off the blinders lampshade and look at the big picture.
Joined: Apr 2009
Current Posts: 3
You think girls have issues, what about the boy's? They have had nothing but success at the lower levels the past few years, how come this does not seem to trickle up to the varsity level?
Joined: Apr 2009
Current Posts: 2
Varisty baseball will never be successfull with a Head Coach that degrades and demoralizes his players. The boys know that the coach does not believe in them and he will never get these boys to play to their potential, since he does not communicate with them. The lower levels have always had success! The boys want to actually play for those other coaches. He is not interested in building a winning program, or he would have some of the JV players playing up to get the chemistry right for the next 2 years.
Joined: Feb 2009
Current Posts: 111
He is not interested in building a winning program, or he would have some of the JV players playing up to get the chemistry right for the next 2 years.
If a head coach degrades and demoralizes his players, most likely this team is playing scared. Afraid to take chances, afraid to make a mistake, afraid of getting pulled from the game.
Bringing up JV players, typically younger underclassmen, will not help this team but could only make it worse. Success at the lower levels is not always guaranteed at varsity. Hopefully things will get better for them.
Joined: Apr 2009
Current Posts: 4
k9fb,
What championships have the coaches won?
Joined: Apr 2009
Current Posts: 3
Your right, I do not think bringing underclassmen up, if a coach is degrading or demoralizing will help one bit. You are also correct in that success at the lower levels will not guarantee success at the varsity level. However, if you look at the talent they have had at the JV and frosh levels and compare it to what other BVAL teams have had, I do not think you would make that same statement. Maybe it's just a case of not knowing where to fit the pieces to the puzzle, either way talent is certainly not an issue at Heritage. There is something amiss when you are cutting, what now has turned out to be one of your top two pitchers because parents were involved in trying to oust the head coach last season. There have been issues in the past, that for the most part have been parents complaining about playing time and where little Johnny should be hitting in the order. You are going to have those types of complaints in any sport at any level, but there seems to be some truth to what BASEBALL21 is saying.
Joined: Apr 2009
Current Posts: 1
The Heritage JV team has gone undefeated this year with absolutely no competition from any of the schools they have played. Heck, the JV team at Heritage could probably beat a majority of varsity teams in the area including the Heritage Varsity team. Umpires at games are wondering what is going on with this program, opposing JV coaches are wondering what is going on, and parents of kids on opposing teams are wondering!!!
Joined: Apr 2009
Current Posts: 2
What is going on is that the Head Varisty coach kept the wrong kids for 2 years now!! He kept his original group he has had since they were Freshmans, even though some of the underclassmen last year and this year are better then some of them. JV shouldn't lose a game this year since most should be on Varisty, there again he is not building a program for the upcoming years he is playing for now which is a huge mistake, varsity could be so much better if he just make the hard cuts last year and brought players up and get their kinks out last year to be competitive this year and next. Put the best 9 on the field every game and watch what happens. He has those kids wound so tight they do not play relaxed. If he would just let them relax he would see what a difference it would make on the field.
Joined: Feb 2009
Current Posts: 111
the JV team at Heritage could probably beat a majority of varsity teams in the area including the Heritage Varsity team
Not likely this could happen. I think every dad of a JV player thinks the JV squad could beat the varsity team, especially the dads that think their sophmore stud should be on varsity. They will get their chance to shine, so be patient.
You make it sound like the varsity team has not won a game all year. They have played some good games and beat some good teams, Alhambra, Freedom and lost in one run games to Campo and Deer Valley.
They are 9-9 and 4-5 in league. That is not great but not horrible for a team that sounds like it has some internal issues.
Joined: Nov 2008
Current Posts: 9
If you followed the Heritage High softball then you would know the resumes of the coaches. They basically took the same team this year to the NCS semi finals last season. They lost to Albany High, which won the NCS Championship for the division. Now tell me what has changed.
Joined: Apr 2009
Current Posts: 2
What resumes? How many years of coaching High School? This is not 14u NSA softball. His travel teams never played tough competition.
Joined: Apr 2009
Current Posts: 4
Getting blown out in the semis of the NCS isn't exactly taking a team to championships. I have to agree with dauber. Playing NSA and USSSA isn't the same as ASA.
Joined: Apr 2009
Current Posts: 5
Well k9 it is apparent you have no clue about coaching.You don't have to bench players or cuddle them to get a point across.Some coaches use fear to get respect others use respect to get results.You apparently haven't been around many different coaching styles because if have you would know the difference between winning NCS and being runner-up to a team you lost to in the SEMI's.I personlly don't care whats on their resumes because from what I can see it's not doing them any good.Same players different coaching TOTALLY different results.
