"Challenging" Tournament Coming-Up

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LetsPlayTwo

LetsPlayTwo
Jul 4, 2014
24
0
Ohio
We are a first year 14U local TB team with a 0.300 win/loss % headed to a tournament where we will see the very best teams in the area. We have shown brief flashes of brilliance but mostly this is a rag-tag assortment of average to average-minus kids (who are having a good time btw) trying to stay with sb and play for their high schools in the coming years. (HS is big here, and even really good TB players embrace HS ball). IMO attending a D3 or Juco is a possibility for a couple of these girls based on their drive and attitude but for a few, the road will likely end this year or next. We practice 1 day per week since December (weather permitting here in Ohio). Indoor space and coaches' schedules are limiting factors. The 4 pitchers do take lessons but are all erratic and none of them can consistently pitch a complete game. One pitcher is on IR. A few of the others take random lessons but most do not. This team has won as underdogs a few times, so they know what's needed to win. I am the "third" AC and do not usually take part in significant decisions and certainly not tournament selections.

All this is background for the question: How do I/we approach this tournament? I know about being optimistic and having a never-give up attitudes (which hasn't been a problem so far), they put their pants on one leg at-a-time, any-given-day, and the other clichés for such situations. I was hoping for some sage advise for the before, during, and after situations that await. Many of the teams that will be there are Big Organization year-round, multiple team and private lessons, take no prisoners, $$$ operations. We have told the team they will see top-notch completion and need to bring their A-Games. We are pretty good at being outwardly upbeat and encouraging but realistically, we are in for a long (or more appropriately short) weekend. Its too late to "not" schedule this tournament (whether it should have been included is another issue), but now they have to strap their hats on take what comes.
 
Jul 6, 2013
371
0
I think most of us have been there before. It's not always fun either. And while ultimately, wins/losses are what most focus on, it's tough, in my opinion, to get the best out of them focusing on that. Put the focus on individual pitches. Individual batters. Individual innings. We've had games where we had a horrible first inning or two. Just totally blow the whole game. One of those games where you want to lose your mind. Lol. Challenge the girls one pitch, one batter, one inning at a time. "Win this inning" is something I've used a ton. And mean it. When you take the pressure of making sure to stay in the winners bracket, or not going home away, they tend to play looser, and more engaged, at least in my experience. They aren't concerned with the final outcome as much as doing their very best that moment. String these challenges together. The pitchers have to understand that they are competing one pitch at a time. Fielders, one ground ball or pop up at a time. Win that particular battle, and go onto the next. The ramifications aren't "if you don't make this play, the winning run scores". It needs to be "if you make this play, you win against THIS batter". Rinse and repeat, and carry it over to batting as well. They have 3 chances to win 1 pitch. NOT one at bat to make it happen. 3 chances to win 1 pitch. Period.

Of course, this is probably all poppycock to many here. :p
 
Jan 18, 2010
4,284
0
In your face
The best way to get better, is play better competition. The diamond game is an educational journey, it's always evolving and so must you and the team. "How do you approach this tournament"? Just like any other, one pitch at a time, one hit, one out at a time.

My advice to teams behind the 8 ball, playing teams that are better, is to use that as "classroom instructional time". Sometimes it's difficult to manage all during your game, but if your weekend is "cut short", don't just pack up and leave. Ask some players/parents to stay, watch these better teams, learn from them. Engage the team to study the better players, hold conversations among yourselves as you see game situations develop, take the time to explain how and/or why.......that worked.......that didn't. Discuss mechanics ( especially footwork ), do Q&A for offensive and defensive situations before the pitch. ( where the play is, what pitch, is runner going, field position shifts, who's covering / backing up, etc )
 

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
I am going to go in a different direction to others advice here - which btw is all good in terms of setting expectations, attitude, etc, etc...

Here is my advice: Take every OUT on offer. Even if it means giving up a run.

Superior, experienced teams see teams like yours as someone they can steamroll by running you into the ground. I know we would and do. We'll take 2 bases on walks, we'll steal all day long, we'll try and tempt you into plays you aren't (currently) capable of making.

