Coaches Gamesmanship, Is there really a need?

default · Jun 22, 2010

My youngest is 7 and plays 8U rec and 10U travel. It is unbelievable sometimes how crazy the coach pitch parents get over the games. I was shocked! We were at one last night and there were 2 appeals...in an 8U rec coach pitch game!!! In the last play of the game, the girl barely hit the ball and she thought it was foul so she stood there. Everyone on their side was screaming so loud for her to run that the girl got scared and stood there and cried, it was horrible. They had 5 coaches who were all over 6 foot tall, standing on the field screaming at them every play. I felt bad for them and they didn't seem like they were having much fun. Alot of times parents take the fun out of everything.

default · Jun 22, 2010

Klump said:
My youngest is 7 and plays 8U rec and 10U travel. It is unbelievable sometimes how crazy the coach pitch parents get over the games. I was shocked! We were at one last night and there were 2 appeals...in an 8U rec coach pitch game!!! In the last play of the game, the girl barely hit the ball and she thought it was foul so she stood there. Everyone on their side was screaming so loud for her to run that the girl got scared and stood there and cried, it was horrible. They had 5 coaches who were all over 6 foot tall, standing on the field screaming at them every play. I felt bad for them and they didn't seem like they were having much fun. Alot of times parents take the fun out of everything.

thats not funny, but hilarious at the same time... I loved 8u coach pitch. u could throw the ball into the kids bat and it was the last time my kid ever hit with power;&... abbi bustos with her pink helmet and black **** under her eyes.

default · Jun 22, 2010

The one thing I see the most and it is so disheartning is coaches who lose focus of what there job is as a coach....
There are coaches out there that after the first pitch is trying to get under the umps skin, players skin. and even the other coaches skin..to get an advantage YOUR JOB IS TO COACH YOUR TEAM
We had a game earlier this spring where we won 15 to 0 The coach on other team did nothing but complain about my pitcher crow hopping, My slappers out of the box, my runners leaving early...he even complained about the bases not being aligned.....lol....
Not once did he try to coach or teach his kids the game.....

As a coach it is MY JOB to teach MY players the game of fastpitch softball ...... NOT get an advantage to win the game...
If you as a coach do nothing but try to get under the skin of the umps and or other team then you are only teaching these players that it is someone elses fault when you do not succeed at the game. (especialy at younger age groups) Winning is a good feeling but knowing that you have taught a young lady on how to win with class and dignity IMHO is pricless...

default · Jun 23, 2010

I think everyone needs to remember that whether you are the Coach, or Parent of a player.......we all deserve the proper respect given and received. Yelling at the Umps only put them on edge for the better part of your game, especially if it is over trivial calls. Better to ask them to explain why they made the call the way they did ( they respect the coaches who do this..IMHO, more than being screamed at). Also like earlier stated maybe if you are the Coach that is not causing any ruckus during the game with the Umps, and at some point in the game you do really question a call. Maybe it will go your way because you have given respect to them through the game, and they feel that you would not be questioning this if they possibly did not miss something.
Sometimes I think I have been around for to long now..........but I love watching the DD's learn and grow into such wonderful young ladies and then young adults. We are teaching them the skills to be able to go out into the "Real World" and take care of themselves. I still believe that for the most part, we have more supportive parents, fans and coaches out there.....than the bad ones who always make me cringe through the games. Negative fans/parents have a impact on their team and how they play whether they want to admit it or not. They more they hear the negative the more that subconciously they let it get to them.

default · Jun 23, 2010

I have no issue with legitimate complaints on rule infractions. The issue I have is the coaches who do it, just to try to swing the game. As an experienced coach, I pick it up immediately. There is just no need for it. If I see a girl leave early, I will say something to the umpire, but only if it is actually happening. If that is the case, I usually will try and be as discreet as possible (not always possible) and not make a spectacle out of myself doing it. It does come down to respect for the game to me. That includes the umpires, and the opposing team. I always keep in mind that the opposition are just young girls as well.

default · Jun 23, 2010

We played a game in Columbus (we were one of the few teams who got to play more than one!) where an umpire made a bad call that benefitted our team. The coaches on the other team had a right to question the call, however, they were belligerent about it, and didn't stop complaining.

The call didn't get overturned. My point is when do you drop it and move on?

