You see it all the time -- softball teams folding because one or two girls leave, and it's a shame. But why is it that way? There are a few ways to build a team and, of course, there are pros and cons to each. Let's look at some examples.
Some teams build their roster around a select number of girls. This is what some refer to as "core" building, where you have a core group of girls to which you add on other players each year, as the "others" age out or the core group ages up. This presents a great opportunity for the core group to truly mesh and develop a "sisterhood," which conveys on the field through trust, leadership, and mutual respect. However, typically "cores" are made up of only 5-6 girls. That means almost every year you have to fill at least 5 or 6 spots to fill an entire roster and, as girls age up into the older brackets, that can sometimes be very difficult to do.
Other teams build their roster around a position. For example, there are teams that will stack their bench with pitchers; the most common reason being that it keeps those pitchers off of other teams, so that no other team can compete against them. This, obviously, has its pros and cons. The major pro being that, yes, in fact, you do keep all (or the majority) of pitchers in the region on one team, so that you can dominate on defense. The major con, however, is that many pitchers aren't quite "utility" players; they can only play a select number of positions. It's rare to find a pitcher who also plays shortstop or center field, for example; typically, they pitch and stick to the corners (third base and first base). So, where as you try to stack your defense with a roster-sized pitching staff, you limit your defense by lacking any true, position-specific talent.
Another way to build a team is the "sick and tired" method. Whether it's the coaching staff that you can't stand (and think you can do better, yourself) or the organization, you -- and hopefully some of the other parents/girls on the team -- just get sick and tired of dealing with the BS. So, what do you do? You start your own team/organization. You find a lot of travel teams coming out of rec leagues through this method. You also find a lot of travel teams coming out of other travel team organizations this way. Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn't. It really depends on how much support you have behind you from fellow coaches, players and parents. It also depends on how dedicated you are to developing a new team/organization -- you know, there's much more to it than just signing up for tournaments and running practices...like budgets, renting practice facilities, purchasing uniforms and equipment, sanctioning the team in the different leagues, maintaining rapport with the other coaches, players, parents, umpires and league directors, etc. Yikes. This is a long and difficult road. Plus, this method of team building tends to create an excess of new and half teams in the market, which can destroy other teams/organizations, and -- in the case of Richmond, for example -- create an environment where there are simply not enough girls to fill all the teams, reducing the quality of play.
The last way to build a team, that I've seen, is through the ever-dreaded "merger"; that is, when two teams decide to combine due to lack of players or to form one "super team." Team dynamics, especially with girls in sports, can win or lose games/tournaments. Merging two teams together can create tension between the girls, who now need to learn new names and ways, fight for their starting positions again, and learn to respect the new coaching staff. For the coaches, it can also present problems -- who will stay and who will go? Who will coach third or first? Who will create the roster? Who will run practices? Etc., etc., etc. Now, don't get me wrong. This way of building a team does have is cons; but it does have its advantages. For example, taking two teams that are of similar quality and dynamics, can create a great and productive atmosphere for a team.
Now, there's really no wrong or right way to build a team. It all depends on the situation, really, the coaching staff and the girls. Either way, it should be all about the girls and what's best for them. So build your team right, based on what's right for the girls.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
The truth is out there...
Maybe if you grew up watching the X-Files, you'll recognize the title of this blog. I did not, technically. I watched it from behind my father's chair because it scared the living daylights out of me.
Anyway, I'm browsing around this morning and stumble upon a Softball group on LinkedIn. I'm reading through some of the discussions (one in particular about pitchers calling their own pitches, which is outrageous) and I see a post from Kelly Jackson (as in the 1992 USA Gold Medalist) with a link to her website: CoachingAFemaleAthlete.com. So, with nothing better to do than look and apply to jobs, I check out her website. It's pretty legit with some great blogs on it like separating parent vs. coach, teaching focus at a young age, etc. I'll give it that, but then it links to their sister site: the Technique Doctor, where you can choose your sport, a coach, and then submit your video to be critiqued by that coach. Strange, I thought: "That really takes the human out of the game." I'm sure it's really that coach giving you real feedback, but where's the face-to-face interaction, the prior knowledge of the player to know how to really speak to them so that they'll LISTEN (and not just hear)?
Then, I'm going through their roster of softball coaches who will critique your film: head coach, pitcher, guy pitcher, defensive instructor, dad of a DI player and coach, pitcher, pitcher, infielder. The only place I expect that many pitchers is at a bar.
Now, I think about all the other personal instructors in Central Virginia and here's what I see: hitting coach, pitching coach, hitting coach, pitching coach, pitching coach, head coach, dad/coach, pitching coach. Why is it so difficult for catchers to come out and coach or instruct? And, no, that's not an invitation. I'm just saying.
It just leaves me wondering, am I the only real catching coach in Central Virginia? One that's played DI softball? I'm not talking about your baseball guys who work with girls. I'm talking about real fastpitch catchers giving back and giving lessons. Am I the only one? Hell, I'd be happy to be -- maybe my knees don't agree -- but where are these young catchers getting their instructions from? It hurts me to think that they're not getting the proper instruction (like I've seen lately)...falling down on pitches in the dirt, instead of kicking out their feet; not framing correctly; not approaching bunts correctly; not learning to call their own game; actually taking more than one step to make a throw-down. Catchers are tough gals, and tough finds in this day an age. But when you find one, make sure she gets the right instructions; otherwise, she's as worthless as a bat in the daylight.
So, yeah. That was one big rant. I guess I should apologize. But I'm open for discussion here, too. Who do you know that's played the game behind the plate and is coaching? What kind of instructions do you think your catchers need the most work on? How much are you willing to pay for catching lessons? Versus hitting instruction? Versus pitching lessons? Is it just that I'm taking crazy pills and there's no need for catching instructors in Central Virginia's fastpitch leagues?