For example - and this happened yesterday - we basically got a team into a position where there was a revolving door on the bases. So, got on base, stole second, either got a pass ball or a hit to get to third... Next play we are gong to take second on you, and you are going to let us, because you don't want to give up the run on third and then we will just keep doing it. Let me say this - that girl on third - she has already scored and you just don't know it yet. Throw the girl out at second - she'll be as shocked as her coach is.

Same with a 2 base walk with third occupied. Take the out at second and MAKE sure you get the out. Teams are often so surprised this happens that often the runner from third doesn't go or doesn't get the jump they should and maybe you get a second out. But be willing to take this out to give up the run and start again with the bases empty. Don't check three and go one - go one and then try for home. Get the easy out EVERY time - that may mean the lead runner advances, but you are one out closer to getting off the field and into your batters.

I have seen many a very good team stop taking extra bases and a few bad teams managing to stop the grind and compete with better teams this way.

If you can get on and off the field and keep the innings turning over, it will be a lot more fun and a whole lot less tiring than watching a team grind you into the ground. You will also get more AT BATS as a team. Getting through your line up twice is a big deal if you are looking at being run ruled.

Is this going to even things up and maybe steal one? Well as you said, probably not, and you may still very well get run-ruled - but you certainly put yourself in a better position than being automatically steamrolled. And if it is close and you get them a little nervous then great.
 
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Jul 6, 2013
371
0
Some very good points. We had a team let us get 1st and 3rd with 1 out a few weeks ago. Somewhat close game at that point. Next pitch, squeeze bunt and runner stealing from 1st to 3rd....seven pitches in a row. 7 runs later, and after being frustrated trying to get the girl squeezing home, the coach finally called time and the next pitch they threw the girl out at first. 2 outs and next batter grounded out to end the inning. But the damage was done. They possibly could have gotten out of that inning giving up 1 run. Instead, the game got ugly fast. Not to mention, it was very easy to defend anyway. Zero panic, and go through your progressions. Get an out. And I really hate to say that...just get an out is a dirty phrase in my opinion...but what you have described an are up against, it surely sounds like good advice.
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
The best way to improve is the play teams who are better than yours. It may also light a fire under some of the girls when they realize there is a whole other level of TB being played. I have seen a lot of B-level teams who only play in B-level tournaments, win 80+% of their games, the girls and their parents think they are "all that and a bag of chips", then they get shell shocked when they finally play in an A-level tournament.
 
Jul 10, 2014
1,283
0
C-bus Ohio
Here is my advice: Take every OUT on offer. Even if it means giving up a run...If you can get on and off the field and keep the innings turning over, it will be a lot more fun and a whole lot less tiring than watching a team grind you into the ground.

This is how I coach my 12U rec and All Star teams. We try to throw out base runners, and if they get cute we try to get the lead runner or at least hold them, but the priority is on getting the batter. Against good teams we limit the damage, and against mediocre teams we flat stop them - including putting my rec team against our All Star teams.
 
Oct 22, 2009
1,532
0
PA
I think playing up is always a good thing, but the coaches need to recognize that they need to have some humility and learn from the beat downs as well. It is not the player's fault they are unprepared to play tough teams if the coaches have never prepared them for what they are about to face. Sure, players can improve their pitching and hitting mechanics to compete against better players individually, but as a team, it is the coach's responsibility to teach the players how to execute defensively, to play within themselves, try not to do too much, and keep their focus on getting one out at a time. Too often I see teams playing up and the coaches holding everyone accountable for mistakes except themselves. Coaches need to recognize when they have been out-coached and hold themselves to the same sandard of getting better like they do with their players.
 
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Get outs when you can.

Watch .... and learn.

Take notes and make sure you point out to your girls what the good teams are doing.

Make sure you point out your own little victories, as well.

Go back to practice the following week not with your tail between your legs, but with your head high with praise for your girls and for their opponents.

