Athletics Mercado NTX Brown

Dear Softball Family,

Most of you know already, but for those who don’t, I have accepted an Assistant Principal position at Rockwall ISD. Due to the demands of this new role, I will be unable to commit the time necessary to coach a travel/showcase softball team this coming fall.😔

I want to extend my sincere gratitude to my current players and parents. The Athletics Mercado motto ends with “family we are,” and this team has truly been like family to me, especially during times of personal adversity. Coaching these athletes has been a blessing, and I have always felt honored to lead this team.

I also want to thank Jesse Frausto and the Athletics Mercado organization. I appreciate the high standards you maintain and the support you provide your coaches. Finally, thank you to Coach Kevin Ward and the other Mercado coaches for your partnership over the last few seasons; it has been a pleasure coaching alongside you.

Best regards,

Coach Kevin

Grateful for the help from a couple former players from Iowa this weekend. They drove six hours to play with us in Oklahoma!

Rockwall/Heath Area!

Hi everyone,

My daughter, Emily, provides pitching and hitting lessons for beginners. She is looking to schedule some lessons for tonight following her softball practice.

If you are interested, or if you know of a player who might be, please let me know or feel free to share my contact information.

I posted something similar about a year ago… and unfortunately, here we are again.

This week included phone calls, texts, and conversations with parents of players on my team who are considering quitting high school softball because of how they’re being treated.

Notice I didn’t say “bad coaches.” I said mean.

Here are actual quotes my girls have heard from their coaches.

“You’ll never be as good as ________.”
“You’re not good enough to play softball.”
“You’re a rotten orange in a bucket of good oranges.”

I have to mention this week also involved positive conversations worh girls who have amazing HS coaches. To those coaches, thank you for all you do for the girls. Youre truley a blessing.

But the coaches who say things like what was quoted above have no business coaching.

In response to those coaches directly, I copied my post from last year below.

⸻

Dear High School Coaches,

This doesn’t apply to all of you. I know and respect many outstanding high school coaches. But I am increasingly concerned about the number of athletes who come to me describing coaches as mean, condescending, and demeaning.

Most of you are educators. You know better.

Coaching is teaching. The same research-based best practices you use in the classroom apply to the field. That’s why they’re called best practices.

A few reminders:
• Coaching is leadership. Your job is to empower athletes — not to overpower them.
• Relationships drive results. You don’t automatically earn respect because of your title. You build it.
• Positive-to-negative feedback matters. The recommended ratio is 3:1. Constant criticism doesn’t build toughness — it erodes confidence.
• If a player isn’t advanced yet? That’s the job. Develop her. Don’t discourage her.
• Correct in private. Praise in public. Feedback should be respectful, specific, and dignified.
• Model. Practice. Give feedback. Repeat. Apply. That gradual release works in the classroom — and it works in softball. Public embarrassment, sarcasm, or benching after one mistake isn’t development. It’s intimidation.
• The game evolves. Teaching evolves. Leadership evolves. Just because you were coached with yelling and punishment doesn’t mean that’s best practice. Learn. Grow. Improve.

My players should come back from their high school seasons better than when they left in the fall. You have the privilege of coaching them daily — building culture, watching film, teaching the game.

Instead, too often, I’m rebuilding confidence.

Scaring girls into not making mistakes doesn’t work. They don’t learn that way. They shut down.

Stop preaching. Start teaching.

Being harsh doesn’t make you effective. It makes you small. Be better — or step aside.

⸻

And to Athletic Directors,

Support the coaches who are doing it right. Invest in the ones who need growth. If they refuse to grow, find someone who will.

Your job is to advocate for athletes — not protect poor leadership.

Our girls deserve better.

Sincerely,
Coach Kevin

Keep grinding Michelle!

Congratulations on being named as Defensive Player of the year!

Now bring that bat to club:)

Go Michelle!!

Welcome to the team Haley Bedlington!

Haley is a junior at Birdville high school. She played t-ball and coach pitch baseball when she was little before leaving at age of 7 for gymnastics. She was a gymnast until picking up softball in the 8th grade, she's played club ball ever since. Haley is a catcher, and also OF and 1st. When Haley isn't playing ball, she loves scary movies, popcorn, and hanging out with friends.

Would love to see some pitchers at an open practice this Sunday from 12-3. Message me for details!
Coach Kevin - 402-718-3734.