Questionable tactics

Sportsmanship is the key. I was also taught to play hard and aggresive as most boys are and i do agree with that and enjoy watching teams play like that whether boys or girls. However i have seen Ashley absolutely plowed while catching and i came unglued. I don't think that it was done maliciously but with the will to get to the plate. I don't believe that this is the way to teach our kids to play. I love softball but i don't want to turn it into baseball. Will to win sure, Win at all cost, When it comes to the health of my kids not me.

 

Thank you Coach as always your perspective is invaluable. Teams taking on the personality of their coach makes all the sense in the world.

 

looking for an advantage......

.....is the perfect remedy. Example: If a 3B wants to stand in the way of the "best" path of a baserunner, ok, when my runner is on the 2B bag, and my batter punches over the infield an obvious "non catchable" ball, my runner will advance to third and make an "attempt" to go home, if contact is made because the 3B is in the way and I, as the basecoach see the ump with his arm out to his side, I'm sending her on!....the offensive can play the advantage game.

 

Aggressive tactics is what is taking the game to a higher level. Be aggressive, play it on the edge, let the umpires decide if its gone too far.

 

Raising the bar......

....of what is considered "higher level" requires aggressive play! I'm all for it myself. Dictating what goes on in a game by how one thinks/plays before one allows the opponent to dictate their stratedgy, is more than a pitcher with a 2 strike 0 ball count bringing a looping changeup that dad called from the bleachers at 10U. Batters can dictate what might be pitched by something as simple as what they did the last time at the plate. Using your head to gain an advantage is everybit as important as aggressive play. E. G. Mike Tyson, that scholar bad boy, used to say that intimidation made him better. No doubt it can apply in other sports as well.

 

In fastpitch.....

...I'm just damn happy the girls take on the personality of a coach and not his looks.

 

Baseball vs Softball?

While I am all for aggressive play to achieve team goals there are boundries that should not be crossed. ie safety being one. I believe that any player at every level should "push the envelope" with both skills and mental tenacity for sucess. The one thing that baseball does have that softball doesn't, especially at the higher levels, is that baseball tends to police itself in what is considered "dirty" or not. Most baseball teams try to adhere to an unspoken code of ethics. If one player on a team steps out of bounds somebody tends to get plunked. Fortunately softball has not taken that route. Good coaches can distinguish between being aggressive and playing with malice, and do a good job of teaching softball through example as well as with drills. JMHO

 

Oh my..... That's just mean....

 

DEFINE ???

Okay lets define what an aggressive player attributes are to the viewers:

I don't have a problem with any aggressive player as long as there isn't any malice involved... Do you older guys / gals remember "The Karate Kid " when the evil sensei told his student to use an illegal sweep to the knee to take Daniel Son out of the contest??Well today you have coaches that instill in their kids to do such acts to their opponent, I know I'd played against a few !!! If you going to win, do it with strategy ,and hard work not bullying your way to the top !! I agree with "softball4ever" this isn't Rugby Softball..... Red-Neck Attitude or confidence which does your team display ??? Just remember what goes around comes around !!!

----- new softball etiquette.....I don't think so !!!


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