You can't win a Softball Game - Why do you say to the Girl's and Parents when your 3 - 26?

[TheSoftballZone]

You put together a very solid 11 under girl softball team mostly made up from all the top Rec All Stars players from surrounding towns in your area.

You have 1 above average pitcher and 2 girls that are at a lower skill set but are improving ever week. The Coaches, Player's and Parents are doing all the right things.

Everyone shows up for practices your Coaching staff are teaching the girls all the fundamental of the game. Pitchers are going to a top notch pitching Coach.

Everyone's going to hitting Coaches.

Everyone is given 100%, but no matter what you do the girls struggle to win games. Your rolling into your first tournament for July and your team record is 2 - 22 you just took another stuff beat the score being 2 - 1 and your out of the tournament and your record is now 3 - 26.

What would be your words of encouragement now that your 3 - 26?

Would your message be the same for the Parents as well.

Remember were talking about a team with out any problems, beside they struggling to win games on the diamond.

 

[Field of Dreams]

"Remember parents...this is an off year, meaning that we are young in our age bracket. It also sounds like this is a first year team, so before the season the parents and players should have been told that the cards are stacked against them. They are young & it's their first year together, so they are going to take a lot of lumps. Their goal this year is to continue to improve the fundamentals and get stronger as a team...they will win some games but since you, the coach, know that to in order to play better, you must play against better (teams). They need to be reminded that this is a two year deal....year 2 will be their year where they get to enjoy the wins. And, remind them that at age 11, this game should be about development and improvement. You could have arranged a softer schedule so they would be 26-3 instead of 3-26, but they would have played against some really bad teams and that would not be helping them in the long run.
I would have two goals for this team....keep improving and keep together.
That is the making of a very good, cohesive team.

 

[daboss]

Patience my babies, than go talk to the kids.

 

[TheSoftballZone]

Patience my babies, than go talk to the kids.

Now that just plan funny daboss.

 

[tjsmize3]

What would be your words of encouragement now that your 3 - 26?

Would your message be the same for the Parents as well.

Remember were talking about a team with out any problems, beside they struggling to win games on the diamond.

Remember why we're all here girls.... to get better!!! Not going to do that by going 26 - 3. We need to play teams better than us right now to get to that level. Keep having faith in your ability to improve and not worry about your record. The wins will come soon enough.

 

[coachjwb]

"After succumbing to pressure and hateful texts and e-mails from the parents of this team, I hereby tender my resignation."

I say this partially in jest, and while I never actually coached a team with a record that bad, I am having a hard time imagining that parents of 11U players aren't going to be all over the coach no matter how much fun the girls are having and how much they're learning. That's just the way parents are these days ... I'd love to hear stories that prove otherwise though ...

Otherwise, I agree with Field of Dreams and tjsmize3 ...

 

[poden-smoden]

You put together a very solid 11 under girl softball team mostly made up from all the top Rec All Stars players from surrounding towns in your area.

You have 1 above average pitcher and 2 girls that are at a lower skill set but are improving ever week. The Coaches, Player's and Parents are doing all the right things.

Everyone shows up for practices your Coaching staff are teaching the girls all the fundamental of the game. Pitchers are going to a top notch pitching Coach.

Everyone's going to hitting Coaches.

Everyone is given 100%, but no matter what you do the girls struggle to win games. Your rolling into your first tournament for July and your team record is 2 - 22 you just took another stuff beat the score being 2 - 1 and your out of the tournament and your record is now 3 - 26.

What would be your words of encouragement now that your 3 - 26?

Would your message be the same for the Parents as well.

Remember were talking about a team with out any problems, beside they struggling to win games on the diamond.

This is obviously completely fictional in all ways! However, if this scenario was to really exist....I would surely blame the umps for the 3-26 record!

 

[poden-smoden]

"Remember parents...this is an off year, meaning that we are young in our age bracket. It also sounds like this is a first year team, so before the season the parents and players should have been told that the cards are stacked against them. They are young & it's their first year together, so they are going to take a lot of lumps. Their goal this year is to continue to improve the fundamentals and get stronger as a team...they will win some games but since you, the coach, know that to in order to play better, you must play against better (teams). They need to be reminded that this is a two year deal....year 2 will be their year where they get to enjoy the wins. And, remind them that at age 11, this game should be about development and improvement. You could have arranged a softer schedule so they would be 26-3 instead of 3-26, but they would have played against some really bad teams and that would not be helping them in the long run.
I would have two goals for this team....keep improving and keep together.
That is the making of a very good, cohesive team.

