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Practice
I took my point and shoot to the field today. As you can see, it is not good for action. I didn't want to keep up with my "good" one, so I thought this would work.
This is the way Chaney elected to tie her shoes. That's how you do it, right?
Here's Abby, getting geared up to bat. When I played, you didn't have a facemask. Now the kids look like football players.
Here's one of Blake and I, prior to my being cussed by one of her team member's dad's. No matter what story he was telling last night when I came back, everyone sitting there knows the truth. I didn't do anything. Parents with no respect for the fact that everyone doesn't talk like sailors around their kids get on my nerves.And from going to my nephew's baseball games, I can also say, coaches without tact and good sportsmanship need to watch their tongues, too. These kids are picking up on that stuff. Lord knows I have a bad temper, but I can hide it well :)
We have had some good practices, and the girls are trying hard to get the skills down pat. I have been really impressed at Jordan's batting, since it is her first year, and she is already on the pitching machine (33 mph). She was hitting 2 outta 3 last night. If I can just keep her from getting mad at herself for messing up, we will be doing good.
8 comments:
Thats awesome for Jordan to be hitting so well,she must get it from somewhere... ;D
That is one thing I do NOT miss about my kiddos playing baseball/soccer,the horrible conduct of SOME of the parents and SOME of the coaches,the few seemed to suck the fun out of it for the many...
I grew up playing softball then went on to coach. It seems that for some parents it is all about WINNING.
The team that I helped coach wasn't the best team BUT the girls (except Blake ;) ;) was there to learn about softball, build friendships and have fun. The coaches were there to teach about softball, build friendships and have fun. As a matter of fact 1 year we actually went undefeated (GO STINGRAYS!!). The next year there was one team that was blowing out the score on every team. We played them and lost by 5 or so runs. My team was elated at the score and if you were to walk by the other teams meeting after the game you would have thought they just lost the game.
The problem I see is that the parents 1) try to re-live their youth through their kids, 2) put too much expecations on their kids, 3) don't want to volunteer time to help coach/practice but when it comes time for the game they are all up into the coaches faces.
Here is what I wish players would learn:
1) Something about softball and their team mates at every practice & game.
2) To be gracious, whether it is in victory or defeat.
3) It is a team effort.
4) It's just a game so have FUN!
Here is what I wish the parents would learn:
1) To be gracious, whether it is in victory or defeat.
2) They are there for their kids.
3) Using curse words shows their intellegance, or LACK OF.
4) It is just a game so let the kids have FUN!
5) Let the girls make mistakes and learn from them. Learning comes best when spoken in soft words not harsh.
Here is what I wish the coaches would learn:
1) Something about every girl on the team. Once the girls move on from your team you will see them in the future and THEY WILL remember you as either a general or a coach who was fun.
2) It is just a game.
3) Using curse words shows their intellegance, or LACK OF.
4) Let the girls make mistakes and learn from them. Learning comes best when spoken in soft words not harsh.
5) If each girl learns one thing than (whether it be about softball, attitude or life) their job as coach is complete.
I may be wrong and these are just my opinions (I am sure Blake will have a comment on this...so Blake give'em to me!!)
Shelley, keep doing what you are doing and know that while the parents may make you upset/mad/embaressed the girls are what counts!
I am under anonymous because I can't remember my username or password....Karen Caldwell
thanks Karen! Dottie Grace's mom made my day by telling me she was so glad I said "WOOO HOOO There's my Dottie Grace!" because it made her daughter so happy. It makes it worth it to see them grin over hitting a ball 5 feet from home plate. We have cut out having any put downs at our practices, and our girls are encouraging each other big time, it's awesome.
Karen, I always knew you loved me...lol
I am glad that I grew up with the coaches I did. I was always glad to go to practice because I knew I was going to have a blast and I wasn't going to get screamed or yelled at (except that one time...lol).
People need to stop taking everything so seriously and remember that we are there for the girls--to teach them and to let them have fun.
Go Jordan!! I know she will do well, it is in her blood on both sides!! lol! I am so glad that my son plays ball. I loved it when I played and it helps build friendships! Stratton was very shy and everyone that knows him knows the extent of his shyness. But playing ball has brought him from having one friend, to a bunch of friends! I am so thankful for that!
I don't have an account, so that's why I didn't post under my name! Sorry!
I will definitely be there to support Jordan when I can!
Jennifer Stewart
After being around girls softball(all ages) for many years (as a parent, coach and an umpire), I have learned (more like have been taught), that the younger girls that play, do want to "win" the game. Mainly because that is what they hear the adults (including their parents) say. But if you look/listen a little closer, these young girls just want their moms/dads approval. For their moms/dads to say 'great game', for their moms/dads to listen to them talk about all the plays them made during the game. For them to hear their moms/dads tell their teammates how proud they are of them. You know, it's 'family time'. Be grateful for what you have, for there are so many that do not have this privilege and we do not know if/when it may be taken away from us. And Blake, that one slip up by coach karen, she never did it again.
Let's get this straight....if I yelled/screamed at Blake ONCE it was probably because she was busy talking to a boy outside the fence area during a game!
I totally agree about making the girls time with you, teammates and family as a "positive". I also agree that you never knowing when the privilege will be taken from us. Over the past 1 1/2 years two of my "girls" were taken. After softball the girls went on but whenever I saw them there was always a smile and a HI!
Shelley & Blake I know you will do great with the girls...if you start having trouble just let "Aunt Karen" know and I will show up at a practice :)
i agree with everything everybody said here, so no need to get into all that 'cause it would just be duplication. i just think the way that kid put her shoes on is awesome! that's what i wanted to talk about here, 'cause you know, that method also works great with putting on your pants too!
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