I Think I Like Softball Better Than Baseball Now
Today we had our most challenging softball game. We are a team of 13 year olds with only 2 x 16 year olds playing in an interleague softball division that considers the senior division 13-16. It is a challenge at times, but most teams are young like us so we do OK.
Tonight we played a very experienced and aggressive team and we hung with them. I am proud of our girls. We were down 9-7 going into the last inning, very exciting. We bunted, ran, stole, they bunted, ran, stole, it was fantastic. A real softball game.
I told someone during the game that when all my kids get older, if I still want to coach, I am going to coach the senior softball division. It is the funnest division of all. Watching the College Softball World Series and Olympic games I have actually fallen in love with the game. This is unusual for me. I don’t usually care for women’s sports. Nothing personal, but women’s basketball is not very exciting and other than the olympics, I rarely watch women compete at all.
Softball is different. I think because there is no other game like it. Sure, it’s based on the same principles as baseball, but it has little in common. It has taken me years to learn this game and every day I figure out how much I don’t know about it. All I know is I love it. It is fast paced and furious and before you know it, you can be down 4 runs or up 4, in the blink of an eye.
Every play is close and every strategy exciting. Aggression is the name of the game until the other team proves they can stop you. It is really fun to watch. Heck, we ended up losing the game by 8 runs but the girls had more fun than during the games we won.
My only problem with softball is a dominant pitcher can completely overpower another team. I don’t know what the solution for this is, but I do know at the most elite level it takes away from the very thing that makes the game so great. If the ball is not being put into play, the game is boring. But when teams are hitting, running, bunting, and slapping, it is a fantastic spectacle to behold.
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Does Anybody Remember Fun?
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Two Perspectives
I have to wonder what happened to fun. I watched today as two people had the exact same task to accomplish. One got angry cussed and complained, the other smiled and went about his business. I asked the happy guy what was wrong w/ the angry guy and he said, "I don’t know, just how he is". Then he went on to say, "I don’t get angry, it’s not worth it, life is too short".
WOW
Life Changing Moment
I have to admit, that since my accident , I have had the same attitude towards life. Once you have driven 80MPH upside down on the interstate, it puts life into perspective. I used to make fun of people that said that, but now I understand what they meant.
Today, as I waited in bumper to bumper traffic on my way home, I got that sick feeling I now get every time I approach an accident scene. Again, I used to be the guy that said, "if we have to wait this long in traffic, I want to see some mangled cars!". I no longer think that way at all. As I approach accidents now I find myself tense and eager not to see anything serious. I pray and hope that all is well with everyone involved.
Not So Lucky
Today, I was not so lucky. I knew it was a bad one because traffic was extra slow. When I finally reached the scene, it was pretty much cleaned up. But there was one of those superfast crotchrocket motorcyles in the emergency lane . Or at least half of it. The front half was missing. I can only imagine where the rider is. I am fairly certain he has met his maker. This makes me ill thinking about it. Likely somebody’s young son.
Rumblings in the League
About this time of the year, there start to be a few complaints in the league. They are usually silly, but sometimes legitimate. The fact is, we should thank our lucky stars that there but for the grace of God it is not us dead on the interstate. I know for a fact, it could easily be me!
That said, why would we argue constantly on the field, with our coaches, with manager, with other team’s parents, with co-workers, with bosses? Is it really worth it? Or, as my buddy said today, Is life just too short to be miserable? What ever happened to good old fashioned fun?
What do you think?
Must Push Girls To Be Agressive Attacking Fly Balls
Rein in the Boys
I spend my entire practice with the minor boys baseball team trying to rein them in! One of the funniest things I have ever seen happen was when our 8U travel ball coach turned around to ask the parents a question. He had a few to answer also, and slowly the boys crept away from him. Not intentionally, they just started a little wrestling, then a little chasing, then like a swarm of bees they slowly led their way away to a full out run all around the field! One of the mothers said, "this can’t end good".
That all happened in a matter of seconds, boys are just rambunctious. Girls on the other hand, start off timid. They seem to have to fully understand what they are expected to do before they will go "all out" doing it. I don’t have any idea why this is, it is simply my observation.
Teaching Girls Aggression
That said, we spend a fair amount of time trying to teach our girls to be aggressive! One of the areas this comes into play is catching fly balls in the outfield. Any semi-talented girl can catch a ball hit right at her, but how many times have you watched them let a ball you know they have the talent to catch just drop in front of them? Frustrating!
Aggressive Outfield Drill
Today we attempted to overcome this. The method I chose was to line them up in the outfield and hit balls that they could catch if the ran in, quickly attacking the ball. If they hesitated at all, they had no chance. At the same time I wanted them to practice our fire play, a throw to second, a throw to third, and a throw home. All we needed for this drill was some motivation!
