Post by CEZAR on Dec 20, 2013 11:50:39 GMT -6
I recently asked Bill Harrison who is the Head High School Softball reporter for The Chicago Suntimes if he can answer some questions for us ,I told him that he always does the asking and now its our turn, well He didn't hesitate to provide us his views and thoughts , Thanks Bill for your time we love what you do for Illinois High School Softball
1. Tell us about your background, grew up, school, etc. programs ,why did you become softball reporter? your story?
BH - I grew up on the East Side of Chicago and attended St. Francis de Sales High School. I played baseball in high school and college and when I had girls I fell in love with softball. I became a reporter in 1989 and my editors knew how involved I was in softball and when the position opened to be the head softball writer I was the perfect fit. I was the head softball writer for the Chicago Tribune for four years and I'm in my third year with the Sun-Times.
2.What would you like to see changed with high school softball?
BH - The only thing that needs to change is moving the Class 3A and 4A state finals to Rosemont. It makes sense. I like East Peoria and that's perfect for 1A and 2A, but the top classes are mainly Chicago Area schools and need to be played at a better venue closer to home. Bigger crowds!
3.What made you decide to go into coaching?
BH - What is your coaching philosophy? How important is winning? I have two daughters and started coaching them in rec ball at age five. Both of my kids started travel at age 9. I've been coaching travel for about 13 years now. My coaching philosophy is accountability. Kids need to be accountable for how they play and hard work. You make my team you will have to keep working hard to stay on the field. My daughter has to work twice as hard as anybody. It is not her benefit playing for me. Winning is very important, but giving 100% trumps that. I think showing your players you have confidence in them and learning what motivates them adds up to a winning formula.
4.What type of student-athlete is most difficult for you to work with?
BH - How do you overcome this? Student-athletes who aren't open to learning and getting better are the hardest to work with from a coaching stand point. They must respect their coaches no matter what. That starts at home. If parents are bad mouthing the coaches it will reflect on the player. As a reporter most student-athletes are great to work with. Haven't had too many bad experiences.
5. what do you believe makes a great softball program, what criteria would you use to determine whether or not you have a good program?
BH - The great programs have the ability to develop the younger players. I have a problem with programs that charge an arm and a leg, offer the world, but then don't deliver. Put the money into the kids and coaches that can really teach the game.
6.How important is planning to good coaching?
BH - Very. Especially before practices. Take out of games that you don't do well and implement that into your practices.
7. who is your role model?
BH - From a reporter standpoint it's Southtown writer Tony Baraneck. He gave me my first writing job in 1989 and I really respect his opinion and the work he does. He is really one of the good guys. Coaching? Billy Martin. I read a few of his books and I think I coach like him because I always loved his ability to make his players accountable.
8.A parent complains about something that has happened in your program/playing time etc. How would you handle that?
BH - They aren't allowed to talk to me about playing time. Only the players can confront the coaches on that. If the parent do, I tell them maybe they should just play for another program. That usually ends the conversation.
9.What motivation techniques work best for you? What do you do with the athlete who is not motivated to achieve?
BH - Motivation technics I use is challenging the players while making them believe they can do things that maybe they weren't sure they can do. They aren't allowed to make excuses and the coaching staff isn't allowed to make excuses for them. It's just like life, nobody cares about why you didn't get it done -- I want to know how are you going to change that next time.
10.How do you promote your program to get student-athletes involved in softball?
BH - I think being able to say that 95% of the kids I have coached come back and word of mouth and winning is the best way. My Illinois Fire team started out as the Dyer Fire a few years ago. We have improved every year, finishing 4th in Class A ASA Northern Nationals in Iowa last summer, higher than any Illinois or Indiana team. We are fielding teams at all ages next year and really starting to build a quality program.
11.Explain what you envision the off-season portion of your program will entail?
BH - Attention to detail, working on the weaknesses of the team and individual player while building on the strengths. I think giving the kids time off is very important at 16U. I give our kids December off. They need to rest those muscles and regroup for the upcoming season.
12.How would a student-athlete describe you a year or two after she has played for you?
Fair. Energetic. Motivating. Passionate. Most important, a coach who will always care about them before, during, and after practice.
