Congratulations!
Rebuilding a team from the bottom can be way more fun than taking a good team and maintaining or making a little better. And you’ve already determined you have guys with potential and guys who don’t quit!
We just went through this... we took over a team that won just 4 games two years ago – lucky to win those, didn’t know how to win. It’s been a process, but they’ve won 5 of 8 so far this year and last night they beat a perennial power neighbor school three times as big.
Just a few suggestions...
The Obvious
-Don’t let up on all of the fundamental work.
-Demand their best efforts, whatever that may be.
-Have enough coaches that you are able to always run multiple stations and maximize practices.
-Make sure you are covering all situational items repeatedly – don’t assume they know.
-Verbal praise for all out effort regardless of result.
-Make sure you schedule ample time to develop pitchers, even if that is separate from regular practices.
Maybe not as Obvious
-Incorporate drills that will bring out aggressive play without them even knowing – lot’s of team competitions
Power hitting contests, sometimes with s****r balls
Timed throwing contests around the horn and in relay lines
Short distance diving stations and on-grass hard slide drills
Timed base running, timed catchers’ POP
Hitting cage drills that include line drive, hit oppo contests
Crank up the machine once in a while and see who can make solid contact
-Find reachable measurable successes that aren’t necessarily related to W’s or L’s.
-Explain that they are part of a special program rebuild and and with the proper efforts, they will experience winning for the first time. Be aware and make sure they are aware that it doesn’t happen overnight.
-In games, keep quality AB charts that reward hard-hit balls and situational execution.
-Leave time for fun and bonding –have a player tell a joke during warmups and pass the baton to another for the next day. As a team, go watch a local college game or other high level game.
Post season/next year
-Get players playing in games, whether it is your summer program, club team or other.
-Try to recruit enough players to come out to create positional competition.
-Get them throwing as early as possible prior to next season.
-If possible, schedule some of your pre-league games next year with teams you can compete with for confidence building and so they see that their efforts at least sometimes result in W’s.
With proper preparation , they can learn how to win... and they do still love pizza!