Ready or Not -- 2018

After two weeks of practice, we have had to make all sorts of difficult decisions. Thankfully, one we did NOT have to make was whom to tell she won’t be playing softball. Oh, and apologies for not having updated the Blog Header. That is coming when I am permitted to sit without an elevated leg for more than 15-20 minutes!

But due to the efforts of Bryan Gibson, Don Sanders, and many others from the Feeder League, as well as the commitment from the girls themselves, we will be adding a third team so that all 40 girls who said they wanted to play softball for Webster High School will have the opportunity to do so. We welcome Ashley Pickett (a former player) as the coach of that team and Mike Sulve (a former Webster and collegiate baseball player) to the mix of coaches who will be working with the girls this season.

We haven’t had a third team in over a decade, when I returned to the program as the freshman coach. It is both exciting and a challenge as we juggle players, playing time, facilities, etc. Nevertheless, it is a challenge to which we are looking forward.

We will be adding softball-only shed in right field and moving our home dugout to the first base line. There are plans for more facility improvements, as well, and we’ll be doing some more  season-prep field work this Sunday morning (8/19), for those who would like to contribute their time and energy. 

While the varsity traveled to Fox for their annual preseason jamboree, We had our own intrasquad scrimmage today, and except for a coach forgetting how old he is and suffering an injury, it went well. Fortunately Coach Pickett, just out of sick bay herself, picked up the slack, so we were able to learn more about our players and their various  skill sets.

We have a few pictures of our day, thanks to Mrs. Sammon. But first, we will add the schedules for JV Black and JV Orange. Speaking of the latter, if you should see Jerry Collins, thank him for his hard work in securing a 15-game schedule (9 regular season, 2 3-game tournaments) in August. We are looking forward to seeing you at your daughter’s games.

On the Eve of the 2017 Season

As we begin (what I think is) my 40^th high school softball season, 22 at Webster. (At the end of this post, I have included an excerpt of a letter sent to Coach Gibson after the recently completed Sullivan Tournament. It helps explain why that number at Webster is so high. And I want to thank our parents for raising young women who practice good sportsmanship and for modeling it for your daughters.) Our first game is Tuesday against the Cougars of Affton at Affton Athletic on Gravois (4:15 start time).

We are carrying 14 girls this season. I mentioned it to the girls the other day, but there are two ways to get better: playing and practice. Girls don’t have much control over playing time, but you can remind her that every day, every practice, every drill, every warm-up, every catch and throw counts, and is a chance to get better and to demonstrate her skills and growth as a player. We have a deep squad, so encourage your player to work hard at improving all aspects of her game.

This blog will be updated (theoretically) after each game, complete with a summary, comments, and box score, and occasionally pictures, especially if a parent wants to take photos. I do have a camera that should allow for that opportunity – or you can use your own. If we have a parent or two who are scorekeeping nerds, there is a program (Game Changer) that works on an iPhone or iPad (data plan needed) that would allow other parents to follow the game in real time for those who can’t make it to whatever field we’re playing at. Let me know if either of these “opportunities” appeals to you (bobberndt530@gmail.com).

Occasionally I will post and/or tweet (follow at either @CoachBerndt or @berndtsbuddies (I don’t want to throw any assistant coach under the bus but I didn’t pick that handle nor will I actually send those tweets)) the projected starting lineup for that day’s game, subject to last minute changes due to absence, or injury, of course. Speaking of that, if your daughter will NOT be available for whatever reason, as much advance notice as you can provide will be appreciated.

I’m looking forward to the season, mostly because I like the way this team is coming together, rooting for and supporting each other. I’m lucky to be supported by three strong assistant coaches, Tim Cerutti (someone with whom I can share random cultural references), Dave Knapp, and Kate Wylie, as well as the varsity team of Head Coach Bryan Gibson, Sam Pitlyk, Chris Fechtel, Emma Buckles and Kyra Navia. That’s a lot of instruction available, although practices will be limited as the games get going. Speaking of which, here’s our schedule (we’re Road Warriors early) through the end of this month, including two under the lights:

August 22 – Affton at AAA Field (approximately 6:15 start, after the varsity)

August 24 – Nerinx Hall at KAA (6 p.m. start)

August 25 – @ Pattonville H.S. (finally an afternoon game, 4:15 start)

August 28 – @ Parkway North (following the varsity game, ‘til we run out of light)

August 30 – @ Parkway Central (4:15 start)

August 31 – vs. Kirkwood (4:15 start)

Excerpts from the letter mentioned above: 

Dear Mr. Gibson, athletic program members, and other Administrators,

Hello, my name is Brad Hinson and I am a certified MSHSAA softball, baseball, and football official.  I can’t say I have ever done this before but I have never seen what Webster Groves softball team showed before at any sport and at any level….

Webster Groves softball, was led with the highest sportsmanship and all around positive teaching methods for the students I have ever seen.  It started with the head coach, goes down to the players and to the fans.  I have never encountered such a team to call a game for…. Typically, most don't have respect for the rules and the continuity of the game they are playing and think the official has to be yelled at no matter what.  I have informed my colleagues in my associations if they ever get a chance to call your [Webster] games to jump at the chance.  It was truly a pleasurable experience to stand behind the plate and call pitches for your team.  The most professionalism I have ever seen on the field of play.  For the first time in over 8 years of officiating MSHSAA contests I can honestly say that they were an extension of the classroom.  Fantastic all around … and an upbeat attitude even when you weren't at your best.  The girls never showed defeat and they seemed positive all the way to the end and congratulated the other team on a job well done with an eagerness to be great sportsman and civil ladies like no other….

