Uh, oh.
Owing to an unguarded word to the effect that I would be happy to help out in an assistant coaching position, I was asked this evening by the league president if I would be willing to manage one of the Triple-A softball teams in the eldest gel’s league this spring.
Of course I said yes, only taking pains to add the caviat that I have never coached or managed a team of any sort in my life. From the tone of the president’s acceptance of this information, I gathered that it was not much of a concern.
Well, all I can say is that it ought to be.
Of course, I immediately started meditating on my prospective management technique. My first instinct was to take this approach:
On second thoughts, though, I’ve noticed that I seem to be something of a favorite among the gel’s little friends. Perhaps I can charm them into giving their requisite 110%.
We shall see. As I remarked to Mrs. R, I can’t possibly make a worse pig’s breakfast of it than I did at serving on the vestry at RFEP. (And as I didn’t remark to her, the chances of my making some kind of positive impact in the world are far, far greater her.)
Of course, if I do wind up skippering a team, I will keep you posted. If nothing else, the experience will make terrific blogging material.
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January 28, 2009 at 3:38 pm
The Abbot
If I were you, I’d get a book on how to run a practice, that includes some fundamentals drills. I’m sure there must be something like “coaching Girls Softball for Dummies” out there. Then study the rules of your particular league (everyone must play, no more than 10 runs per inning, etc.).
But I’m thinking your main problem will be convincing parents that little Miley isn’t batting third because little Miley can’t hit and has a lousy attitude. Some parents have a hard time accepting that.
January 28, 2009 at 7:55 pm
the gripping hand
Be sure and draft a couple of parents to help out with practices, manage the roster, etc. It makes your job a lot easier, especially when you want to run multiple drills at the same time at practice. I also echo the Abbot’s comments about the local league rules – very important. Keep stats so you can both chart the player progress and show the parents if they get worked up about their precious snowflake’s playing time. During games, a pitch count is not a bad thing to keep track of, as well. Without it, you can run the risk of burning out an arm. At younger ages, the pitchers tend to throw a lot of balls, and they sometimes get lost in the pitch count.
I’m looking forward to hearing about this.
January 28, 2009 at 7:59 pm
MCNS
Ha! Very good!
The very first thing you need to do is work on the right manager’s shouting pose.
And remember, there’s no crying in softball.
January 29, 2009 at 2:11 pm
the gripping hand
and don’t forget, if your league is like any of the ones I’ve coached in (or the Archdiocese), you’ll have to take a “don’t diddle the kids” class. Who really benefits from these? “Oh, I just thinking I might like to date this 11 year old, but now that a social worker has told me its bad thing, I guess I won’t.” CYA runs amok…