Veteran baseball player and coach, Stephen Kincaid, stands out as a dedicated and passionate coach who believes in teaching the fundamentals and helping his athletes acquire an appreciation and love for the game.  For this, Weplay awards him as this week's Coach of the Week!


[Bryant Baseball 2009]

Hailing from Bryant, Arkansas, Coach Kincaid grew up playing baseball, football and basketball; but had the privilege of continuing to excel in his chosen sport, baseball, at Hendrix College.  He is now the father of three wonderful children, Andrew (12), Chase (10) and Cayla (5).  While they spend most of their time on the baseball fields, they also participate in soccer, golf and gymnastics.

 
Coach Kincaid wrote that his youth coaching career began seven years ago, "Like many coaches I like to win, but I got involved to ensure all kids were treated fairly and learned the proper fundamentals in order to have enough success to gain an appreciation, or rather love of the sport, as well as encourage them just to go to the next level." he wrote.  "I have always felt if a kid loved the game enough, and was successful enough, they might just play long enough to have a chance at a college scholarship. "


After years of coaching players of all levels (T-Ball through 12-year-olds) in the Bryant Baseball Association, Coach Kincaid has a clear coaching philosophy.  For him, practice is key, but keeping it fun and ensuring that players get to try out new positions is his crucial. He described his philosophy:

 
"The more you can work in fun and competitive short duration drills, the less likely the players will get bored.  It is very rare that I have an old school practice where one kid hits while the others shag balls.  I plan every practice to the minute and communicate to the parents what my coaching staff and I are trying to accomplish.  I also allow every kid to go through each station without regard to his primary position.  If they want to get better at a position they rarely play, they always ask for extra practice at it.  Once they have success in practice I try to put them quickly into a game situation where they can have the best chance at being successful."

 
Coach Kincaid currently serves at the Chief Information Officer for the Bryant Athletic Association (Bryant Baseball), and has been working hard to better the program for the youth in his community.  His specific challenge has been streamlining communication within the organization.  He was especially excited about the potential of Weplay for his League.  

 
"Weplay has only been partially integrated within our league, but it will be rolled out fully in the spring of 2010.  It has really assisted me in communication and providing visual aids/ drills to supplement my coaching lessons!  Despite how well we do with the kids, failure to effectively communicate with the parents can negate all of the great work put into coaching the kids.  I look forward to Weplay solving this aspect as we try to communicate to over 1400+ parents each season.  Thanks Weplay!"

 
Thanks, Coach Kincaid, for being a standout coach and for giving back to your community!


If you have a coach you'd like to nominate, send an email to nominate@weplay.com.