Keeping with the concept of keeping everything fun and competitive at the same time, I told them they had to run 10 laps at the end of practice, but that they could take 1 lap off for every time they turned a double play. I told them a double play was a clean catch of the fly ball and a fire to whichever base we were throwing to at that time.
The Motivation
At first they didn’t catch anything. Then, as often happens, someone made a shoestring catch and motivated everyone else. Suddenly they were all attacking the ball and making catches. In fact, we had to reset at five more laps. It was very encouraging.
Finally, when they all were at their last station in left field, I told them if they caught 10 in a row I would run a lap! Talk about getting their attention! They got up to 7 one time, but I wouldn’t have let them get to 10 no matter what. I did have the bat in my hand after all!
Anyway, they were very aggressive and confident by the time practice was over. Hopefully it will transfer to our game tomorrow.
Have a great way to get your girls to play more aggressive? Please share it with us!
Good Advice for New Coaches
Coaches Needed!
Every year we struggle to fill the coaching vacancies in Little League. This is always inevitably at the lower divisions such as T-ball and Rookie Coach/Machine pitch. These divisions are vital to the league as it is often a child’s first exposure to baseball and the Little League Program. We all know you never get a second chance to make a first impression.
Older divisions do not usually have this trouble because seasoned coaches that did well in the lower divisions move up in the ranks. Their experience and knowledge of the children in the league make them major assets to the league.
Always on the Prowl
During registration we always have our “coach-dar” on searching for qualified candidates to manage the younger divisions. Anyone that even subtly implies they are interested in coaching is encouraged do consider taking a team. Likewise, moms and dads that are not available all the time due to work commitments are paired in a attempt to fill teams with coaches.
Go Ahead, Be Nervous!
Ultimately, any new coach is nervous going into the season. This is understandable! If you have no real teaching experience and have spent time only with your kids the thought of facing 12 5-6 year olds and keeping them busy for an hour or more is very intimidating! I know people who can stand in front of a room full of adults and work them like they own them, but put them w/ a group of t-ballers and they fall apart!
KISS (Keep it Simple Stupid)
That said, it is important to implement the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) philosophy when coaching beginners. First and foremost you have to MAKE IT FUN!!!! Why else are they there? Baseball can be a slow game at times, so it is crucial for you to keep it moving and keep them focused. This requires constant attention to every child on the field! You will go home hoarse! If you don’t, you didn’t coach enough.
This doesn’t mean you are yelling at the kids, in fact, quite the contrary is true. You don’t yell at the you shout encouragement to them! Over and over and over and over and over and over again. It doesn’t matter how they play, what they did, how they did it, or whether they succeeded or not! They simply need encouragement.
We don’t sit there and let them do things wrong of course, we just disguise our criticism by surrounding it with praise! Let’s say that Jane doesn’t get her arm back when she throws and she throws the ball straight in the air over the first baseman’s head. Does it really matter that the runner is safe? Of course not, but it is important to correct her mechanics.
Surround a Critisism w/ Two Compliments
The way to do this is by surrounding the criticism with compliments. Something like this would work perfect “Jane, way to field that grounder, that was awesome!, next time lets get your arm back (demonstrating while you are talking) when we throw, awesome hustle to that ball, you are doing great!”. Jane leaves that conversation with a feeling of accomplishment and a desire to do better next time. Just watch her next play, she will concentrate so hard on getting her arm back it will make your eyes water up!
What do the Upper League Coaches Want You to Do?
So what does a minor league coach want his players to be able to do when they move up from the developmental leagues? Not much really, they want them to:
- Have a love of the game because they were encouraged to have fun at the younger divisions
- Have a positive attitude and understand basic baseball etiquette and manners in relation to their teammates.
Skills to Develop
What skills does the coach want his players to develop?
- Get the arm back! – While many players master this instantly, most do not. Those that do master the skill can be taught more advanced dynamics of throwing, but the fact is, if players came out of the developmental programs simply getting their arms back when they throw, we would be very happy!
- Keep the head still – When batting, younger players will be all over the place. Out of control. The best way to teach them is to get them still or quiet as we refer to it. They think if they rare back and swing as hard as they can they will kill it! While they may get lucky once in a while, they will hit the ball harder and farther if they stay still. Have their feet shoulder width, bat back at ear level, elbows relaxed NOT UP! Tell them “head on the ball” and have them watch the bat hit the ball. Arms go through the ball, roll at contact, and head stays still. All they have to do is stay still and turn into the ball. Keep them quiet when they hit, we will be happy.
