The kids must have thought, "what's wrong with coach?" after our last game with the Giants. To put it mildly, I like to talk. After that game there were a lot of things that I had thought about saying in the event we won or we lost. Looking into the boys' eyes and seeing the disappointment and the tears, I think my thoughts and feelings were at a common denominator with theirs. Not everything that I wanted to say was right there at that time. So, sorry for being a little emotional.
I thank everyone for the opportunity to spend some time with your kids. I enjoyed them and like teaching the game, so it was a pretty good spring for me.
I appreciate that the players were at so many of the practices and games. Everyone was great about keeping the coaches informed about times when they might be late or had something else to attend. I guess I'm trying to say thanks for everyone being so dependable.
Going to some of the other teams' games, let me tell you that the rest of the league's parents were pretty subdued compared to the Padres. When there was reason to cheer, you folks were so supportive. When there wasn't, you were also really supportive.
All along I tried to be pretty consistent. I wanted the kids collectively to take ownership of the team as well as their role individually. Many times it was said to them that, "it is your team." One of the things that I see in youth sports that gets out of hand sometimes is the coaches and other adults making it a little too much about them. It's kind of difficult to send a message to 10 to 12 year olds that you don't have to win for your coach and wins and losses aren't hugely important, but at the same time losing isn't totally ok either, but I tried.
As far as the play of the team, I thought we were really "good" early and late in the year. There was a fairly long period in the middle of the season that I kept feeling that we were not playing to our potential. Maybe it was the odd weather and lack of practice opportunities? I don't know, but all I do know is that I was so happy for them to get it together and play the way they did to close the season and the playoff game.
All of your kids had moments that they can reflect positively on. All of your kids have things they can improve on. I hope that they look at it that way, feeling as though they had some fun and for as long as they play the game are striving to get better.
You know how you feel when a ball is hit to your son or when they are up to bat? There's a nervous sort of excitement. You want them to come out of that play with a positive, something for you to cheer about, and something for them to feel good about themselves over. I can honestly tell you - that I felt that same sort of emotional investment on every play of the season, and every at-bat, for every single player, all year long, and every line-up change, and every time someone got to come in or go out, than I was ever worried about the score or the standings.
All the best for your families. Youth sports is a small world, so I'm sure I'll run into many of you again. One final special thank you to the guys that helped coaching and umpiring and scorekeeping and taking care of the fields - where would I have been without you guys? Aside from being the manager, I'm also the dad of one of the players. It was really nice to have the opportunity to manage his team. I didn't quite know how I'd pull that one off with my schedule and also find a little time to spend at my daughter's games. You guys are the reason, and I can't say "Thank you!" enough to everyone, but especially to Coach Lovell who I'm sure in turn would thank those that helped him.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Players, NOW it's ok to........................
Now is the appropriate time for the players to reflect on their individual performance. All year long I've preached that it's a team game and that individuals getting too high or too low over their personal achievements and/or failures hurts the team and the chance for all to have success. That's a hard sell a lot of the time as it's natural for kids to live and die on the moment.
As I've said all along - At 10 to 12 years old it is about two things 1) having fun, and 2) getting better. Look back at what was done well and what wasn't. Enjoy the accomplishments and learn from the failures. Every player on this team has made a number of good plays and can build on them. At the same time, every player on this team has holes in their game that were exposed over the course of the season. Understand that everything can change, anything can change, or nothing can change - YOU get to decide that.
My advice to players returning to the Padres or moving on to play in Juniors or elsewhere is this:
1. Hitting improvement comes in the off-season. USE VIDEO! Either at the batting cages or live BP have someone get lots of video. Compare it to what really good hitters do. Maybe post the video on any one of many baseball websites and ask for help from others (many are coaches and instructors who've worked with every level of players from t-ball to MLB).
Remember that rarely anything good is eaily attained. It takes a lot of work and dedicating a lot of time. Even then hitting a baseball against good pitching is not easy. It can be done though. Last season Cordell had a donut going for most of the season, not one single hit until about game 14 or 15. This year he collected one in his first at-bat.
2. Take pride in your defense! Even good hitters go into funks where balls don't fall in for hits or they strike out. You can always play hard on defense though. And it's not even so much "playing hard" as it is having your baseball IQ sharpened up and doing all the little things right. This is especially true for the kids moving up to the big fields next year. There's not enough athletic ability in the world to compensate for even just average baseball instincts playing on 90' diamonds.
3. Understand the game. This game is not about no-hitters and grand slam home runs. Those things are rarities. What wins games are little things. When you really understand and appreciate this game, you will find that those supposedly extraordinary events will not inspire or impress you as much as the little thing, the something maybe that doesn't even show up in the scorebook as ever happening, that helps win a game.
