BG Baseball shakeup

Jeff_yost · Post by **Jeff_yost** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 11:44 am

To the B.G.S.U Baseball concerned:

BGSU has a baseball team that is packed with a fine group of young athletes. I don't know if I could find a finer group of enthusiastic, devoted young men striving to better themselves and work together to do their best.

It was a pleasure to meet and spend time with the team and their parents, coaches, and fans of B.G.S.U. baseball during this years trip to Bradenton, Florida. I only noticed one cloud.

After four years of viewing the team rather closely, how they interact with their coaches, each other, and the results of their endeavours, I can only question the reasoning of head coach Danny Schmitz's thinking and actions.

Perhaps a head coach's job is to belittle and blame those he coaches and pout in front of his team. Perhaps he is trained in destructive criticism rather than instructive encouragement and training. If these are signs of a powerful, well meaning, inspiring coach, then Danny Schmitz is a stellar example of a team leader and the Bowling Green baseball program is in fine hands.

I must say the weather was rather enjoyable in Florida, but coach Schmitz's interaction with the ball team was extremely stormy and destructive to the camaraderie and cohesiveness of what was a fine team.

Perhaps one should discuss and investigate this situation with the team members, their parents, the B.G.S.U Athletic Department, and powers that be in and around B.G. I do not speak for the team, their parents, or my son; but I do have faith and hope for all three of those and wish them the best in their endeavours, and trust that coach Schmitz will have a personal revelation.

I will gladly respond to any and all concerning this matter.

Disappointedly yours,
Jeff & MaureenYost
419-332-5667
[email protected]