Anyway, I'm browsing around this morning and stumble upon a Softball group on LinkedIn. I'm reading through some of the discussions (one in particular about pitchers calling their own pitches, which is outrageous) and I see a post from Kelly Jackson (as in the 1992 USA Gold Medalist) with a link to her website: CoachingAFemaleAthlete.com. So, with nothing better to do than look and apply to jobs, I check out her website. It's pretty legit with some great blogs on it like separating parent vs. coach, teaching focus at a young age, etc. I'll give it that, but then it links to their sister site: the Technique Doctor, where you can choose your sport, a coach, and then submit your video to be critiqued by that coach. Strange, I thought: "That really takes the human out of the game." I'm sure it's really that coach giving you real feedback, but where's the face-to-face interaction, the prior knowledge of the player to know how to really speak to them so that they'll LISTEN (and not just hear)?
Then, I'm going through their roster of softball coaches who will critique your film: head coach, pitcher, guy pitcher, defensive instructor, dad of a DI player and coach, pitcher, pitcher, infielder. The only place I expect that many pitchers is at a bar.
Now, I think about all the other personal instructors in Central Virginia and here's what I see: hitting coach, pitching coach, hitting coach, pitching coach, pitching coach, head coach, dad/coach, pitching coach. Why is it so difficult for catchers to come out and coach or instruct? And, no, that's not an invitation. I'm just saying.
It just leaves me wondering, am I the only real catching coach in Central Virginia? One that's played DI softball? I'm not talking about your baseball guys who work with girls. I'm talking about real fastpitch catchers giving back and giving lessons. Am I the only one? Hell, I'd be happy to be -- maybe my knees don't agree -- but where are these young catchers getting their instructions from? It hurts me to think that they're not getting the proper instruction (like I've seen lately)...falling down on pitches in the dirt, instead of kicking out their feet; not framing correctly; not approaching bunts correctly; not learning to call their own game; actually taking more than one step to make a throw-down. Catchers are tough gals, and tough finds in this day an age. But when you find one, make sure she gets the right instructions; otherwise, she's as worthless as a bat in the daylight.
So, yeah. That was one big rant. I guess I should apologize. But I'm open for discussion here, too. Who do you know that's played the game behind the plate and is coaching? What kind of instructions do you think your catchers need the most work on? How much are you willing to pay for catching lessons? Versus hitting instruction? Versus pitching lessons? Is it just that I'm taking crazy pills and there's no need for catching instructors in Central Virginia's fastpitch leagues?
Friday, November 4, 2011
The difference between 14s and 18s
As part of my job search, I worked with a 14U team last night to oversee their progress, help where I could and try to get their catchers stoked about individual lessons that I may offer in the future. During their practice, I was able to work with all FOUR of their catchers (man, am I jealous...four catchers!) and we did basic drills on catching (literally) and blocking. I'd love to take the time to get them working towards throwing, as well, but that will all just depend on whether or not the instructor position will fit in to my new job schedule -- whenever I do get a new job, that is. And it was fun. 14s is a fun age group. Difficult, but fun. While the five of us catchers worked together, I had one staring off into space and another uncontrollably laughing, which led another to laugh along, too.
Afterwards, a friend of mine asked, "So was it different--working with 14s instead of 18s?" I thought for a moment and laughed before I replied, "No. It's the same. They goof off and gab instead of stretching because they haven't seen each other in a whole week. They hear but don't listen. They've been taught a certain way and no matter how hard you try, you can't break the bad habit that's technically broken but still works...for now."
My friend laughed and understood. Her daughter is the youngest on my team; a girl who's seen two pitching instructors over the years, been coached by her dad, and is now working with me on pitching; so she knows exactly what I mean.
I thought about it after we talked, though. 14s are different from 18s. Sure I've got a few 16-year-olds on my team, which isn't a big/mature step up from 14, but I've also got 17- and 18-year-olds on my team. The difference there is big; and I think it's made my younger ones step up. My 18s (no matter how old they really are) are more focused, more intent on learning, more intent on becoming a better player; it's not a social activity for them, anymore; it's not just a way for their parents to keep them active, instead of Facebooking and playing video games after school. I thought about all those 14s and wondered how many of them were out there to keep playing, and how many were doing it just because it was something to do.
When I was 11, I played on a 14U travel team. Let me tell you now that the age difference between 14 and 11 is huge; those girls were going into high school and had boyfriends, while I was going into middle school and practicing my signature for when I got to the Olympics. My dad used to call 14 the peak point in softball. A lot of those girls from the 14U team played just a year or two more and then quit to live their social lives or focus on school. I didn't understand my dad's theory at 11, but when I was 14 and playing 16U, I understood. 14, for some reason, is that age where girls begin to realize what matters in life: boys, school, their futures. At that age, they make up their minds (subconsciously, I think) about how much softball really means to them; and if they decide it's a social activity or that it doesn't mean much to them, their skills peak and they never progress any further. In those cases, the girls usually play a year or two more and then move on, because they can't keep up or it's not fun anymore or whatever.
When I joined my organization to coach, we had two teams, a 16U (mine) and a 14U team. It's funny, I've lost a lot of those 16s in the last two years; they'd already hit their peak and moved on, mentally. I, of course, wish them all the best still. And I look at that 14U team; they've lost a few players, but the majority of girls they've lost have moved on to other organizations to continue playing. Just a different group of girls, I guess. Or maybe they had the motivation they needed through those troublesome 14U years to keep them focused and intent on playing and improving. I walked in fresh to 16U team that I'm not sure had that support.
Two years later, here we are in 18s. Sure, I've only got seven girls right now, but I've got seven focused and intent players. Sure they goof off and gab, but they get their jobs done. And, even as the sun is setting, they ask for more reps. So, as I think back to this past Sunday when we went 0-2 and I think about the to-do list, I know that we'll accomplish it...because the girls want to.
And there you have it: that's the difference between 18s and 14s. The want.