I cannot ever remember a teammate hitting a grand slam HR, though I know it happened. Though I do remember a lot of things like players sliding hard into 2B to break up a double play, giving our team an extra out and us capitalizing on it. I remember last season Jacob Collier running a mile to get to a foul ball that not one other player in the league would've attempted to and almost making the catch. I'll forget a lot about this year. The things I'll remember are things you've all probably already forgotten. Things like Zach fouling back a bunch of 3-2 pitches against the Tigers, burning up the rest of their starter's pitch count, and then breaking their heart by eventually getting a hit. It completely changed that game. I'll remember in our last game against the Astros, Cordell and Austin going 110% after a foul ball and neither having a good shot at it, but both diving after it. I'll remember Grant's perfect bunt and his all out hustle running out that basically willed their pitcher to air mail the throw and us to score the winning run. Just to name a few.
Guys, you don't have to be in the HR club, or be the kid that hits the walk-off HR to win a game, or strike out 15 batters in a game to be a hero. In baseball, like life, real heros aren't rock stars and celebrities, but the people who can be counted on and give it their all day in and day out.
4. Finally, and most importantly - Play the game with joy in your heart! Every spring that you get to keep putting on a uniform and playing baseball is a good one -APPRECIATE IT!!! ENJOY IT!!!! SAVOR IT!!! MAKE THE MOST OF IT!!!
I've been in love with this game since I was a little kid. I never was all that great at it, but I never got out-worked and looking back I think maybe I inspired teammates and coaches with how I felt every single time I got a chance to be on a baseball field. That more than anything is probably what allowed me to put on a uniform for a few extra seasons. And, I miss it, but I'm thankful that I don't have any regrets about not enjoying it fully at the time.
For that matter, approach everything you do with joy and intensity. School, what a fantastic opportunity. Embrace it, be excited about it, and just go for it! I mean seriously, what's not to like about being smart and having all sorts of doors open to you in the future?
Finally, don't be with others that bring you down - choose your friends wisely! Not much else can keep you from being successful at anything or having that joy and positive vibe and intensity about you ripped apart as much as poor choices of people you associate with. It's pretty simple........if you tell me who you're hanging around with, I can most likely tell you what you are doing.
Guys, I thank you all. I enjoyed having the opportunity to spend some exciting times with you and teach the game. I wish all a lot of success in baseball and life. Always remember: YOU get to decide that - make it happen.
As I've said all along - At 10 to 12 years old it is about two things 1) having fun, and 2) getting better. Look back at what was done well and what wasn't. Enjoy the accomplishments and learn from the failures. Every player on this team has made a number of good plays and can build on them. At the same time, every player on this team has holes in their game that were exposed over the course of the season. Understand that everything can change, anything can change, or nothing can change - YOU get to decide that.
My advice to players returning to the Padres or moving on to play in Juniors or elsewhere is this:
1. Hitting improvement comes in the off-season. USE VIDEO! Either at the batting cages or live BP have someone get lots of video. Compare it to what really good hitters do. Maybe post the video on any one of many baseball websites and ask for help from others (many are coaches and instructors who've worked with every level of players from t-ball to MLB).
Remember that rarely anything good is eaily attained. It takes a lot of work and dedicating a lot of time. Even then hitting a baseball against good pitching is not easy. It can be done though. Last season Cordell had a donut going for most of the season, not one single hit until about game 14 or 15. This year he collected one in his first at-bat.
2. Take pride in your defense! Even good hitters go into funks where balls don't fall in for hits or they strike out. You can always play hard on defense though. And it's not even so much "playing hard" as it is having your baseball IQ sharpened up and doing all the little things right. This is especially true for the kids moving up to the big fields next year. There's not enough athletic ability in the world to compensate for even just average baseball instincts playing on 90' diamonds.
3. Understand the game. This game is not about no-hitters and grand slam home runs. Those things are rarities. What wins games are little things. When you really understand and appreciate this game, you will find that those supposedly extraordinary events will not inspire or impress you as much as the little thing, the something maybe that doesn't even show up in the scorebook as ever happening, that helps win a game.
I cannot ever remember a teammate hitting a grand slam HR, though I know it happened. Though I do remember a lot of things like players sliding hard into 2B to break up a double play, giving our team an extra out and us capitalizing on it. I remember last season Jacob Collier running a mile to get to a foul ball that not one other player in the league would've attempted to and almost making the catch. I'll forget a lot about this year. The things I'll remember are things you've all probably already forgotten. Things like Zach fouling back a bunch of 3-2 pitches against the Tigers, burning up the rest of their starter's pitch count, and then breaking their heart by eventually getting a hit. It completely changed that game. I'll remember in our last game against the Astros, Cordell and Austin going 110% after a foul ball and neither having a good shot at it, but both diving after it. I'll remember Grant's perfect bunt and his all out hustle running out that basically willed their pitcher to air mail the throw and us to score the winning run. Just to name a few.
