- Jul 4, 2013
- 128
- 43
I'll share something my daughter said about school ball when I commented on a really good at bat. She said "Dad, I can't strikeout because I don't want to let [a player a year older] down." And she meant it. It was from the heart. It may seem a bit cheesy, but she raises her game because of how she wants another girl or two on the team, older girls that she respects, to see her as a player. The hard part is figuring out what those couple girls do to make her feel that way.
I don't think it has to do with any one thing they say. It sure isn't anything critical said after a mistake. The coach handles that. They are good teammates for sure. They are there early and late helping to do the things required to get practice going or get the bus loaded, but its more than that. They make more than their share of the plays and get more than their share of the hits. That's probably due to work done on their own. On the field, they are making sure everyone has defensive responsibilities straight. Putting a finer point in it, they are identifying people they can help who may have a question or something they can fix, and making sure its taken care of and setting pretty strong example as they go. IMHO, everyone can tell the difference between a player on the field talking because someone said they should be talking and a player who has something important to say to her teammates. Only be that second one.
When my kid screws up, the coach holds her accountable ["that isn't what we worked on, that isn't what won you a spot"]. But a couple teammates who do things the right way go a long way to encouraging her to do her very best. Softball is a lot of work even for those who may be phoning it in. Keep doing your best to do things the right way, and your teammates might decide go all in with you. The worst that can happen is when the season is over, you gave it your all.
I don't think it has to do with any one thing they say. It sure isn't anything critical said after a mistake. The coach handles that. They are good teammates for sure. They are there early and late helping to do the things required to get practice going or get the bus loaded, but its more than that. They make more than their share of the plays and get more than their share of the hits. That's probably due to work done on their own. On the field, they are making sure everyone has defensive responsibilities straight. Putting a finer point in it, they are identifying people they can help who may have a question or something they can fix, and making sure its taken care of and setting pretty strong example as they go. IMHO, everyone can tell the difference between a player on the field talking because someone said they should be talking and a player who has something important to say to her teammates. Only be that second one.
When my kid screws up, the coach holds her accountable ["that isn't what we worked on, that isn't what won you a spot"]. But a couple teammates who do things the right way go a long way to encouraging her to do her very best. Softball is a lot of work even for those who may be phoning it in. Keep doing your best to do things the right way, and your teammates might decide go all in with you. The worst that can happen is when the season is over, you gave it your all.
the weather has actually been nicer in Switzerland than it has been here!
