in a tournamentyour opponent will play to end the game so as tro save pitching---why shouln't you?--thewrew are unwritten rules in tournament play
cball. The scenario you are suggesting is different than the original post, where kids want to bat oppo. In the case of a tournament I can see where you want to end it early if possible to save arms. I know in a lot of tournaments the first day is typically a seeding day for the final day where wins and losses and runs allowed determine the seeding. IMHO there is nothing wrong with this, but I know some coaches do not feel the same way. I once saw a team against us in a tourney call a squeeze to put us away (mercy) early. A lot of the other dads thought it was "Bush" but I could see why they did it and did not have a problem with it.
I don't consider it a 'blowout' until it goes past the run rule so playing to end it early is never bad form (IMHO).
Plus, sometimes it's hard to define a 'blowout' until it's over. Last night two 5A schools were playing and one was ahead early 8-0...the other came back to lead 9-8...and then first scored 10 runs to win it 18-9....
Plus, sometimes it's hard to define a 'blowout' until it's over. Last night two 5A schools were playing and one was ahead early 8-0...the other came back to lead 9-8...and then first scored 10 runs to win it 18-9....
My son once played for a coach who believed that in a blowout the winning team should just play more and more aggressively to give the other team more chances to make outs. Steal in marginal situations - squeeze bunt - whatever. The winning team gets to work on something and the losing team has a better chance to make an out. He would also be sure the other team knew what his team was trying to do.
[My son once played for a coach who believed that in a blowout the winning team should just play more and more aggressively to give the other team more chances to make outs. Steal in marginal situations - squeeze bunt - whatever. The winning team gets to work on something and the losing team has a better chance to make an out.]
This is a classic example of running the score up. Scratching for more runs (squeezing, stealing, stretching singles to doubles etc...)will only add more salt to the wound. If I was the opposing losing coach, I would not be a happy camper.
This is a classic example of running the score up. Scratching for more runs (squeezing, stealing, stretching singles to doubles etc...)will only add more salt to the wound. If I was the opposing losing coach, I would not be a happy camper.
[My son once played for a coach who believed that in a blowout the winning team should just play more and more aggressively to give the other team more chances to make outs. Steal in marginal situations - squeeze bunt - whatever. The winning team gets to work on something and the losing team has a better chance to make an out.]
I think this coach is endangering his batters--if you catch my drift. How anyone could think that strategy is anything less than bush league is beyond me. And in terms of making sure the opposing coach knows what's going on, what is his message? "Hey listen coach, our team is so superior to yours that the only redeeming feature of this game--besides us getting an easy win--is that it will allow us to practice things that your team could never hope to execute properly."
I think this coach is endangering his batters--if you catch my drift. How anyone could think that strategy is anything less than bush league is beyond me. And in terms of making sure the opposing coach knows what's going on, what is his message? "Hey listen coach, our team is so superior to yours that the only redeeming feature of this game--besides us getting an easy win--is that it will allow us to practice things that your team could never hope to execute properly."
quote:Originally posted by cball:
What about being up big early in a tournament game and trying to get the game over as quick as possible to save some of your pitching?
Say your'e up by 13 batting in the bottom of 3rd. Aren't you going to try to get those next two in?
if you can get the game over in three innings instead of 4-5 or 6 why not?
Tournament games are a different animal. Pitcher's are usually subjected to a certain amount of innings. There are generally 4-6 games on the weekend, so of course the coach is going to want to end the game early and save his pitching. But you still have to be careful with how you handle these blowouts and refrain from the obvious...No Steals, Hit and Runs, Bunts, etc...
quote:Originally posted by YesReally:
My son once played for a coach who believed that in a blowout the winning team should just play more and more aggressively to give the other team more chances to make outs. Steal in marginal situations - squeeze bunt - whatever. The winning team gets to work on something and the losing team has a better chance to make an out. He would also be sure the other team knew what his team was trying to do.
I can see what this coach was trying to get at...higher risk plays should naturally lead to outs (otherwise they wouldn't be risky). The only flaw in his thinking is that blow-outs are usually associated with a team either having "one of those days where they can't do anything right", or they actually do suck. Either way, they're probably not going to execute against those risky plays either.
Then everything gets that much worse...