Agree totally! Especially with keeping this team together for the long haul. Would be a perfect team for sure!

 

[Stupid Jim]

This is easy, cause it could never be the coaches fault, so what you say is "you-all suck, go home"

 

[manitoudan]

Really a great question . I found myself in the EXACT situation 2 years ago . Exact to a tee , with the exception we were close to 500 I'd guess . But we took a 20-0 beat down from a coach with a personal axe to grind against me , followed by a 10-0 loss to the same team in bracket play ( no hit in each game) , and while I certainly dont claim perfection as a coach , on Sunday pm following the bracket play loss I received a text from a parent stating she spoke for all parents and suggested I step down immediately , so instead of fighting thru the drama I smiled and turned the team over to the 2 assistants and wished them the best .

I had prepped the team and parents with a near exact version of Field of Dreams speech but I guess it didnt sink in . Very sad as the team doesnt appear to improved any and have forgone playing A level travel ball.

 

[lewam3]

"Remember parents...this is an off year, meaning that we are young in our age bracket. It also sounds like this is a first year team, so before the season the parents and players should have been told that the cards are stacked against them. They are young & it's their first year together, so they are going to take a lot of lumps. Their goal this year is to continue to improve the fundamentals and get stronger as a team...they will win some games but since you, the coach, know that to in order to play better, you must play against better (teams). They need to be reminded that this is a two year deal....year 2 will be their year where they get to enjoy the wins. And, remind them that at age 11, this game should be about development and improvement. You could have arranged a softer schedule so they would be 26-3 instead of 3-26, but they would have played against some really bad teams and that would not be helping them in the long run.
I would have two goals for this team....keep improving and keep together.
That is the making of a very good, cohesive team.

What do you mean, "a softer schedule, you would have played some really bad teams "? At 3-26 you are one of those bad teams. Probably chose the wrong tournaments, now you have to convince the kids and parents to return next year.

 

[Hilliarddad3]

First been there actually.... You take things in small increments, great plays that come rarely, her first big hit off a great pitcher, getting a runner to third, stopping hard hit ball even if you didn't get the out. Celebrate the small milestones, they become contagious to the others, don't give up on the kids, because we all were bad at some point in our lives. One step at a time, smile, blow bubbles, learn, ask questions, keep practicing hard, keep smiling at them as they look up to you regardless. Ask the girls what you did wrong coaching that game too.... Parents are parents and you're not there for them. You can communicate what your thought process is, but at the end of the day, you, as a volunteer are doing it for the love of kids and teaching them the love of a game. With that comes life lessons and when we were that bad, we had that life lesson with 12 year olds when we let a 15 year old Down syndrome child play against us for a few innings. The girls don't remember crap about that season, but that one game where that opponent had the best day in her life and our DD's did as well, showing the season wins and losses are just numbers......

 

[cobb_of_fury]

First been there actually.... You take things in small increments, great plays that come rarely, her first big hit off a great pitcher, getting a runner to third, stopping hard hit ball even if you didn't get the out. Celebrate the small milestones, they become contagious to the others, don't give up on the kids, because we all were bad at some point in our lives. One step at a time, smile, blow bubbles, learn, ask questions, keep practicing hard, keep smiling at them as they look up to you regardless. Ask the girls what you did wrong coaching that game too.... Parents are parents and you're not there for them. You can communicate what your thought process is, but at the end of the day, you, as a volunteer are doing it for the love of kids and teaching them the love of a game. With that comes life lessons and when we were that bad, we had that life lesson with 12 year olds when we let a 15 year old Down syndrome child play against us for a few innings. The girls don't remember crap about that season, but that one game where that opponent had the best day in her life and our DD's did as well, showing the season wins and losses are just numbers......

I survived a 0 for a lot season by doing this ^^^

It was 10U the girls had a great time - We found other things to celebrate (getting to bat our line up before getting 10 runned, not getting 10 runned, winning an inning, inside the park home run, stealing home on a walk, a great pitching performance, things like that) and aside from one set of parents I never had any real complaints and was asked by all the other parents at the end of the year why I was leaving. If the organization had not been in flux we probably would have stayed. Most of those girls are still playing now 5 years later (all for different teams though) and all have improved greatly.

