1st win, but weird post game...

BuckeyeGuy said:

So, our 1st two games (MS 7th grade) we scored 1 and 0 runs respectively. Today, the pitcher was either throwing meatballs or just plain balls. We won 27-9. During top 5 (ugly inning), while I'm coaching 3rd, I'm chatting up the opposing parents/book. I asked how many outs, as I'm never sure, and she says, "None, but you could give us one!" I told them the above story, and then said that the girls were just making up for that.

Now, we all laughed a little as we had been all game, and the inning eventually ended. During post game handshakes, opposing coach says, "I heard what you said to my parents, that was very unsportsmanlike," and walks away.

Talked to my AD, he says to blow it off, as did the boys BB coach, and some friends, but it's bugging me.

Click to expand...

My 10U travel team was in a game like that last year. The other teams pitchers couldn't throw strikes and the few they did we smoked. In the last inning which was unlimited scoring I went to the opposing coach and told him that we would just go through the lineup so everyone hits once and we would end the inning at that point if he was ok with that. He was, I told the umpire and when the last girl hit, the inning ended and they came up to bat. I also had my fifth pitcher pitch that inning and still had my one and two available if they made things interesting.
I don't know if you are allowed to do that at the JV or MS level

The best response to the parents in this situation is, "Tough day, been there." Even if you haven't.

Rockjerry said:

My 10U travel team was in a game like that last year. The other teams pitchers couldn't throw strikes and the few they did we smoked. In the last inning which was unlimited scoring I went to the opposing coach and told him that we would just go through the lineup so everyone hits once and we would end the inning at that point if he was ok with that. He was, I told the umpire and when the last girl hit, the inning ended and they came up to bat. I also had my fifth pitcher pitch that inning and still had my one and two available if they made things interesting.
I don't know if you are allowed to do that at the JV or MS level

Click to expand...

I like that solution. DS's HS football team regularly gets creamed; often in the second half they just keep the clock running.

I'm a little confused

Did you tell them that you only scored 1 and 0 runs in your first 2 games or was it something else.

If so from some parents point of view they could take it as we aren't very good and yet we are still crushing your team.

I'm sure you didn't mean it that way and I wouldn't worry about it, but could see that I we were losing by 15 runs that it could ruffle some feathers.

BG - as a coach, never feel guilty for playing the game hard no matter the score. If they can't stop your team from scoring that is their problem, not yours. I never wanted teams to "feel sorry" for my team. You did the right thing, put in your #2 pitcher once it was a blow out, didn't steal home on passed balls, etc. I used to be concerned with what all the parents thought, but the longer I coached I realized that some people won't be happy no matter what you do.

Ex. We were in the championship game, every time the other team was on defense all 4 of their coaches were outside the dugout in the field of play just a few feet from my 3rd base coach and they also had their back-up pitchers warming up on the field of play down the left field line (and not in the designated pitching area). I told the plate umpire about this and they made the coaches get back in the dugout and for their pitchers to warm-up elsewhere. We ended up winning the game and as we are shaking hands with the coaches afterwards, the head coach gets in my face saying "what is wrong with me, blah blah blah" and I keep saying "good game coach" and walked away. Clearly this coach was upset at losing the championship game and during the post game speech he didn't even acknowledge our team as is customary. After that game, I started caring less about what the other team thinks as long as I felt I was coaching the game the right way.

If my team was losing by 20 runs, someone else stepping off base would be the least of my concerns. It would be a blessing.

JJS said:

I think it is ASA(not sure though) now considers purposefully stepping off(whether to get another inning in because of time, or for mercy) to be unsportsmanlike, resulting in both the coach and player being ejected from the game.

Click to expand...

Really? I haven't seen or heard of anything like this.

Going into the 5th we were up by 9, and like I said, our D was spotty for some reason. I told my girls we needed a few insurance runs and then to hold them in their half. We plated 10, even with our foot off the gas. They walked in 2 and I had 1 HBP.

The only time limit is darkness, so slowing down wasn't an option. And I'm not about to have anyone just step off a bag. I'm not overly concerned with the score. The parents I was chatting with all seemed to be in my frame of mind: it's one game, we all have bad days, let's move on. Heck, every good play they made I complimented them on it.

It was the opposing coach that was bothered by what I said. CB gave a reasonable explanation of how it could have been misconstrued.

In the future, I will not be chatting with parents.

I would not worry about it. If Mother Teresa herself was a softball coach she would inevitably piss off some people.

First off, this sounds like something that would happen to me. I'm always putting my foot in my mouth but I still haven't learned to shut up. I like the stated philosophy of not talking when there is a game happening. (A Philosophy I should adhere to, but know I won't!)

Luckily, the team my (former D1 starter) wife coaches is stacked, so we are typically on the dishing, not receiving end. Although just recently we were battling (okay losing by a great margin) against an older and better team. It was a friendly game and typically we would not play this team since they are a level up. Anywho, I did comment to the coach jokingly that if they stole one more base after being up 10+ runs we'd bean their best player. (Unwritten rules of baseball) We laughed about it, and just at that moment a girl stole third base with no sign. So, he had her step off third to end the bleeding. I understand the gesture, but don't agree with it. I don't want pity (even 10+ runs down). It also comes across the wrong way. There are plenty of other ways to handle the situation. I think he could have stopped stealing bases on us as a nicer gesture.

I also understand it's not easy to throttle the kids back. DD team is taught to be agressive out of the gate. Once, we were dominating a team and the coach was holding up runners and slow playing the team. The girls were all confused because it's not how we practice. So, I understand the dilemma.

To the OP, were you wrong? No. But I suggest you close your mouth when up big or down big. I know I should!

I'll shut up now.