One day out from an incident and I am still farily heated about it, so I thought I'd defer to the cool heads here for a rational answer. Is there any room for crying in softball?
I am talking about a 10u 'A' team comprised only of 10 & 11 yo's. I don't believe there is ANY room for crying after an error, or after being put out, or after a 'K.' I'm not saying that crying is inexcusable after being plinked on the hand, taking a cleat to the ankle or some kind of legitimate injury.
However, I have seen enough of the crying after a fielding or throwing error and I've decided to go ZERO TOLERANCE. Such selfish crying and the attitude that comes with it kills the morale of the team and I feel it is wrong to allow one kid to bring a team down. If she cannot cheer and stay 'up' and positive even after a less than stellar individual performance then she should go to the bench and stay there. Actually I don't even want that on my bench, it can go to the bleachers.
Yesterday after a fielding error our third baseman was sobbing in front of the opposing team's dugout and out of the game mentally. I called time and switched her to right field (only carrying 9 players). I made it clear to her that everyone makes errors. I wasn't moving her due to any error, but because of the crying. Next 1/2 inning she is on deck and still has that 'my mother just died' look on her face. I tell her loud and clear that I am willing to bat a 7yo little sister of a team mate (listed as a sub in case of injury) if she doesn't knock it off NOW.
One day after the fact, I think I will adopt a policy that any position change due to selfishness/attitude/crying will be a change to the bench only. I will not tolerate it at all. Further, I feel so strongly about this that I am willing to bench her even if there is no sub and play short.
However, I am allowing a cool down period before my manifesto and I'm open to other points of view. Any arguments out there to just deal with the mental breakdown/sobbing? 'Everyone shows there emotions differently.' 'She's just so competitive and it kills her to perform poorly.' 'They're GIRLS.' ' She's only 10-almost-eleven.'
I say it's all hogwash and the crying is a selfish act that shows she is out for herself and not the team. She wants herself and her stats to shine and could give a crap about the team win. I'm about to go 'League of Their Own' on this issue at practice tomorrow and then ban the tears and depression forever. Agree or disagree with moving a team mental drain off the field and even out of the dugout?
Taking a deep breath.
VW
I am talking about a 10u 'A' team comprised only of 10 & 11 yo's. I don't believe there is ANY room for crying after an error, or after being put out, or after a 'K.' I'm not saying that crying is inexcusable after being plinked on the hand, taking a cleat to the ankle or some kind of legitimate injury.
However, I have seen enough of the crying after a fielding or throwing error and I've decided to go ZERO TOLERANCE. Such selfish crying and the attitude that comes with it kills the morale of the team and I feel it is wrong to allow one kid to bring a team down. If she cannot cheer and stay 'up' and positive even after a less than stellar individual performance then she should go to the bench and stay there. Actually I don't even want that on my bench, it can go to the bleachers.
Yesterday after a fielding error our third baseman was sobbing in front of the opposing team's dugout and out of the game mentally. I called time and switched her to right field (only carrying 9 players). I made it clear to her that everyone makes errors. I wasn't moving her due to any error, but because of the crying. Next 1/2 inning she is on deck and still has that 'my mother just died' look on her face. I tell her loud and clear that I am willing to bat a 7yo little sister of a team mate (listed as a sub in case of injury) if she doesn't knock it off NOW.
One day after the fact, I think I will adopt a policy that any position change due to selfishness/attitude/crying will be a change to the bench only. I will not tolerate it at all. Further, I feel so strongly about this that I am willing to bench her even if there is no sub and play short.
However, I am allowing a cool down period before my manifesto and I'm open to other points of view. Any arguments out there to just deal with the mental breakdown/sobbing? 'Everyone shows there emotions differently.' 'She's just so competitive and it kills her to perform poorly.' 'They're GIRLS.' ' She's only 10-almost-eleven.'
I say it's all hogwash and the crying is a selfish act that shows she is out for herself and not the team. She wants herself and her stats to shine and could give a crap about the team win. I'm about to go 'League of Their Own' on this issue at practice tomorrow and then ban the tears and depression forever. Agree or disagree with moving a team mental drain off the field and even out of the dugout?
Taking a deep breath.
VW