WEEKS 12,13,14

THE WEEKS OF THE COACH

 I  TELL MY PLAYERS DON'T MAKE EXCUSES GO OUT AND PERFORM. NOW I MUST PERFORM SO I WILL BE DOING WEEKS 12-13-14 TO CATCH UP ON MY MANY ROLES IN SOFTBALL.

      THIS HAS BEEN A JAM PACKED 3 WEEKS, THE CANBERRA DIAMONDS CONTINUE THERE TRAININGS FOR OUR NATIONAL LEAGUE AND ARE ALL EXCITED ABOUT OUR NEW PITCHER WHO ARRIVES FROM ITALY TODAY. THIS WILL HELP OUR PITCHING DEPTH, AND WILL ALSO GIVE US TO HAVE TIME TO DEVELOP OUR YOUNGER PITCHERS. AS I BRING A NEW STYLE OF GAME TO THE PLAYERS THEY HAVE A LOT OF ADOPTING TO DO ESPECIALLY IN THE HITTING, AND THERE BASE RUNNING SKILLS.

       Over the past 2 weeks we have told 14 players that they will be on the team and be making the trip to New Zealand, so get ready to face the haka. We have 6 girls looking for the final two spots, and it is proving quite beneficial, as i can see who is putting that extra effort in. Not only do they have to worry about playing the game, but fund raising becomes a major issue, as it costs each girl $1700.00 to go to NZ. That is not the worst part as they back up 3 weeks later, to go to the National Championships in Sydney which is a nine day tournament and will cost another $1500.00. It is my job to give them the best opportunity to win, and i am gaining in confidence every practice we have.

          Our under 17s-19s are in training for there Nationals, i have been working with there coach's working on strategies and helping select the players that can fill the different positions. The extra pitching and catching sessions are starting to pay off, as we train for one hour before the full traing session commences. Our younger pitchers are starting to know the the different grips, as i told them, if you can't throw the three main pitche's you won't go far. Rise, drop and changeup is all you need,"but what about speed they ask?" as you get proper mechanics, and learn these pitch's speed will come.

       Guess what? The most satisfaction came from the coach's clinic, we had senior coach's and coach's who never coached before. Where do you start? I took the approach yes we are on different levels, but the game is played with a bat and a ball. My first question, what do we do with these?  It was the best ice breaker i ever had, the bat and ball put everyone on the same level. The senior coach's had the same answer as the new coach's, you hit the ball with the bat. That led me right into what i wanted to acheive, to do this we must learn the basics of the game. What are the basics? hitting, catching and throwing, we could add base running, but i teach that as a fun drill for everyone.

    The new coachs were not threatened as we broke down the skills, using teaching methods that everyone could visually see, and the senior coach's picked up new ideas from this, how to identify and correct problems. Everyone went away, with the thought, can't wait till our next training. Its 3 weeks since this course took place, and the beginning coach's are telling me, the littlies are having so much fun. The best reward you can get from coaching is self satisfaction.

      In between all the coaching it was time to put my FPSL hat on. Yes the men's Fastpitch Softball League is about to start, and we have 3 divisions that want to know when they play. When you have the two best pitchers in the world, a lot of players shie away, as it is hard enough seeing the ball yet alone hit it. After many changes and everything ready to start the comp the groundsmen decided they should add more dirt to the diamond, and now have to postpone all b grade games for this monday. Oh the joys of it all.

       Our mens project is to get more young boy's playing. Last year we started a session for boys under 15, where i trained coach's and players for a 1/2 hour on skills, then they played a game. This proved very successful, and this year we have two good teams of u/15 boys.

        Who knows what tomorrow will bring , but i do know its time to put the final plans together for the Canberra Skins. This tournament is the longest running mens tournament in Australia, and has been run for 24 consectitive years. It has now taken a money approach and is more keenly contestested than ever. Will keep you up to date in my next coach's week, on how teams seek part of the $20,000.00 on offer.

       Till next week thanks for reading and the coach is always here to answer your questions.