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obbay

Banned
Aug 21, 2008
2,199
0
Boston, MA
HS Varsity team-
Pitcher 1 (P1) and Pitcher 2 (P2) are about the same size but historically P2 not as good as P1. fastball in the 40's and changeup that is telegraphed a mile away. she doesn't touch a softball except when she absolutely has to, where P1 throws and hits throughout the year. P2 (and several other starters) are on the team as a social activity more than an athletic one.

now, without any training or practice P2 has picked up velocity and throws harder than P1. the kid with no work ethic and no passion for softball has just surpassed the kid who works at it all year long and "sleeps with her glove under her pillow" (as one coach put it)

Hitting- two of the worst swings on not particularly strong girls are leading the varsity team in hitting. they get their bat on the ball and it winds up in a hole or just over an infielders head. the leader who's batting in the .700's, has the worst case of DBSF I've ever seen above U10. actually they both have U10 swings. Even if they don't get a base hit,if the other team is going to make an error, it will be when these two hit. the coaches have no idea why they are hitting/getting on base.
On the other hand, the two best swings on the team are also the two least productive right now and are in the bottom half of the team for BA.

so apparently luck is more important than skill. the question is, how do you make luck happen?
 
Jun 27, 2011
5,089
0
North Carolina
Glad that you've shared this story and a similar one in a previous post. What you're discussing is more ''real life'' and relatable and frankly more interesting in may ways than stories of glory.

I always roll my eyes when I hear an athlete, after some great accomplishment, say, ''This proves that hard work pays off.'' So, you're the only one who worked hard? What about the one who worked hard and lost in the first round?

Hard work does generally pay off, but not always how we hope. Natural talent and luck are big factors, too. Then sometimes those who work the hardest want it more and therefore don't compete as relaxed as those who care less. The hard workers may feel they have more to lose (aka pressure). The underdog has a competitive advantage.

My DD has experienced some of this. On one hand, if I look back to her days in early travel ball until now, she's far exceeded my expectations. Never thought she'd make some of the teams she's made. On the other hand, if I go back just 2 years, I would've thought she'd be ahead of where she is, and HS ball has been somewhat of a disappointment.

All I can say to encourage you is that it's a worthwhile journey regardless of the on-field success. Disappointment and frustration in healthy doses are good for kids. It lowers our expectations so that future success will be appreciated that much more.

One thing that has gotten me through all the ups and downs is the assurance that some great moment or memory is always on the horizon. DD is either playing well, or she's about to. Never mind that it's never permanent and that cringe-worthy moments also await.

Just wait for something good. It's going to happen.
 
Nov 26, 2010
4,784
113
Michigan
Hard work and practice makes you the better ball player when compared to yourself. It is never a promise that you will be better then others.
 
Sep 29, 2014
2,421
113
It's all relative, athletic ability and hand eye coordination can go a long way.

The other unfortunate thing to remember is no matter how much you practice and work out you have a peak performance level (most people don't get there)...sometimes your peak is another persons mid level point it is just the way it goes.

If you never play against a group who are all performing at a level higher than you, you could get away with it forever.
 

obbay

Banned
Aug 21, 2008
2,199
0
Boston, MA
A batting average in the .700's and they are doing something wrong?
I hear you but if you saw it, you wouldn't believe it. If a hitting coach made your DD swing like these kids, you would demand your money back (if you didn't kill him first).

these kids are making contact and putting the ball in play and they don't fit the image of "Athlete". picture a texas-leaguer for every hit. not pretty but it gets the job done and counts the same as a hard hit single.
 
Last edited:
Feb 4, 2015
641
28
Massachusetts
Obbay, could our daughters possibly be on the same team? ha.

What HS does your DD play for, wondering if we play you guys. DD plays for the school that is more known for our prison than for being a nice, family community and rated the 4th drunkest town in the state. PM if you don't want to put it out on the boards.
 
May 30, 2013
1,442
83
Binghamton, NY
so apparently luck is more important than skill. the question is, how do you make luck happen?

Instructing high-level mechanics (pitching or hitting) is a tenuous thing.
At least initially, you are coaching a little bit of the athlete out of the kid to engrain a new pattern.
If this mindset continues, then you have kids fixated on static position checkpoints,
and this can stifle their success. A kid can look great off the tee or front toss,
but stick them in the box in a game, and if they can't string it all together dynamically, they will struggle.
In the long run, the kids learning "good swings" should eventually start seeing greater successes, though.

Sometimes a kid with a "bad" swing, just has great approach, pitch selection, timing, and confidence.
And a lot of that is harder to teach than swing mechanics.
 
Last edited:
Mar 14, 2017
453
43
Michigan
I coached an All-State Shortstop as a junior, who hit .233 as a senior. Her problem- too many line drives. She spent her senior season hitting line drives into fielders gloves. A foot in either direction, of if she instead hit lazy pop us over the infield she would have hit .500+. I guess some times it's just not your day...week...season.
 

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