I experienced a moment (as a Dad-coach) where I expressed excitement at a time I probably shouldn't have. We were up 11-0 on a team and my DD was pitching. To start, she was pitching the best I've ever seen her throw up to that point. The light bulb has turned on for her and she's made some significant forward progress in her pitching. So I was already excited for her. Then, on a 0-1 count and no base runners, I asked her to throw a changeup. Little damage could be done and she had been cruising all game. She's been working on it but is afraid to throw it because she's far from consistent with it. She threw as perfect as you could ask and was her first true successful changeup. Her body showed fastball, it kept the same plane during travel, and then just died right before the plate. I verbally cheered and might have fist pumped. Our other AC (who knows how much she's worked on pitching) did similar. The other team's 1B coach.....wasn't so happy with us and understandably so. I apologized and explained why our reaction was the way it was.
But....it brought up the question....what situations (outside of the obvious like winning a tight game or a total tournament) is it okay for a coach to show true excitement? I get really amped up when one of our girls makes a great individual play or finally has success in something she's struggled with. I know in that moment the score shouldn't matter, but I try to keep in mind the optics of it. Definitely understanding that opposing coaches/players don't know the background of our players. Thoughts?
But....it brought up the question....what situations (outside of the obvious like winning a tight game or a total tournament) is it okay for a coach to show true excitement? I get really amped up when one of our girls makes a great individual play or finally has success in something she's struggled with. I know in that moment the score shouldn't matter, but I try to keep in mind the optics of it. Definitely understanding that opposing coaches/players don't know the background of our players. Thoughts?