...Showing Up Isn't Enough

What a wasted night.  More or less like what feels like a wasted weekend for me.

I realize Memorial Day is supposed to be about remembering our fallen, but for some reason my son's little league chose to schedule the end of season tournament when people normally go out of town.  They did nothing to commemorate the weekend for veterans other than those umpires who would turn around and thank those who served (Bravo!).

So, last night Adrian Beltre had the opportunity to finish a game in the ninth inning with a routine grounder and throw to first.  Eduardo Nunez was on second and went around him, reportedly so he could make a clean throw, but Beltre chose instead to attempt to tag Nunez who then made it safely to third and the batter to first.  What?!?  Why would you even consider this play as an option?  Needless to say, the Rangers went on to load the bases and then lose the game on a fifteen foot dribbler off the end of the bat of a AAA call up.  The whole thing was a comedy of errors that reminded me of my weekend.

This weekend our little league team found a way, well via more Errors than innings played, to give away three winnable games.  We went up against one team that had the same record as us and our 3-4 hitters decided that sttriking out four times in four at bats was the way to win a game.  In the second game against one of the top teams in the league, we led 6-1 going into the third when our second basemen decided he would stop playing because he wasn't behind the plate.  That's right, you are ahead in a game and you allow five runs on errors.  The elimenation game Sunday was more of the same.  After falling behind a higher seeded team, our 7 hole hitter punched one into the outfield for a double.  Our eight hole struck out, but could have run to first on a passed ball.  Instead he froze not realizing what to do (hence, you show up on time for games and find your way to practice now and then...read Dianne's talk for more).  So we have one out, down two, and Dodge is sure to get up.

Our nine hole hitter who has one hit all season somehow gets on base on a bobble at short stop.  He even steals second before almost getting caught out on the base paths half stealing third.  Dodge hits him over and gets himself on base.  Now what?  Well, I get yelled at for telling nine hole kid to call time because Dodge isn't in scoring position.  (Dodge is yet to be caught stealing this season and routinely steals home.)  The dad who yells at me then watches as his son pops up and he doesn'd hold his runner on the bag who dashes home only to be doubled off third.  End of game...end of baseball weekend.

Look, I don't care about your kid's ability.  As one of the coaches I will work with them...IF you will.  Yogi Berra said "Little League is a good thing because it keeps the parents off the streets."  If only that were true.  Instead of working with their kid on their chosen craft, the team was scrambling minutes before game time to figure out would we have nine to play with.  (I gave up the beach for this?)

I know it sounds crazy, but your kid can't pitch because he doesn't know how to throw from the outfield.  No, your kid can't play first because he can't catch the ball during warm ups.  He is still using a glove from teeball.  This isn't to be rude, but when you sign your kid up he needs to be ready with the right gear and the right mindset.  As an example, let me show you kid B.  Kid B has played one season previously.  He started the season in right field after basically being kicked off a pseudo-select rec team.  He wanted to learn though.  In four games he went from playing right field to being our starting third basemen.  Why?  Because he would stop grounders and threw across the diamond.  He put his body in front of the ball as we taught him and when he had success he celebrated, when he didnt have success he would ask "What can I do different?  Show me a different way coach and I will change what I am doing."  I can barely get my kid to change his deal.  He wanted to pitch so we gave him a basic drill - which he did on his own.  The season wore on, but you know what?  He pitched in the end of the season tournament for us.  His first game: 2/3 inning, 0.00 ERA with a strikeout.  He was coachable and I hope my son gets to play with kid B for a while because he is a great example of how to get better.  He shows up before time, puts in effort, and wants to help...the team.

Like the play last night...take the easy out.  Play strong fundamental baseball because showing up isn't enough.