July 15, 2017: Back to Reality

Well, it was fun while it lasted.  I’m talking about the 4-6 year old Cubs that I coach every weekend.  If you remember, which you probably don’t, last Saturday’s game at 1130am (that is key) was our best game of the year.  We played 2 games this weekend, but I’ll sum it up quickly; it was back to reality in a hurry.

Playing baseball two times per week is not enough; it’s not enough to get any good.  At this age though, I don’t think that’s the biggest objective.  Having fun, loving to play, and hanging out with your teammates are probably the top three; I’ve said this before.  Yet, a close number four would be to get better at the game.  Last week, I was so proud; this week, not so much.  Maybe I’m being too hard on them in my own head…

We did hit the ball pretty well after all.  It’s pretty consistent, solid contact off the tee, while more and more kids are connecting off my pitching in the 3rd and final inning; that makes me happy.  Some of these kids weren’t close to hitting the ball when I flipped it to them.  Now, they are making contact.  This is a good thing.  Of course, I try really hard to aim at their bat…haha.  Still, some good hits in the 2 games this weekend.  It was on the field where we struggled.
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I can’t remember if I mentioned this already, but I have them rotating positions every inning; yeah, I think I did say that.  Anyways, it’s become an argument every inning over who will play by the pitcher’s mound.  I put 3 kids at the pitcher’s mound:  one on the mound, one 5 feet to the left, and the other 5 feet to the right.  I try to give everybody a chance to field the ball; 75% of all balls will be fielded by one of those three typically.  Once I made a kid’s day by telling them they’re playing on the mound in this inning, the wrestling begins.  Even before the ball is in play, kids are elbowing for position… not really listening to my 5 foot rule.  I try to call out the ball once it’s hit, so that a pile up doesn’t ensue; it’s a 50-50 proposition.  Even if the ball is hit directly at one of them, the others go after it.  I definitely don’t want to teach the aggressiveness out of them; pileups will be part of that at this age.  Finally, when one of the kids gets the ball, I’m yelling to throw to first base.  It’s harder than you think… and no, not because they don’t have good arms, although that is part of it.  They have to detangle before getting to their feet to throw it.  Once they do that, there’s one more hurdle… another kid standing between them and first base.  It’s frustrating but still very fun at the end of the day.

I don’t think we got more than 1 out in each game.  There were a couple close plays, but nothing like our performance the other day.  Next Sunday is an 1130 game.  The way our season has been, this one should be a really good game for us.  With 4 games left in the season, and at least 3 of those being at 1130, I’m looking to end the season with a good run.  Let’s Go Cubs!!!