re: 2026 Louisiana HS Baseball Season

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or just play 30+ games so the kids actually get a season worth having

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Which we do, 33 two years ago, 34 last year, and scheduled for 31 right now but we might add some before the end of the season

A couple years ago we were trying to hold on to our home series in round 1 so we scheduled Episcopal BR at literally like 11:00 the night before lol

Oooooof

I’d imagine a lot of assistants would love the opportunity. “Young and hungry” can be an ingredient to success, but it’s highly risky and eventually gives way to experience. They can have the best plan and staff, but executing the plan, building team cohesion, pacifying parents, and working all the little things that experienced coaches handle with ease is an altogether different matter, especially at a private school. Certainly, winning will mask any shortcomings. Heck, even just showing ongoing development would be better than what they had under Tookie.

Modern baseball (even and especially at the high school level) is entirely different. It requires the right coach that can use modern methods along with tried and true approaches to development. With the right coach, there’s enough talent in the metro that SMHS should be able to pull kids they weren’t able to before and build a program that will remove all past misgivings to compete at a high level. Maybe not truly elite, but consistently top 5 in D2-S and even top 25 in the state.

Cade Sanchez? That would be full circle with his dad being AD there years ago.

That would be hilarious

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Cade Sanchez? That would be full circle with his dad being AD there years ago.

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Cade is a good dude. Always knew he would be a coach. When he was a sophomore at CP, he would leave practice and go help with the pee wee teams.

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Just heard a former softball coach is the front runner.

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Coach Saylor?

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former softball coach

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A former softball coach? Wouldn't be terrible. Skills can translate. As long as they know how to coach.

The (SMHS) former softball coach? No way. . . and that's from the horse's mouth.

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Curious what you mean by modern methods

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Like it or not, today's game is data-driven, and not just BA, ERA, OPS, etc., but the "traditional" stats are still important. Newer metrics like spin rate, velo, and 60 times are tracked for a reason. But it's not the coach's responsibility to maximize every individual player's metrics. That's what private lessons/trainers and outside-of-practice work are for. The coach can and absolutely should get all the metrics for each player throughout the year. Then they can use the data for evaluation, to set goals, and develop a path/plan for the player to improve throughout the year and even their HS career. The old-school "just get stronger" is only a piece of the overall puzzle. It's then up to the player to follow through. If they don't, they get passed up by someone who does. Team practices are for TEAM development, not individual improvement. Players with the work ethic to improve individually outside of practice will put in the extra work and it will present in practice and games in full view of the coaches.

Gone are the days of just maximizing reps. It's about maximizing the efficiency of the reps. You can't just hit in the cages or live at-bats, throw bullpens, and hit in-and-out at every practice anymore. That's how SMHS stagnated. Coaches can use the data to identify areas of weakness on the team and design practice plans and drills to improve them. It also helps to set lineups, defensive positioning, pitching rotations, and keeps players healthy through workload management.

The data is just another tool. Coaches still need to know the game, how to teach it, and motivate their players. But a "modern" coach should be able to use the data to get the most out of their team within the season AND build for long-term success. Any "old school" head coaches that don't adapt will likely find themselves as an assistant or even unemployed.

Maintaining parental relations. . . well that's a whole other topic.

Thankfully, it’s not up to me. Nor do I expect the admin to ask my opinion. I don’t even know who the possible candidates are.

I can’t name names, but my order of preference would be:
1) current head coach at larger/comparable school looking for a change
2) current established assistant at a larger/comparable school wanting to build their own program
3) current head coach at smaller school that plays “above their level” wanting to make a jump
4) current newer assistant at a larger/comparable school. Young and hungry
5) current SMHS assistant with an impressive development plan
6) a very few select coaches or directors from travel teams

No matter who it is, I just hope it’s not a knee-jerk decision or the “easy” choice just because they are available.

Central beats Zachary 1-0. Both pitchers went the distance of 7 innings. Top of 7, Central's Tillman hits a HR.

Top 5s in power ratings

Nonselect I- Barbe, Zachary, Sam Houston, Dutchtown, Benton

Nonselect II- Brusly, Lutcher, North DeSoto, Pearl River, Lakeshore

Nonselect III- Doyle, Sterlington, Westlake, South Beauregard, Erath

Nonselect IV- Welsh, Vinton, Oakdale, Mangham, Centerville

Select I- Brother Martin, Catholic BR, John Curtis, Rummel, St. Thomas More

Select II- Vandebilt Catholic, St. Charles Catholic, Acadiana Renaissance, Teurlings Catholic, Loranger

Select III- University, Newman, Rosepine, St. Louis Catholic, Calvary Baptist

Select IV- Opelousas Catholic, Covenant Christian, St. Martin’s, Ouachita Christian, Cedar Creek

B- Pitkin, Glenmora, Grace Christian, Weston, Hicks

C- Maurepas, Family Christian, Claiborne Christian, Hackberry, Ebarb