Joined: Nov 2008
Current Posts: 9
Hertiage softball wins 4 in a row. It appears the attitudes were dealt with and what a change out in the field. Lampshade take off the shade, there is a brighter world out there and you might want to see it. I have been around alot of different coaching styles, and the best coaching style is the one which gets respect from your players with some fear by using a negative/postive approach. There has to be some type of punishment for negative behavior and postive reinforcement for the good things. Coaching is alot like parenting, you can't always be their friend and you have to make some difficult decisions which a player or parent may not like. Every team should have goals, rules and boundries for every player on the team. If they are not followed then action should be taken, and this appears to have happen on the Heritage team. Was watching a show the other night on HBO about a MLB Manager who benched one of his star players for attitude, not following rules, etc. He told the player to go figure out his problem for a game or two and when he did, he would be inserted back into the lineup. According to the player interviewed this sent a message not only to him, but the whole team. When the player returned with a different attitude, the team started winning and eventaully won the World Series. Lampshade not sure why you think benching a player is using fear as a coaching techinque. Lampshade if you are such a expert at coaching then tell me how you get attitudes right. For Dauber, the coaches have been out of NSA for awhile now, mostly compete in ASA and Triple Crown. Same Players, same coaching, now winning results = attitude adjustment.
Joined: Apr 2009
Current Posts: 5
Joined: Apr 2009
Current Posts: 5
It's amazing when teams are losing how easy it is to blame it on someone or something. Wasn't more than two weeks ago that some were questioning the Heritage players coaches etc. It appears now that they are winning we need to blame it on the players and coaches for turning it around. Maybe the energy level wasn't there early on but I can assure you I have never met a player who didn't want to win. Like I said before sometimes the other team is just better and has a better day. Every team team has internal issues that causes the team to suffer on the field but most teams have their own drama issues. Heritage has been competing early for most of their games then giving it up late looks like they have found the confidence to get over the hump.
Nice job girls and coaching staff.
Joined: Nov 2008
Current Posts: 9
I will second that HIT n run.
Joined: Apr 2009
Current Posts: 5
k9 - never said I was an expert just better at it than you are. I've never had to watch a HBO show to fiqure out what was wrong with my team or how to fix it.What you JUST now figured out the rest of the softball world (contra costa county) realized it really early in the season.Rumor has it the team was making alot of errors in the games with no advice from the coaching staff about making adjustments to fix it mechanicaly, except may be the bench. ATTITUDE,maybe it was "frustration" or "lack of confidence"just a thought.To bad that show was not on HBO.Anyway congratulations Heritage girls on 4 wins in a row with 1 big one against Deer Valley, and good job coaches on finally making some WISE adjustments.But 4 wins won't get your team back to NCS so you can get another runner-up semi's CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!! I may wear shades occasionaly but at least I don't wear blinders.
Joined: May 2009
Current Posts: 2
First off, I would like to congratulate the players of Heritage for their 4-1 run since the stampeed (4 in a row and a close one yesterday with Freedom). What's changed from the miserable start?? How about girls aren't getting thrown out at third, coaching. Player(s) with the "I" mantallity and prone to "E's" (over and over again) have been sitting or moved to different positions, coaching. Allowing the players to actually play the game (the way they know how), coaching. And last but not least, no practice (during the streak). It seems the "tools" that are given at practice are dull and are of the wrong type. Left to their (players) skills and competitive knowledge has helped dramatically. Granted, when the team is winning the coach gets the credit and likewise when they are losing the coach gets the blame. A good, competitive and "humble" coach looks inside at the problems, before putting all the blame on the players. I've never seen a coach place all the blame on the players and not take responsibility. I have to agree with lampshade. A good coach can motivate his players by his/her actions. The bench is not the only answer, but a very good one. Just look at he change. I have never tried to be a "FRIEND" to my players, but a "MENTOR". I look to gain players (and Parents) respect by my actions, trust and guidence. You can not become friends with your players, because if you do your not treating the rest of your players in an equall manner. Players want to be coached and not coddled. Corrected when they make a mistake and a "good job" when they do right. Most of all, they want a level playing field and not one that has different rules and standards to be applied when the coach see's fit. What's good for 1 is good for all. Lastly, I can't believe anyone can be serious about NSA/USSA. Those tournaments are for the teams that can't compete in the realm of the ASA. I'm talking about the best ASA events. Some just want trophies (B ball) and some want to compete at the highest level possible. against the best competition out there. We all know where that is. To the girls of Heritage, keep your eye on the prize and reach for it with all you can and good luck.
Joined: Apr 2009
Current Posts: 5
Summer- you made some very points and agree with most of them. A good coach should accept responsibility for the performance of his team. We know that most of the time losing brings criticism. A good coach will also make the necessary adjustments regardless of what the player or parent thinks. That's part of HS sports and the coach’s discretion.
With respect to the level of competition ASA vs. NSA/USSSA I also agree with you for the most part, ASA is where it's at. The best teams play ASA and that’s the goal, playing at the highest level. However, keep in mind that every league has a purpose and not all the players are skilled enough to compete at the highest level right away. To me the game’s main purpose is having FUN regardless of level and not all teams can compete successfully in ASA.
In fact it would be foolish for a coach to enter his/her team in an ASA tournament knowing they can't compete there. Playing ASA, NSA/USSSA has nothing to do with a coach’s ability to be a quality coach. Most of the rules are the same so is the strategy of the game in all three associations other than the skill level. I have coached travel ball in ASA, NSA, U-Trip and have witnessed incompetent coaches at each of the three associations. I will say if a HS player wants to play college softball they should be playing strickley ASA. Then again not every player who plays travel ball will play in college nor is a scholarship the reason for playing the game.