Afterwards, a friend of mine asked, "So was it different--working with 14s instead of 18s?" I thought for a moment and laughed before I replied, "No. It's the same. They goof off and gab instead of stretching because they haven't seen each other in a whole week. They hear but don't listen. They've been taught a certain way and no matter how hard you try, you can't break the bad habit that's technically broken but still works...for now."
My friend laughed and understood. Her daughter is the youngest on my team; a girl who's seen two pitching instructors over the years, been coached by her dad, and is now working with me on pitching; so she knows exactly what I mean.
I thought about it after we talked, though. 14s are different from 18s. Sure I've got a few 16-year-olds on my team, which isn't a big/mature step up from 14, but I've also got 17- and 18-year-olds on my team. The difference there is big; and I think it's made my younger ones step up. My 18s (no matter how old they really are) are more focused, more intent on learning, more intent on becoming a better player; it's not a social activity for them, anymore; it's not just a way for their parents to keep them active, instead of Facebooking and playing video games after school. I thought about all those 14s and wondered how many of them were out there to keep playing, and how many were doing it just because it was something to do.
When I was 11, I played on a 14U travel team. Let me tell you now that the age difference between 14 and 11 is huge; those girls were going into high school and had boyfriends, while I was going into middle school and practicing my signature for when I got to the Olympics. My dad used to call 14 the peak point in softball. A lot of those girls from the 14U team played just a year or two more and then quit to live their social lives or focus on school. I didn't understand my dad's theory at 11, but when I was 14 and playing 16U, I understood. 14, for some reason, is that age where girls begin to realize what matters in life: boys, school, their futures. At that age, they make up their minds (subconsciously, I think) about how much softball really means to them; and if they decide it's a social activity or that it doesn't mean much to them, their skills peak and they never progress any further. In those cases, the girls usually play a year or two more and then move on, because they can't keep up or it's not fun anymore or whatever.
When I joined my organization to coach, we had two teams, a 16U (mine) and a 14U team. It's funny, I've lost a lot of those 16s in the last two years; they'd already hit their peak and moved on, mentally. I, of course, wish them all the best still. And I look at that 14U team; they've lost a few players, but the majority of girls they've lost have moved on to other organizations to continue playing. Just a different group of girls, I guess. Or maybe they had the motivation they needed through those troublesome 14U years to keep them focused and intent on playing and improving. I walked in fresh to 16U team that I'm not sure had that support.
Two years later, here we are in 18s. Sure, I've only got seven girls right now, but I've got seven focused and intent players. Sure they goof off and gab, but they get their jobs done. And, even as the sun is setting, they ask for more reps. So, as I think back to this past Sunday when we went 0-2 and I think about the to-do list, I know that we'll accomplish it...because the girls want to.
And there you have it: that's the difference between 18s and 14s. The want.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
The one weekend it HAS to rain...
Of course whenever you need it to be sunny or warm, it's not; instead, it's wet and cold. We got rained out on Saturday this past weekend and switched to a three-game format on Sunday. I figured, "Hell, we'll play all three games and two of my pitchers haven't had game-time mound-time since August (or longer), so I'll just play all three games safely, let my pitchers do their thing and work in everybody into the spots they've been working at." Wrong. Right after game 2, they decided to cut our 3rd game because they were so behind in another bracket and had to eliminate fields...god forbid the Men's League had to wait that evening.
Anyway, so we didn't get all three games. Came out 0-2. But no one was unhappy in the end. There was no drama, no stress and the girls played comfortably, happily. I think most of them were just excited to be back in the game. So, maybe that was our trouble. Girls were too comfortable. We also had to use a good amount of guest players to fill the field, so that adds up to some of it--new faces, new thoughts on the game, etc., etc.--and we didn't get Saturday to find that good rhythm with the whole team, guests included. But I will give a BIG shout out to a few of my girls who played spectacularly, especially the ones who had been doubting themselves. They came out with gusto and poise and made some huge plays. I couldn't be more proud of them for that; and they should know who they are.
So, we're pretty much done now for the Fall, unless we want to travel. But right now, I think we got a good taste of what we're up against and what we need to become. There's a lot, now, on our to-do list. And we'll use the rest of the Fall and Winter to work on that list. #1 on that list? Find more girls. And I'm being patient. I know they'll surface, sometime. The rest on that list? Well, that's for me, my assistant coaches and girls to worry about.
But I'll keep you updated.
Anyway, so we didn't get all three games. Came out 0-2. But no one was unhappy in the end. There was no drama, no stress and the girls played comfortably, happily. I think most of them were just excited to be back in the game. So, maybe that was our trouble. Girls were too comfortable. We also had to use a good amount of guest players to fill the field, so that adds up to some of it--new faces, new thoughts on the game, etc., etc.--and we didn't get Saturday to find that good rhythm with the whole team, guests included. But I will give a BIG shout out to a few of my girls who played spectacularly, especially the ones who had been doubting themselves. They came out with gusto and poise and made some huge plays. I couldn't be more proud of them for that; and they should know who they are.
So, we're pretty much done now for the Fall, unless we want to travel. But right now, I think we got a good taste of what we're up against and what we need to become. There's a lot, now, on our to-do list. And we'll use the rest of the Fall and Winter to work on that list. #1 on that list? Find more girls. And I'm being patient. I know they'll surface, sometime. The rest on that list? Well, that's for me, my assistant coaches and girls to worry about.
But I'll keep you updated.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Everything 2.0
I find myself in a bit of a quarter-life crisis--and if my mid-life crisis is nearly as bad, I'll be prepared. That's what I keep telling myself, at least. Everything right now just seems to be bad but good. Or good but bad. Or bad then good then bad; or vice versa. That's not my crisis, though; that's just life. Luckily for me, I've got a few dice to roll and some of them are falling in my favor. This weekend feels like one of those weekends...though the weather looks ominous...and cold. Haha.
