Coach Sims brings old-school approach to field

Editor's Note: This is the second part of a series of stories on Hauser softball coach Craig Sims.

Last spring marked the end of Craig Sims' 6-year stint, at the head of Hauser’s softball program, finishing his career with a 114-43 record, six straight Mid-Hoosier Conference Championships, five straight Sectional Championships, three Regional Championships, a Final Four appearance in 2016 and a State Championship in 2015.

It wasn’t long after sitting down with Craig Sims that it became easy to see that the coach is rather “old school” in his approach -- focused on the fundamentals of the game.

“The thing about softball is that it does not discriminate,” said Sims.

“Players need to know the essentials of throwing, fielding and hitting. You don’t always have to be the most talented team to win, but you do have to be the most fundamentally sound to be the best,” he said.

Sims went on to share other parts of his coaching philosophy.

“I never cut anybody. The way I see it, in our community, many kids need sports more than the sports need kids,” Sims said. “That’s not to say they were not going to be held accountable, because they were. I was always honest with them and let many players know that they might never see the field.”

“Learning responsibility, what it takes to be a good teammate, the importance of being on time and being held accountable for your actions are far more important than winning or losing,” Sims said. “If you come in to practice everyday and do what you are supposed to do to get better – listen to your superiors and put the team’s interests above yours – you’re going to have a good team,” concluded Sims.

In the Family

Sims’ two daughters – Leslie and Tessa – played a substantial role in the success of Jet softball during their years at Hauser.

“I had a blast coaching them,” smiled the proud father. “If I could go back and do it all over again, I would. We met a lot of good people during those years together and made a lot of great memories. Softball helped make them and me better people.”

Time spent with his daughters on the diamond started when they were little. Sims recalled when he first began coaching Leslie – now 21 – as a 5-year-old in T-ball at Hope Summer Playground. Leslie, owner of the IHSAA state record season batting average at .707, is currently a junior 2nd baseman/leadoff hitter at Indiana State University.

19-year-old Tessa, the owner of many school pitching records, is reuniting with her sister on the diamond this year as a freshman pitcher for the Sycamores. It is the thought of missing them play that led Sims to give up coaching at Hauser at the end of last season. Leslie was named All-Conference (Missouri Valley) last spring and was being honored at a banquet in Iowa as the Jets were preparing for sectional play.

“I had already missed two years of her playing,” Sims lamented. “When I missed her being honored last spring…that was the icing on the cake for me.”

When asked if he would ever consider a return to the program, Sims was quick to respond. “If the opportunity ever comes around again…who knows I might try to come back,” Sims quickly commented. “I already miss it.”

As for now - Sims, a 1997 Hauser grad, and wife Shannon, a 1998 Hauser grad, look forward to watching their daughters compete for the Sycamores.

“I’m really looking forward to watching them compete this fall and next spring,” Sims said. “They have worked real hard to get where they’re at.”

Key to the Future 

As the Jets’ new coach, Andy Brunner, takes on the role of his predecessor, there is no doubt he will have large shoes to fill. Brunner, a long-time volunteer at Hope Summer Playground and the Jets’ middle school coach the past two seasons, inherits a state recognized program with expectations of continued success.

Sims believes there are a few key components that must continue for the program if it is to maintain a reputation of excellence.

“Player development - starting at a young age – must continue,” Sims stated very matter-of-factly. “Kids need to continue to take pride in the program. They need to continue working on the field, being proud and taking ownership. The structure, guidance and high expectations need to be non-negotiable parts of the program.”