This area used to have two fast pitch organizations now it seems like some local players have joined other out of town higher profile organizations. That dilutes the local talent level which means average teams who can't compete in ASA right-away so they play NSA or U-Trip. Rivers Diamonds teams are no exception they have played NSA/U-Trip, but lately they have played ASA because his players have gotten better. Finally, a coach should be judge by progress of the players and the team which includes intelligent management of the game. The score doesn’t always reflect those things.
Joined: May 2009
Current Posts: 2
True in the level of play of girls in ASA and NSA/ussa. By High School, if they are playing for [bleep]sandgigles they should stay where their at. But if you expect or want to have a chance at getting an education, they "HAVE" to get out of the area. If they are a good player on an average team, they will be an average player on a good team. It's whether or not they step out of the box and comfort zone and except the challenge. Getting back to Heritage and "NO" disrespect to the players who I think are playing as hard as they can trying to just make it to "play offs". I find it hard to believe the talk of the town is now that Heritage could get a first round-bye. Kinda putting the horse before the cart, wouldn't you say?? Last week, everyone was hopeful that they could even get to playoffs, 1st round bye?!! For as hard as the girls are playing, I would love just to see them "GET" into the playoffs. Alot of things have to go their way, let alone coaching challenges. The coaching staff can not coach this team like they do their "travel" team, the competition level is better (H.S.). If the coaching staff will allow the girls to play the way they can, they have a chance. If they think they can take chances, it will put alot of undue pressure on the girls. Like I said before, let the girls play the way "THEY" know how!! And put the girls in the proper positions on the field and in the batting lineup. Then they have a chance. Good Luck this week ladies!!!
Joined: Apr 2009
Current Posts: 3
There always seems to some issuses concerning the head coach in baseball yet he still has his job. The administraitors will eventually figure out that there needs to be a change in order for the program to go foward. There have been multiple players that have transfered to other schools base with more to come based on the baseball problems. One would would have to ask themselves "Why would you want to stay where you are obviously not wanted?" If they make the watered down D2 NCS playoffs be ready for at least another year or turmoil at Heritage.
Joined: Apr 2009
Current Posts: 4
I hope Heritage makes NCS. I believe the criteria is to have a winning record against you own class. Do they have a winning record against D2? I hope so. As for a first round bye, no chance. Concord, Arroyo, Las Lomas, Montgomery and a few others will be seeded higher. They have played a tough schedule, including non league and that will help come seeding time. I project a 6th seed as long as they qualify.
Good luck to Heritage
Joined: Apr 2009
Current Posts: 5
215- do you know if next year Heritage will be moved into a higher classification? Right now they compete in D2 when it comes to the NCS. So next year will Heritage be in D1 the same as Deer Valley for NCS seedings?
I watched Concord win the HASA I would image they will be a very high seed in D2 seedings.
Joined: Sep 2006
Current Posts: 3041
The D2 classification all depends on their enrollment. This year, they were 115 students short of being a D1 school for softball. http://cifncs.org/sports/softball/files/09SBCLASS%209-126DIVISIONS.pdf
Joined: Apr 2009
Current Posts: 4
001 is right. They were a littler short of D1 for softball. That is a good thing. In basketball, the best teams were in D2 and D3. That is not to say that there weren't good teams in D1, there were. For softball, D1 is loaded and is the toughest division.
Concord should be the 1 seed in D2 for softball. O'Dowd will probably be the 1 seed in D3. Could be Albany but I doubt it due to not having many quality wins, only Carondelet and St. Pats.
Don't know any of the teams from the Marin area, so not sure about how they will be seeded.
Anybody have any sleeper picks for NCS?
Joined: Apr 2009
Current Posts: 2
It looks like Heritage should be eligible for selection with their record against D2 teams. Their tough schedule should give them a decent seed.
Joined: Nov 2008
Current Posts: 9
Lampshade, The reference to the HBO show was for you to watch and learn, since you said benching a player was not in your options. It appears I already knew what to do since the suggestion was made prior to the airing of the show. You would be surprised what I can see with my blinders on, but your shades must have some film on them. Enough with that, congratulations to the Heritage girls and coaching staff for the 4-1 streak, keep up the good work.
Joined: Apr 2009
Current Posts: 3
After reading all the blogs about the Heritage softball girls, it sounds to me that k9fb maybe one of the softball coaches. I find this very bizarre that a coach would have to defend himself on a blog so fervently. If the coach was doing everything that he believed was the right thing to do, then I don't see why he should be blogging to defend himself. If this is true, just let it go and get your team out there and let them just play the game that they know how to do. Be a positive role model and lead your team to victory!!!!!
Joined: Nov 2008
Current Posts: 9
Softball, hate to let you down like this after you typed such a great response in assuming I was a Heritage Softball coach, but I'm NOT.