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Do IT this week: Layering
The kids do just fine; coaches are problems
By David Lee Morgan Jr.
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Thursday, Jul 02, 2009
Writer's note: Through the course of the day, I run into so many different people with so many different and interesting sports stories.
These are people I know, as well as strangers with whom I just happened to strike up a casual conversation at a gas station, the grocery store or the local watering hole. I always end up learning something very interesting from them.
So I came up with the idea of David Lee's Bleacher Features. I'm hoping these short stories make you chuckle and entertain you in a light-hearted way. These stories will run occasionally throughout the summer.
FAIRLAWN:
The coach gets the kid's attention at first then gives the signs.
The coach wipes the brim of his cap, slides his right hand down his left arm, touches his nose with finger then claps several times.
That might mean the kid on first is going to steal on the next pitch.
Well, West Akron Baseball League (WABL) manager Mike Dies isn't one of those old-fashioned coaches who goes through all of those signs.
He's more sophisticated.
He uses modern technology.
This is what he does: When one of his players reaches first base, Dies, who coaches from the bench, texts his first-base coach.
''Send him on the third pitch,'' the text reads.
Then, Dies puts the cell phone back in his pocket and watches his runner execute the steal.
''When we were coaching
the kids in G-League (11-12), the kids were having trouble getting the signs,'' Dies said. ''So this year in H-League (8-10), we figured we'd still do the signs at the beginning of the season. But the kids were still having trouble getting the signs.''
Then, Dies figured out the problem.
''It was the coaches,'' he said, jokingly. ''It wasn't the kids at all. The coaches were missing the signs.''
So Dies ditched the traditional way of giving signs that even major-league managers use.
Dies has a better way to get his instructions across, through his Verizon Network.
''They're all on my in-network,'' Dies said proudly and confidently. ''So it's free unlimited texting.''
And what does Dies' father-in-law think about this ''unique ' style of coaching?
''Mike has always been on the edge,'' said former Indians manager Mike Hargrove, who is Dies' father-in-law. ''Nothing surprises me that goes through his brain.''
In all seriousness, Dies has been associated with the WABL program for eight years either as a coach or director of umpires. He first started out with WABL as an umpire.
''That's how I paid for most of Missy's engagement ring,'' Dies said about his wife, Hargrove's daughter.
''I bet if you listen close enough, her ring probably calls balls and strikes.''
David Lee Morgan Jr. can be reachedat dlmorgan@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Varsity Letters high school sports blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/varsity_letters/.
Writer's note: Through the course of the day, I run into so many different people with so many different and interesting sports stories.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Akron, OH
Posted 07:33 AM, 07/02/2009
That's the way. Innovate.
Posted 08:18 AM, 07/02/2009
thrs no txtng in bsbl
Mansfield, OH
Posted 08:38 AM, 07/02/2009
I'm all for innovation, but this certainly isn't preparing kids for high school baseball.
Posted 09:07 AM, 07/02/2009
They will be texting in high-school.
Hey, where's the regional marketing manager for Verizon! This would be a good commercial and sponsorship! Marketing Marketing Marketing
The coach said he uses Verizon and everyone is in his network. I would put Verizon hats on the coaches.
I would bring in a look-a-like of the "Can you hear me now," guy. I would have him as a umpire. There would be hundreds of people in the stands representing the Verizon network like the commercials.
Akron, OH
Posted 09:37 AM, 07/02/2009
I must be getting old. This article is a huge bummer. Yes, innovation is a good thing. But c'mon, you gotta love the old gestures and signals in baseball! Some things just don't need to change!
Tallmadge, Oh
Posted 10:12 AM, 07/02/2009
Great comment by Jim here!
Posted 10:20 AM, 07/02/2009
I'm glad this guy does not coach my kids.
Posted 10:24 AM, 07/02/2009
I applaud the use of technology.
I frown upon the fact that kids couldn't figure out and memorize the signs and that coaches couldn't simplify them.
It isn't Quantum Physics to memorize a few signs.
Akron, OH
Posted 10:44 AM, 07/02/2009
@TarmacRider, read much? the article said the kinds were NOT the problem. The coaches were missing the signs. It had nothing to do with the kinds not being able to memorize the signs.
From the article:
''It was the coaches,'' he said, jokingly. ''It wasn't the kids at all. The coaches were missing the signs.''