cc: bgnews
~~~{*..*}~~~

Thank, you,
the k-s-v records staff

New CD Release for Jeff Yost:
http://jeffyost.com
[email protected]

Post by **ZiggyZoomba** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 12:33 pm

I moved this in from the Free For All forum... normally a non-registered user wouldn't be allowed to make a post in this forum, but in this case, I've made the exception.

factman · Post by **factman** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 8:31 pm

I think Mr. Yost forgot to mention a few things, including that his son was a senior that walked on his freshmen year, that was complaining about playing time and pouting when he wasn't in the lineup, and I believe the coaches finally confronted he and another senior about their actions, which resulted in them quitting the team a week or two ago. I think you will also find that his son has even apologized for the actions of his father, after the fact.
If anyone knows Coach Schmitz, you know that he has ALWAYS used the spring trip to give everyone a chance to prove what they can or can't do, including the incoming freshmen, and there isn't a coach around that does more to give players a chance to prove themselves, and earn playing time. It is not a given, just because you are a senior that you will start or deserve the majority of the playing time. This is a VERY talented freshmen class, and there were some upper classmen feeling some pressure that caused this confrontation. If you don't want to be a good team player, GOOD RIDANCE, because ther are plenty of underclassmen to take your place!

Just an afterthought:

Was he really complaining, or just looking for a place to promote some recording

? After I reread it, I wasn't sure!

Jeff_Yost · Post by **Jeff_Yost** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 12:14 am

Wait- this is not correct.

My son was a walk on.

It is possible he complained about not playing, Most people who enjoy playing sports are upset when they can't participate. I don't know that he 'pouted' about it, only his couch and team mates would know that.

I do know that when he 'walked on' he was a second base man. The position held at the time by the coach's son. That really has no bearing here, but it did then.

There was an incident in Florida, not the first, just one that must have brought the boys to a boiling point... The fact that the coach called my son a cancer to the team is quite unforgivable for a person in such a position; but I will forgive him for being the person that he is. And the cancer is gone.

My son has worked very hard through his years at BGSU. Worked at his sport. Worked at his studies. He had to work hard at understanding the politics of college sports, and those that held his future in their hands.

My son was upset that I sent a letter to people involved with the Bowling Green Baseball Program. He was upset because he had become a man, and now the man still had a caring father who finally decided to state a point of view on a coach who had done nothing constructive to help his son in his sport. I had never gotten involved in the politics before. I will not get involved again.

I do believe that the coach uses the spring trip to Florida to check out the talent he has to work with. I have no trouble with that at all. I would do the same. I would also try to encourage the team with smart coaching, a clear and positive attitude, and basic intelligence.

I don't know what the coach had against my son. The team voted for him to be a captain, but that was null and voided by the coach.

I am upset.

Four years of my son's life have been directed, in part, by a person who has done nothing but stifle his growth. This is unacceptable, but must be lived with.

I wish the best for the Falcons ball team. They are a bright, enjoyable group of young men. I just hope that the coach hasn't destened certain ones to... Danny Hell.

I don't believe there was any confrontation between the team, no matter what year they were. They were a team, and I trust they still will be.

I am just very dissatisfied with the man called coach, and have been for four years.

Jeff Yost

Bleeding Orange · Post by **Bleeding Orange** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 12:22 am

Holy crap. I've seen this before, and it was in a book called Plainsong by Kent Haruf. Read it - in this instance, Guthrie would take the place of Coach Schmitz.

Bleeding Orange · Post by **Bleeding Orange** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 12:33 am

Shortly after posting a very vague message, I have recieved two very short, very vague, rather insulting PM's from "Mr. Yost." I have a hard time believing that this is the father of our recently departed player, but if it is, and if a father is an accurate reflection of a child, good riddance to Yost.

Jeff_Yost · Post by **Jeff_Yost** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 1:53 am

Mr. bleeding orange...

It was I that you refer to. If you would be so kind to reveal those communications here... I will have no problem. I believe I took your computer 'signature' as some sort of personal insult: much as people took my computer signature as trying to sell my album within this forum.

Anyhoot- I was short with my first answer to your letter.

This coming from a fellow who grew up Winesburg, Ohio... or was that Holt, Colorado.

just call me Guthrie,

(what does this have to do with Danny's treatment of the team).

jeff

Bleeding Orange · Post by **Bleeding Orange** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 2:31 am

Jeff, as I told you before, I have been a fan of your son for a few years now. Not only is he a great ballplayer, in my opinion, but he has the single best baseball name I have ever in my life laid eyes upon.

Anyhow, I will admit publicly that, although your first couple of PM's were rather vague and insulting, I will retract my last statement on this thread after your explanation. I appologize for the misunderstanding, but I think we were both to blame.

The reference to Guthrie and Holt, CO (in Plainsong), initially was to an incident contained within the book regarding the parents of a student of Guthrie's who felt that Guthrie had unduly gone after his kid. It is an excellent book and, (ir)regardless of this situation, I highly reccomend that everyone reads it!

3bagger · Post by **3bagger** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 11:35 am

This is not meant to be an attack on Jeff Yost. This is not meant to attack any player on the current roster. Remember that when you read this.

It must be apparent to those close to the program that the players who quit the team had weaknesses in their game that may have been exploited had they played "full-time." To say that Coach Schmitz has something against a player would be ludicrous. It is in Coach Schmitz's best interest to play those who give his team the best chance to win. Evidently, this caused some angst among the players. I generally thought it was the head coach's job to make out the lineup. Seems like some of the players have forgotten this fact.

I truly believe that today's ballplayers have become softer than generations before. You can't criticize kids anymore...they simply don't deal well with it. Airing grievances on a public message board will most likely not garner you any support Mr. Yost. Coach Schmitz and his family have been a part of the Bowling Green landscape for a long time, and hopefully they will be a part of it for many years to come.

Jeff_Yost · Post by **Jeff_Yost** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 2:06 pm

In this base ball destruction/discussion: There are two sides. I know my son. I trust what he says, he has told me things that most parent may not hear from their children. He is neither a liar or a saint... But, I wish Danny would voice his views on personal conversations that ended with Bobby and Dash's exit from the team. There are conflicting stories. Just give me some truth.

jeff yost

factman · Post by **factman** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 3:58 pm

It would have probably been a good idea to get both sides of the story or the "truth" as you put it, before you start writing about it and making all of these accusations. I have been around BG baseball for well over 20 years, and around college baseball as a fan, parent, and many other capacities.
Danny Schmitz is one of, if not the most honest, fair, straight forward , and best teachers in the college game, bar NONE (ask any pro scout), and for you to come on here and make these accusations without doing that, is not fair to your son, Coach Schmitz, or the Bowling Green baseball program and the players that are in it.. I think you need to think about what "3bagger" said, and understand it is a TEAM game, and just because an individual wants something, does not mean it is best for the TEAM.

Jeff_Yost · Post by **Jeff_Yost** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 4:31 pm

Actually, the only accusations I have made are that Danny hasn't thought out the ramifications of his actions on the field and behind the scenes. Unfortunately, the team will suffer. It already has. Not by my actions, by his.

The Bush's have been in government for many years, that doesn't make them right... or wrong.

As with everything, time will tell. My senses tell me that that the coach should do more than... let us discuss this issue on some website.

People's future are in his hands.

I am just a parent trying to explain why the tower will tumble.

jeff yost

Jacobs4Heisman · Post by **Jacobs4Heisman** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 4:55 pm

My personal experience with Coach Schmidt was a very good one. He was very honest and helpful to me. This is actually the first negative thing I've heard about the man. The fact that it is coming from the father of a player who felt he was wronged and quit, is very telling.

I've been screwed before on baseball teams when I was growing up, once by the whole coach's son deal. It sucked, and my family and I were both pissed about it. What we didn't do was go around trashing the coach, even though in that case, it seemed as if the coach was more in the wrong than Coach Schmidt seems to be. Sometimes life kicks you in the ass. Deal with it with grace and dignity.

If I were you, I would attempt to detach myself from the emotions surrounding this deal, and take another look at it.

BGDrew · Post by **BGDrew** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 5:05 pm

If your son was a walk on and was so miserable, why didn't he quit? He had no commitment to the team.

factman · Post by **factman** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 5:15 pm

.....................and now, on with the baseball season!!!!

BG Baseball shakeup

BG Baseball shakeup

excuse me...

there are two sides...