Regardless, I'm starting everything over. Everything now is 2.0, refreshed, restarted, rebooted: softball 2.0; self 2.0; job 2.0. Right now, we've got 7 great girls that I wouldn't trade for the world. Right now, I've got a lot of time on my hands (and will soon have some unemployment checks) that I wouldn't trade for the world. It seems as if the stars have aligned just right so that I can make a change. Change for the better, that is.
Softball-wise--because that's what you came here to read about--we've taken a lot of this off time to work on individual skills and it's paid off, I think. We have our first fall tournament this weekend and I'm incredibly interested to see how we do. We'll have a lot of help from guest players--some that I know have a lot of talent and some that I'm taking some chances on; some that I know have commitments to other teams and some that I'm hoping will consider our team for next summer's season. Needless to say, I'm excited...and praying that this rain stops soon.
By the way, we finished the summer season pretty well. It just took us a long time to come around. Until the last tournament, in fact. But we came around! I'm not sure what it was, but it was something. Just to see those girls really fight and work and PLAY; it was quite a sight to behold. Finally, in that last tournament, we looked like the group of girls that I'd put together--the talent playing I'd try to mesh together finally meshing together. Funny how things work out like that. All I can say is that I'm happy we ended on a good note. And though we lost a few great ball players afterwards, we've got a really strong core group of girls that I'm looking forward to building upon. And that's why I'm so excited about this weekend.
But don't get me wrong. I really want to see the girls in action. And I want to the rest of the softball community to see the girls in action. To know who are and recognize us. To feel a bit of that nervousness and fear when they hear they're playing us; to feel that small pit in their gut ask the back of their mind whether or not they have enough to beat us. We're not there yet, but I'm hoping this weekend will be step one in working towards that. That's what I'm really excited for.
Regardless, I'm starting everything over. Everything now is 2.0, refreshed, restarted, rebooted: softball 2.0; self 2.0; job 2.0. Right now, we've got 7 great girls that I wouldn't trade for the world. Right now, I've got a lot of time on my hands (and will soon have some unemployment checks) that I wouldn't trade for the world. It seems as if the stars have aligned just right so that I can make a change. Change for the better, that is.
Softball-wise--because that's what you came here to read about--we've taken a lot of this off time to work on individual skills and it's paid off, I think. We have our first fall tournament this weekend and I'm incredibly interested to see how we do. We'll have a lot of help from guest players--some that I know have a lot of talent and some that I'm taking some chances on; some that I know have commitments to other teams and some that I'm hoping will consider our team for next summer's season. Needless to say, I'm excited...and praying that this rain stops soon.
By the way, we finished the summer season pretty well. It just took us a long time to come around. Until the last tournament, in fact. But we came around! I'm not sure what it was, but it was something. Just to see those girls really fight and work and PLAY; it was quite a sight to behold. Finally, in that last tournament, we looked like the group of girls that I'd put together--the talent playing I'd try to mesh together finally meshing together. Funny how things work out like that. All I can say is that I'm happy we ended on a good note. And though we lost a few great ball players afterwards, we've got a really strong core group of girls that I'm looking forward to building upon. And that's why I'm so excited about this weekend.
But don't get me wrong. I really want to see the girls in action. And I want to the rest of the softball community to see the girls in action. To know who are and recognize us. To feel a bit of that nervousness and fear when they hear they're playing us; to feel that small pit in their gut ask the back of their mind whether or not they have enough to beat us. We're not there yet, but I'm hoping this weekend will be step one in working towards that. That's what I'm really excited for.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Wanted: Changes
After 3 tough Saturdays and only 1 redeemable Sunday, my assistant coach and I are starting to see the little "errors" become more and more routine...for the more experienced girls. It's scary.
I can't say enough how pleased I am with all the girls, some of the times. And I can't tell you how continually surprised I am that the majority of my "little ones" are saving the butts of my "bigger ones." So what does that mean for us, with 3 tournaments under our belt now?
It means that it's time for change. We change leagues and cities this coming weekend and I'm going to take a chance on what I once I considered my "2nd string." I can't call them that anymore, though, because they're the ones stepping up and performing.
I'm not trying to be mean, either. I know some of the girls read this, so let me reiterate: I'm not trying to be mean. And I know all the girls are TRYING. But like Yoda says in The Empire Strikes Back, "Try not. Do. Or do not."
I can't say enough how pleased I am with all the girls, some of the times. And I can't tell you how continually surprised I am that the majority of my "little ones" are saving the butts of my "bigger ones." So what does that mean for us, with 3 tournaments under our belt now?
It means that it's time for change. We change leagues and cities this coming weekend and I'm going to take a chance on what I once I considered my "2nd string." I can't call them that anymore, though, because they're the ones stepping up and performing.
I'm not trying to be mean, either. I know some of the girls read this, so let me reiterate: I'm not trying to be mean. And I know all the girls are TRYING. But like Yoda says in The Empire Strikes Back, "Try not. Do. Or do not."
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Where did THAT come from?
While I know that every post I've made lately--"lately" is a very vague term--is something along the lines of "where has the time gone?" I just have to ask: "WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?"
First of all, we had our first tournament this past weekend. It's really so, so hard to believe that summer is already here! And we're even starting later than we did last year. I'm not sure why I'm so surprised by it, I guess I've just been super busy...like with buying a house, which I also did this past weekend. Plus, this year is my first year all on my own as the only Head Coach of the team. :-D
Now, that's not really what the whole "Where did that come from?" is all about. What it's all about is this:
On Saturday, we played three games. Three games, in the sense of any softball tournament, isn't a lot. I mean, it's a good amount but it's a regular Saturday. And what I saw, to be honest, was on par with any Saturday from last year. But this year, regardless of how infrequently I posted here, I was really stinkin' excited about the team we'd put together. We took our time and hand-chose the girls that would fit the positions we needed to fill; and we've filled all those positions, except a third pitcher. So we're good. In fact, we're great. And I knew we would be. That's why I was a bit surprised to see the same old "same old" this past Saturday. We looked like a team that didn't like each other, that didn't care to be there, that would rather be anywhere else. I knew that wasn't the case, though. So, I don't know what was up. I think we were all just nervous and excited and anxious. Plus, we really hadn't practiced together -- all eleven of us -- but maybe once or twice. Sure, we had nine or ten together many times, but that's not the same is it? (Especially with GIRLS. Hate to say it, but I know boys are different. Girls just have to have that "mesh." I'll say it time and time again, too.)