Our school has to play a bunch of games against schools in the division below us because of our schedule and we tend to beat them by the mercy rule or close to it. We always play station to station at that point, but when we have to execute in small ball situations against good teams we struggle against the good top quality teams in our division. I think it can be good to put on the breaks a little bit but at some point you have to be prepared for the close games.
ths topic is amazing.I dont spend my hard earned money on pitching and hitting lessons every week to have my son play at anything less then 100 percent, whether his team is geting blown out or his team is doing the blowout.my son doesnt invest 3 hours every saturday with instructors to play anywhere less thm 100%. My son isnt blessed with god given natural athletic ability, his baseball "talent" is derived from his love for the game, his extreme hard work. and his desire to play at the next level. which for now will be high school.If your taught and trained to swing the correct way why would you want him deviating from the way he has been taught? That is exactly where bad habits are picked up. when he is on the mound and has been working very hard on velocity at practice, why would he slow down? that is the perfect game situation to work on cranking it up a couple of mph to learn control, to learn how to use his 2 seam, his curveball control. he doesnt get that many chances to to work on his "craft" in a game situation.I want him to have that swagger, I want him to have 100% belief that he is going to throw it by you and I want the opposing team to know he is going to throw it by them. There is absolutly no reason for a team thrashing another to feel quilty. Thats what they are training to do.They are just succeeding at what they have set out to do.Only in America have we taught that success is something to be ashamed of. We are getting ready to go to Cooperstown as a team this year, our goal is to do well but realistically if we go deep in that tournament we will probably end up getting hammered by some team from a big city (we live in a small town of 14,000).I hope when my son leaves he isnt thinking that the other team should have taken it easier on his team. I hope his team leaves there thinking they have work to do and set out at getting better.what doesnt kill you only makes you stronger
I don't think anyone here is not saying to not have the players give 100%, at least I am not. A player can still give a 100% and not try and run the score up in a blow out. It really falls on the coaches shoulders to not allow his team to run the score up. Things like not giving the steal sign, taking pitches for strikes, calling a hit and run etc... I think the player always should go up to bat with the mind set of taking a good cut. Pitchers if you are pitching in a blow out, it is not the time to work on your stuff and experiment, the pitchers goal should be to throw strikes and not walk batters with such a large lead. IMHO of course.
Isn't this cute! A 12U dad coming on a board of high school coaches, showcases coaches and parents whose kids play high school, college and pro ball telling us how it is. I don't see where anyone said to play the game mechanically incorrect.
Welcome to hsbaseballweb. You will learn a lot. By high school, if your son plays like it's the 9th inning of a tied seventh game of the World Series when the score is 15-0, chances are the two of you will learn the definition of sniffer.
Welcome to hsbaseballweb. You will learn a lot. By high school, if your son plays like it's the 9th inning of a tied seventh game of the World Series when the score is 15-0, chances are the two of you will learn the definition of sniffer.
Then when you learn something about pitching you can teach him to pitch to contact so he can last seven innings in a high school game.quote:I want him to have 100% belief that he is going to throw it by you and I want the opposing team to know he is going to throw it by them.
slowbutaccurate,
welcome to the site!
Every sport has unwritten rules that pertain to proper etiquette, common courtesy and common sense regarding blowouts against weaker opponents. As evident by this thread, some are universally accepted and some are open to debate. But, be assured, they are there. It’s great to hear that your son is a hard worker and has the desire to play at the next level. In order to do so, this too is a part of the game he must learn. Hopefully, your son will have good coaches who can help guide him with those rules. I can tell you for certain that the amount of money spent on lessons and the amount of time spent every Saturday with instructors have no bearing on what those rules are and whether those rules should be applied or not. It may be difficult to understand, but yes, there are blowout scenarios where it is appropriate to NOT steal that base that he knows he can steal, NOT try to work a struggling pitcher for a walk, etc. If your son continues his baseball path, he will have ample opportunity to play his hardest against formidable opposition. That’s where you want the swagger to show.
You have a son. Let’s say you played college basketball where you trained for years to hone your skills. Now your son is 7 years old and you want to play basketball in the driveway with him. Are you going to viciously swat away every shot he tries to take because you want to get the most out of your time invested in the game? A silly, extreme example, yeah, but hopefully you get the point.
You have come to a great place to gather information and perspective on this and countless other baseball topics. You will find very qualified and experienced baseball folks offering up the info. Sometimes, you’ll get the direct no-holds-barred approach and usually for good reason. I hope you are able to stick around and learn as much as I do here.
welcome to the site!
