Coach Tony: How to Have a Better High School Softball Experience

Last week, the article by Pennsylvania-based club coach Tony Marsalo who runs the PA Strikers club program, really caught the softball community’s interest as he had his organization’s players anonymously comment on the pressure parents put on their athletes.

It was an eye-opening—and, in some ways, shocking—reveal of what many teen players feel when it comes to the expectations and pressure of their parents.

We enjoyed the perspective of Coach Tony so much we invited him to write again for us and here he touches on an issue close to his heart: high school softball.

Prior to this season Marsalo had coached at the high school level for three years at Twin Valley High in Elverson, Pennsylvania which is a small borough in the Southeastern part of the Keystone State with a population of barely over 1,000.

He and his wife Jennifer have two daughters playing club and high school ball: Grace, who is a 2019 pitcher/utility player committed to Penn State and Sophia, a 2021 first baseman/outfielder.

“I resigned this year because I have Sophia coming and wanted high school ball to be theirs,” Marsalo told Extra Inning Softball this week. “But I loved this team and these kids—I am missing it, but my family had to come first.”

Be in front of thousands like some high school contests in California, Texas or Florida or just in front of a loyal following of less than a dozen, high school softball resonates around the country for a variety of reasons: the friendships, camaraderie, competition, even the unexpected fun times like when the weather was more conducive to sledding than softball in March or the rewarding experiences of helping others.

“We did a lot of community service work with a senior living community in our area and with the local little league,” the coach continues, “and we all learned so much in my three years of coaching here.”

In today’s article, Coach Marsalo shares his advice and opinions on how the players—wherever they may be—can benefit the most from their days upon the grass diamonds across America…

***

Everyone is excited about the beginning of high school softball, which is just kicking off in most parts of the country.

As a former high school coach and current travel coach, I believe there should be excitement!

High school sports should be a great moment and memory of your childhood as so many lessons are learned in in this forum that cannot be taught in the travel ball arena.

The truth is I love coaching travel ball, but high school ball is where you are really challenged as a coach, leader, and mentor.

Travel ball is a little bit of a cookie cutter mentality, or a controlled environment; what I mean by that is all the kids are self-motivated, most come from a very similar demographic, and most have parents who hold their kids accountable… that is what makes travel ball so competitive and fun to watch!

In high school softball, you have real world scenarios where there is diversity, “bad” kids, politics, and the very basic challenge of spending six days a week together with a group of girls and approximately four months with a staff of coaches.

If you want to coach and teach kids life lessons thru sports, there is no better place than high school softball.

Why?

Because high school softball is real life, meaning if you can be a great teammate in the high school world then you have a head start on life overall.

With this comes the good-news, bad-news scenario:

… the good news is that we have access to a great learning tool in high school sports, but the bad news is that, because the level of softball play is normally way below the standards of travel ball, you get the expected scenario of perennial complaints:

• The high school coach is clueless!
• The girls on the team do not care!
• My high school coach is teaching me different than my travel coach!
• Suzie only plays because she is the daughter of the History teacher!

…. And so on and so on and so on.

So, this week I wrote all my players within the PA Strikers organization some ideas I wanted them to think about as they took the field this winter and spring for high school play, but, really, I believe, these thoughts apply to all kids (and I am sure that I missed a couple good ideas as well!)…

Players: high school ball starts today for all our club kids; here are some important reminders I thought about this morning I wanted to share with you:

• You earned the right to have swagger on the field; it’s okay to show how confident you are in your abilities on the field!
• Do not hold back, be who you are and let the confidence show!
 However, leave the swag on the field… and be humble off the field!
 Vocal leaders are great, but only if they are leading by example in effort, contribution and worth ethic!
• Let your play speak for you… period. And if you ever find yourself telling somebody you are good, you’re not being humble or you’re not that good!
• 
Tell your coach you will play anywhere you are needed to help the team.
• Compete against the game, yourself, and also compete against your teammates and try to be the best on the field all the time! This is what competitors do, they go get what you want, but at the same time you must love your teammates and support their efforts as well! Some will not like you for this, but your coach will love it!
• 
Celebrate others success as if it were your own.
• Always respect the coach, even if you disagree with him or her. You must show respect and work with them so develop a relationship with your coach to be able to have an intelligent dialogue about your everything from your swing, your fielding technique or your overall approach to the game!
• Do not make excuses about politics or favoritism; go earn what you want and do not expect it to be given to you! And if you’re not good enough to overcome politics, then deal with it,… it’s life and it never goes away!
• Leave as much club gear at home and embrace your high school team right now… that is your family for the next 3-4 months!
• Focus on your high school team only!
 Keep your Mom and Dad away from the coach and AD, handle your own issues and questions! Unless your safety is in question, you handle your issues.
• Always put the team in front of any of your personal goals.
Do not allow clicks to form—be a leader and include everyone… no clicks!
• Leaders are not always first—the greatest leaders make sure nobody falls behind.
Help your teammates avoid drama, talk about issues, do not ignore them!
• Do not complain about girls who cannot play, slow down practice, or who do not get the “team” concept… remember your team is only as good as the weakest player! Help these kids get up to speed, or understand how they can help the team…do not shun them!
• And, finally, go do your thing ladies!!!