My son’s high school coach tells him to do it one way and his travel coach tells him to do it another way? Any suggestions to deal with that situation?
That is a tough situation for young ball players, but one that many encounter, especially at the beginning of high school practice. 
1. It is best for kids to shake their head in agreement and try what the coach suggests, even if they believe they know more than the coach, and even if they have been successful another way. It is never wise to tell a coach that another coach, or parent, told them to do it otherwise, or to insist their own way is best. That will get them on the bad side of a coach immediately.
2. Players should do their best to analyze what each coach suggests and not be afraid to ask coaches why they should do it a certain way, without sounding arrogant. Every technique based on good theory, in the pursuit of perfection, is worth a try.
3. It is usually best to trust the coach with the most experience. The high school coach, who is also an English teacher, probably does not have the experience of the professional coach, at the local academy. There are many “book experts,” those that know what is correct; but not as many real experts, those that can see what is incorrect. Book experts tell an athlete what they are doing wrong, real experts tell an athlete what is wrong, why it’s wrong, and how they can improve what is wrong.
4. Ultimately, players should stay with what works for them and discard what does not, as long as the successful method has good fundamental theory behind it. Coaches generally notice success and leave players to the most successful technique.
Information is readily available on line, too, so players should read up on baseball knowledge, when confused. Of course, when coaches will not leave a player alone with how they are doing something, even though they are successful, players must do what is best for making the team, or for keeping playing time. The good news is that many coaches, for the good or for the bad, tell kids everything they know the first few days of practice and then let kids be, with their own way of doing things. Finally, this is good parental advice for kids of all ages, as this baseball dilemma is common at lower youth sports levels, also.
Troublesome line… “The high school coach, who is also an English teacher, probably does not have the experience of the professional coach, at the local academy.”
Academies have been popping up in my area for years and their staffed by a lot of former college players, etc. Guys that have had successful careers don’t necessarily possess the skills to teach the game.
Myself as a high school baseball coach and middle school teacher find myself battling the completely incorrect things that “their pitching coach” or “their hitting coach” has taught them… Many times these pitching and hitting coaches are simply someone that “played Division 1, etc..
I have enjoyed your blog immensly for the past few months, but just wanted to share my thoughts on your line. It just concerned me….
Kyle
Thus the word probably – however you have a good point. Often playing background. Does not guarantee a good coach. Almost all coaches no matter playing experience need time to develop as coaches and I believe those at academies place a higher priority on learning to teach the game. just as English teachers put teaching English first over baseball coaching. Doesn’t mean that some teachers are not more knowledgeable than baseball academy coaches. Which gets back to the probabl – not all. Thnx for responding