Needless to say, because I feel like it's almost like beating a dead horse, but we stank. S-T, A-N-K; we ain't had no bath that day; we STANK; yeah, yeah, we STANK. Lost all three games. Looked "alright" in the third game, but lost bad the first two. Just couldn't get it together in the first two games. It was like we were the dead horse, being beat. Three times.
And I'll tell you what. I made very little changes to line-up and playing positions for Sunday. Why, you ask? (And I know you're asking, because you're not the first to judge and doubt my coaching decisions...) Because I KNEW in my heart that something just wasn't working that day. It wasn't our skills, it wasn't our abilities, it wasn't our heart. It was just something. Something I hope to never see again!
So, Sunday morning comes and we drew the early game, of course, for a lose-or-go-home situation. Maybe it was that? Maybe it forced the girls into realizing they had to really give it their all that day? Who knows... But whatever it was, it showed us the REAL team of girls that we have. We saw the push, the determination, the sweat, the effort, the raw talent and the extended reach of every single girl. Even one of my girls, who broke her hand on Saturday, was pacing the dugout and telling me things she saw about the girls and positions, etc.
We were STRONG on Sunday. S-T-R, O-N-G; you can't even hang with me; we STRONG; yeah, yeah, we STRONG. (Okay, I know that wasn't that good, but I tried.) We slaughtered a tough team in 5 innings. We ran over another tough competitor, and came close to slaughtering them but had that "unfortunate 4th inning." And then we lost 2-1 in the bottom of the 8th inning with 1 out, against a team that beat us 6-2 the day before.
After the first game on Sunday, I turned to my assistant coach and we both just laughed and shook our heads. Who knew where it came from, but it was heavenly! It was everything (and a bit more) than we knew we had in ourselves. Then game 2 came and went but we were still a bit too shocked to sit back and "enjoy" it. And after game 3, there wasn't much too say. We lost the game, really, on a few errors that cost us; but they weren't mental errors, just the effects of physical exhaustion.
When I approached the girls after that game they were all laughing and smiling, and one said, "Coach, I'm kinda glad we lost. We can't play another game." Another agreed and said, "We're so tired, it would've been embarrassing. We would've been embarrassed if we had to play another game." And I saw it in them. Between just playing three games on Saturday and really giving it their EVERYTHING for three games on Sunday, they were beat. And that alone brought a smile to my face. How can I ever be mad or upset or sad or disappointed or anything when I know so deep in my soul that they gave every little bit of energy in their minds, bodies and hearts to win those games; especially when they were all smiling up at me? I could tell they were proud of themselves. I was proud of them too, and I hope that much was clear.
Now we're off to Williamsburg for tournament #2 of 7 this weekend and I'm hoping that they give at least half of their Sunday performance on Saturday so that we're not faced with a 7-game Sunday to win it all. I know that they could really earn some trophies this year. I know it. I can't wait to see it.
First of all, we had our first tournament this past weekend. It's really so, so hard to believe that summer is already here! And we're even starting later than we did last year. I'm not sure why I'm so surprised by it, I guess I've just been super busy...like with buying a house, which I also did this past weekend. Plus, this year is my first year all on my own as the only Head Coach of the team. :-D
Now, that's not really what the whole "Where did that come from?" is all about. What it's all about is this:
On Saturday, we played three games. Three games, in the sense of any softball tournament, isn't a lot. I mean, it's a good amount but it's a regular Saturday. And what I saw, to be honest, was on par with any Saturday from last year. But this year, regardless of how infrequently I posted here, I was really stinkin' excited about the team we'd put together. We took our time and hand-chose the girls that would fit the positions we needed to fill; and we've filled all those positions, except a third pitcher. So we're good. In fact, we're great. And I knew we would be. That's why I was a bit surprised to see the same old "same old" this past Saturday. We looked like a team that didn't like each other, that didn't care to be there, that would rather be anywhere else. I knew that wasn't the case, though. So, I don't know what was up. I think we were all just nervous and excited and anxious. Plus, we really hadn't practiced together -- all eleven of us -- but maybe once or twice. Sure, we had nine or ten together many times, but that's not the same is it? (Especially with GIRLS. Hate to say it, but I know boys are different. Girls just have to have that "mesh." I'll say it time and time again, too.)
Needless to say, because I feel like it's almost like beating a dead horse, but we stank. S-T, A-N-K; we ain't had no bath that day; we STANK; yeah, yeah, we STANK. Lost all three games. Looked "alright" in the third game, but lost bad the first two. Just couldn't get it together in the first two games. It was like we were the dead horse, being beat. Three times.
And I'll tell you what. I made very little changes to line-up and playing positions for Sunday. Why, you ask? (And I know you're asking, because you're not the first to judge and doubt my coaching decisions...) Because I KNEW in my heart that something just wasn't working that day. It wasn't our skills, it wasn't our abilities, it wasn't our heart. It was just something. Something I hope to never see again!
So, Sunday morning comes and we drew the early game, of course, for a lose-or-go-home situation. Maybe it was that? Maybe it forced the girls into realizing they had to really give it their all that day? Who knows... But whatever it was, it showed us the REAL team of girls that we have. We saw the push, the determination, the sweat, the effort, the raw talent and the extended reach of every single girl. Even one of my girls, who broke her hand on Saturday, was pacing the dugout and telling me things she saw about the girls and positions, etc.
