I don't know. Sometimes, I just don't. Sometimes, I'm okay with that. Tonight is not one of those nights.
I'll be damned if that last post wasn't just a crystal ball prediction of how we played last weekend. We played smart, we made double plays and checked for runners and kept our heads straight. Sure the 'tudes came and went; and, yes, we struggled with the bats at times. But we played well for the most part; it was a huge confidence builder for us all.
This week? A totally different story. Practices were sketch. Real sketch. Lack of focus, lack of drive, lack of effort, lack of energy... Needless to say there was a lack of "play making" on Tuesday and Thursday. But I shrugged it off. I said to myself, "The girls are tired. We've played a long season so far. We just need to get through the week so we can get back into the games this weekend and they'll show up then."
Wrong! This morning was particularly rough. Zero--count them, ZERO--of the girls gave everything they had. And, of course, the few that gave the most made silly mistakes. Wow, you know? That's all I can think: Wow...
The second game was a little better, and the third game a little better than that. The competition also got a little easier as progressed through the day.
Anyway, we go into tomorrow morning straight off a big win. It was our first "3rd game of the day win" ever. EVER. So I'm happy about that. Only problem is that we face our own 14U team (who are playing up in the 16U brackets this weekend) tomorrow morning.
So, I don't know! Scratch that: I know too much! I spent all fall and winter with the 14s. I taught their catchers. I've spent any free time I had with that team this spring/summer. I've tracked their pitchers' pitches. I know their hitting signals. I know their pitching signals. I know their strengths and their weaknesses. I know the opportunities and threats we'll offer them. So, right now, I just don't know what to do...besides bring the A game and be happy that it's not an elimination game (the winner will stay in the Gold bracket, the loser will just fall to the Silver bracket...after that, it's single elimination for both teams).
I think what I'll tell myself and the girls is: Make the plays. And if they make an even better play, at least you can be happy for them.
Wish us (both the 16s and the 14s) luck!
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Hey Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteI understand you anx. It seems darn near impossible to get that same level of consistency week in and week out. Face it, it is a long season. The best you can do it keep your practices at a high level and motivate your players as best you can. The worst games for my teams were always the first in the morning. They seemed to always be half asleep. As for playing your own 14 team, that will be a motivation problem. Work the girls to stay focused on the prize and good luck.
Dan
Fastpitch Softball Coaching
Dan,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your words of encouragement! The girls played really well today, even against the 14U team. They came out with their heads right and they played to win. Focus was definitely not an issue today, it was a good day on the ball field...then again, I'd say that about any day on the ball field. :)
Thanks again!
Stephanie