Softball Stuff

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The Three B’s
Softball Defense
Simply put, the 3 B’s of softball (defense) are:
1. Ball
2. Base
3. Backup
On every hit, each player on the field should be doing one of these
3 things:
Ball – fielding/catching the ball
Base – covering a base
Backup – backing up a play or possible play
Notice the first thing on the list is “ball” – whenever you are on
defense, remember “ball first.” You can’t make a play if you
don’t secure the ball. This is true whether you are fielding a ball
(hit) or catching a ball (throw from teammate). Ball First!
If you’re not fielding the ball, go cover a base.
If you don’t have a base to cover, back up a play (cover a fielder
who is getting the ball, cover a base where the ball is or might be
thrown). Every player should be doing something

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How I Know Winning Isn't Everything

Have you heard these phrases before?

"Some teams/players just know how to win"

"When you lose a lot, you get used to losing"

I think there is truth to those statements. Especially at the high school age and above. However, for the 10U age, I really don't know how must winning or losing positively or negatively affects a player in the long run.

I'm not saying that players at this age don't care about winning or don't want to win. Of course they enjoy it when they do well in a game and they are disappointed when they lose. But for winning to be one of the most important things, to me, is just not right.

I don't know about why you are involved with the game of softball, but winning is not what fuels me. I'm out there because I love the game. I enjoy softball. I love the challenge and I am always out there to do my very best. Yes, I expect to win, but the win is not what drives me - it's not the most important, number one thing I'm focused on.

Anyway - here's another story that pushes me toward believing that winning not even close to everything at the 10U, 8U level - Maybe not even at the 12U level.

I first started playing Bobby Sox softball at the age of 10. If you're familiar with Bobby Sox, it's more or less run by district. You play for the association that is run where you live. The association signs up a bunch of kids - anyone who wants to play, is in the right age group, turns in all the forms, and pay the registration fee. The players are broken up into teams that are supposed to be kind of even based on players years or experience, previous all-star selection, etc. Of course, the teams are never really very even.

My first year, I was on a team with a lot of inexperienced players. I still see the coach I had from time to time and the thing I remember most about her is that she taught me the basics. All the fundamentals that I would fall back on later on in my career, I learned that season. Thank goodness I had her as a coach because no other coach I had after that really took the time to break things down the way that she did. I don't remember her ever yelling at us or making us feel bad. I know we must have frustrated her sometimes, but I don't remember not enjoying a practice or a game. All memories I have of that season and that coach are positive. Of all the seasons I played back then, that's the regular season I remember most.

Okay, so what's the point. Well, like I said, I sometimes run into this coach every now and then. The last time I saw her, which was a few months ago, she said something about that team. She said it was a team she would never forget. Then the next comment she made absolutely stunned me. She said that we never won a game. Not one game. I was totally flabergasted. I was like, "Are you serious? We didn't win ANY games?" She laughed and shook her head and said, "No."

If she didn't tell me - I would have NEVER remembered that at all. Repressing bad memories? I don't think so. It just wasn't the important thing. It wasn't the thing from that season that lasted with me all these years. I seriously doubt that my softball career was hurt in any way by being on a team that didn't win any games.

To tell you the truth, I seemed to always be on that regular season team that lost the most games. The only time I was on a "successful" team was during all-stars. Then I was also on a successful team in high school as well. But I don't see any way in which being on losing teams at that young age hurt my softball career in any way. During all-stars at the end of the year, I was a contributor to the team. I played short-stop each year for all-stars. One year, we even won the local tournament and represented Hawaii in Buena Park. Being on a losing team all regular season didn't make me a player that doesn't know how to win in the all-star post season. Being on losing teams for 3-4 years before getting to high school didn't hinder my softball development or my ability to win.