13.Some people say that a coach should be special, a role model that should be just as concerned about his/her behavior Others would say that the coach’s life should be his/her own after hours. what they do on their own time is their own business. What do you think?
BH - 100% role model and somebody who should always be setting an example for his or her players. How do you expect your players to respect you otherwise
14.What do you think of other programs that have come before or after yours?
BH - I think too many kids are playing travel. It has become watered down. Too many parents coaching just to privilege their kids. This really bother me. I think kids that really show passion and have talent should be playing. A lot of false hopes.
15.What is your philosophy regarding varsity vs. JV?
BH - It's simple. Best players and hardest workers (with talent) in the school should be on varsity. Period.
16.What are your thoughts vs PGF,ASA,USSSA NSA?
PGF has put pressure on ASA to improve and they took away the monopoly they had on the game. That is good! NSA is extremely well run and the website is the best of any association. ASA has to start spending more money on the quality of tournaments -- two umpires, fences, etc. USSSA I don't play. No reason.
17. what role did your parents play in you coaching softball?
BH - My mom instilled the love of the game in me at a very young age. My dad was never around. I grew up in a single parent household since I was 2. He taught me how not to be a dad, which is probably one of the reasons I am so involved with my kids, and that includes coaching. So he gets some credit! Right?
18. Is there any thing else you would like to add and speak about?
BH - We've covered everything.
19. what do you think about women coaches in IL and the midwest? who are some of your favs?
BH - They are amazing! My favorites are Julie Fonda from Glenbard South and Julie Folliard from Richards. Want a quick example on how to build a rapport with your players, go watch these two coach.
20.how do you see PGF growing on the futures and national level?
BH -
PGF is just going to get bigger and bigger. It's the place to play and they have some big names building this brand and a lot of supports. It's the future of travel softball.
21.What teams in IL and the midwest do you think do a good job at competing and getting girls ready for the next level that you have played against or have seen?
BH - I really respect what Rick Baker (WS Academy) and Gary Lagesse (Outlaws) do. These two guys are good friends of mine and they really love the game and are in it for the right reasons. I can talk softball with these two all day. Bill Conroy (Bandits) has put the Midwest on the map for what he does and his remarkable vision. There is no bigger influence in softball in the Midwest than Conroy.
Bill Harrison
Chicago Suntimes
ILLIONIS Fire Softball
1. Tell us about your background, grew up, school, etc. programs ,why did you become softball reporter? your story?
BH - I grew up on the East Side of Chicago and attended St. Francis de Sales High School. I played baseball in high school and college and when I had girls I fell in love with softball. I became a reporter in 1989 and my editors knew how involved I was in softball and when the position opened to be the head softball writer I was the perfect fit. I was the head softball writer for the Chicago Tribune for four years and I'm in my third year with the Sun-Times.
2.What would you like to see changed with high school softball?
BH - The only thing that needs to change is moving the Class 3A and 4A state finals to Rosemont. It makes sense. I like East Peoria and that's perfect for 1A and 2A, but the top classes are mainly Chicago Area schools and need to be played at a better venue closer to home. Bigger crowds!
3.What made you decide to go into coaching?
BH - What is your coaching philosophy? How important is winning? I have two daughters and started coaching them in rec ball at age five. Both of my kids started travel at age 9. I've been coaching travel for about 13 years now. My coaching philosophy is accountability. Kids need to be accountable for how they play and hard work. You make my team you will have to keep working hard to stay on the field. My daughter has to work twice as hard as anybody. It is not her benefit playing for me. Winning is very important, but giving 100% trumps that. I think showing your players you have confidence in them and learning what motivates them adds up to a winning formula.
4.What type of student-athlete is most difficult for you to work with?
BH - How do you overcome this? Student-athletes who aren't open to learning and getting better are the hardest to work with from a coaching stand point. They must respect their coaches no matter what. That starts at home. If parents are bad mouthing the coaches it will reflect on the player. As a reporter most student-athletes are great to work with. Haven't had too many bad experiences.
5. what do you believe makes a great softball program, what criteria would you use to determine whether or not you have a good program?
BH - The great programs have the ability to develop the younger players. I have a problem with programs that charge an arm and a leg, offer the world, but then don't deliver. Put the money into the kids and coaches that can really teach the game.