Take what you've seen and try to implement at least some of the things you think your girls might be capable of right away.

Refer to your new map frequently thereafter. It really helps if everyone on the team knows where they need to go and has the common goal of getting there using this new-found knowledge.

ADDING: Have practice as soon as possible after the tourney. You want what the other teams did fresh in everyone's mind. Point out EVERYTHING you noted ..... EVERYTHING .... about what the other teams did that made them so good. Tell your girls they're wonderful and that you're looking forward to seeing them do some of these things, and that you are committed to helping them get there. Then get out there and teach it to them and help them perfect their skills! You cannot go back now, you must try and get them to the next level with everything you've got. :cool:
 
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I am so glad to read this because this is more or less the approach I took last weekend in my first ever tournament and I was the coach with a 12U league rec "all star" team and I use that "all star" loosely. Basically, everyone who will sign up for the tournament team is in. We had 3 practices after rec season and really were in over our heads in a 12 team B/C/Rec Stars tournament this past weekend.

We started by trying to stay in games but we kept having the one killer inning. That just puts that much more pressure on the IF because the OF really has no business being in a tournament, but they are all we got. Anyway, we got outs when we could. We threw out a 1-3 steal at 2 with 2 outs because my catcher said she could, and we tried to get one on almost every play.

We look like a bunch of rag tags and as such, opposing coaches think every kid (and apparently me) are clueless. The highlight for me happened in game 3. DD is the pitcher and with a girl on third and one out, she walked the batter. We were down 1 at the time in the 3rd. I could read in the body language from the 1B coach and the batter she was going to roll right on through to 2. I am not sure if this is right, but I had told DD to shade the 1B side of the circle is this happened and watch the runner. Sure enough she jogged right on through and when she was about 10' on her way to 2, I had DD sprint staight at her. The runner froze dead in her tracks, I guess she wasn't exepecting this. Runner on 3 then heads home, and I called for home. DD fires in to home, out by 8', and runner went back to 1. Next batter was out and end of inning, and other team was a lot more cautious after that.

I could not agree more on getting an out when you can. That doesn't always mean at 1 if you have the play elsewhere for sure, but there were a few times early on where we tried for more and it didn't work. It was those times I wished I would have had us get 1.

I am going to go in a different direction to others advice here - which btw is all good in terms of setting expectations, attitude, etc, etc...

Here is my advice: Take every OUT on offer. Even if it means giving up a run.

Superior, experienced teams see teams like yours as someone they can steamroll by running you into the ground. I know we would and do. We'll take 2 bases on walks, we'll steal all day long, we'll try and tempt you into plays you aren't (currently) capable of making.

For example - and this happened yesterday - we basically got a team into a position where there was a revolving door on the bases. So, got on base, stole second, either got a pass ball or a hit to get to third... Next play we are gong to take second on you, and you are going to let us, because you don't want to give up the run on third and then we will just keep doing it. Let me say this - that girl on third - she has already scored and you just don't know it yet. Throw the girl out at second - she'll be as shocked as her coach is.

Same with a 2 base walk with third occupied. Take the out at second and MAKE sure you get the out. Teams are often so surprised this happens that often the runner from third doesn't go or doesn't get the jump they should and maybe you get a second out. But be willing to take this out to give up the run and start again with the bases empty. Don't check three and go one - go one and then try for home. Get the easy out EVERY time - that may mean the lead runner advances, but you are one out closer to getting off the field and into your batters.

I have seen many a very good team stop taking extra bases and a few bad teams managing to stop the grind and compete with better teams this way.

If you can get on and off the field and keep the innings turning over, it will be a lot more fun and a whole lot less tiring than watching a team grind you into the ground. You will also get more AT BATS as a team. Getting through your line up twice is a big deal if you are looking at being run ruled.

Is this going to even things up and maybe steal one? Well as you said, probably not, and you may still very well get run-ruled - but you certainly put yourself in a better position than being automatically steamrolled. And if it is close and you get them a little nervous then great.
 

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