 

[spartansd]

I coached an 11U team a few years ago that got mercied all 4 games at the first tournament of the season. Against bad teams no less.

By mid season we were going 500 at tournaments.

End of season we won 3-4 games in brackets at the Columbus WS event.

I never make promises about winning. I only ever promise work and improvement. And if you can manage the expectations you will be fine.

I have often said that I would rather coach an 0-100 team and keep them working than have a 100-0 team. That 100-0 teams parents will make crazy look sane. The only thing that makes a group of parents more crazy than losing too much is winning all the time.

 

[manitoudan]

I could have gained a bunch of wisdom from Hillarddad3 , I didnt celebrate the small stuff enough , but the team had good players , I expected them to perform somewhere close to their abilities . when they didnt I didnt sugarcoat it much .. I guess I should have been more understanding

 

[yossarian]

I know you're asking for coach's take talking to the girls, but as a parent, at that age, I'll sign up for the 3-26 season if I feel like my kid's going to grow as a player because I see the long view. In your scenario with no issues, everyone working hard, it's just a matter of time before that team clicks.

We've been to tournaments where the girls would have had to drop acid get blindfolded to lose them, the other teams were so outclassed. What good do wins like that do for you in the long run? Even at that age, my kid knows those wins were less gratifying than close losses against top-tier teams.

3-26 and my kid improves greatly and understands the value of working through adversity with a team? Who do I make the check out to?

 

[tjsmize3]

3-26 and my kid improves greatly and understands the value of working through adversity with a team? Who do I make the check out to?

Hilliarddad, Cobb or spartansd sound like safe bets. All the respect in world to guys/gals who can keep it a positive experience for the kids irregardless of the Ws and Ls. Great stories!

 

[yossarian]

Hilliarddad, Cobb or spartansd sound like safe bets. All the respect in world to guys/gals who can keep it a positive experience for the kids irregardless of the Ws and Ls. Great stories!

Wow, did you just call those guys out for being losers? Man, that's heartless.

(Kidding.)

 

[Fairman]

I am in this exact situation but I coach a varsity high school softball team.

In my three years we have won two games (year 2 and year 3) My 1st year we just tried to make 5 innings w/o getting mercy ruled. My second year we tried to make 'em play a complete game and my third year we tried to beat 'em. (scared a few teams) If you are hiring on record I'd be gone.....

I had 32 kids come out last year. (the school has a no-cut policy) Only 2 played any level of community or travel ball; 30 played no softball in any season. Of the 30, 18 could NOT throw a ball across the gym the short way let alone catch it. The remaining 12 were returning players of various skills. I can't get any fall ball in because my ace 'pitcher' plays BB and my second pitcher plays VB. Oh and the District lets the infield grow-in with weeds so I can't even have a safe friendly get together. Last year we had to share the elementary gym with baseball because the high school gym was undergoing renovation just to complicate practices.

On the other hand we will have 24+ returning players, a new 9th grade pitcher to add to my 'stable'. We are getting better athletes. I have 3 dedicated volunteer coaches and a gym all to ourselves this coming year. Can playoffs be far behind......

I'll give it one more shot and see what we can do.

 

[Captain_Thunder]

Unfortunately, with way too many parents - You would be lucky to not have parents taking players elsewhere before the season was over........
You def would have majority of them jumping ship at end of season!!!!

It is sad, but I see 9U Parents who think their DD's should already be getting college looks. I see pitchers parents tell coaches they will only let their DD's play on a team with 2 pitchers.....and of course, they are not even on a team yet.........

There is a fine line. There is a reason why I have noticed there are either top level teams, or teams that are still struggling. A coach has to schedule according to his team's ability! I would find it hard to imagine a team would continue to be making improvements if they are 3-26.....They are probably playing over their head!!! As a younger team in a division, you should strive to play close to .500 ball. If that is not the case - you are either playing in too tough tournament for your team, or they are not very good....

It is coaches job to evaluate that in fall & winter - then plan properly. I saw a "Premier" 16U team play a Strong Showcase schedule this past summer.....They would lose every game & be outscored 38-3 in 5 games!!!! If your team is doing that - I sure don't see what they could be doing to impress any college coach!!! It is important to get in front of coaches, but if your team is not competitive against that level - Would be hard to show much to a coach!