Akron, OH
Posted 10:49 AM, 07/02/2009
My son's on this team. Mike Dies and the other coaches are unbelievably supportive and encouraging of the boys, both as players and young men. Thanks to their coaches, these boys are learning how to work hard, have fun, think creatively, win responsibly and lose gracefully. I wish all boys in our society had role models like these--I'm incredibly grateful to them, and as far as I'm concerned, they can text as much as they like.
Posted 11:09 AM, 07/02/2009
how hard is it to remember a steal sign? i mean that is about all h league is. get on base, steal steal and wait for a hit or wild pitch to go home. how many more signs do you need? let the kids go out there and swing away. KIS keep it simple.
i applaud the innovation by the coaches but a little disappointed in the focus of kids today.
east of Akron, AA
Posted 11:37 AM, 07/02/2009
texting other coaches my rear end! he's texting his girlfriend to see if she wants to get together later! I think texting is the worst display of rudeness there is. Tells the people around you they aren't worth snit!
Akron, OH
Posted 11:53 AM, 07/02/2009
jimbo i think he is already married, and Mike Dies may be one of the most influential coaches around. He knows baseball and whatever gets the job done is okay with me
Posted 02:03 PM, 07/02/2009
Of course my first comment was meant to be funny, but I do rue the loss of something like using signs in baseball. They have always been an integral part of the game, seeing if you can steal signs, having the other team not steal yours, changing them to keep everyone guessing and so on. Having said that, we could all use more guys like Mike Dies who really care about the kids, teaching them to be good players, win or lose, as well as being good people. Just hate to see some of the traditional parts of the game go away. Next thing you know, they'll want to hit for the pitcher.
Posted 02:42 PM, 07/02/2009
@ Gain Some More Reality.
Yes I can read and comprehension isn't a problem. Is it for you:
''When we were coaching
the kids in G-League (11-12), the kids were having trouble getting the signs,'' Dies said. ''So this year in H-League (8-10), we figured we'd still do the signs at the beginning of the season. But the kids were still having trouble getting the signs.''
Which part of that don't you get or understand?
Posted 05:58 PM, 07/02/2009
re: ohio critic
Just thought you'd like to know that as a matter of fact, the guy coaching at 3rd John Mullins IS a verizon rep.....
I think Mike is doing a great thing giving his time and talent to the kids in Akron, especially since he doesn't have a son playing ball. He does it for the kids, and no matter what we need more guys like him
ps happy birthday Mike
Akron, OH
Posted 06:57 PM, 07/02/2009
@TarmacRider, read the next sentence. He said the kids were not getting the signs because the coaches were missing them. The article says nothing about the kids misunderstanding or forgetting signs. It is very clear from the way the article was written that the kids were missing signs because they were not relayed. There is a big difference between "getting the signs" (which means they never received them), and you statement that "kids couldn't figure out and memorize the signs".
It is your that clearly has comprehension problems.
Akron, OH
Posted 06:59 PM, 07/02/2009
@Todd, where does it say people could not remember the signs. It said they were not receiving signs, i.e. the base coaches were not paying attention or they missed them when doing something else.
Akron, OH
Posted 08:46 PM, 07/02/2009
Mike Dies is an idiot.
Baseball does not need technology. Steriods are what technology has done to baseball.
First of all, it is a GAME! So the coach misses the sign? Are the kids going to miss out on their million dollar playoff bonus? Not likely.
Secondly, if the coaches "miss the sign" and that bothers you......FIRE THEM! I don't think they'll miss the paycheck.
Lastly, maybe YOUR signs stink and you are no good at sending them to you more-than-able coaches. I suspect that is the root of the problem.
Let kids be kids and play a game. Remember the whole "It's not whether you win or lose" thing.
Texting to tell a 12-year old kid to steal on the third pitch. This is what our world has become.
:0(
Posted 10:06 PM, 07/02/2009
Couple of items. In every league that I've been exposed to the use of electronics on the field is strictly banned by rule.
The fact that the full article states that the coach is also the director of umpires but apparently has no knowledge of this, just shows how far down any respect for rules is now ignored and flaunted by parents who have to win at all costs.
It used to be the game was between two teams one team could come in the shinest newest uniform and the other could come in shorts and t-shirts but once they crossed the lines they were equal and no one had an advantage over the other. It really is disappointing!
Akron, OH
Posted 10:09 AM, 07/03/2009
@Steve, the article does NOT say he is the current director of umpires.
akron, oh
Posted 07:29 PM, 07/03/2009
@gain Some...: Thank you for educating all those people that can't read.
