Fresno Force Classic 2012

[Iluvblue]

onlooker,

i agree with you, but many coaches sit on their buckets and fail to explain what is happening. So the player sees things, but has no idea what they have just seen.

i think I have had pretty good success with every team I have ever coached, and nobody can say that my teams dont get significantly better as the season goes on. There is a reason for that, because every time our players see something (something worth discussing) I am right there explaining why the play was great, or why it is poor, and without that added explanation, all the seeing in the world doesnt mean much.

Players dont just start diving for balls because they saw someone do it. They need to do it in practice as well. Now I am sure there is some freak player that just went out and dove on her own, but that is one in a million.

And I may not be coming off right, trust me, I believe 100% in the power of watching, but only if they have instruction happening at the same time, and only if instruction is worth listening to.

[Sftball Junkie]

Thanks For the little explanation Blue.

I tend to forget that there are a ton of coaches out there who sit on the bucket and give very little instruction during games or heck for that matter even during practice. I always enjoyed playing teams with a strong Short Stop or Stud Catcher etc... Gave me a chance to bring a girl over and give her somethings to watch on how they communicate and command the field, move their feet, track the ball, motor, frame etc...

Mental focus is with out a doubt a hard one. A few ways to get the process started early is teaching communication. We always pushed communication in the field such as how many outs, where runners are, where the play is, who has bag as well as things like relaying pitch signs to out outfield for shifts. Hoping that this would help everyone stay in the game. We started this with our girls right out of the gate in 10's and earlier. If an 8 or 9 year old can do these things the rest should be able to.

Long innings when your pitcher might be having a bad day or the ball is just not bouncing your way are the hardest as you know. I use share pics of our players who really had that look of focus on their face with the others and try to explain how if you are really focused for an entire game you will be mentally tired at the end of the game and what that means. Obviously not a conversation for the 9 year old's, if they could stay focused through running out on the field I was happy.

[ICMTM]

On another note, I disagree with the 14s having more depth this year. Last year you had a lot more stronger teams than this year. You had Sorcerer, LM, Breeze, Silverstreak, Salinas Storm, Fresno Force, RR Gold, OBS Monarchs, KG Hitters, AASA...etc You don't have half as much this year. I think one of the reasons is you have too many girls jumping up to 16s/18s when they really should be playing 14s (case in point TS Softball) but hey that's life.

TS has been in competitive games with Breeze 98, Grapettes Vasquez, TC Smash 98, And to my point Lady Magic and Sorcerer are still in 14s for nationals. Maybe depth isn't right word but I mean there will be more teams in the discussion of who's who. That could be due to the increase of teams watering down the talent pool or kids are getting better? I didn't mean to imply either.

[Boogieman]

Sorry to burst your bubble JUICY. I am not part of the Smash team that you are talking about. I do have some friends with daughters that do play for them. I do talk some SH_T on the bucket, but it is meant in good fun. If anything that I posted on here put a SOUR TASTE in your mouth then you might want to grow some thick skin or get off this site. Trust me I have no problem giving props to any of the teams out there. No matter how good you are anyone can be beat on any given Sunday. You might want to get your facts straight before you start pointing your Juicy Fingers at someone. Beware when you close your eyes at night, the BOOGIEMAN might get you

[ICMTM]

^

I am amazed at the talent I see on the softball diamond, but when they come off the field I see little kids. Smack talking about someone's kid on the internet is extreme. We're all here because we have a passion for whatever our kids do. I'm sure if my kid was a competitive violinist I'd be into that, too. I just think we as parents get so wrapped up in trying to prove our kid is this or that, that we lose perspective why we are doing this.

[Juicy]

Yeah okay dirk diggler That's the kind of response I expected to get from a classless act like yourself. Don't you have anything constructive or insightful to say instead of always talking crap. Why don't you man up and take responsibilty for some of your earlier comments/posts. You could lie all you want about who you are or what you stand for but let's just talk softball. I'm done getting into useless debates with you or anyone from your organization that just want to draw attention to yourselves and/or be negative. If the truth hurts than well...don't let the door hit you on your way out.

Let's go NorCal and good luck in Cerritos. Too bad my dd won't be playing but we've had a pretty good last 2 tourneys. A ship and runner-up isn't so bad.

[Oufan22]

Nice juicy, drop your results on the way on the out after pointing your finger at someone else you think is chest pumping? I'm new to
the bucket so i'm not sure if that's you being classy or not?
?

[Boogieman]

Sorry I struck a NERVE Juicy Squirt. I have plenty of good constructive criticism . You just don't like what I post and that's fine. But trust me when I say the won't be hitting me anytime soon. It is funny how all your loud mouth remarks started popping off after Fresno. It's a long season, so gather your thoughts and be careful of what you say and to who you say it. Since you don't want to debate then I am sure I won't here back from you. Thank goodness!!!

[Oufan22]

Juicy, my dd has been with Smash 98 all of her tb life.. She has enjoyed many regional rivalries!!
That being said any and every time we've run into any home teams in la, Vegas, bama our rivalries have gone out the window!! We have sat and rooted for breeze 98, Ruben's grapettes to name a few as they have done the same for Smash..It is a good thing 4 a dad to see.. I'm sure you've been shown the same hometown love far,far away land too.. I apologize if anyone from our team got out,of line but find it hard to believe.. I have seen the bucket blow up before that's for sure!! Gl for all the girls this summer..

[Tenshun]

Juicy, my dd has been with Smash 98 all of her tb life.. She has enjoyed many regional rivalries!!
That being said any and every time we've run into any home teams in la, Vegas, bama our rivalries have gone out the window!! We have sat and rooted for breeze 98, Ruben's grapettes to name a few as they have done the same for Smash..It is a good thing 4 a dad to see.. I'm sure you've been shown the same hometown love far,far away land too.. I apologize if anyone from our team got out,of line but find it hard to believe.. I have seen the bucket blow up before that's for sure!! Gl for all the girls this summer..

Very Classy, just like the girls who play for your team. I think yours is a great comment to put the lid on the trash bucket. Time to move on.

Looking forward to a great season.

Best luck to all the Norcal teams!

-Tenshun