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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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.
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Pitching is King!
When my friend and I began the minor’s season we knew that one thing ruled above all others. PITCHING! It makes or breaks a team. With the new Little League pitch count rules, each team needs at least 3 pitchers a game in minors. In the long run, this is not a bad thing. We are developing many more pitchers that we ever have in the past. But, in the heat of a game it can sometimes be tough to find someone that can throw strike. Much less anyone that can hit locations and have a little speed.
Knowing this up front, we chose to select pitchers above all else. Nobody can get two or three studs on a team, but with one stud and four or five consistent strike throwers, you can go a long way! This is where the draft strategy came into play. We don’t hit the best, we don’t field the best, but we definitely have one of the best pitching staffs in the league. And what do we all know? Good pitching stops good hitting EVERY TIME!
At the end of the season, we will be playing a double elimination tournament to prepare our minor leaguers for the 9-10 year old All-Star tournament. This tournament will take place over the course of a week. Every team will need to go 6 or 7 deep in pitching. Hopefully we score enough runs to support our pitching. Then we will look like draft masters!
Do you have any pitching management tips to share? Post a comment below and let us know about it.
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