My Kind of Holiday Celebration

Sunday was Easter.  I didn't grow up very religious and while I did attend church when I was younger, I haven't attended regular mass in years.  So, how to celebrate a day with family and good weather?  We went to the local high school to practice softball and lacrosse.  There is a batting cage set up at the field, which allowed us to go through a few buckets of balls without having to chase them around.  Spent some time letting the girls attempt the softball pitching motion and correcting what I could.  I think they are still a little young to do it consistently (which is why I like our 'coach-pitch' league).  We also spent time on the turf field throwing around the lacrosse ball.  We ended the morning session with a lap around the track (which S did in 1:47) and then went to the nearby elementary school playground.

Later in the day, after a nice family meal and some chores, we decided to go back to the cage.  Did a few more buckets and another lap around the track (1:46 this time).  No complaints about the day for me.

Okay, maybe one complaint.  We have a local 'superfan'.  You know the type, goes to every game, knows a little too much about everyone that's ever played sports in the town, etc.  I'm sure his heart is in the right place and means well, but while S was hitting, he stood off to the side critiquing her swing and offering generic advice.  I'm a firm believer that too many coaches spoil the athlete.  He kept trying to drop hints about his experience and how he's worked closely with the local HS baseball coach for the past 40 years, etc.  Because I've never had direct experience with the coach, even if he is a local legend, it doesn't really add a lot of points to me.  Combined with the fact that we were practicing softball and it really just became annoying, more than helpful.  I talked to S about getting her started with a personal hitting coach (a family friend who has played professionally overseas) and how once she starts, she needs to simply tell these well-meaning critics, that she is working with a coach and needs to concentrate on what he is teaching her.  That will be a challenge for a 10 year old, but I'm hoping she's developed the confidence to try.  Most likely, I'll be there to assist, but I want her to take the lead.  Too many coaches (myself included) try to stick themselves into situations, rather than asking if help is needed/wanted.

Marathon

Once again, another Boston Marathon has come and gone with me out of shape.  It definitely makes me a little more motivated to run, but I'm so far removed from marathoning these days, that it's a distant goal.

Spent time on Sunday at the marathon expo.  Didn't buy anything, but saw that I'd be buying a lot of stuff if/when I next do one.  Need to have some swag to commemorate it.

Monday at the race was a great time with the kids and a couple friends.  We walked up to Heartbreak Hill and ran a bit of it.  Then made our way back to write chalk messages in the road for the runners.  We had a bit of excitement when the lead women came through as Kim Smith (who had been leading for much of the race) pulled up with calf cramps only 30 yards from us.  I quickly grabbed a police officer that was nearby who radioed in for help.  Two EMS workers on bikes stopped to assist.  Kim was gracious to all of us despite her obvious pain and disappointment.  She refused to take the jacket that I offered (and others along the way) and eventually walked up to the next aid station about a half mile away.

A runner from Bentley that had been watching the race was standing off about 10 ft as I and the EMS workers chatted with Kim.  As I walked away, I could see the goofy smile and somewhat uncomfortable giggle coming from this girl.  I questioned her about it and she mentioned that she once ran with Kim in a race and it was one of the greatest experiences of her running career.  I told her that she should tell that story to Kim herself, as it would probably lift her spirits.  She started giggling and shaking her head.  I had to walk her over to the limping runner and give her a little push, but once she started talking, all her nerves were gone.  I saw her a few minutes later and she was beaming.  It's nice to get a chance to get that close to some of your heroes.  It's a bit easier in the sport of running, but I know I've seen that look on the face of many kids at autograph signings or just simply getting seats close to the action.

Saw lots of club members running and other runners that I knew.  Jumped in a couple times and ran a few yards with some of them.  Another great year and a reminder why I don't let myself go to work on those days.

Weekend of Sports

Friday night softball game.  a 13-12 victory.  After a big early lead, we went cold.  Scored only one run in last 3 innings.  Suddenly, we couldn't make an out in the field and they began to come back.  With the game at 13-11, they hit one to the outfield that was dropped by us.  They were running hard.  Luckily for us, the tying run stopped at 3rd, this caused the next runner to turn around and head back to 2nd, where the hitter now was.  Quick tag and she's out.  Well, more like, confusion, followed by a tag and "SHE'S OUT!" being yelled out by me.  Not my finest moment.  Next batter struck out to end the game.  It was a close one.

Some of our less experienced players seem to be unaware of the game situation, even though we (or the girls) yell it out between batters.  For four innings tonight, we had weaker players at 3rd base.  We made 6 plays at 3rd, but only 2 of them were outs.  Four other times, the ball was hit to the 3rd baseman, she got the ball and stepped on 3rd, even though no one was running there.  In one inning, the 1st two batters hit it to 3rd and we made a play there to get out the imaginary runner.  Two batters later (bases loaded now), the ball was hit to 3rd and this time we got the out.  It would have totally confused them to try to get the lead runner at home, so I was very happy with the out.  Combined with out right errors (2 by K in last inning) and weak throws, it was a frustrating last few innings.

