HS & Club Softball

Seven Innings: Robert Lujan OC Batbusters 05′

The OC Batbusters have traditionally been one of the top organizations in the country. This year’s OC Batbusters 05′ Lujan team is young but loaded with talent. Head coach Robert Lujan has the luxury of returning his core of players from last year’s team. Last summer the placed fifth at the 10U PGF Nationals and they were the runner-up at the Triple Crown 10U Gold nationals.

OC Batbusters 05′ Lujan is always a threat to win any tournament they enter because of a strong and deep pitching staff that includes Jisell Hernandez, Tiara Westbrook, and Jaya Butler. Coach Lujan’s team has the energy and team chemistry to play deep into every tournament. This So Cal team has plans to play at the PGF Nationals tournament this summer as well as at USA Elite Select Nationals in Kansas City. Coach Lujan recently had a conversation with FPN’s Brandon Pannell.

Brandon Pannell: Your Team Motto Is?

Robert Lujan: You Can And You Will

Brandon Pannell: What’s the thought process behind making the game day lineup card?

Robert Lujan: Before each game my defense and pitching coaches go through the decisions we will make for our lineup and overall positioning of the team. Favoritism towards our own child is not tolerated on my coaching staff. I have high standards for every player and our top three players are working their hardest to set the tone for their teammates, my players know how decisions are made during crunch time and I communicate this to parents as well. This can be hard, but I find its more respected and disciplines the girls to prepare them for their future college game roles. We make decisions based on what is best for our team during the critical times of a tournament.

Brandon Pannell: What are your top three strengths?

Robert Lujan: Motivation – It takes patience and persistence to get the best out of each girl, not just what they think they can do, but what I know they can do, It’s my job as a coach to not only recognize their talent but to make sure they bring that heart out each time they’re on the field.

Practice – We hold 5-hour practices and sometimes a bit longer. I have girls coming in from three hours away. I like to have fun and team lunches but my players know, on the field, I take practice VERY seriously, and I expect every player to give their best during this time together.

Preparation – I spend nights going over plays, running through my line up and replaying what every player has given to the team. I prepare like I expect them to prepare. I’m always ready for any team we will face. One of my favorite quotes are “Failure to prepare is preparing to Fail” – John Wooden

Brandon Pannell: Who do you do to set a championship mindset?

Robert Lujan: My top players are expected to work the hardest and set the bar for their teammates. When we push them to be confident leaders with self-discipline than their teammates also play just as hard. No matter what position the player has, or if they are top nine during tournament games, they need to be coachable to win championships!! I would rather have a hard working player with less talent than a kid with all the talent and a lazy non-coachable mindset.

Brandon Pannell: What’s your theory behind handling playing time, dealing with parents upset & the most difficult part of coaching.

Robert Lujan: This is the hardest part for parents of travel softball to handle and over last 11 years of coaching just softball, it’s the most common issue. Playing Time, not everyone is going to get it. I’m upfront with parents, during friendlies we mix and play all our players, but during tournament time we go with our top nine players. If a parent isn’t happy with decisions made, we have a 24 hour rule before you can communicate the issue with me, right after the game is not the best time and usually, bad choices are made. The most difficult part as a coach is when decisions lead to losing a player, I’m not the type to keep a player just for their parent’s money and if they aren’t the right fit for the team then I need to give that player the opportunity to go to another team. What I try to convey to players that have left us is to let these experiences fuel their fire to never give up.

Brandon Pannell: How has coaching affected your life?

Robert Lujan: Softball has had a tremendously positive effect on my life. I’ve been coaching for over 21 years, started with my two older sons, my oldest daughter and now my three younger ones. I’m very humbled when I run into past players that tell me they still remember how much I believed in them and how I’m someone they respect. You can hate me when you’re not on my team, but if you play for me, you know where my heart is. I truly feel coaching is the gift God has given me, it takes a lot to be able to communicate with these young athletes and get the very best out of them. This game prepares our girls to persevere through the trials life will bring them, to handle winning or losing, commitment and how to play as a team. They will be ready for anything on and off the field. Together we believe, we sweat and we shed a tear, coaching is a blessing and something I truly enjoy doing and hope to continue for a long time. Our team has started doing live interviews to highlight their success as students and I can’t wait to watch them interview on signing day to college and watching them succeed in life.

Brandon Pannell: Is there anything unique about the team or a player?

Robert Lujan: Our season is barely kicking off and I already see a winning future for them. They have a mutual faith in God and a strong belief in each other with this will to win! It’s unmatched from any team I have ever coached, and I’ve been coaching for over 20 years. I’m blessed to have each one of these players and look forward to what we will do this season and watching them continue to grow both on and off the field as exceptional student athletes.

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