We were STRONG on Sunday. S-T-R, O-N-G; you can't even hang with me; we STRONG; yeah, yeah, we STRONG. (Okay, I know that wasn't that good, but I tried.) We slaughtered a tough team in 5 innings. We ran over another tough competitor, and came close to slaughtering them but had that "unfortunate 4th inning." And then we lost 2-1 in the bottom of the 8th inning with 1 out, against a team that beat us 6-2 the day before.
After the first game on Sunday, I turned to my assistant coach and we both just laughed and shook our heads. Who knew where it came from, but it was heavenly! It was everything (and a bit more) than we knew we had in ourselves. Then game 2 came and went but we were still a bit too shocked to sit back and "enjoy" it. And after game 3, there wasn't much too say. We lost the game, really, on a few errors that cost us; but they weren't mental errors, just the effects of physical exhaustion.
When I approached the girls after that game they were all laughing and smiling, and one said, "Coach, I'm kinda glad we lost. We can't play another game." Another agreed and said, "We're so tired, it would've been embarrassing. We would've been embarrassed if we had to play another game." And I saw it in them. Between just playing three games on Saturday and really giving it their EVERYTHING for three games on Sunday, they were beat. And that alone brought a smile to my face. How can I ever be mad or upset or sad or disappointed or anything when I know so deep in my soul that they gave every little bit of energy in their minds, bodies and hearts to win those games; especially when they were all smiling up at me? I could tell they were proud of themselves. I was proud of them too, and I hope that much was clear.
Now we're off to Williamsburg for tournament #2 of 7 this weekend and I'm hoping that they give at least half of their Sunday performance on Saturday so that we're not faced with a 7-game Sunday to win it all. I know that they could really earn some trophies this year. I know it. I can't wait to see it.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Abuh...Here goes another 20lb
Okay -- So, I never properly thanked all my lovely ladies, the adult league I play in and softball, in general, for helping me lose 20lb last summer. Let me do that now: Thanks!
Two weeks into adult league, which is of course the night after travel practices, I am absolutely, positvely, 100% sure that I may die. I have suddenly come to the conclusion that if I keep running around like this I will wilt away to nothing. I almost welcome this fate wholeheartedly. (Cheers to losing another pants' size!?)
It's also incredibly clear to me that I am no longer 20. And with an impending birthday looming just two months over my head, it's become extremely salient that I'm a long ways (one whole decade, in fact) away from 16. Abuh.
[Ed. note: "Abuh" is Stephanie-ism for "Dear-god-help-me."]
Anyway, enough about me. Softball's going great and I wish I updated more often. We added players number 10 and 11 to our roster, one of which is a tenured outfielder and the other being a great addition to our catching staff. So, now, the schedule is set, we're just a month and a half away from our first tournament and I'm getting very excited/anxious/scared/terrified-actually/abuh. I know it's going to be a great season. I can feel it in my bones. The girls are relaxed, happy and determined; I feel relaxed, happy and determined because of them. We had a great practice on Sunday, in fact--everybody worked hard and is doing well adjusting to the new girls on the field and off. Yay!
I think that's all I've got for tonight. Knees torn up, body barely responding, brain turned to moosh. Will update soon again!
Two weeks into adult league, which is of course the night after travel practices, I am absolutely, positvely, 100% sure that I may die. I have suddenly come to the conclusion that if I keep running around like this I will wilt away to nothing. I almost welcome this fate wholeheartedly. (Cheers to losing another pants' size!?)
It's also incredibly clear to me that I am no longer 20. And with an impending birthday looming just two months over my head, it's become extremely salient that I'm a long ways (one whole decade, in fact) away from 16. Abuh.
[Ed. note: "Abuh" is Stephanie-ism for "Dear-god-help-me."]
Anyway, enough about me. Softball's going great and I wish I updated more often. We added players number 10 and 11 to our roster, one of which is a tenured outfielder and the other being a great addition to our catching staff. So, now, the schedule is set, we're just a month and a half away from our first tournament and I'm getting very excited/anxious/scared/terrified-actually/abuh. I know it's going to be a great season. I can feel it in my bones. The girls are relaxed, happy and determined; I feel relaxed, happy and determined because of them. We had a great practice on Sunday, in fact--everybody worked hard and is doing well adjusting to the new girls on the field and off. Yay!
I think that's all I've got for tonight. Knees torn up, body barely responding, brain turned to moosh. Will update soon again!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
It's official
Well, if you couldn't guess by the title -- it's officially softball season. My girls are playing their high school games (need to start going to them now), I spent all yesterday watching softball games on ESPN3.com and I have my first outdoor practice of the season today. :-D [Ed. note: My girls have already had their first outdoor practice, but it rained us out the first weekend and then I was on a cruise for work last weekend.]
I'm excited. And it's supposed to be sunny and 60 today!
To add on top of it, it's been 3 weeks since I've seen my ladies. Can't wait to see them all again today!
Time to get off Facebook, take a shower and get to the diamond!
I'm excited. And it's supposed to be sunny and 60 today!
To add on top of it, it's been 3 weeks since I've seen my ladies. Can't wait to see them all again today!
Time to get off Facebook, take a shower and get to the diamond!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Back in the gym
We're back in the gym now and it's good to see all the girls. Everybody's working hard and ready to start the season. I know I am, too!
I don't really have much to say tonight. I'm in a good mood :)
I updated our website and need to finalize the Summer schedule. That's about it for me this week. All the girls have high school try-outs this week (Good skill to all of them!) and we have one last practice in the gym next weekend. Then we're back outside, hopefully in the same nice weather we've been having lately!
Things are moving along now--summer will be here before we all know it...which is okay by me :-D
I don't really have much to say tonight. I'm in a good mood :)
I updated our website and need to finalize the Summer schedule. That's about it for me this week. All the girls have high school try-outs this week (Good skill to all of them!) and we have one last practice in the gym next weekend. Then we're back outside, hopefully in the same nice weather we've been having lately!