Lacrosse on Sunday.  K finally gets to play and she ends up in goal for the whole game.  Yikes!  There is a strong goalie at the next age level, also named K.  I think the coach was hoping for some magic.  Lost 7-1, but I'll admit that K did a perfectly fine job in net.  Paid attention to what was going on, but we were simply overmatched.  A few of the experienced players have been moved up to the next age group, to fill out the team.  This leaves the squad made up of mainly 1st year players.

This is the 1st sport that I've watched from the sidelines in a long time.  I saw a small ugly portion of youth sports in this game.  The other team was clearly superior (that town starts lacrosse in grade 1, so most of the team had played for a couple years, at least), yet the coach was continually having the girls race past the net and make short passes in an area with little defense (less experienced players tend to avoid going behind the net on defense, assuming it is out of bounds.  A soccer vs hockey mentality).  As the girls get older, that trick will not help them make passes in the field of play.  This should have been seen as an opportunity to have the girls practice contested passes in front of the net, rather than some trick that might help them win a U11 game in a league with no standings or playoffs.  They would have still won easily.  Even if they used the trick in the 1st half and then adjusted, that would have been reasonable.  It will be extra satisfying to beat them in later years, when the games count toward post-season, etc.

1st Game

1st Softball Game last night.  A relatively easy victory at 17-10 after 5 innings.  Starting to get dark and it was clear that we were going to win, so the coaches agreed to stop after the 5th.  Opposing team is mainly 3rd graders, so it was a mis-match.  We'll have a tougher challenge on Friday night.

K was cleared to play sports again, so she jumped right in.  She's shown improvement in all sports during the past year, so hopefully, she continues to improve her confidence this season, like she did with basketball.  She struck out once, but did make good contact at her other attempts and made plays in the field.

S had a good night. Started with a triple (again, it could have been a round-trip, but we held her).  Had one ball hit the 1st baseman, which allowed them to get her out, but generally, they were all backing up for safety when she came to the plate.  She liked that.  On defense, she made a bunch of plays, but did make a small mental error (didn't get the lead runner) on one play.  During her time in the outfield, she played behind some lesser experienced girls at 3rd and SS.  She made a few plays that should have been outs at 3rd, but that girl never went to cover the bag.  The glare she gave her was evil.  Had to speak to her a little about understanding that the team isn't as good as she is.  She needs to adjust.  Next ball hit to that side split the SS and 3rd baseman (who didn't move again), S ran in, scooped the ball just inside the grass and fired to 1st, just a bit too late to get the out.  It still made the crowd let out a little gasp of surprise to realize that it was possible to make an out at 1st from LF.  I heard the coaches telling their team to "run hard, you never know when they'll throw you out".

New rule change this year for this age group relating to kids pitching (we are a 'coach-pitch' league).  Not a great start, but I'm willing to withhold judgement for now.

1st Impressions

Had our 1st Softball practice on Saturday.  Only 7 kids (plus K, who is injured) showed up.  With 4 coaches, we had a good ratio.  Softball can be a slow game and anything you can do to keep them moving and getting reps, is helpful.  Overall, the team looks pretty good.  Of the 4 other players, I know one is a strong player, one is a decent athlete (don't know her Softball skills) and the other two are unknown/weak players.

We practiced grounders, pop-flys, underhand throws (for short plays), agility ladder drills and everyone got to take 10-15 swings.  It was a great practice.

Sunday was Opening Day.  Exhibition game, with strict time limit.  Our team won easily and S put on a show.  Her first hit could have easily been a home run, but we held her at 3rd.  She added a double and two singles, with only one hit kept in the infield.  Other kids had great hits.  Biggest issue to me was two of the players that couldn't make it to practice on Saturday, showed up during the 1st inning of the game.  No chance to work with them and introduce them to the team.  Simply jump in and hope they can play.  Unfortunately, both were less than hoped for.  Going to take some time to get them up to speed, since we turn around and play another game on Monday night.  With school vacation looming, we don't have another practice for awhile, just games.

Let the season begin.

Anticipation

New season (Softball) starts this weekend.  Time for one practice on Saturday and then Opening Day mini-game on Sunday.  1st real game is on Monday.  So many other things going on in life, that I haven't thought about it too much until now.  It will be good to get started.  I have a lot of confidence in the team, even though I only know the softball abilities of 4-5 of the 12 kids.  Time to make a plan and get the equipment together.

PLAY BALL!!