Hoooray Baseball! The New DRays

Super great baseball Saturday! Yahoo! Runs, hits, outs, diving catches and all around heads up playing! The most fun game yet, yes? I didn't get to finish my pre-game speech to the boys, and for those who didn't get to hear, here's the gist:

Something snapped into place when some of the boys were upset because "we stink". We do NOT stink! We are a tad behind those teams who have been playing together for several years and to veteran coaches who hand picked much of their teams, but we ARE a good team. It hit me as well that, while winning does not increase the fun of baseball to me, it does to the kids.

So. It took 3 games and 3 practices to get to know who we are and where whe are at. Now, we are a team reborn, and I LOVE this team-- awesome kids and awesome parents! Until Saturday, everyone has been playing a slurry of random positions, rotating every inning. As of yesterday, lineups will be made more strategically. POSITIONS ARE EARNED, based on 5 criteria:

-ability to catch
-ability to throw
-baesball IQ (knowing what to do, when and why)
-paying attention
-attitude

This teaches players responsibily for their situation, encourages growth and as seen Saturday, just makes for good baseball....to play and to watch!

In little league, outfield is boring. NO MORE! We now play a shallow outfield, essentially making outfielders a second infield. Outfielders are taught to backup their respective bases on EVERY play, requiring them to be mobile and active on EVERY play. If there is a play at first, the right fielder is now required to back up first. Right field, perennially the least desired and most inactive position in the infield, is now one of the most active....and important. Booyah!

TT alone saved 3 runs by playing a righteous right field yesterday...a position he was upset about having to play. Yet at games end, he told me he LOVED right field! And it's not just because we made it an active position...it's becase he did an exceptional job at it. Hey, it's FUN to do something exceptionally! Now that all positions are equal, this is what we will work on. Being good at where you are at.

If I can get kids to start begging me to play right field, a) I'm gonna crap my pants, and b) you can rest assured your boys will come out of the season better than they came in.

Remember, I'm an open book. If kids don't like where they are, I don't bite! Come tell me, and I will help them to earn the position they want to be at. I want them to be there!

Peace, Love and Baseball
GAME TUESDAY
coach