I am glad to see the article written about Black Diamond baseball. Whats interesting for me to see was the improvements in the teams throughout the years...what is also funny about that is that team that won state in 1999 probably had the worst regular season record in five years to that point but they brought it together and played their best ball at the right time. I would say that there is a dramatic decline in the talent/athletic ability levels since those teams in the 90's but the Black Diamonds still find a way to win. I'm not sure if the lack of talent is just my opinion or due to the fact that this generation of kids grew up with a laptop or playstation controller in their hands at all times but thats neither here nor there.
Aaron Bucher does deserve a ton of credit for the successes of the Black Diamond teams since his arrival. It seems he does his best coaching jobs in years when they have the least ability. Thats a huge credit to his character as a coach and as a person. He does all he can as a coach for his players which in turn the players feed off of to play harder for him. It doesn't matter what year you watch there are a few constants of an Aaron Bucher coached team...They will always bring their lunch pails to the field ready to work and they will be playing the game the way it is supposed to be played. It will always be a total team effort. He teaches these young men respect, work ethic, preparation, and accountability. They will be far better people off the field and down the road in life in part to their time spent with him. I could go on for days praising Bucher's efforts and all he has done for me as a former player and current friend but i will spare you and cut it off. So thank you Bucher for all you do to keep us proud of the boys of the summer!
I wouldn't call it a lack of talent, they are a fairly young team with some good young players. They'll develop quickly though, especially playing for Bucher, he's an amazing coach and person.
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"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter" -- Winston Churchill
The judgement on the talent level remains to be seen. I just know that those teams from the 90's were sending around four or five players a year on to the next level. It just seems that the last few years its maybe one or two players. I can think of the 1996 team that had everybody but one or two guys from their starting lineup that were evential collegiate baseball players. So that is where my judgement of overall lack of talent comes from. I know its not a lack of coaching...if anything the coaching these days has got a couple more kids scholarships that probably couldn't have done it on their talent alone.
