LetsPlayTwo
LetsPlayTwo
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, $$$ operations. We have told the team they will see top-notch completion and need to bring their A-Games. We are pretty good at being outwardly upbeat and encouraging but realistically, we are in for a long (or more appropriately short) weekend. Its too late to "not" schedule this tournament (whether it should have been included is another issue), but now they have to strap their hats on take what comes.
All this is background for the question: How do I/we approach this tournament? I know about being optimistic and having a never-give up attitudes (which hasn't been a problem so far), they put their pants on one leg at-a-time, any-given-day, and the other clichés for such situations. I was hoping for some sage advise for the before, during, and after situations that await. Many of the teams that will be there are Big Organization year-round, multiple team and private lessons, take no prisoners, $$$ 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.