- Alligator – Teach them the alligator fielding position. Butt down, knees bent, left foot slightly in front of right (opposite for a lefty), but the key? Alligator hands! This is an easy concept for little ones to learn, they love it! You can have fun w/ it chasing them around w/ alligator hands and they don’t even know they are learning. Alligator is glove hand on the bottom, bare hand on top eating the ball up like an alligator. They love it! During the game encourage them to “eat the ball up”, like an alligator.
- Know the bases – I know this seems obvious, but they don’t have any clue about the game when they start. They don’t know first base from home plate. How many times have you seen a player hit the ball and run to third base? Make sure they know all the bases and where they are. At the end of practice a few times a year as part of their ending practice run have them run to the base you call out as a pack. They have fun, and the parents will be laughing as they wander around in a quasi-pack.
- Know the positions – Similar to knowing the bases, there is nothing worse than having a player at the older divisions slow down practice because they don’t know where the positions are. How many times have you told a player to go play second base and they go stand on the base? A great way to do this is w/ the pack run again referred to in #4 above. Only this time call out positions and have the pack run to the proper place. Sit back and laugh as they run all over searching for the shortstop position! incorporate both 4 & 5 into your call out run, it is a blast!
- Know ready position – They won’t creep, but there is no reason you can’t have them have their legs bent, palms out (not hands on knees), and head up. All you have to do is call out (yes, just about every play, remember you are going to be hoarse!) “ready position”, and have them echo you. Another way to do this is the say “Yankees, baseball ready” and have them slap the ground and answer w/ a resounding huuu”. Make up your own way! It really doesn’t matter, just get them in ready position somehow and start training them at an early age.
Keep it Fun
New coaches, remember, chances are half of the other coaches in the league are new also. Understand that the experienced coaches have been where you are and know that you are doing your best for the kids. They are happy to help, observe, listen, and question them. They won’t mind a bit. In fact, they will probably be flattered.
We only have two rules on our teams of any age:
- Have fun
- Quiet when a coach is talking
These two rules, along w/ the basic mechanical instruction above, will teach the kids just about everything they need to move up to the next level.
Now go out there and HAVE FUN!!!!
Does anyone have any tricks they use to keep younger kids focused and attentive? Please share them.
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Practice Ending Throw Around
You should always end your practice with something that encompasses
- Running
- Fun
The thing a child remembers about their practice is how they felt when it ended. Therefore, it is very important to end practice with something fun, competitive if possible, but definitely fun. Running is important also because the arms have been stressed and oxygen flow is the best form of repair for a sore arm.
Today we ran a modified run, throw-around, catch, slide, accuracy drill to end both the softball and the baseball practice.
Here is how it works:
- Set the 3B in position to field
- Set the 1B ready to field the 3B’s throw
- Set the C at home
- Set the SS strattling 2nd base
- Place the 2B backing up the SS in short outfield
- Any extra players line up at C and jump in line as the rotation continues
Once the players are in position, follow this procedure:
- Hit a grounder to 3B
- 3B throws to 1B for the out
- 1B throws home to the catcher who simulates a tag
- C throws to SS covering 2nd who simulates a tag
- SS flips back to 2B
- 2B throws home to C who simulates a tag
- C flips back to next in line
- 3B runs and slides into home plate and gets in line with catchers
- SS runs and slides into 3B then gets ready for the next play
- 2B moves up to SS position covering the bag
- 1B runs and slides into 2B then moves to 2B backup position
- C runs through first base and returns to cover 1st
- Batter/Coach hits a grounder to new 3B and the process starts all over
This whole thing should be run a the fastest speed possible to increase speed, accuracy, arm strength, base running skills, and teamwork. Both teams found it very fun and their success rate was impressive.
Other articles that may interest you:
Get Their Arm Back First
Calm, Comfortable, Confident, Hitting
Pitcher’s/Catcher’s/Spring Break
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo
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Opening Day a Huge Success!
Opening day was a huge success for us! This is a great day in the Little League. Our league goes overboard offering 4 bouncy jumpy things and carnival games. We also have a full grill, a Chevy Tahoe raffle, and lots and lots of icees! The kids have an absolute blast, but boy is it tough on the volunteers!
The Schedule
8:30AM we start w/ pictures
11:00AM the bouncy things show up
Noon: Volunteers arrive to build everything
3:00 The festivities begin
5:00 Line up for ceremonies
6-8 Carnival style atmosphere
I think our opening day rivals many of the county and city events that they host. I guess the only thing missing is face painting! Maybe we can add that next year!
Lesson Learned
We didn’t cook enough during the ceremonies to meet the slam demand we get when they are over.
Do you have a great opening day tip to share? Post a comment below and let us know about it.
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