So when coaches of young players say that they have to win games to the kids learn "how to win." I don't totally agree. I want to teach them those fundamentals that will carry them through their career. I want to help instill or nuture a love for the game in these players so that they'll want to continue to play for the next 6, 7, 8, 9+ years. If they don't enjoy what they do out there day in and day out, there is no way they are going to stick to it much less excel at it year after year after year after year. I want them to enjoy the game and have the skills they need so that they continue this game to and through the high school level. I want them to look back and remember me the way I remember my first coach. "Thank goodness I had Coach Stacie because she taught me some really important stuff."

I believe that if you teach them these basics and encourage and help them give their best day in and day out, the wins will come. All I ask of my players is their best. Whatever it is on any given day, that's what I want. Some days are better than others. But whatever they do, I want their best. Winning isn't everything. After all, if they are all out there doing the absolute best they can do, performing over and above what anyone else expected, and they still come up a bit short at the end, wouldn't you still be proud of them? I would be!

Okay that's enough rambling...can you tell I feel strongly about this subject? Here's a quote I found that adds to this message:

A life of frustration is inevitable for any coach whose main enjoyment is winning.
-- Chuck Noll

Stacie Mahoe

www.AllAboutFastpitch.com

It's all about the game!

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Don't Doubt Yourself

Too many players worry about making a mistake on defense or about striking out in the batter's box. Get these negative thoughts out of your head. Don't doubt yourself or your ability to perform. Doubts and negativity will contribute to the "bad" outcome you fear. Believe in yourself. Trust your ability.

On offense change "I hope I don't strike out" to "I'm going to drive this ball".

On defense change "I hope the ball doesn't come to me" to "Hit me your best shot, I'm ready to get you out".

Know Exactly What Pitches You Hit Well

Know your strengths in the batter's box so you know what pitches you are looking for. When your count is 3-0 you should be looking for one pitch and one pitch only. If you don't have a good visual of what that one pitch is, you need to get one. Draw it out if you have to. With 1 strike, know what pitches you can handle and handle well. Then look for something in that zone. Choose something you can drive. You should not be looking at the whole strike zone with less than two strikes. If you don't have a clear picture of what pitches you want to hit, sit down and think about it. Draw the strike zone and mark down what part of the zone you want the ball to be in for different counts (i.e. 3-0, no count, 1 strike, etc).

Want the Ball

When you're on defense, you have to want the ball. Especially in the pressure situations, be the one that wants the make the out. Know what you are going to do before hand so that you are prepared when the ball comes your way. Want to be the play maker. This ties in to "Don't Doubt Yourself" ~ when you doubt yourself, you don't want the ball. When you are confident, you will find yourself wanting the ball to come to you so that you can control the situation and make sure the play is made. That's where you want to be mentally. If you're not at that point, it's something you need to work on.

Make Something Happen

It doesn't always take a diving play or a line shot to make something happen. Always go into the batter's box with the intention of doing something...make something happen. Whether it's just get on base to start a rally, move your teammate into scoring position, or simply hit a groundball to the right side to score your teammate from 3rd, always approach the box with the mindset that you are going to make something happen. It's doesn't always have to be big. Winning runs have been scored on small bloopers and routine ground balls. It doesn't always have to be a towering line drive or a " Hollywood " play.

It's the same thing on defense. Just because you don't get the ball doesn't mean you don't have a job. Cover a base or back up a play. Always move, always be involved. Communicate with your teammates who are involved with the play. Communicate with your teammates before and after a play. Always look to make something happen because you just never know when the ball will come your way.

Always Back Up Your Teammates

I don't care if you get along with your teammates off the field or not. The fact is you are on ONE TEAM. Whether you like it or not, you are working toward the same goal. When you fail to support a teammate, you fail to contribute all that you can to your team. Even when your teammate makes a mistake, pick them up, support them, and make a contribution to help make up for their error. You never know, one day you may be the one that makes the mistake and they may be the one to bail you out and make up for it. Don't only support them and cheer for them when YOU need them. Your team needs everyone all the time. If you truly want to be the best you can be, it's an absolute must to put aside personal differences and be a team player on the field.

Improve your game every day ~ it's not just a matter of field, throwing, and hitting. There's so much to learn and so many ways to improve. Choose something each day and get better. And, of course, always remember to have fun!