Every sport has unwritten rules that pertain to proper etiquette, common courtesy and common sense regarding blowouts against weaker opponents. As evident by this thread, some are universally accepted and some are open to debate. But, be assured, they are there. It’s great to hear that your son is a hard worker and has the desire to play at the next level. In order to do so, this too is a part of the game he must learn. Hopefully, your son will have good coaches who can help guide him with those rules. I can tell you for certain that the amount of money spent on lessons and the amount of time spent every Saturday with instructors have no bearing on what those rules are and whether those rules should be applied or not. It may be difficult to understand, but yes, there are blowout scenarios where it is appropriate to NOT steal that base that he knows he can steal, NOT try to work a struggling pitcher for a walk, etc. If your son continues his baseball path, he will have ample opportunity to play his hardest against formidable opposition. That’s where you want the swagger to show.
You have a son. Let’s say you played college basketball where you trained for years to hone your skills. Now your son is 7 years old and you want to play basketball in the driveway with him. Are you going to viciously swat away every shot he tries to take because you want to get the most out of your time invested in the game? A silly, extreme example, yeah, but hopefully you get the point.
You have come to a great place to gather information and perspective on this and countless other baseball topics. You will find very qualified and experienced baseball folks offering up the info. Sometimes, you’ll get the direct no-holds-barred approach and usually for good reason. I hope you are able to stick around and learn as much as I do here.
The Baltimore Sun, March 28, 2011
Fox draws ire of both managers today
Orioles catcher Jake Fox hit his Grapefruit League-leading 10th home run today in the Orioles 14-9 rout of the Detroit Tigers at Ed Smith Stadium. However, he left a pretty poor impression on both managers because of one sequence in the eighth inning.
The Orioles had runners on second and third and no outs in the eighth inning today when Fox came to the plate against Tigers minor leaguer Chance Ruffin. The most important aspect of this story is the score was 13-3 at the time, and both teams had subbed out most of their regulars. Ruffin started the at-bat with three straight balls, but Fox decided to take a rip at a 3-0 pitch in a clear take situation.
It certainly qualified as a breach of baseball etiquette. Swinging 3-0 in a 10-run game with no outs in the eighth inning with a minor league pitcher on the mound is a decent way to make sure you get a fastball in the ribs in your next at-bat. The average fan may not think it was a big deal but Orioles manager Buck Showalter and Tigers manager Jim Leyland certainly did.
Showalter angrily yanked off his hat, and was seen yelling in the home dugout to anyone in particular. His hat off the whole time, he kept shaking his head and muttering throughout the rest of Fox's at-bat, which resulted in a walk Leyland, meanwhile, yelled at Fox from the top step of the dugout.
When Fox was removed for a pinch runner, Showalter made sure that he was one of the first people to meet him in the dugout and he gave him an earful. The Orioles manager was still fuming about it after the game as it apparently wasn't the first time this spring where Fox ignored a clear take situation.
Fox is obviously going to make this team, but I'm guessing that it's things like this that Showalter, a big proponent of playing the game right, is not going to tolerate in the long run.
Fox draws ire of both managers today
Orioles catcher Jake Fox hit his Grapefruit League-leading 10th home run today in the Orioles 14-9 rout of the Detroit Tigers at Ed Smith Stadium. However, he left a pretty poor impression on both managers because of one sequence in the eighth inning.
The Orioles had runners on second and third and no outs in the eighth inning today when Fox came to the plate against Tigers minor leaguer Chance Ruffin. The most important aspect of this story is the score was 13-3 at the time, and both teams had subbed out most of their regulars. Ruffin started the at-bat with three straight balls, but Fox decided to take a rip at a 3-0 pitch in a clear take situation.
It certainly qualified as a breach of baseball etiquette. Swinging 3-0 in a 10-run game with no outs in the eighth inning with a minor league pitcher on the mound is a decent way to make sure you get a fastball in the ribs in your next at-bat. The average fan may not think it was a big deal but Orioles manager Buck Showalter and Tigers manager Jim Leyland certainly did.
Showalter angrily yanked off his hat, and was seen yelling in the home dugout to anyone in particular. His hat off the whole time, he kept shaking his head and muttering throughout the rest of Fox's at-bat, which resulted in a walk Leyland, meanwhile, yelled at Fox from the top step of the dugout.
When Fox was removed for a pinch runner, Showalter made sure that he was one of the first people to meet him in the dugout and he gave him an earful. The Orioles manager was still fuming about it after the game as it apparently wasn't the first time this spring where Fox ignored a clear take situation.
