🏆 14U Coach of the Year – Adam Kaldor 🏆
Team:
Scheels
Years of Experience Coaching Fastpitch:
3 Years
About Coach Kaldor:
Adam Kaldor lives in North Fargo with his wife, Mandi, and their three children: Colten, Kyah, and Micah.
Coaching Philosophy and Evolution:
Adam believes in coaching each player based on their unique strengths and weaknesses. His approach focuses on instilling confidence in every girl, being quick to forgive, and quick to forget. Over the years, this philosophy has evolved as he’s seen how much his players improve with each season.
Balancing Winning and Player Development:
Adam doesn’t put too much emphasis on winning, as it can add unnecessary pressure on the players. Instead, he focuses on helping them correct mistakes and supporting their teammates, fostering a positive environment where learning is prioritized.
Most Important Trait for a Coach:
Patience. In his three years of coaching, Adam has been amazed by the progress his players have made. Patience allows him to nurture this growth over time.
Building Team Chemistry and Positive Culture:
Adam encourages his players to cheer for one another and be supportive teammates, creating a strong, positive team culture.
Approach to Coaching Different Skill Levels and Personalities:
When a player struggles, Adam takes the time to work on the basics with her, even staying after practice to offer extra help. He tailors his coaching to each player's needs, ensuring everyone feels supported.
Keeping Players Motivated:
Adam keeps practices fun and avoids overloading the players with too many sessions, preventing burnout. He believes in talking kindly and keeping things simple to maintain motivation throughout the season.
Staying Current with Trends and Techniques:
Adam actively seeks out helpful tips and techniques online to stay up-to-date with the latest in fastpitch coaching.
Most Memorable Coaching Moment:
One of Adam’s standout moments came during a game where his team needed two outs to win. The opposing team was on a roll and looked poised to take the game. A line drive was hit to the outfield, and his left fielder made a great catch, then immediately threw to second base to double off the runner, securing the win by one run. It was a thrilling moment that highlighted the importance of teamwork and quick thinking.
Advice for New Coaches:
Adam recommends starting with a recreational league where players can rotate through different positions each week to learn the game from every angle. He advises not to focus on wins and losses but rather on skill development and enjoyment.
Coaching Legacy:
Adam hopes that the teams he coaches will have fun and continue to improve each year, leaving with great memories and a love for the game.
Honorable Mentions (14U):
Chris Papenfuss (Dakota Selects Gold), Rachel Hagemeister (Dakota Selects Black)
Schedule of Announcements:
10U – Vance Christianson (Dakota Selects)
12U – Bonnie Carrete (Scheels)
14U – Adam Kaldor (Scheels)
16/18U – Thursday, September 5
Program Coach of the Year – Monday, September 9