Some calls go against you and some go your way!! If the umps are not going to reverse the call, drop it!! Chances are in the next game a bad call will benefit you! JMHO ;&

default · Jun 23, 2010

Uncle_Bubba said:
I have no issue with legitimate complaints on rule infractions. The issue I have is the coaches who do it, just to try to swing the game. As an experienced coach, I pick it up immediately. There is just no need for it. If I see a girl leave early, I will say something to the umpire, but only if it is actually happening. If that is the case, I usually will try and be as discreet as possible (not always possible) and not make a spectacle out of myself doing it. It does come down to respect for the game to me. That includes the umpires, and the opposing team. I always keep in mind that the opposition are just young girls as well.

Exactly.

However occasionally I will distract an opposing coach is being a jerk.

default · Jun 23, 2010

jmeutown said:
"As a coach it is MY JOB to teach MY players the game of fastpitch softball ...... NOT get an advantage to win the game...
If you as a coach do nothing but try to get under the skin of the umps and or other team then you are only teaching these players that it is someone elses fault when you do not succeed at the game. (especialy at younger age groups) Winning is a good feeling but knowing that you have taught a young lady on how to win with class and dignity IMHO is pricless... "

Agreed...Seen alot of shady stuff at 10U this year. Personal favorite was 1st base coach yelling "2 DOWN" when there was 1 out to confuse our defense(9,10,and 11 y/o). Continued even after his parents would say "coach they are 2 outs". And that is just ONE example......could go on and on-Classy

Like someone else said....not sure its "gamesmanship" more like "JERK-manship"

we had a "tool" of a coach yelling "three three three" when we were yelling "two two two"... I called bush league out 4 times. Blue heard me... and she asked the parents what I was calling bush league for.... funny thing is they put a "scout" parent right beside me to hear what I coaching to my girls in the first inning. Must have needed some pointers on how to win/coach/be a class act... I said as they scout made his inningly return... I hope Mr Rabbitt Ears can hear me now as I coached. He immediately stepped to his rigth about 5 steps. BUSTED... hmmmm, how did I know I wonder??? TOOOOLLLL. We won BTW. And yes they were 12u with excuses after the score went in our favor by 6 runs. Tooooche!!!

default · Jun 23, 2010

Also had an ump call us out on four pitches... 2 balls, 2 strikes. We were dumbfounded, visiting team, no foot to stand on. I politely said "blue it was only for pitches". I shook my head and warmed up the pitcher (and she was the one who was called out on strikes). I stopped. Blue continued... I then had to say "will you stop arguing with me, I'm done, I'm playing ball". I said I'm not married to you and don't have to hear you argue. It was crazy as heck. She shut up... 2 games later she kissed my rump and then said I know you from somewhere. We eventually figured out it was from her umping at Pastime Park... she smiled, I got sick... like knowing she called a game at Pastime would help her cause. OMG!

default · Jun 23, 2010

Klump said:
There's always 1 in the bunch.

Not in my "bunch". Not now, not ever.

default · Jun 23, 2010

if you're not coaching to watch illegal pitches, or girls leaving early or slappers out of the box, then why are you coaching? you cannot just sit on your hands and let the other team dictate how your team is going to perform. coaches motivate, yes, they instruct, of course, but they are there for those moments as well. win or lose.
We played a tough team sunday at compuware, girl was out of the box. We identify it, girls hits a double, umpire calls her out. regardless if we ended up losing the game, i want my coach to be aware of these situations. Does dave take advantage of the umps? not explicitly, but coaching is coaching.
as for rattling the girls, anything said from an opposing dugout, parent or coach is liable to rattle the mind of a 16yr old girl. seriously? they cant even pay attention when you are talking to them on the ride home. The best girls dont get rattled at anything

default · Jun 23, 2010

2 quick stories

1, We played on the road earlier this spring. Lost 8 to 7, out hit the other team 15 to 5, my pitcher had 12 walks and we only had 1...wierdest strike zone I have ever seen...... At the end of game I always talk to the ladies in the OF, First question is " What did you think about the game ? Catcher answers " That ump was bad we lost because of him"
I replied..."No we lost because we left bases loaded with less than 2 outs , 2 innings in a row and got thown out at the plate twice because we did not slide, we also had 6 er`rs

2, Also on road, Lost 6 to 5 that knocked us out of the final four, In 6th inning we had runners on 1st and 3rd , 2 outs and my slap hitter was up. whole infield in... 1st pitch she hits it toward 2nd baseman, feilder misses ball and hits runner. ump calls runner out end of inning. I walked over to ump and argued that 2nd baseman made a play on it and it went past her before it hit my runner and it was live ball, he said "does not matter feilder never touched it". I never pushed the issue even though i could have. Once again we had 6 er`s and left bases loaded 2 times.