Fox is obviously going to make this team, but I'm guessing that it's things like this that Showalter, a big proponent of playing the game right, is not going to tolerate in the long run.
quote:Originally posted by slowbutaccurate:
ths topic is amazing.I dont spend my hard earned money on pitching and hitting lessons every week to have my son play at anything less then 100 percent, whether his team is geting blown out or his team is doing the blowout.my son doesnt invest 3 hours every saturday with instructors to play anywhere less thm 100%. My son isnt blessed with god given natural athletic ability, his baseball "talent" is derived from his love for the game, his extreme hard work...
I remember 12U ball... The younger moms, the pre-mature curve-balls, and...oh yeah...that ridiculously overblown life-sized sense of how competitive our baseball world was. I kinda miss it...
quote:Originally posted by RJM:Then when you learn something about pitching you can teach him to pitch to contact so he can last seven innings in a high school game.quote:I want him to have 100% belief that he is going to throw it by you and I want the opposing team to know he is going to throw it by them.
RJM I also have a 23 yr old son that pitched at the college level at a small christian school.It didnt cost me much to put him thru either( 5ft 8 87 mph pretty much got everything out of his career he was going to get). I also realize that this is a high school website, but what I replied to was under general discussion so Iam truly sorry if I offended you by posting about my 12u. Now that you mention it is kinda funny. I think we would probably agree on alot of things. I will tell you this pitching to contact is overrated, a good pitcher should be pitching for bad contact or a pitch the hitter thinks he can contact but can't (off the handle or off the end of the bat or low in the strike zone). My question to you is this. Your ahead in the game 12-0 your pitcher has an 0-2 count (they obviously havent hit his first 2 strikes and havent hit many if they are down 12-0) and you still pitch to contact? and let them foul pitches off to build pitch count? So you tell your pitcher to lose 8 to 10 mph (just so they can hit)so you change his release point(in the wrong direction, slowing down), that he puts many many reps into trying to memorize.that is a completly absurd! Ifs he capable you tell him to blow it by them or throw a 2 seam 4 inches outside and let it hook back into the corner of the plate. I also read a post you put on here it went something like this "We only threw him twelve fast balls. Eleven of them knocked him on his back." So my second question goes something like this why the differnce in belief's do you play tough or do you play passive? MY belief is this, over the last 13 yrs or so i have been involved with the dreaded 12u and travel ball. I would say there is enough passive theory being taught in the United States ( no scorekeeping)(evryone plays).my son has a 58 mph fb(very average and he is very aware of it), what he does have is a really nice 2 seam, he has worked on very hard, We are going to throw it at you if you hit we will live with it and learn. We certainly wont ask you to ease up and spare his feelings.Isnt lively debate great. I love it that you speak your mind, is that confidence self taught or did you learn it from your parents. I love it that you insulted me when you said "when you learn something about pitching" It shows your passion in your belief that I dont have a clue. My son has plenty of chances to be a nice guy we are just not going to do it from the mound.
quote:Originally posted by wraggArm:quote:Originally posted by slowbutaccurate:
ths topic is amazing.I dont spend my hard earned money on pitching and hitting lessons every week to have my son play at anything less then 100 percent, whether his team is geting blown out or his team is doing the blowout.my son doesnt invest 3 hours every saturday with instructors to play anywhere less thm 100%. My son isnt blessed with god given natural athletic ability, his baseball "talent" is derived from his love for the game, his extreme hard work...
I remember 12U ball... The younger moms, the pre-mature curve-balls, and...oh yeah...that ridiculously overblown life-sized sense of how competitive our baseball world was. I kinda miss it...
