FRIDAY, 26 OCTOBER 2012 00:15
There is outrage all around concerning the training techniques the Pirates employ with some of their minor-league players. Recent stories by Dejan Kovacevic of the Tribune-Review have shown the Pirates to be leaning both on Navy SEAL and traditional fraternity Hell week methods in an attempt to build, I suppose, team bonding and/or additional mental and physical toughness.
It’s admirable, seriously, that the Pirates would seek new and different techniques to improve. Most assuredly, what they were doing does not appear to be working. And there’s nothing wrong with innovative training. Many techniques to improve athletes that are considered mainstream today were considered outlandish when introduced.
The Pirates are reaching to improve themselves. In what direction they are reaching remains to be determined, but it does not appear to be a correct one.
Their methods may be as kooky as most believe. Hopefully, though, the Pirates have some legitimate and rational reason to be doing what they are.
The Pirates are not the only team to use a Navy SEAL approach, although I’ve never known of Hell week tactics being used by any serious professional team.
The fact Gregory Polanco, a high-end prospect who played in low Class A last season, injured himself while participating in these drills is unfortunate but not the end of the world. If the Pirates believe there is a justifiable reason from these method, then a sprained ankle to a player who mighthelp the parent club by 2015 -- and who almost certainly will be ready for his 2013 minor-league season -- is a small price to pay.
But here’s what I don’t understand. If the Pirates believe these methods to be an avenue toward improving the organization, why are they standing silent in the face of media, both local and national, and fan criticism?
Where is Bob Nutting, Frank Coonelly or Neal Huntington -- the man who would have to approve these methods -- to step forward and tell the world why the Pirates are using such an approach.
Are the Pirates ashamed of their methods? If so, they should cease such practices immediately.
If they are not ashamed, if they believe in what they are doing, then someone in a leadership role needs to step forward and tell the world what the team is doing and why it is doing it.
On an ESPN insider chat yesterday, Keith Law was asked: ``How would you handle the odd player development news in Pittsburgh if you just now named the GM because we know if you were the GM this wouldn't have occured?’’
His answer was a stinging condemnation of Huntington: ``It wouldn't have occurred if anyone else were the GM, as far as I can tell. I've spoken to senior execs from multiple other clubs, and not only did they all say they've never even considered this kind of 'training' exercise, they all offered derisive comments about what the Pirates are doing. Assuming the Pirates do make a GM change as a result of this, I would expect player development to be cleaned out. You need a fresh start to reestablish credibility within the industry and with your own players, that we're not going to put you at risk or treat you in such a demeaning fashion any more.’’
The Pirates have some explaining to do and judging from Law’s comments they need to come from someone in the organization above Huntington.
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