Things are moving along now--summer will be here before we all know it...which is okay by me :-D
Monday, February 7, 2011
Welcome 2011...again
Well, hello, 2011. You almost slipped right passed me...
While I sit here itching and scratching, unsure of why I seem to be allergic to a) shrimp, b) dairy and/or c) hot wings, I'm glad to say that the Super Bowl (of which I only watched half, but for which I am still eating leftovers) is finally over. Sorry Steelers fans. Congrats Packers fans? I don't know; I don't care about NFL and had to check the score on ESPN this morning.
What it REALLY means is that softball season is finally upon us. Many of my girls have been conditioning with their school teams and we finally started our indoor conditioning last Thursday. It was good to see the girls in the gym and great to get started again. I'm stoked and should be finalizing our schedule but am blogging and doing laundry instead.
I'm excited for this summer and really can't wait for all this cold weather to phase out. Bring it on, 2011!
While I sit here itching and scratching, unsure of why I seem to be allergic to a) shrimp, b) dairy and/or c) hot wings, I'm glad to say that the Super Bowl (of which I only watched half, but for which I am still eating leftovers) is finally over. Sorry Steelers fans. Congrats Packers fans? I don't know; I don't care about NFL and had to check the score on ESPN this morning.
What it REALLY means is that softball season is finally upon us. Many of my girls have been conditioning with their school teams and we finally started our indoor conditioning last Thursday. It was good to see the girls in the gym and great to get started again. I'm stoked and should be finalizing our schedule but am blogging and doing laundry instead.
I'm excited for this summer and really can't wait for all this cold weather to phase out. Bring it on, 2011!
Monday, January 10, 2011
The internet is forever.
When I got into marketing -- specifically social media -- my boss always said, "the internet is forever."
"Well, no," I used to tell him, "it's not forever. Things can be erased/deleted/recalled/removed/whatever you want to call it."
"But," he would argue, "if someone's already seen it before you delete it, the damage is already done."
I had to agree with him on that point. So, yes, sometimes the internet is forever. Just like those words you said and wish with all your heart you could take back.
There are things I wish I hadn't done in my life. Things I wish I'd never said. Trust me, if I could take back all the times I secretly flicked off my parents or told them I hated them when I didn't get my way... (Wow, being a teenager really sucked, didn't it?)
We've all got a list of things we wish we could take back. If only real life -- I mean talking and acting in the real world -- was as easy as the internet. If only we could go back and press delete or recall or untag and be able to purport that there's no evidence to prove we did whatever we did wrong! Wouldn't life be so much easier? No, officer, I wasn't speeding. I wasn't even driving down that road. Look back...see? Nothing there. I never even left my house.
Recently, I'm ashamed to say, I fought fire with fire. Even I know that's rarely, if ever, a mature option. But when I found some unsavory, if not illicit, pictures of my girls on the world's largest social networking site, I was furious. I could've just texted the culprits. It would've been the end of it! Quietly and calmly; it would've been over. But, no. I put out a mass notice on the same social networking site, warning everyone to rid themselves (and the internet) of such evidence before the season officially started in February. I thought it would help displace the blame, so that everyone thought I was speaking to the general public and so that no one knew I was speaking to only a specific few; I hoped the select few to whom I was speaking would realize it and make things right. I figured it was like that time in college that some of my teammates were caught skipping class and we were all forced to run for hours as punishment. Hours, not minutes. Run, not jog. No exaggeration there. We all knew someone(s) skipped class, but we weren't told who and it didn't even matter because a team loses as a team.
Anyway, I had such good intentions with my mass post. I hoped girls would look back at their pictures and reassess them. I hoped parents would take interest in what their daughters were posting online. Was that so wrong?
I'm not exactly sure what happened...
I got a message from a father on my team asking if my notice was about his daughter. It wasn't and I reassured him of that. He's a good dad that does his due diligence online to make sure his daughter stays out of trouble. Not all my parents do that. Not all parents (good or bad) can do that. Let's be honest with ourselves: the internet is like a wildfire in California; if you don't live in California (which we don't) and don't watch the news, you may never know that it happens. Regardless, it reeks havoc on a lot of lives.
I'm not sure how it spread, really. I know that not all of my girls or parents "stalk" me online and some of them have so many "friends" online that my post would've just been buried in a seemingly endless feed of status updates. I imagine, though, that one of my more responsible girls saw the post and started looking around -- then started texting. I hope with all my heart that's not how it happened, though. I never wanted to pin one girl against another. I never wanted one teammate to harbor ill feelings towards another. But, knowing 16-year-old girls, this is how I imagine it happened. And I deeply, deeply, with all my heart, hope that parents aren't chatting between one another, saying, "Did you see what so-and-so's daughter posted online?"
I brought an incredible amount of unnecessary attention to a very, very sore subject. I really can't do anything about it right now while we're not in session, but I can't have those pictures sticking in the back of parents' or girls' minds. I can just hear it now, "But what about when [that one girl] posted those pictures online? You didn't do anything then..."
The pictures are almost gone; and I've been promised that the remaining few will be removed as soon as possible; I've also been promised that this will never happen again from those culprits. Still, I wish I could take back my public notice. I don't want all of my girls (and their parents) to feel like they're at fault. And I really, really don't want our team to become divided by a few girls' stupid decisions. But I can't take it back because two parents have already "liked" that notice. If I took it back now, it wouldn't matter. The damage is already done; everyone (or at least some people) already know that someone screwed up.
Sometimes, throughout the course of today, I wondered, "does it really hurt to scare a few innocent bystanders in the hopes of catching a few wrongdoers?" Let me reassure you, however, I'm not out to become MacArthur. And I'm certainly not open to the idea of opening fire on a crowd in hopes of hitting a criminal or two.
I was wrong. I screwed up. I apologize. But I do hope that everyone took (or takes) a second look at their online content and reassessed it. The internet is forever, after all. Be careful what you post, who you let post about you and who you let access it all.