I wonder if college thinks that about HS.Then I wonder if the minors think that about college. Then does the MLB think that about the minors. where do you fit in that scenario and who is making fun of you? Since I am stupid can you please tell me at what exact moment its okay for me to encourage my kid.to support his desire to get better? To help him try to achieve his dream. I personally would rather spend my money on a bass boat.When is it ok for him to start dreaming or do we need to run it by you, the one with the greater knowledge, the OZ of baseball. I dont personnally care what he does but I certainly am going to give him every oppurtunity to be the best at what ever he decides to do.When he tells me he wants to play mlb should i just tell him to give it up there is no hope? or do I support him? To him its important (although laughable to you), when he lets his immature curveball hang, he gets frustrated and tries to improve it. I bet you do miss it, 11 great kids, good kids. (which all happen to be on the 6 or 7th grade honor roll) 2 runs down in the last inning get a little rally going, cheering, hats on backwards,playing small ball manufacturing a few runs win the game. wow, now thats exciting.I find it alot more exciting then watching over paid jerks who for the most part dont give a ****. I suppose you think its okay for a-rod to give the signs to his buddy on the opposing team who is up at bat, when the yankees are winning to try and help his buddies average? This is factual every starter on our HS freshman team, played on this travel team. Its been that way for a few years (and we have a decent HS program).I would imagine if your a coach most of your players played travel ball amybe even 12u. Thats where they learn to compete, work hard. If your a coach those are the same kids your going to need to have for a decent HS team, actually the kind you probably would perfer to have.Hey does freshman ball mean anything? Does JV ball? or is it just varsity? doesnt one lead to another.That immature curveball at 12 might be the mature curveball at 17 that takes you to a state championship.Wow I didnt even throw in that remark about the younger moms like you did, it was classy of you to mention it though.
A couple of years ago we were at a 16U Ripken tournament. During some free time my son and I were walking around watching games. We stopped at a 10U game. My son asked what interest I could possibly have in a 10U game. Me: "10U moms."quote:Originally posted by wraggArm:
I remember 12U ball... The younger moms, the pre-mature curve-balls, and...oh yeah...that ridiculously overblown life-sized sense of how competitive our baseball world was. I kinda miss it...
My confidence comes from my parents expecting the best result possible in everything I did as a kid, and then succeeding at most of what I've done in my life. Lack of success was just a lesson along the journey. I've always told my kids (one played college softball/the youngest is a college baseball prospect) finish the game knowing you left it all on the field.quote:Originally posted by slowbutaccurate:quote:Originally posted by RJM:Then when you learn something about pitching you can teach him to pitch to contact so he can last seven innings in a high school game.quote:I want him to have 100% belief that he is going to throw it by you and I want the opposing team to know he is going to throw it by them.
RJM I also have a 23 yr old son that pitched at the college level at a small christian school.It didnt cost me much to put him thru either( 5ft 8 87 mph pretty much got everything out of his career he was going to get). I also realize that this is a high school website, but what I replied to was under general discussion so Iam truly sorry if I offended you by posting about my 12u. Now that you mention it is kinda funny. I think we would probably agree on alot of things. I will tell you this pitching to contact is overrated, a good pitcher should be pitching for bad contact or a pitch the hitter thinks he can contact but can't (off the handle or off the end of the bat or low in the strike zone). My question to you is this. Your ahead in the game 12-0 your pitcher has an 0-2 count (they obviously havent hit his first 2 strikes and havent hit many if they are down 12-0) and you still pitch to contact? and let them foul pitches off to build pitch count? So you tell your pitcher to lose 8 to 10 mph (just so they can hit)so you change his release point(in the wrong direction, slowing down), that he puts many many reps into trying to memorize.that is a completly absurd! Ifs he capable you tell him to blow it by them or throw a 2 seam 4 inches outside and let it hook back into the corner of the plate. I also read a post you put on here it went something like this "We only threw him twelve fast balls. Eleven of them knocked him on his back." So my second question goes something like this why the differnce in belief's do you play tough or do you play passive? MY belief is this, over the last 13 yrs or so i have been involved with the dreaded 12u and travel ball. I would say there is enough passive theory being taught in the United States ( no scorekeeping)(evryone plays).my son has a 58 mph fb(very average and he is very aware of it), what he does have is a really nice 2 seam, he has worked on very hard, We are going to throw it at you if you hit we will live with it and learn. We certainly wont ask you to ease up and spare his feelings.Isnt lively debate great. I love it that you speak your mind, is that confidence self taught or did you learn it from your parents. I love it that you insulted me when you said "when you learn something about pitching" It shows your passion in your belief that I dont have a clue. My son has plenty of chances to be a nice guy we are just not going to do it from the mound.
Pitching to contact allows a pitcher to go seven innings. I'm not looking for a pitcher to smoke the hitter (with a few exceptions where a K or a pop is really needed). I'm looking for the pitcher to fool the hitter. If fooling the hitter has him topping a grounder on the second or third pitch I'll take that every time.
In blowouts I believe you beat the opponent. You don't strip them of their dignity anymore than the game at hand is doing to them anyway. Take the standup double over the hustle triple. Only take the easy bases on passed balls and wild pitches. But every player should be making the best effort to hit, pitch and play defense.
