Turning Negatives Into Positives

DD does not care where she plays or bats so I have a bad presptive on whole thing.

I sat best player because of attitude.

Still not sure I made right decision.

I am pretty sure I would do thing again.

I'm still up in the air as to exactly what to do. Part of me wants to leave her in LF (but risk her doing jack s**t and then leaving), part of me wants to put her at 1B and say, "Here - you wanted to prove yourself, now do it" (but risk setting a precedent that whining gets your way).

Another part of me wants to sit down with her privately and talk to her and say, "Listen, I appreciate your interest and willingness to play different positions, however what you did on Monday is not the way a player earns time at specific positions they want, and that if she wants a specific position or to try for a specific spot, she has to show 100% hustle, positive attitude, and focus no matter where she plays." and perhaps offer a compromise - if she can stay fully focused/supportive for the first 3 innings of the game, then I would make a position swap and let her try out 1B and see - we're playing the only other team in our league worse than us, so it's not like we're playing for our lives tonight or anything.

Just wanted to provide a little update. Game night last evening: Me (0-6) vs. close rival (0-8). I thought a lot about the matter, and decided, "Screw it, let's see if she can prove herself." So I put this girl at 1st base. Before I read the lineup, my assistant coach gave the motivation speech: "A softball player doesn't complain about their position or say they 'can't' play a specific spot, they play hard no matter the position, batting order spot, or score - don't be the girl who puts herself over the team and brings everything down, be the player who brings everyone and everything up." During when I read the lineup, she had a 'surprised' look to her, and my only words to her were, "I'm holding up my end of things, I want you to hold up yours." She had 3 outs at 1B (3 putouts, 1 unassisted)..

Down 12-10 in the bottom of the 5th (us as home team) of a back/forth game, she leads off and gets her 1st hit of the season. Eventually moves herself around on passed balls, and steals home (scores on another passed ball). We eventually get the win - our first win of the season - 15-12. At the ice cream shoppe after the game (my tradition), I approach her with her dad (who were slightly separate from the group), and when she sees me, she simply says, "Thanks, Coach." I responded, "I held up my end of things, and so did you. Good job." The smile was all I needed (though I did go on to say, "But this doesn't mean Monday happens again - just like (AC) said before the game, when you are playing a position, play it 110% no matter what, and you'll find your way where you want to be.")

I'm hoping this leads to more positive feelings going forward and that I made the right choice in the long-term.

So - final post for this thread for the end of the season. We got that win mentioned before - went on to gain 2 more wins (both by forfeits) and a loss to a rival (in-town) team. For playoffs, we were seeded 6 out of 8 and had our quarterfinal game tonight vs. the #3 seed. The wheels on the bus FELL. OFF. We lost 15-0. Lot of senseless errors by the girls - things we'd talked about at practice the night before. Hitting was so-so overall. Where things really fell off:

a.) 1 parent VOCALLY upset about her daughter not pitching and playing CF (no spots on my team/field are guaranteed - I have players at spots for reasons, not always involving them). After our wrap-up meeting, she could be heard yelling over our way (from about 40 years away, across a crowd), "C'mon, hurry up, we're not coming back." Every girl looked at the parent, then looked at the girl, who just stared blankly at me. Said parent had issues with me weeks ago similar to these (her girl not playing where she wants, etc.) Apparently she only played 2 spots in school ball. I suppose she's better off gone. I had a feeling she wasn't returning next season any but this confirms it.

b.) 1 parent apparently almost coming on the field to confront me tonight after his daughter wouldn't throw the ball in a pickle between 2B and 3B (she's playing 3B). All my parents are screaming with me to throw it, her teammates are saying to throw it, she won't. I call time and call the infield in and ask her, she has no real answer aside from she didn't want to. I found out later she's apparently taught at her school NOT to throw in pickles - "safer to put the runner back on base than risk an errant throw". My response, "If the fielders are paying attention and in the right spots, you can make the throw and have backup." Safe to say said girl (and her sister who also plays for me and is no problem at all) won't be back. Same situation (felt they weren't returning and likely aren't - very disappointed with that from these two but not something I'm going to fight).

At least I DO know of 4 girls on my team planning to return for next year, so not all is lost. Overall, a 3-7 (3-8 with playoffs) final record for a 12-14U team in a 16U league. MUCH better attitudes and commitment than I've ever had, but also definitely a lot of things I've made notes about for next season (if there is a next season).