"Well, no," I used to tell him, "it's not forever. Things can be erased/deleted/recalled/removed/whatever you want to call it."
"But," he would argue, "if someone's already seen it before you delete it, the damage is already done."
I had to agree with him on that point. So, yes, sometimes the internet is forever. Just like those words you said and wish with all your heart you could take back.
There are things I wish I hadn't done in my life. Things I wish I'd never said. Trust me, if I could take back all the times I secretly flicked off my parents or told them I hated them when I didn't get my way... (Wow, being a teenager really sucked, didn't it?)
We've all got a list of things we wish we could take back. If only real life -- I mean talking and acting in the real world -- was as easy as the internet. If only we could go back and press delete or recall or untag and be able to purport that there's no evidence to prove we did whatever we did wrong! Wouldn't life be so much easier? No, officer, I wasn't speeding. I wasn't even driving down that road. Look back...see? Nothing there. I never even left my house.
Recently, I'm ashamed to say, I fought fire with fire. Even I know that's rarely, if ever, a mature option. But when I found some unsavory, if not illicit, pictures of my girls on the world's largest social networking site, I was furious. I could've just texted the culprits. It would've been the end of it! Quietly and calmly; it would've been over. But, no. I put out a mass notice on the same social networking site, warning everyone to rid themselves (and the internet) of such evidence before the season officially started in February. I thought it would help displace the blame, so that everyone thought I was speaking to the general public and so that no one knew I was speaking to only a specific few; I hoped the select few to whom I was speaking would realize it and make things right. I figured it was like that time in college that some of my teammates were caught skipping class and we were all forced to run for hours as punishment. Hours, not minutes. Run, not jog. No exaggeration there. We all knew someone(s) skipped class, but we weren't told who and it didn't even matter because a team loses as a team.
Anyway, I had such good intentions with my mass post. I hoped girls would look back at their pictures and reassess them. I hoped parents would take interest in what their daughters were posting online. Was that so wrong?
I'm not exactly sure what happened...
I got a message from a father on my team asking if my notice was about his daughter. It wasn't and I reassured him of that. He's a good dad that does his due diligence online to make sure his daughter stays out of trouble. Not all my parents do that. Not all parents (good or bad) can do that. Let's be honest with ourselves: the internet is like a wildfire in California; if you don't live in California (which we don't) and don't watch the news, you may never know that it happens. Regardless, it reeks havoc on a lot of lives.
I'm not sure how it spread, really. I know that not all of my girls or parents "stalk" me online and some of them have so many "friends" online that my post would've just been buried in a seemingly endless feed of status updates. I imagine, though, that one of my more responsible girls saw the post and started looking around -- then started texting. I hope with all my heart that's not how it happened, though. I never wanted to pin one girl against another. I never wanted one teammate to harbor ill feelings towards another. But, knowing 16-year-old girls, this is how I imagine it happened. And I deeply, deeply, with all my heart, hope that parents aren't chatting between one another, saying, "Did you see what so-and-so's daughter posted online?"
I brought an incredible amount of unnecessary attention to a very, very sore subject. I really can't do anything about it right now while we're not in session, but I can't have those pictures sticking in the back of parents' or girls' minds. I can just hear it now, "But what about when [that one girl] posted those pictures online? You didn't do anything then..."
The pictures are almost gone; and I've been promised that the remaining few will be removed as soon as possible; I've also been promised that this will never happen again from those culprits. Still, I wish I could take back my public notice. I don't want all of my girls (and their parents) to feel like they're at fault. And I really, really don't want our team to become divided by a few girls' stupid decisions. But I can't take it back because two parents have already "liked" that notice. If I took it back now, it wouldn't matter. The damage is already done; everyone (or at least some people) already know that someone screwed up.
Sometimes, throughout the course of today, I wondered, "does it really hurt to scare a few innocent bystanders in the hopes of catching a few wrongdoers?" Let me reassure you, however, I'm not out to become MacArthur. And I'm certainly not open to the idea of opening fire on a crowd in hopes of hitting a criminal or two.
I was wrong. I screwed up. I apologize. But I do hope that everyone took (or takes) a second look at their online content and reassessed it. The internet is forever, after all. Be careful what you post, who you let post about you and who you let access it all.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Whoa. Off-Season. Questions?
Sometime after Thanksgiving--the Sunday after Thanksgiving, to be exact--we finally broke for the dreaded "off-season." I know I said I'd still blog during it, but I find myself utterly confused as to where all the time went and how I spent it all. It's already 2011, people. Twenty-eleven.
Anyway, I've done some pondering tonight because I'm sick of thinking about work and I've come up with a few unanswerable questions. I need your help. (Or not. Because this blog has a total of 2 total comments. All time. 2. Not 2011. Just 2, Two.)
On with the list!
- Why are Lean Cuisines so complicated? Seriously. If I wanted to spend 10 minutes waiting for food that tastes like "cardboard," and stir at some point, I'd just make ramen.
- Why do I work all the time? I didn't work this much during the summer when we had tournaments and practice all the time. This is a bad sign...
- What happened to bed-times? I told myself I'd sleep during the off-season. I've utterly abandoned that promise to myself. Another bad sign...
- Who ate all the Christmas cookies? Please tell me it wasn't me.
- Where is the gym? ...Rhetorical question. I know where it is. I just haven't "found" it lately.
- Whose job is it to do laundry? I need a freakin' maid.
- There's no money left in my bank account? Huh? Really? Really....?
- Why does my cat love this toy so much? ...Okay, mine has fish on the end, but it's dang close.
- Does this list really have to go to 10? Because I'm kind of running out of questions. I'm really a simple person.
- Twilight! Who voted for that "cardboard" to win like 289,402 People's Choice Awards? (Needs no explanation or commentary.)
Thoughts welcomed. Answers preferred.
And, for now, that's all the blogging strength I can muster up. After all, I ate cardboard for dinner...
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