There is a strange problem developing. Kids have better skills than ever, but kids know less about the game than ever.
They can throw the ball, hit the ball and catch the ball, but they don't have a clue how to *play* the game.
I place the blame firmly on coaches. There is a tremendous of micromanagement in softball. Coaches try to control everything the kids do.
The best example is the routine double play ball to 2B. The SS covers, the 2B flips the ball to the SS, and then...the SS holds the ball. Why? Because the coach is afraid the kid will throw the ball away.
(The solution to this is pretty simple: (1) teach the SS how to throw the ball, (2) Teach the 1B how to catch the ball and (3) teach RF how to backup. )
Yet, go to the old ball park, and you can watch a dozen 14U softball games without one team attempting a 4-6-3 or 6-4-3 double play. It is crazy.
Do you teach cuts? Do you teach relays? Do you teach the players (not the coaches) to direct traffic on defense?
They can throw the ball, hit the ball and catch the ball, but they don't have a clue how to *play* the game.
I place the blame firmly on coaches. There is a tremendous of micromanagement in softball. Coaches try to control everything the kids do.
The best example is the routine double play ball to 2B. The SS covers, the 2B flips the ball to the SS, and then...the SS holds the ball. Why? Because the coach is afraid the kid will throw the ball away.
(The solution to this is pretty simple: (1) teach the SS how to throw the ball, (2) Teach the 1B how to catch the ball and (3) teach RF how to backup. )
Yet, go to the old ball park, and you can watch a dozen 14U softball games without one team attempting a 4-6-3 or 6-4-3 double play. It is crazy.
Do you teach cuts? Do you teach relays? Do you teach the players (not the coaches) to direct traffic on defense?