based merely on some vibes I got during games and handshakes with these coaches, wondering what others think about scenario. LL minors team, mostly 8s and 9s. 4 run limit, 8 in last.
scenario 1 - we have a no new inning after two hours rule. slow game, other team had no pitching. they would walk bases loaded, then with bases loaded and 4 ball count, I would pitch, most times resulting in a hit. we are up by about 4 after top of 4th (we are home team), I ask coach if we can play out the inning just for sake of development. Also really want to get my one player who has not put ball in play all year another chance to do so. we do load bases, but score no runs. other coach gave me weird vibe during handshake, possible they might have thought i wanted to run up score. really just want girls to play more. I think she was frustrated, her team had little to no pitching, makes for long season
scenario 2 - playoff game last night, we are up 11-1 in top of 4th, my DD is R1, very nonchalant on several past balls and her leads, I get on her about it from dugout. 3b coach says he called off stealing, since we are up 10. I was not necessarily worried about score (I normally pay little attention to score, knew we were winning, but that is all), just trying to have them aggressive on basepaths. no problem with him calling off stealing though. bottom of fourth, they cannot push a run across to extend the game (mercy rule), and ump says line them up, if he said nothing, I would have continued playing. talking during this bottom of 4th, I realize I made mistake, should have pulled my #1 P, was going to be her last inning anyways (only second time she has thrown 4 all year). I had forgotten about mercy rule, if I had remembered, would have changed P before we took field, but I do not like to pull girls off mound in middle of inning unless really necessary (ie they have checked out mentally, or are simply tired or hurt). have not done so all year. I think other coach (whom I am freidnly with normally) though I kept foot on gas a little too long. really inexperience on my part, first time we mercy ruled a team all year, simply did not enter my mind that game was about to be over. I will say I am also loud during the games, but all positive, telling girls the situation, encouraging, pushing them to play their absolute best, praising all the positives (pitches, at bats, plays, backups, etc.) verbally instructing to move to proper spot, etc, and yes, this game I coached to win (as opposed to pushing my team to play to win), ie I pretty much did not change my defensive lineup all game, except to swap C and 1B when C said her ankle was sore. big change from regular season for me, but it is a playoff, even if in minors with only three teams in division. I think this surprised other coach as well, they beat us twice in regular season, 6-1 and 9-6, but again, my whole way of coaching changed (BTW, in first game she pitched her #1 P entire game, in second, used another P for one inning, then her #1 again rest of way, this girls was best pitcher by far in our division this year).
opinions?
scenario 1 - we have a no new inning after two hours rule. slow game, other team had no pitching. they would walk bases loaded, then with bases loaded and 4 ball count, I would pitch, most times resulting in a hit. we are up by about 4 after top of 4th (we are home team), I ask coach if we can play out the inning just for sake of development. Also really want to get my one player who has not put ball in play all year another chance to do so. we do load bases, but score no runs. other coach gave me weird vibe during handshake, possible they might have thought i wanted to run up score. really just want girls to play more. I think she was frustrated, her team had little to no pitching, makes for long season
scenario 2 - playoff game last night, we are up 11-1 in top of 4th, my DD is R1, very nonchalant on several past balls and her leads, I get on her about it from dugout. 3b coach says he called off stealing, since we are up 10. I was not necessarily worried about score (I normally pay little attention to score, knew we were winning, but that is all), just trying to have them aggressive on basepaths. no problem with him calling off stealing though. bottom of fourth, they cannot push a run across to extend the game (mercy rule), and ump says line them up, if he said nothing, I would have continued playing. talking during this bottom of 4th, I realize I made mistake, should have pulled my #1 P, was going to be her last inning anyways (only second time she has thrown 4 all year). I had forgotten about mercy rule, if I had remembered, would have changed P before we took field, but I do not like to pull girls off mound in middle of inning unless really necessary (ie they have checked out mentally, or are simply tired or hurt). have not done so all year. I think other coach (whom I am freidnly with normally) though I kept foot on gas a little too long. really inexperience on my part, first time we mercy ruled a team all year, simply did not enter my mind that game was about to be over. I will say I am also loud during the games, but all positive, telling girls the situation, encouraging, pushing them to play their absolute best, praising all the positives (pitches, at bats, plays, backups, etc.) verbally instructing to move to proper spot, etc, and yes, this game I coached to win (as opposed to pushing my team to play to win), ie I pretty much did not change my defensive lineup all game, except to swap C and 1B when C said her ankle was sore. big change from regular season for me, but it is a playoff, even if in minors with only three teams in division. I think this surprised other coach as well, they beat us twice in regular season, 6-1 and 9-6, but again, my whole way of coaching changed (BTW, in first game she pitched her #1 P entire game, in second, used another P for one inning, then her #1 again rest of way, this girls was best pitcher by far in our division this year).
opinions?