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Nov 2, 2015
192
16
So, I'm getting kind of frustrated with some of my fellow coaches in my district. Maybe I'm off-base, which is why I'm posting here to get your opinion.

Every game, head coaches meet to go over the "Ground Rules" so to say...This is 8U, so we always discuss things like "1 base on an over-throw to 1st" and "hold the runners once the ball is controlled in the infield" etc. Never had a single issue with it last year.

We're 5 games in so far this year, and in 3 or 4 of them the opposing coaches usually start by saying, "the way we've been playing is 1 base on a hit in the infield, and 2 on a hit to the outfield".
When I tell them how I'd prefer to play, I get some serious push-back.

This drives me crazy, as it's not teaching the girls the correct way to play, and teaches them laziness.

Last night, the opposing coach even said to me "so you're just going to let them run wild?" I reply with, "No. if there's an over throw, we'll advance one base. If we hit it to the outfiled, as soon as one of your infielders has the ball, we hold all runners." To which I get "do whatever you want, coach, I've already heard that's how you operate." So, to keep the peace, I say "no, no, no, we'll play by your rules, it's not a problem. i'll hold my girls at 2nd." So, I stand in the 3b coaching box, as my hitter is standing on 2nd base, and their right-fielder is walking to pick up the ball. All I can think is..."this is what you're teaching them, coach."

Am I the one that's being an a$$ on this? If my right fielder is walking to the ball, I want the other runner scoring to teach them that they have to hustle. Maybe I've got it wrong, but this isn't 5 year-olds playing tee-ball. These are athletic girls that want to learn the game!

Also, to be clear, I don't run up the score either. If we're up a large amount, I do hold my runners and basically go station to station. However, it's never really crazy as we have 5 run limit per inning, and 10 run mercy after 4.

What do you guys/gals think?
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
We have local rules to cover things like you are stating. We also occasionally make up our own rules in the pre game conference, sometimes that doesn't work.

IMO it needs to be a rule. You and your Team can do what they want but do not expect my Team to follow your rules.

I have an opportunity to inject my own local rules every year if I want too, they are not set in stone from 20 years ago.
 

Axe

Jul 7, 2011
459
18
Atlanta
Never make up rules at the plate meeting! Never allow the umpire or anyone else to start the meeting by saying, "this is what we're going to do today". Local rules are adopted for just this purpose. Play by the local rules and eliminate this discussion once and for all!
 
Aug 23, 2016
359
43
I'm an 8U parent and I agree with you, MacLobo.

DD's league is kid pitch, kids can steal third, and they get one base for an overthrow (unless it leaves the field, and then they get the current base). When the ball crosses into the circle, runners have to hold.

Kids in the outfield learn to hustle (and this year I've noticed that almost every coach puts at least one experienced player in the outfield, which helps with the hustling). Base runners learn to run the bases (a couple of girls on DD's team pay close attention to where 2B and SS are, and will take second every time they realize that no one's covering). Once base runners start exploiting weaknesses like this, then coaches start working on defense, and teams get better.
 
Nov 2, 2015
192
16
Never make up rules at the plate meeting! Never allow the umpire or anyone else to start the meeting by saying, "this is what we're going to do today". Local rules are adopted for just this purpose. Play by the local rules and eliminate this discussion once and for all!

I get what you're saying, and that's what I'm trying to do. There is nothing in the local rules that says "hold them at 2nd on an outfield hit." If I have a girls that crushes it to the fence (especially if it's a close game) I'm having her touch them all! Why not reward her?

That being said, I can go up there, and say "we're playing the local rules," and those coaches will still be saying "that's not how we've been playing" "you're going to let them run wild" etc. Which to be honest, I don't care what they say about me, I just don't want the league run like a T-ball game.
 
Nov 18, 2013
2,255
113
It sounds like you’re a good coach who’s passionate about your players learning. The fact that you’ve developed a reputation makes me think its time to ease back a little. Teach fundamentals, keep their attention and make it fun. There’s nothing to gain taking extra bases from 6-7 yo’s who don’t know what to do. Focus on your players. It’s not your job to teach the other team how to hustle. Good luck this season!
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
I think you are all wrong. :)

1 year in MS we were playing a DH, no time limit. 1st game took 4 hours.

2nd game coaches agreed to play 4 inning game.
 
May 6, 2015
2,397
113
I hear you Mac, and agree with pretty much what everyone has said. Local rules (whether league, district, etc.) should be written out every, and revised every for clarity, etc. one of my pet peeves is our local district rules have remained unchanged every year, even though I have suggested some changes only for clarity sake (we have coach itch with 4 ball count with bases loaded, but rules state that coach pitches on 4 ball subsequent batters as well, when intent is only on bases loaded, so we do CP on next 4 ball count with runner only on 3rd (because previous kid coach pitched to cleared the bases with a shot to LCF)? gave up this year.

I tend to be very aggressive with baserunning when game is tight, if we get substantial lead, we back off. I had one coach get pissy once because in a game we had yet to score in (they ended up beating us like 13-1, up like 7-0 at time), I had my runner on 3B taking bigger and bigger leads trying to bait a throw. don't let their opinions and comments bother you. as long as what you are doing is to help the girls develop, keep doing it. teaching the girls to hustle and be aware of the play is essential, as this is one of the hardest things to teach, they all want to react way too late at that age (ie after no chance of making a play).
 
Nov 2, 2015
192
16
It sounds like you’re a good coach who’s passionate about your players learning. The fact that you’ve developed a reputation makes me think its time to ease back a little. Teach fundamentals, keep their attention and make it fun. There’s nothing to gain taking extra bases from 6-7 yo’s who don’t know what to do. Focus on your players. It’s not your job to teach the other team how to hustle. Good luck this season!

Thank you, and I get what you're saying. On the reputation thing, the coach from last night was talking to the other coach in his league, that we already played. Apparently he has an issue with me and has talked to the other coach in his league. Everyone one else has been meniable, but just wants to play the base-by-base way, which is NOT a local rule.

It also confuses the girls. You end up having parents yelling "go three" and a coach saying "stay on second".
 

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