I really just want to thank you for making a hot, humid, and otherwise miserable weather day in a contest the most fun I have ever had.  If the softball teams speaks for all of your district if I move for my kids to be in a positive environment learning in a classroom, and sports, I will look at Webster Groves as your entire organization was quite impressive.  I hope to see you in the future ….

Sincerely,

Brad Hinson (MSHSAA Official #108904)

Closing Out 2016: Coach Life

I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at the banquet on Thursday, Nov. 3, where the girls can get their letters and other awards and we can celebrate another successful season, the 40^th of Webster Softball.

Thanks to Chris Fechtel for organizing the Pancake Breakfast last Saturday. Chris did a great job for the girls (and me) this year and this final activity was just one more example. Glad Kate Wylie was also able to join us for the fun and the season and I look forward to working with both of them again next year.

We’re pretty sure we will also be rejoined by Coach Tim Cerutti. It is a testament to Coach Gibson that we have such a large, experienced and competent coaching staff. I don’t think you’ll find any other high school of any size with eight (8!) coaches helping the young women of our program develop as players and people.

While Kate and Chris joined the girls at their table, I got a chance to schmooze with the parents who joined us. My journey into and through coaching has been somewhat atypical and, for those who are interested, I’m linking five articles from my other blogs about that process. Warning: these are my general interest blogs and therefore cover topics that can be personal, political, or philosophical. It’s all very PG but if you’re curious you may find yourselves treading some different kind of water.

Thanks again for a great season and see you on Thursday, November 3.

http://bobberndt.blogspot.com/2012/11/coach.html

http://bobberndt.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-accidental-coach.html

http://bobberndt.blogspot.com/2013/06/worst-part-of-coaching.html

http://hancockplacehancockplace.blogspot.com/2014/09/go-team.html

http://hancockplacehancockplace.blogspot.com/2016/08/womens-sports.html

2016 Season in Review

This one always takes me a while to write. That is in part because I need time to decompress after the season. It would seem I internalize a lot of stress. My post-season massage never got to my legs because the entire hour was spent getting the knots out of my back, neck and shoulders. But it’s time to move the page views from the Cor Jesu game to something new.

Anyway, had you told me we would finish the season 16-4 with another trophy to display at the banquet, my only disappointment would have been not with the four games in which we were defeated but in the four games we lost (to weather and other things beyond our control).

Put it on a loop, because I say it at the beginning and end of every season: "JV Softball is like a box of chocolates...."  Sorry, could not pass it up, but suffice to say I make no predictions.


We do, of course, set expectations for our program, but those expectations have nothing to do with wins, losses, or any other statistic. However, our goals are fairly consistent from year to year:

     1 -  There should be a noticeable improvement in each girl's individual skill level as we compare the first practice in August to the last game in October.

     2 -  There should be an obvious growth in team culture, and, although that may look different from year to year, a team bond and commitment to teammates must be part of that culture.

     3 -  Our JV Statesmen should maintain a high level of sportsmanship and competitiveness that reflects positively on the school and the district. We want to be a respected and sought after opponent.

     4 -  We should produce at least 5 varsity-ready players that Coach Gibson can think about as part of the mix for the next season.

     5 -  Every player should be able to look back on the season as a worthwhile and enjoyable investment of her time, and at least 80% (dead minimum) should be looking forward and committed to continuing in the program next season, including participating in the off-season activities and workouts.


I think I can safely speak for my invaluable assistant coaches, Chris Fechtel and Kate Wylie, when I declare this season a success. We are lucky to have such a large and talented coaching staff, from the contracted staff to the many volunteers. I respect and enjoy working with all of them.

Parental involvement and support is never something I take for granted, although it's been consistently outstanding every year. But I started my coaching career at Hancock High School. By the fourth game of a Statesman season, I have met and almost always seen at a game virtually every parent of every player. I can tell you that by the end of any four year stretch at Hancock, I hadn't met every parent with a senior in the program. The support and sportsmanship the parents modeled for their daughters is an integral part of our success. Thank you for that.

The girls just voted today on their award winners, and to tell you the truth, I didn't even look at the ballots, mostly because I don't care who won what. We carried 16 girls, perhaps a few too many, but we carried 16 winners, 16 fine young women who represented their school, their team, their families, but most importantly, themselves with class. What a pleasure to work with them and watch them grow as players and people.


Softball is a stats-driven game, and I, having been raised with a scorecard in my hand, baseball cards next to my bed, and Strato-Matic players hidden away for midnight (and later) games with my brother, am a self-confessed numbers nerd. I don't post statistics during the season for a variety of reasons. First, I don't want to get into discussions about whether something was or was not a hit or an error, either at bat or afield. Second, I don't want to have discussions about who is playing when or where based on stats that may not reflect performance and/or ability. Finally, those parents who really want to keep track can do their own math based on the box scores, and I tried to keep those accurate and up to date.


As has become a tradition, below are the season totals. For comparison purposes, I am also including the stats from the seven previous years. For a better view, you can open/double click each year separately. I do want to give a shout out to our pitching staff (who, incidentally gave their own shout out to our three catchers and their improvement over the course of season): 26 walks in 20 games, a 3:1 KO to BB ratio. Combine that with a fielding percentage of over .900, and you have an explanation for our success. In short, we played good softball. 


    Again, many thanks to all involved, coaches, parents, district administration, but especially the girls who never gave us less than their best, for a great season. Looking forward to another great year in 2017.