The month of June is a very exciting time for bat and ball sports as the Women's College World Series crowns a new National Champion, travel ball begins to get into full swing, and the road to Omaha begins for college baseball. What a great opportunity to watch the many games now on television and observe how the best players and teams play the game and perform on the biggest stage for their sport. As a kid, I grew up watching the Yankee game of the week and used that opportunity, even though it was a black and white television, to learn the game by watching and emulating the players of those days. How often do you see a young lady taking this same opportunity to learn from some outstanding players and television talent? I strongly urge coaches and parents to encourage using these great teaching moments to record games and use these moments to teach the game. I know that this month is full of travel ball tournaments and all the players and coaches are excited to get back on the field and begin a summer full of games. We must also remember that the goal of coaching is to teach the game and this month is full of free visual aids to teach the skills and strategies of the game. Parents that may not understand the game enough to teach their daughter the necessary skills can help by providing a library of recorded games that can be available when the player has down time and maybe can make good use of their time to learn the game the old fashion way! Yes, today players are more concerned about how many games they play and which college coaches are watching than learning how to play the game and understand the strategies, mind set, and little things that make players and teams ready to perform at the World Series.
This month is also the road to Omaha for the many college baseball programs in the country. The reason for me mentioning this is today's college game has evolved to simulate many of the same skills and mindset found in softball. With the new regulations on the bats used in college, I have found the game to be played with much of the same strategies used in fast pitch softball. Yes, they do a great job of moving runners with the short game, aggressive base running, outstanding pitching and defense. Once again, the opportunity to watch and listen can pay dividends in learning how to play the game the right way. The greatest lesson you can learn while watching these games is the fact that our game is based on 21 outs in softball and 27 outs in baseball. Sounds like captain obvious but the lesson you can observe time and time is keeping a positive approach to the game even when you have a bad inning. A lead is never safe in the game as long as there are more outs to play. You can observe time and time again that a strong positive mental approach to the game will always give you a chance for success. Yesterday, I observed a Super Regional game in Tucson where the Arizona pitcher gave up 5 runs in the fourth inning to eventually throw 9 1/3 innings and give Arizona a chance to win 7-6 in 10 innings. The team just chipped away and stayed positive even when their backs seemed to be against the wall. The lesson to be learned is that the game is never over until you complete 21 or 27 outs, depending on the sport. Just remember softball players, it is not 15, 18, but 21 outs so always learn to play hard and stay positive!
Congratulations to the University of Oklahoma and Alabama for putting on a great display of softball at this years College World Series. It is amazing to see the continued growth in our sport and most of all the performance of these athletes on the biggest stage in our game. There were many lessons to draw from if you watched the games that provided great talent, execution, mindset, and teamwork! Congrats to the University of Alabama on their 1st NCAA National Championship!
This month is also the road to Omaha for the many college baseball programs in the country. The reason for me mentioning this is today's college game has evolved to simulate many of the same skills and mindset found in softball. With the new regulations on the bats used in college, I have found the game to be played with much of the same strategies used in fast pitch softball. Yes, they do a great job of moving runners with the short game, aggressive base running, outstanding pitching and defense. Once again, the opportunity to watch and listen can pay dividends in learning how to play the game the right way. The greatest lesson you can learn while watching these games is the fact that our game is based on 21 outs in softball and 27 outs in baseball. Sounds like captain obvious but the lesson you can observe time and time is keeping a positive approach to the game even when you have a bad inning. A lead is never safe in the game as long as there are more outs to play. You can observe time and time again that a strong positive mental approach to the game will always give you a chance for success. Yesterday, I observed a Super Regional game in Tucson where the Arizona pitcher gave up 5 runs in the fourth inning to eventually throw 9 1/3 innings and give Arizona a chance to win 7-6 in 10 innings. The team just chipped away and stayed positive even when their backs seemed to be against the wall. The lesson to be learned is that the game is never over until you complete 21 or 27 outs, depending on the sport. Just remember softball players, it is not 15, 18, but 21 outs so always learn to play hard and stay positive!
Congratulations to the University of Oklahoma and Alabama for putting on a great display of softball at this years College World Series. It is amazing to see the continued growth in our sport and most of all the performance of these athletes on the biggest stage in our game. There were many lessons to draw from if you watched the games that provided great talent, execution, mindset, and teamwork! Congrats to the University of Alabama on their 1st NCAA National Championship!
Until next month,
Coach Candrea