The point am I trying to make is we did not lose because of a strike zone or a missed call we lost because of US not doing what we needed to do. I could have argued and argued with the umps but it would have done NO GOOD the only thing I could do as a coach is to teach my team not to blame someone else for losing a the game...JMHO

default · Jun 23, 2010

Statman, I look at that stuff all the time and try to point it out to umps, That is good coaching but I will not make it the only coaching I do ....I can not control what umps call or do not call, I can control what I teach my ladies....

default · Jun 23, 2010

Statman Ray said:
if you're not coaching to watch illegal pitches, or girls leaving early or slappers out of the box, then why are you coaching? you cannot just sit on your hands and let the other team dictate how your team is going to perform. coaches motivate, yes, they instruct, of course, but they are there for those moments as well. win or lose.
We played a tough team sunday at compuware, girl was out of the box. We identify it, girls hits a double, umpire calls her out. regardless if we ended up losing the game, i want my coach to be aware of these situations. Does dave take advantage of the umps? not explicitly, but coaching is coaching.
as for rattling the girls, anything said from an opposing dugout, parent or coach is liable to rattle the mind of a 16yr old girl. seriously? they cant even pay attention when you are talking to them on the ride home. The best girls dont get rattled at anything

Sure they do. The college world series proved it. You start calling a player for an illegal pitch, and it messes with their head. Even the best start throwing it all over the place.

OK, my point is not the fact that coaches point out rule infractions. If one is occurring, I point it out. It is the coaches that automatically start working the ump when an infraction is not happening, just to rattle the player, or get the ump to make a foolish call. I think it is senseless, and takes away from the integrity of the game.

default · Jun 23, 2010

Uncle_Bubba said:
Sure they do. The college world series proved it. You start calling a player for an illegal pitch, and it messes with their head. Even the best start throwing it all over the place.

OK, my point is not the fact that coaches point out rule infractions. If one is occurring, I point it out. It is the coaches that automatically start working the ump when an infraction is not happening, just to rattle the player, or get the ump to make a foolish call. I think it is senseless, and takes away from the integrity of the game.

^^^ My point too.....

default · Jun 23, 2010

643dp said:
^^^ My point too.....

Great minds think alike, it must be a Toledo thing.

default · Jun 23, 2010

We played in a tournament game this past weekend, our team in the first inning was winning 5-0......then the parents of the other team, one in particular, started to beret and scream at our girls....what type of example does this set for the young girls on both teams? Quickly the game was neck to neck, then they started in on our pitcher, every time she wound up to throw a pitch the entire bench of girls (on the oppossing team) would scream at the top of their lungs....needless to say there was a great deal of frustration. Our pitcher still threw plenty of strikes but her body language showed how incredibly upset she truly was. After three innings of being belittled and screamed at our pitcher threw a wild pitch, which hit a girl in the arm, she felt terrible, it certainly was not done on purpose - this is part of the game - the entire group of parents started yelling at her, unbelievable. Our pitcher went up and shook the girls hand and told her how sorry she was - due to the parents getting out of control the game was called.

We ended up losing the game, however we did it with class, our girls actually went over to the bench and apologized to the other girls for letting the game get out of hand - the reaction of the other team was "Whatever"....as one of our girls put it - "We didn't lose that game, we won, because we did it with class and never gave up".

What are we teaching our children? Why must adults harass 13 and 14 year old CHILDREN in order to win a game that is suppose to be about growing, learning and having fun.

default · Jun 23, 2010

That is sad.... really sad.

default · Jun 23, 2010

The sad part about a coach who does these things (mentioned above) is that the parents are letting are DD's see this example and letting it go. I have been fortunate that my DD has had really good quality coaches (in chararcter as well) and I have not had to step in and deal with this.

Coaches Gamesmanship, Is there really a need?

default

Member

default

Member

default

Member

default

Member

default

Member

default

Member

default

Member

default

Member

default

Member

default

Member

default

Member

default

Member

default

Member

default

Member

default

Member

default

Member

default

Member

default

Member

default

Member

Similar threads