Coaching them the right way

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Feb 3, 2011
1,880
48
During Saturday pool play, our team managed to defeat a tough opponent 8-0 in 5 innings.

On Sunday, the same 2 teams squared off in a semifinal. The opponent's young ace pitched a gem, holding our typically solid offense scoreless for 4 innings, while her team scratched out a run in each of the 1st 3 innings to give her a 3-0 lead to work with. In the top of the 5th, we put together a couple of runs and now had a real ball game heading into the 6th and possibly decisive inning. In the top of the 6th, a leadoff single looked like the start of another rally, but we were unable to get the tying run home and there were only 5 minutes left on the clock. It seemed like our last best chance had faded, but there was an outside shot at getting to the 7th.

We recorded 2 quick outs before the 3rd batter of the inning drew a 6-pitch walk. If the next batter stood there and took 3 straight pitches, the game would end and her team would be victorious. But she didn't take. She was up there to hit. She popped the 1st pitch up to our SS. There were 45 seconds left on the clock.

With our players breathing new life, their bats finally woke up and our girls plated 6 in the top of the 7th. The other team rallied with 3 of their own in the home half, but fell short in the end, allowing our team to advance to the final.

The opposing coach demonstrated great confidence in his team and, by playing the game straight, put his players in a position that simply cannot be replicated in practice - having to hold a 7th-inning lead when playing late on Sunday. Our team gained valuable experience as well. You can't ever give up just because a pitcher is having a great day against you.

We know we'll see this team again in the months to come, but it's always refreshing to see small displays of integrity in sports, especially when it comes to the examples we're all setting for our children.
 
May 17, 2012
2,804
113
Meh. Teams in all other sports speed up and slow down to win a game. Football teams run the ball, soccer holds the ball, basketball teams run down the shot clock.

Even if you argue that baseball and softball should be played without a clock, it's not at tournaments.

Their are no moral victories. That's why they keep score.

I am not win at all costs guy, but I do play by the rules and the rules have a time limit. Plan accordingly because I will.
 
Oct 25, 2009
3,345
48
I hate a time limit in softball. I hate it even worse because there is no way to call a time out. But I have to agree with Gunner in this case. I would have told my batter to look for a perfect pitch—after she had 2 strikes on her.
 
Aug 29, 2011
2,581
83
NorCal
Earlier this fall my DD was guilty of grounding out to SS on the first pitch with 10 seconds on the clock. We did set them down 1-2-3 in their half of the inning to end the game so it was all good. But we could have save the trouble in 95 degree heat if she'd just taken a pitch.
 
Jun 27, 2011
5,089
0
North Carolina
I don't want to get into the clock debate again, but the game would be different if coaches and parents made it their goal to provide their children the most ''valuable experiences'' possible on the softball field, to use MD's phrase, and cared less about W-L record.
 
Feb 3, 2011
1,880
48
Meh. Teams in all other sports speed up and slow down to win a game. Football teams run the ball, soccer holds the ball, basketball teams run down the shot clock.

Even if you argue that baseball and softball should be played without a clock, it's not at tournaments.

Their are no moral victories. That's why they keep score.

I am not win at all costs guy, but I do play by the rules and the rules have a time limit. Plan accordingly because I will.

I'm talking specifically about youth softball. It's totally ok for you to not have an absolute belief in your players. I was merely saying that I like the fact that not everyone answers the mating call of the loser.

Be pleased with yourself, but I hope that the players who have played for you have grown in ways that have nothing to do with a scoreboard. When I look at how that team on the other side of the field handled itself yesterday, I'd have to say that's certainly the case for them, even if it doesn't become clear until long after the dust has settled. YMMV
 
Oct 25, 2009
3,345
48
I'm talking specifically about youth softball. It's totally ok for you to not have an absolute belief in your players. I was merely saying that I like the fact that not everyone answers the mating call of the loser.

Be pleased with yourself, but I hope that the players who have played for you have grown in ways that have nothing to do with a scoreboard. When I look at how that team on the other side of the field handled itself yesterday, I'd have to say that's certainly the case for them, even if it doesn't become clear until long after the dust has settled. YMMV

You can certainly maintain sportsmanship and honor while learning strategy. While I'm totally against someone unethically using a clock instead of competing I'm also against blowing a game because of foolish play.

If the batter who grounded out to SS had instead been more selective in her at bat I certainly hope that no one would have thought of her or her coach or team as unethical.
 
Jul 23, 2014
195
16
I was merely saying that I like the fact that not everyone answers the mating call of the loser.

Haha, this is a little harsh but it did make me laugh.

I don't mind girls taking pitches and being a little more selective at the plate to avoid another inning. What I don't like are things like trips to the mound, 3rd base coach suddenly needing to have a conversation with a hitter and things like that.
 
Jun 11, 2013
2,619
113
I commend the coach for playing. It's likely the batter missed a take sign but we'll give it up for the coach.

I wouldn't have a problem with a player taking some pitches late, but seriously don't like when a team changes pitchers or even worse the catcher to run the clock out.

The best I ever saw on this was we were down 2-1 with not much time out, 2 outs and the girl on the other team too 2 pitches then fouled back 6 or 7 in a row before lining a base hit. I don't know if she fouled off on purpose, but had to tip the cap to her and figure out how to spend the rest of a Sunday.
 
May 17, 2012
2,804
113
I'm talking specifically about youth softball. It's totally ok for you to not have an absolute belief in your players. I was merely saying that I like the fact that not everyone answers the mating call of the loser.

Be pleased with yourself, but I hope that the players who have played for you have grown in ways that have nothing to do with a scoreboard. When I look at how that team on the other side of the field handled itself yesterday, I'd have to say that's certainly the case for them, even if it doesn't become clear until long after the dust has settled. YMMV

Easy stance alert. Won't someone think of the children.

I don't make the rules. I am on a three letter board and I constancy rant against the short "timed" games in a lot of tournaments. I understand that money drives this ultimately.

The next time my quarterback wants to take a knee to close out a game I will tell him not to and pass the ball. Pick-six be damned, at least his moral compass won't be broken. I have to have faith my QB can complete a pass.
 

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