Guys, you don't have to be in the HR club, or be the kid that hits the walk-off HR to win a game, or strike out 15 batters in a game to be a hero. In baseball, like life, real heros aren't rock stars and celebrities, but the people who can be counted on and give it their all day in and day out.
4. Finally, and most importantly - Play the game with joy in your heart! Every spring that you get to keep putting on a uniform and playing baseball is a good one -APPRECIATE IT!!! ENJOY IT!!!! SAVOR IT!!! MAKE THE MOST OF IT!!!
I've been in love with this game since I was a little kid. I never was all that great at it, but I never got out-worked and looking back I think maybe I inspired teammates and coaches with how I felt every single time I got a chance to be on a baseball field. That more than anything is probably what allowed me to put on a uniform for a few extra seasons. And, I miss it, but I'm thankful that I don't have any regrets about not enjoying it fully at the time.
For that matter, approach everything you do with joy and intensity. School, what a fantastic opportunity. Embrace it, be excited about it, and just go for it! I mean seriously, what's not to like about being smart and having all sorts of doors open to you in the future?
Finally, don't be with others that bring you down - choose your friends wisely! Not much else can keep you from being successful at anything or having that joy and positive vibe and intensity about you ripped apart as much as poor choices of people you associate with. It's pretty simple........if you tell me who you're hanging around with, I can most likely tell you what you are doing.
Guys, I thank you all. I enjoyed having the opportunity to spend some exciting times with you and teach the game. I wish all a lot of success in baseball and life. Always remember: YOU get to decide that - make it happen.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Padres vs. Giants (Game 10)
What a game! Six innings wasn't enough to settle this one. The Giants got out to a 3-2 lead, but the Padres battled back and went up 4-3. The Giants tied it at 4-4 and that's how it sat going to the bottom of the 6th.
In one of the more interesting moments of the year so far, the Giants attempted a double steal with 2 outs in the inning. Joel threw down to 2B and we got the runner hung up in a rundown. The runner on 3B was slow to react and as a result didn't score before the the out was recorded when the other runner left the base path to avoid being tagged out. The original call was safe at home, game over, Giants win. However, after a conference the call was reversed (as it should have been) and the Padres were given new life.
The Padres scored 3 in the top of the 7th, and that was just enough to hang on to win 7-6.
It would be unfair to mention any one player's individual accomplishments in this game as it was truly a team effort. I saw so many little things done right. Things that don't necessarily show up in the score book, but in a 1-run game are critically important. This was a very well played game on both sides. Cordell started the game at pitcher and was still pitching in the 7th inning - that is rarer than a 4 leaf clover in Little League. That'll tell you that a lot of balls were put in play and a lot of plays were made.
The Padres are now 5-4 in the league, just a half game out of second place.
In one of the more interesting moments of the year so far, the Giants attempted a double steal with 2 outs in the inning. Joel threw down to 2B and we got the runner hung up in a rundown. The runner on 3B was slow to react and as a result didn't score before the the out was recorded when the other runner left the base path to avoid being tagged out. The original call was safe at home, game over, Giants win. However, after a conference the call was reversed (as it should have been) and the Padres were given new life.
The Padres scored 3 in the top of the 7th, and that was just enough to hang on to win 7-6.
It would be unfair to mention any one player's individual accomplishments in this game as it was truly a team effort. I saw so many little things done right. Things that don't necessarily show up in the score book, but in a 1-run game are critically important. This was a very well played game on both sides. Cordell started the game at pitcher and was still pitching in the 7th inning - that is rarer than a 4 leaf clover in Little League. That'll tell you that a lot of balls were put in play and a lot of plays were made.
The Padres are now 5-4 in the league, just a half game out of second place.
Padres vs. Astros (Game 8)
Padres got back on track and insured winning the 3 game series with the Astros by picking up a 12-7 win in the teams' second meeting. Much like the first meeting, the Astros took a 3-0 lead. We came back to go up 5-4. They then led 7-5. After that the Padres found a way to come back yet again and this time for good. The win puts the Padres at 4-3 in league play.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Padres vs. Tigers (Game 5)
League game #5 anyway. We lost a 9-5 exhibition game with the Cascade LL Rangers team on Wednesday. Some victories though in terms of getting some players additional game experience and keeping it close against a pretty good team. Also Jacob Hearne made what has to be the defensive play of the year thus far with his catch in the outfield and quickly getting it back in to 2B to double up the runner. And, Jalen came in and threw 1+ inning of really solid relief to give us a chance.
