Just a runner. In this scenario I'm talking about a runner, not a coach who tells his whole team to purposely interfere with a throw.
Bunt situation, what do you do?
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Single runner, 10u. Yea if I overheard a coach tell his catcher to beam a runner I'd gone nuts too. There are times to make a statement, but what you describe it was NOT the time to do so.
That was my problem and it threw up some red flags for me. Don't get me wrong, I grew up playing old school hardcore ball and I have no problems teaching those methods later on, but at 10, that is just inappropriate.
Woody
Problem is what I/we were taught/played like in our older years of competitive ball has now filtered down into the beginning years of even rec levels of play. I've seen a mountain of unsportsmanlike conduct over my ball days, and a rather large hill in my daughter's years.
But here is what I've learned, most of the nasty stuff happens young in this game. ( I blame that on the coaches, kids are not smart enought to know what they're doing ) As they get older less play nasty, either refusing to do what the coach says or they hold a higher standard of their game.
One more bit of trivia. I know what happened made you upset, and it's a valid case. Once you hit 14u and above and any defensive player throws a cheap shot, you can sit back and not say a word or go grab a bag of popcorn. Your girls will "handle" the situation in their own special way before the game is over. Like the old saying "don't start nuthin, won't be nuthin".
Problem is what I/we were taught/played like in our older years of competitive ball has now filtered down into the beginning years of even rec levels of play. I've seen a mountain of unsportsmanlike conduct over my ball days, and a rather large hill in my daughter's years.
But here is what I've learned, most of the nasty stuff happens young in this game. ( I blame that on the coaches, kids are not smart enought to know what they're doing ) As they get older less play nasty, either refusing to do what the coach says or they hold a higher standard of their game.
One more bit of trivia. I know what happened made you upset, and it's a valid case. Once you hit 14u and above and any defensive player throws a cheap shot, you can sit back and not say a word or go grab a bag of popcorn. Your girls will "handle" the situation in their own special way before the game is over. Like the old saying "don't start nuthin, won't be nuthin".
I agree completely that when they are older they will handle it themselves. I used to get hit more than anyone when I played. I was a pitcher and guys like Bob Gibson were my idols, so if a batter crowded my plate I would reach out and touch them. BUT...I would get hit in return, it was tit for tat. That was when I was an older player though. I never learned any of the "tricks" when I was a youngster on the dirt.
ditto......
- Feb 3, 2011
- 1,880
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Yes, there are coaches and non-coach parents who do instruct these 8-9-10yo catchers to drill the runner on the way to 1B. And not only do they teach it, they actually get excited when a kid executes this in a game. To make matters worse, they get even more giddy about it when retelling the story years later.
Players get hit in softball, but while there's no need to baby someone who just took a shot, adults who choose those moments to high-five one another at 10u games are a joke. I don't expect perfection from any coach, but taking delight in this play crosses the line for me.
Added an answer to the post:
10u you teach your player the options to throw the ball but if you don't teach them to throw through a player (at some point) a parent will. 10u is too young for the kids, but there's little discretion when it comes to adults.
Story:
Old teammate of my DD (who had little nice to say when they were on the same team) left message before a scrimmage game talking smack-that my Dd sucked, wouldn't get on base because she can't hit, etc. My DD was catching an inning when little Ms. Smack talk laid down a bunt and proceeded to run inside the base line. DD plunked her between the shoulders, batter was out. That was 14u and I wasn't there to smile but the little booger deserved it. As a parent, kid deserved it. Next spring the same talking booger had nothing but nice things to say to my DD.
My daughters been plunked for hanging over the plate trying to get walked and she deserved that too.
10u you teach your player the options to throw the ball but if you don't teach them to throw through a player (at some point) a parent will. 10u is too young for the kids, but there's little discretion when it comes to adults.
Story:
Old teammate of my DD (who had little nice to say when they were on the same team) left message before a scrimmage game talking smack-that my Dd sucked, wouldn't get on base because she can't hit, etc. My DD was catching an inning when little Ms. Smack talk laid down a bunt and proceeded to run inside the base line. DD plunked her between the shoulders, batter was out. That was 14u and I wasn't there to smile but the little booger deserved it. As a parent, kid deserved it. Next spring the same talking booger had nothing but nice things to say to my DD.
My daughters been plunked for hanging over the plate trying to get walked and she deserved that too.
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Dirty is the coach teaching the girl to run inside of the baseline to disrupt the throw or make the catcher hesitate.
Reality is catchers pop and throw this on habit. The rule is in place to prevent injury so if the catcher pops and throws properly but the runner is running improperly then the runner is punished with the out-not the catcher.
The only issue here is a coach not teaching properly or a runner not running properly. If you or your coach make an error and you get hurt its not the catchers fault-its yours.
Very true. Like cleating a player viscously. Do that to one mine intentionally and suddenly homeplate opens up....oh wait its not open-it was a trap. Catchers take care of their own and usually are big, strong, and a bit mean. All I do is enjoy my seeds or popcorn and let them play.
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