June 28, 2012
Our first tournament ended tonight with a loss in the championship game to a vastly superior team. Our town is small and we let anyone play on the travel team; the opposing squad was all-stars from a much bigger ‘burb. It was over before it started, but the guys played as well as they could and there’s no shame in a loss like that. It’s probably like being a Cub: what can you do? It was Manila hot/humid out there and my brain is well and truly dead, so I don’t have a lot to say. There was drama, heartbreak, overcoming obstacles, playing through pain, supporting each other, life lessons, all that ABC Afterschool Special stuff. But the thing that I will remember from tonight was the awards ceremony after the loss, and the looks on their faces (Danny is on the far left) while standing bravely along the first base line, watching the other team get their trophies. I wouldn’t bet against these guys in the next tournament.

Our first tournament ended tonight with a loss in the championship game to a vastly superior team. Our town is small and we let anyone play on the travel team; the opposing squad was all-stars from a much bigger ‘burb. It was over before it started, but the guys played as well as they could and there’s no shame in a loss like that. It’s probably like being a Cub: what can you do?

It was Manila hot/humid out there and my brain is well and truly dead, so I don’t have a lot to say. There was drama, heartbreak, overcoming obstacles, playing through pain, supporting each other, life lessons, all that ABC Afterschool Special stuff.

But the thing that I will remember from tonight was the awards ceremony after the loss, and the looks on their faces (Danny is on the far left) while standing bravely along the first base line, watching the other team get their trophies.

I wouldn’t bet against these guys in the next tournament.

9:57pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZEG6ZyOKg2OP
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(Notes: 34)
  
Filed under: little league travel team kids 
May 16, 2012
Gratuitous Coaching Observations Wednesday: By age 8, it’s obvious which kids are good at baseball. You can also tell those who are good at life by the same age. For a short cut to the previous realization, meet their parents. The little blonde kid who hasn’t had a hit all year and then finally gets a big one to drive in key runs? It’s not just Bad News Bears, it’s real, and it’s pretty awesome. Go Hank! I yelled at them hard for the first time today. Have fun, build your self-esteem, all that 21st century bullshit, fine. But if you’re looking down, fooling with the dirt while ostensibly playing shortstop, you could get really badly hurt and you’re going to hear about it from me. Ditto for floor hockey in the dugout. There’s not a lot to take away from a 23-12 beating. But you will get a snack, at least. I’m going out drinking with the other dads/coaches soon, and we’re going to set the playoff lineups. Damn right we are PLAYING TO WIN. My kid’s a decent player, middle of the pack. But no one tries harder or pays more attention or is more polite and, honestly, who could ask for more? I think this post is only about 100 words short of becoming a pithy, weepy Mitch Albom best-seller.

Gratuitous Coaching Observations Wednesday:

  • By age 8, it’s obvious which kids are good at baseball.
  • You can also tell those who are good at life by the same age.
  • For a short cut to the previous realization, meet their parents.
  • The little blonde kid who hasn’t had a hit all year and then finally gets a big one to drive in key runs? It’s not just Bad News Bears, it’s real, and it’s pretty awesome. Go Hank!
  • I yelled at them hard for the first time today. Have fun, build your self-esteem, all that 21st century bullshit, fine. But if you’re looking down, fooling with the dirt while ostensibly playing shortstop, you could get really badly hurt and you’re going to hear about it from me. Ditto for floor hockey in the dugout.
  • There’s not a lot to take away from a 23-12 beating. But you will get a snack, at least.
  • I’m going out drinking with the other dads/coaches soon, and we’re going to set the playoff lineups. Damn right we are PLAYING TO WIN.
  • My kid’s a decent player, middle of the pack. But no one tries harder or pays more attention or is more polite and, honestly, who could ask for more?
  • I think this post is only about 100 words short of becoming a pithy, weepy Mitch Albom best-seller.

8:22pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZEG6ZyLcwmKB
(View comments) 
(Notes: 30)
  
Filed under: GPOYW little league