On Thursday though the Padres played by far their best game of the year. For a good part of the game we clung to a 2-1 lead with some fine pitching from Charlie and lots of good defensive plays. Our corner infielders, Austin and Jacob Collier were fantastic. The play that we got an out on their player attempting to score after getting him in a pickle really typified our effort. Not all was perfect, but we didn't compound errors - we came back and made up for them. And that I guess is perfect enough.
Lots of really good at-bats. I think we outscored them 11-4. One at bat that really stood out to me was in the 4th inning I believe. Their pitcher was pitching a pretty good game, but his pitch count was getting up there. I told all the boys to make him work and don't give him an easy low, pitch count inning. Zach came up in that inning worked the count full, fouled some pitches off, then broke their hearts after burning up all those pitches by ripping a base hit. I felt that one at bat was a huge turning point in the game, but there were many like it earlier. Some resulted in hits. Some didn't. However, all were quality at bats that got us to their relief pitcher and an opportunity to do what we do - hit the ball and score some runs.
Great job Padres. Next up the Giants and a chance to go through the first round of league games 4-2. That'd be sweet.
On Thursday though the Padres played by far their best game of the year. For a good part of the game we clung to a 2-1 lead with some fine pitching from Charlie and lots of good defensive plays. Our corner infielders, Austin and Jacob Collier were fantastic. The play that we got an out on their player attempting to score after getting him in a pickle really typified our effort. Not all was perfect, but we didn't compound errors - we came back and made up for them. And that I guess is perfect enough.
Lots of really good at-bats. I think we outscored them 11-4. One at bat that really stood out to me was in the 4th inning I believe. Their pitcher was pitching a pretty good game, but his pitch count was getting up there. I told all the boys to make him work and don't give him an easy low, pitch count inning. Zach came up in that inning worked the count full, fouled some pitches off, then broke their hearts after burning up all those pitches by ripping a base hit. I felt that one at bat was a huge turning point in the game, but there were many like it earlier. Some resulted in hits. Some didn't. However, all were quality at bats that got us to their relief pitcher and an opportunity to do what we do - hit the ball and score some runs.
Great job Padres. Next up the Giants and a chance to go through the first round of league games 4-2. That'd be sweet.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Padres vs. Angels (Game 4)
The Padres were able to even their record to 2-2 with a 6-3 win. It was a solid effort all the way around against a pretty good team. After going down 2-0, it was all Padres. The pitching came around. We made some plays on defense. And, the hitting was good enough to get us all the runs we needed. Great job guys.
Padres vs. Astros (Game 2)
A thriller with all the excitement that makes LL Baseball so much fun, that's for sure! After trailing 6-0 and 7-1, our boys charged back and lead 10-7 going into what was likely to be the Astro's final at-bat. A dramatic 2 run HR by Joel broke a 7-7 tie. We added one more after that. The Astros wouldn't go quietly though. In that final AB they eventually loaded the bases. Down to their final strike, one of their boys came up with a huge bases clearing double into the gap in right-center to apparently tie the game.
Then one of the craziest plays that we'll likely see this year happened. The runner who came around from first to scored missed home plate. We got the ball in, but Cordell didn't realize all he had to do was step on the plate for the chance to appeal for an out to the umpire. Instead he went into the Astro's dugout looking for that baserunner. In the process he tagged about 8 different players and an assistant coach. After what took on the look of a rugby scrum where kids were blocking Cordell and trying to get their guy out the door and back to the plate, we finally got our out at home and sealed the deal on a very heartbreaking loss for a really game Astros team.
Then one of the craziest plays that we'll likely see this year happened. The runner who came around from first to scored missed home plate. We got the ball in, but Cordell didn't realize all he had to do was step on the plate for the chance to appeal for an out to the umpire. Instead he went into the Astro's dugout looking for that baserunner. In the process he tagged about 8 different players and an assistant coach. After what took on the look of a rugby scrum where kids were blocking Cordell and trying to get their guy out the door and back to the plate, we finally got our out at home and sealed the deal on a very heartbreaking loss for a really game Astros team.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Your 2010 Sprague Majors Padres
Jersey
Number---Name---Age
1 - Zach Lovell 10
3 - Grant Webb 12
6 - Joel Susee 11
7 - Trevor Herigstad 11
8 - Jacob Hearne 11
9 - Jacob Collier 12
10 - Jeron Burch 12
11 - Jalen Lomax 11
12 - Charlie Davis 12
13 - Austin Kleinman 11
14 - Lucas Webb 12
20 - Cordell Strubel 12
Number---Name---Age
1 - Zach Lovell 10
3 - Grant Webb 12
6 - Joel Susee 11
7 - Trevor Herigstad 11
8 - Jacob Hearne 11
9 - Jacob Collier 12
10 - Jeron Burch 12
11 - Jalen Lomax 11
12 - Charlie Davis 12
13 - Austin Kleinman 11
14 - Lucas Webb 12
20 - Cordell Strubel 12
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