6.How important is planning to good coaching?
BH - Very. Especially before practices. Take out of games that you don't do well and implement that into your practices.
7. who is your role model?
BH - From a reporter standpoint it's Southtown writer Tony Baraneck. He gave me my first writing job in 1989 and I really respect his opinion and the work he does. He is really one of the good guys. Coaching? Billy Martin. I read a few of his books and I think I coach like him because I always loved his ability to make his players accountable.
8.A parent complains about something that has happened in your program/playing time etc. How would you handle that?
BH - They aren't allowed to talk to me about playing time. Only the players can confront the coaches on that. If the parent do, I tell them maybe they should just play for another program. That usually ends the conversation.
9.What motivation techniques work best for you? What do you do with the athlete who is not motivated to achieve?
BH - Motivation technics I use is challenging the players while making them believe they can do things that maybe they weren't sure they can do. They aren't allowed to make excuses and the coaching staff isn't allowed to make excuses for them. It's just like life, nobody cares about why you didn't get it done -- I want to know how are you going to change that next time.
10.How do you promote your program to get student-athletes involved in softball?
BH - I think being able to say that 95% of the kids I have coached come back and word of mouth and winning is the best way. My Illinois Fire team started out as the Dyer Fire a few years ago. We have improved every year, finishing 4th in Class A ASA Northern Nationals in Iowa last summer, higher than any Illinois or Indiana team. We are fielding teams at all ages next year and really starting to build a quality program.
11.Explain what you envision the off-season portion of your program will entail?
BH - Attention to detail, working on the weaknesses of the team and individual player while building on the strengths. I think giving the kids time off is very important at 16U. I give our kids December off. They need to rest those muscles and regroup for the upcoming season.
12.How would a student-athlete describe you a year or two after she has played for you?
Fair. Energetic. Motivating. Passionate. Most important, a coach who will always care about them before, during, and after practice.
13.Some people say that a coach should be special, a role model that should be just as concerned about his/her behavior Others would say that the coach’s life should be his/her own after hours. what they do on their own time is their own business. What do you think?
BH - 100% role model and somebody who should always be setting an example for his or her players. How do you expect your players to respect you otherwise
14.What do you think of other programs that have come before or after yours?
BH - I think too many kids are playing travel. It has become watered down. Too many parents coaching just to privilege their kids. This really bother me. I think kids that really show passion and have talent should be playing. A lot of false hopes.
15.What is your philosophy regarding varsity vs. JV?
BH - It's simple. Best players and hardest workers (with talent) in the school should be on varsity. Period.
16.What are your thoughts vs PGF,ASA,USSSA NSA?
PGF has put pressure on ASA to improve and they took away the monopoly they had on the game. That is good! NSA is extremely well run and the website is the best of any association. ASA has to start spending more money on the quality of tournaments -- two umpires, fences, etc. USSSA I don't play. No reason.
17. what role did your parents play in you coaching softball?
BH - My mom instilled the love of the game in me at a very young age. My dad was never around. I grew up in a single parent household since I was 2. He taught me how not to be a dad, which is probably one of the reasons I am so involved with my kids, and that includes coaching. So he gets some credit! Right?
18. Is there any thing else you would like to add and speak about?
BH - We've covered everything.
19. what do you think about women coaches in IL and the midwest? who are some of your favs?
BH - They are amazing! My favorites are Julie Fonda from Glenbard South and Julie Folliard from Richards. Want a quick example on how to build a rapport with your players, go watch these two coach.
20.how do you see PGF growing on the futures and national level?
BH -
PGF is just going to get bigger and bigger. It's the place to play and they have some big names building this brand and a lot of supports. It's the future of travel softball.
21.What teams in IL and the midwest do you think do a good job at competing and getting girls ready for the next level that you have played against or have seen?
BH - I really respect what Rick Baker (WS Academy) and Gary Lagesse (Outlaws) do. These two guys are good friends of mine and they really love the game and are in it for the right reasons. I can talk softball with these two all day. Bill Conroy (Bandits) has put the Midwest on the map for what he does and his remarkable vision. There is no bigger influence in softball in the Midwest than Conroy.
Bill Harrison
Chicago Suntimes
ILLIONIS Fire Softball