It’s that time of year… again

It’s the time of the year that most coaches dread…. the time of uncertanty… yep, it’s the time when old teams come apart, and new teams are formed. I confess, I really dislike this time of the season!

It starts really in July. Players, parents (and coaches) really start thinking about next season. Will they come back, or will they search for new and perhaps better opportunities? Coaches think about it too. Can they make improvements in the team? Are there “issues” with players or parents that they just dont want to deal with for another year? As with most things, the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. Sure you remember every key hit those opposing players had against you. Just how good could you be if they were playing for your team?

This year has been particularly disruptive across the entire softball arena. Several well respected and established programs have disbanded. Coaches are moving from place to place. Those kids that seem always to be on a new team every year… are again on yet another new team. My own team experienced significant tournover this season, with four of my 2009 players moving to Gold teams, and a couple others moving in different directions.

What does this mean? It means there is an opportunity to build a new team, with new kids, fresh attitudes and an optimistic beginning. I’ve been fortunate to build a team that is perhaps the most athletic team we have every assembled. (And that’s saying a lot). Defensively, we have improved in many areas, and have incredible depth across the field. I’m excited!

So bottom line, everyone is a free agent each and every year. And regardless of turnover, the new season brings new opportunities and excited anticipation.

See you on the diamond soon!

Enjoying the moment

I got the opportunity to watch a lot of college softball this weekend…  In the WCWS I saw both of the Alabama Tide and the Georgia Bull Dogs play exciting games on Saturday to advance to the semi finals against Florida and Washington.    While I’m a Washington fan, it was impossible not to really enjoy both the ‘Bama and Georgia teams.   I’ve never seen so much heart and excitement about playing the game.      

Talk about inspiration…  Bama’s # 3 hitter, Kelley Montalvo, stands 4′10 or 4′11 at the most.   She plays like she’s 6′2″.   If there was ever proof that heart matters and that softball is truly THE sport where everyone can contribute,  she’s the proof.     And what about Georgia?   They beat Washington in game one on Sunday with amazing performances by everyone on their team… including the use of four (4) pitchers!    Washington played them in the what-if game later in the evening and won by a score of 9-3.   Georgia never seemed out of it as they battled all night long.      

What was truly amazing about Georgia’s team was their positive approach to the game.     Danielle Lawre of the UW hits a grand slam and you could never tell it from the faces of the UGA players.   Even when there were two outs in the 7th,  they were all smiles and having a great time.     This epitomizes the meaning of enjoying the moment.   I don’t think I have ever witnessed a team have a more positive attitude, regardless of the situation, than the Georgia softball team.      Their coach summed it up when interviewed,  she said that they play for the sake of playing… not for the score.   Wow.   

After a difficult and frustrating weekend of softball watching  Lex’s Juanita Highschool team implode,  I wish I had the attitude that these Georgia kids did.    I really learned something.  I hope the next time the wheels come off,  I can have the attitude of the Georgia kids!

Why we lace them up.

Last night was a great example of why we lace up the cleats and play every game… and not pay much attention about what teams look like on paper. Last night, Samammish and Bellevue met in the KingCo 3A playoffs held at Inglemoor High School. Samammish with a conference record of 2-10 has only beaten Mercer Island this year. It has lost every other conference game.   They are a huge underdog.   Running into a strong Liberty team, it should have been a route…. on paper at least. But that’s not how things played out.

Samammish started out strong, scoring runs in early innings. Liberty came back and even led in the 5th inning before Samammish broke the game open with 9 runs in the 6th. Liberty made a comeback, but was not able to overcome the 16 runs that Samammish put on the board.

Did anyone predict that? Nope. Was it a surprise? You bet. But it did serve as a great example why competition occurs on the field and not in the papers, news groups, or even in the heads of fans or coaches. While Liberty might defeat Samammish 9 out of 10 times, they did not this time.    As this was a playoff game,  Samammish will automatically advance to the SeaKing District tournament next week.  Liberty must play a do-or-die game against a strong Bellevue team to stay alive.

So what can we all take from this?  First,  the score is always 0-0.    Play every inning like it’s do or die.  Never underestimate the team you are about to play.    Be prepared.   Never let yourself get lulled into a false belief that your team is better than your opponent.    It is fine to have confidence, but it is easy for confidence to get confused with arrogance or complacency.    Always play like the under dog.

Every year or two,  our Shark team gets beaten by a team that on paper at least, we should easily defeat.   Usually, it’s a case of taking the other team too lightly, while not making adjustments to score runs.    If those tough losses come at the right time,  this can serve as a great motivator.  If not,  you get to go home early.   Lace ‘em up!   

Time goes so fast…

I started a new class this morning, and it really made me realize how fast time goes by. Let me back up a bit… I am a volunteer with the Seattle Chapter of Junior Achievement. Each school year, I teach a couple tracks of JA to local elementary school kids. Over the past years, I’ve done them all.. from 1st to 6th grade programs. Today I started a new class at Robert Frost Elementary in a 6th grade with a teacher that both Lex and Dani had when they went to school there. It’s neat, generally everyone knows who I am… except today. I asked the class if they knew who I was and nothing….. For pete sakes.. it’s only been a couple of years!

I does make me think about this class of kids who play for me… I’ve coached some of them for 6 years… they have a few more years before they are gone! It’s all down hill from here.. As my good friend Doug Ichikawa says “It doesn’t get better than this.. “.

I received a call tonight from one of my players, Maura Murphy. She called to tell me that she was voted on the 2009 All-KingCo 2nd team as a utility player. She called to tell me, and to thank me. Wow. I was so proud of her! Not just for the achievement for the reward, but the thoughfulness to thank me. Great kid. Her parents have done well.

Welcome!

Welcome to my coach’s blog.    This is a place where I can rant… or relay thoughts…