Now going back to preteen ball, which I don't give much thought to anymore, I told my pitchers attack every hitter who can't hurt them. I hated seeing a kid who can't hit nail an offspeed pitch for a hit. Mix it up with the few who can hit to get them off balance.
I once coached (actually supervised/there's nothing to coach) a 56-2 win in 10U travel ball. I didn't enjoy it. I just wanted it to end.
Once again, welcome.
I have been watching this lively discussion between RJM and slowbutaccurate, everyone is entitled to opinions. What started out as a discussion about blowout etiquette has morphed into something else. Getting back on topic I don't recall anyone here saying pitchers should ease up and let the other team hit the ball. There is a big difference in easing up and letting the other team hit the ball and trying to just throw strikes so you don't start walking guys and allowing the other team to mount a rally. This is pitching to the situation.
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I would say there is enough passive theory being taught in the United States ( no scorekeeping)(evryone plays).
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This is not passive coaching at the youth level. Its about keeping kids in the game as long as possible to develop future ball players be it HS, College or MLB. Youth baseball has to be done in a way to give all kids an opportunity. I cant tell you how many players I played with as a youth that were not very good back then, make it to the Bigs because they were given the opportunity at a young age. Like I said above this is not passive coaching, it is the right thing at that age.
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I would say there is enough passive theory being taught in the United States ( no scorekeeping)(evryone plays).
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This is not passive coaching at the youth level. Its about keeping kids in the game as long as possible to develop future ball players be it HS, College or MLB. Youth baseball has to be done in a way to give all kids an opportunity. I cant tell you how many players I played with as a youth that were not very good back then, make it to the Bigs because they were given the opportunity at a young age. Like I said above this is not passive coaching, it is the right thing at that age.
quote:Originally posted by slowbutaccurate:
...Since I am stupid can you please tell me at what exact moment its okay for me to encourage my kid.to support his desire to get better? To help him try to achieve his dream. I personally would rather spend my money on a bass boat...
For the record, you're the one who said you were stupid, not me.
To answer your question, I think the right moment to start encouraging your kid to support his dream is the very moment he first expresses it.
But I DON'T think you should continue measure his career in terms of the "Saturday's spent" or "Bass-boats lost", which are really more about you and your investment than his dreams. It seems like you expect to see the pay-off for your investment manifested on the field every week-end, no matter what the score or the situation.
Maybe your kid really IS going to be one of the Great Ones. That probably means that he's always going to have that extra 110% in close games or clutch situations. That also implies that he's NOT going to be the type to spaz out and step on the other guy's throat in meaningless games, because he'll know that blowouts don't call for his kind of talent. He'll just play good ball, and save it for the big games.
That is, unless you really goof it, and teach him otherwise...
cabbage no is the answer to your question imo. Its the coaches job to decide how he is going to handle a situation like this. And there are many ways to continue to compete the right way and not rub it in. First of all if you coach long enough you will learn when a team is actually capable of competing with your team and when they are not. And in those instances when the opponent simply can not compete and the game is out of hand there are many ways to slow things down. First of all stop stealing. Stop bunting. No hit and runs. Empty the bench and allow everyone else to compete. Give those other pitchers an opportunity to get in some innings.
You never stop competing though. The players that are in the game are playing as hard as they can play and they are working on their game in game situations. The last thing I believe you should do is make a mockery of the game and take away the opportunity for those other players to compete. Allowing players to hit oppo or do anything that is not in line with playing the game the right way is simply the wrong approach and sends the wrong message to your players and your team. Its not the players job to put the brakes on with the way they play and approach the game. That should never happen regardless if your up 15 or down 15. In fact is there were no visible scoreboard someone walking into the stadium should not be able to tell what the score is by the way your players are playing or approaching the game.
It is the coaches job to put the brakes on the things he can without taking away from your players ability to compete as hard as they should compete and in the right way. Letting players switch hit etc sends the wrong message. Put the guys in the game that dont play and turn them loose to compete. And then back off the aggressive parts of the game that you can control. But never take this as an opportunity to make a joke out of the game.
You never stop competing though. The players that are in the game are playing as hard as they can play and they are working on their game in game situations. The last thing I believe you should do is make a mockery of the game and take away the opportunity for those other players to compete. Allowing players to hit oppo or do anything that is not in line with playing the game the right way is simply the wrong approach and sends the wrong message to your players and your team. Its not the players job to put the brakes on with the way they play and approach the game. That should never happen regardless if your up 15 or down 15. In fact is there were no visible scoreboard someone walking into the stadium should not be able to tell what the score is by the way your players are playing or approaching the game.
