The youth sports experience is not all about winning and losing. Coach of the Week, Homero Ramos, from El Paso, Texas lives by this creed while coaching his daughter Jessica’s softball team, The Misfits.
Ramos says he cares most about how the kids play together. And as it turns out, his proudest team moment came after a Misfits loss. That’s because this retired United States Naval Officer understands that team unity can shine through even when the girls leave the field without a “W”.
Now six years into his coaching career, Coach Ramos wrote that he wasn’t always confident in his ability to lead young woman in a competitive environment. His transitions from a male dominated service sector to a girls fast pitch field was in fact, a bit difficult for our Coach of the Week. But like any great mentor, he learned to overcome his challenges and quickly rounded the bases into a successful leadership role.
Coach Ramos writes, “There are very few things I would rather be doing than watching my girls play.”
Coach Ramos will accept any girl that is willing to play on his team (hence "Misfits") but he knows anyone with the drive to do well, will be a perfect addition to his team. But make no mistake about it, he works to challenge his girls, outlining a rather robust schedule. The girls play in four to five games per week in their summer league. That’s on top of the already five tournaments they’ve participated in since June (Wow!). Check out their team vid! And if there are hurdles to jump over, Coach Ramos makes himself available to any player that might want an extra help - no matter the time or place. Why? Because if his girls have the passion and drive to make changes in their game, he has a responsibility to help them succeed.
Coach Ramos’ Advice for Fellow Coaches:
Don’t think you know it all, because nobody does.
Don’t be afraid to attend coaching clinics. There is always something to be learned. The Vegas clinics are especially fun.
Coach Ramos’ Keys to Success:
I never let my girls do something the wrong way, whether they make the play or not, they get an ear full.
I try not to over coach; I let the girls have space to make their own decisions, regardless if they are right or wrong. My most used quote, “I don’t want robots on the field playing”.
I try to teach every position to every girl. When I ask them who my shortstops are, I expect them all to raise their hands.
