Coach Laurence (Buster) Hammond has been the head coach of the South Bend Washington High School baseball team for the past five years. With a strong focus on teaching his players life lessons through the game of baseball, Coach Hammond has seen the team grow and develop into a strong unit.
As we approach the upcoming season, Coach Hammond shares his thoughts on the team and what to expect from them this year. He starts by introducing us to the top returning players from last season, who he believes will make a big impact on the team. These players include seven seniors who have been with the team since the beginning and have shown great dedication and trust in Coach Hammond and his coaching methods. Along with them, two juniors, four sophomores, and four freshmen make up the rest of the team.
When asked about his goals for the season, Coach Hammond talks about the three W's – Will, Want, and Win, which he has adopted from Coach Prime Deion Sanders. He explains that these three W's are not just about winning games, but also about the players' willingness to work hard, their desire to do the work even if the outcome is not what they expected, and making sure they do things the right way. These values are instilled in the team and are reflected in their gameplay.
As for new players who will make an immediate impact, Coach Hammond believes that every player is special in their own way. However, the seven seniors have done a great job of recruiting and bringing in new players, with six of them having no prior baseball experience. This poses a challenge for the team, but Coach Hammond sees it as a good challenge and is willing to work with these new players to help them reach their full potential.
When it comes to team captains, Coach Hammond takes a different approach. Instead of having designated captains, he has a council of eight players, two from each grade level, who are voted on by their teammates. This council makes decisions on team issues, promoting a sense of accountability and teamwork among the players.
To build team chemistry and camaraderie, Coach Hammond plans to implement various team-building exercises such as mindful meditation, yoga, and team dinners. He also has a cross-training program in place, where players practice at different positions, allowing the upperclassmen to take ownership in teaching the younger players. This not only helps in building team chemistry but also improves the players' overall understanding of the game.
Motivating his players to push themselves to their full potential is a crucial aspect of Coach Hammond's coaching philosophy. He believes in being demanding, but not demeaning. Instead of criticizing players during a game, he waits until the inning is over to provide feedback and have a conversation with the players. This positive approach not only helps in building their confidence but also fosters a positive team culture.
The team's schedule for this season is filled with tough opponents, with their conference being considered one of the best in the state. However, Coach Hammond sees this as an opportunity for the team to showcase their adaptability and adjust to any situation.
When it comes to changes or improvements made to the team's training and conditioning program, Coach Hammond highlights the addition of an off-season weight program, yoga, and mindful meditation. These activities not only help in physical conditioning but also focus on the mental aspect of the game, which Coach Hammond considers to be the most critical aspect.
Reflecting on the team's strengths and weaknesses, Coach Hammond believes that their ability to adapt and adjust is their biggest strength. However, their lack of experience and baseball IQ poses a challenge for the team. To address this, Coach Hammond plans on continuing to work on the fundamentals of the game and improving their overall understanding of the sport.
In conclusion, Coach Hammond's coaching philosophy is based on being positive and demanding at the same time. He emphasizes the importance of the mental aspect of the game and believes in teaching his players life lessons through the game of baseball. With a strong focus on building team chemistry and a positive team culture, Coach Hammond and the South Bend Washington High School baseball team are ready to take on the challenges of the upcoming season.
 Hammond has been the head coach of the South Bend Washington High School baseball team for the past five years. With a strong focus on teaching his players life lessons through the game of baseball, Coach Hammond has seen the team grow and develop into a strong unit.
As we approach the upcoming season, Coach Hammond shares his thoughts on the team and what to expect from them this year. He starts by introducing us to the top returning players from last season, who he believes will make a big impact on the team. These players include seven seniors who have been with the team since the beginning and have shown great dedication and trust in Coach Hammond and his coaching methods. Along with them, two juniors, four sophomores, and four freshmen make up the rest of the team.
When asked about his goals for the season, Coach Hammond talks about the three W's – Will, Want, and Win, which he has adopted from Coach Prime Deion Sanders. He explains that these three W's are not just about winning games, but also about the players' willingness to work hard, their desire to do the work even if the outcome is not what they expected, and making sure they do things the right way. These values are instilled in the team and are reflected in their gameplay.
As for new players who will make an immediate impact, Coach Hammond believes that every player is special in their own way. However, the seven seniors have done a great job of recruiting and bringing in new players, with six of them having no prior baseball experience. This poses a challenge for the team, but Coach Hammond sees it as a good challenge and is willing to work with these new players to help them reach their full potential.
When it comes to team captains, Coach Hammond takes a different approach. Instead of having designated captains, he has a council of eight players, two from each grade level, who are voted on by their teammates. This council makes decisions on team issues, promoting a sense of accountability and teamwork among the players.
To build team chemistry and camaraderie, Coach Hammond plans to implement various team-building exercises such as mindful meditation, yoga, and team dinners. He also has a cross-training program in place, where players practice at different positions, allowing the upperclassmen to take ownership in teaching the younger players. This not only helps in building team chemistry but also improves the players' overall understanding of the game.
Motivating his players to push themselves to their full potential is a crucial aspect of Coach Hammond's coaching philosophy. He believes in being demanding, but not demeaning. Instead of criticizing players during a game, he waits until the inning is over to provide feedback and have a conversation with the players. This positive approach not only helps in building their confidence but also fosters a positive team culture.
The team's schedule for this season is filled with tough opponents, with their conference being considered one of the best in the state. However, Coach Hammond sees this as an opportunity for the team to showcase their adaptability and adjust to any situation.
When it comes to changes or improvements made to the team's training and conditioning program, Coach Hammond highlights the addition of an off-season weight program, yoga, and mindful meditation. These activities not only help in physical conditioning but also focus on the mental aspect of the game, which Coach Hammond considers to be the most critical aspect.
Reflecting on the team's strengths and weaknesses, Coach Hammond believes that their ability to adapt and adjust is their biggest strength. However, their lack of experience and baseball IQ poses a challenge for the team. To address this, Coach Hammond plans on continuing to work on the fundamentals of the game and improving their overall understanding of the sport.
In conclusion, Coach Hammond's coaching philosophy is based on being positive and demanding at the same time. He emphasizes the importance of the mental aspect of the game and believes in teaching his players life lessons through the game of baseball. With a strong focus on building team chemistry and a positive team culture, Coach Hammond and the South Bend Washington High School baseball team are ready to take on the challenges of the upcoming season.){kind=logo}
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