It is the coaches job to put the brakes on the things he can without taking away from your players ability to compete as hard as they should compete and in the right way. Letting players switch hit etc sends the wrong message. Put the guys in the game that dont play and turn them loose to compete. And then back off the aggressive parts of the game that you can control. But never take this as an opportunity to make a joke out of the game.
quote:Originally posted by RJM:
Pitching to contact allows a pitcher to go seven innings. I'm not looking for a pitcher to smoke the hitter (with a few exceptions where a K or a pop is really needed). I'm looking for the pitcher to fool the hitter. If fooling the hitter has him topping a grounder on the second or third pitch I'll take that every time.
In blowouts I believe you beat the opponent. You don't strip them of their dignity anymore than the game at hand is doing to them anyway. Take the standup double over the hustle triple. Only take the easy bases on passed balls and wild pitches. But every player should be making the best effort to hit, pitch and play defense.
Exactly right; especially the part about pitching to contact. Ground balls are democratic
.Welcome aboard, slowbutaccurate. Whether you choose to take advantage of it or not, of course, is up to you, but there are a lot of seasoned perspectives here. Some day, I imagine you just may be providing very similar advice to someone else....
How's this for blowout etiquette? I'm not sure boys are capable of this. Girls are more compassionate.
blowout etiquette
I once offered this opportunity if the other team would forfeit when it was 18-0 after one and 34-0 after two in a 10U travel tournament. The macho coach didn't want us helping teach his kids how to play. We pulled back as far as we could and won 56-2 in four innings when the game timed out. The only reason they scored was I told the outfielders to throw to second on any hits to the outfield rather than gunning down runners at home.
As Coach May said sometimes you know before the game starts. We arrived early. My son took some grounders with their shortstop. Watching the kid I knew right away the game was going to be onesided.
My daughter's high school had an opponent I had to make sure I made the first inning. She would get two at bats and be out of the game. It took two innings max. Then I stood on the sidelines commiserating with the dad of the one good player on the opponent who played travel with my daughter. It was awful watching a stud shortstop get hammered on the rubber because this girl was all they had in terms of athletes.
blowout etiquette
I once offered this opportunity if the other team would forfeit when it was 18-0 after one and 34-0 after two in a 10U travel tournament. The macho coach didn't want us helping teach his kids how to play. We pulled back as far as we could and won 56-2 in four innings when the game timed out. The only reason they scored was I told the outfielders to throw to second on any hits to the outfield rather than gunning down runners at home.
As Coach May said sometimes you know before the game starts. We arrived early. My son took some grounders with their shortstop. Watching the kid I knew right away the game was going to be onesided.
My daughter's high school had an opponent I had to make sure I made the first inning. She would get two at bats and be out of the game. It took two innings max. Then I stood on the sidelines commiserating with the dad of the one good player on the opponent who played travel with my daughter. It was awful watching a stud shortstop get hammered on the rubber because this girl was all they had in terms of athletes.
RJM,
I'm not sure about that. Some of the biggest blowouts I've ever heard of happen in HS Girls Basketball. Scores like 100-4 or something like that.
I'm not sure about that. Some of the biggest blowouts I've ever heard of happen in HS Girls Basketball. Scores like 100-4 or something like that.
That's a nice story, RJM. Thanks for posting it.
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It was 100-5. They managed one free throw!
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- "Scores like 100-4 or something like that."
It was 100-5. They managed one free throw!
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I didn't say all girl's teams are classy. I just don't think a boy's baseball team would do what these softball players did.
From coaching softball through 18U and baseball through 16U I've learned girls are more likely to stick together. Chew out a baseball player and the rest of the team is thinking "I'm so happy it's not me." Chew out a softball player and you tick off the entire team. From all the teams I've played on and coached in boys and girls sports, I've never seen any teams tighter than my daughter's high school and travel teams.
From coaching softball through 18U and baseball through 16U I've learned girls are more likely to stick together. Chew out a baseball player and the rest of the team is thinking "I'm so happy it's not me." Chew out a softball player and you tick off the entire team. From all the teams I've played on and coached in boys and girls sports, I've never seen any teams tighter than my daughter's high school and travel teams.