What Did You See ???

Question???

Did any of you notice the little tidbit when Mendoza talked about the third baseman (Griffin) and how she did not play a lot this year and was sat FIVE weeks because the Weekly's were sending her a message that she needed to have better work ethic and be more of a team player? Now the announcers only announce the info they are given, so I wonder if that came from the coaches or from Griffin. I'd like to think the kid learned her lesson and when being interviewed (they interview all the players prior to starting the WCWS to get various info to talk about on TV) she offered it up as a lesson for younger players and how important work ethic and attitude are. No doubt the Weekly's would sit your butt down or cut you for a less than positive and hard working approach to their team. I did notice they gave a full camera shot to her when she struck out again putting her head down and crying in the dugout though toward the end of the game. I thought for sure if the coaches saw that she'd get yanked, but out number three came and she popped up and ran out there and shook it off to make a good play the next inning, so I was happy to see that. I just wondering what anyone else thought about that. At first I was like, man I cannot believe they said that on TV, but then realized I was doing the same thing we all complain about in terms or treating the girls and the game like any other coverage out there...i.e. baseball, basketball, etc. So I quickly changed my mind and realized that I too was a little guilty of being too sensitive to the girls. They are on this big stage so they should be able to handle anything regarding their game or life on the field.

 

Nice....

Nice post eyesup, both of them! Yes I agree with the Jenn Griffin thing! I think a lot of younger players could learn a valuable lesson from her! But on the up side, she did what it took to get back in there also! You can bet it wasn't easy! The thing with the TN bats, thanks for posting that! I just noticed them looking at their bats, as if they were mentally talking to them! It is a great idea, relaxation is the key to being a great hitter vs a good hitter! Monica has came into her own so it has payed off! It is nice to see her smiling and having fun!

 

Agreed

Agree 100% about Griffin. She got back in there and got a key force out next inning. As for the other info, I only know because I had the pleasure of coaching with Marty McDaniel (TN pitching coach) for a long while and learned a lot as a young coach. He was with the Weekly's at UT Chattanooga before becoming his own Head Coach in Division II, then went back to Tennessee (where he is from) to UT Vols four years ago. The Weekly's use a bit of the same philosophies and have also adjusted with the times (sign of a good coach) with this great game. The mental stuff has really been reinforced a lot more the last four years. Because of Marty I was able to meet a lot of great coaches and players which taught me a lot and gave me some great tools for my own teams. Marty is awesome because is was an actual Men's Fast pitch Pitcher at the elite level and was very successful. He even threw BP to the Olympic kids for a few years while at UTC and under Ralph because Ralph was part of the USA Staff. He played the game very well. I am so excited for him! If you listen to Monica when she speaks about her pitching coach, that would be Marty and he has helped her tremendously. Michelle Smith did a nice little plug for Marty during the WCWS a couple games ago and how assts coaches are unsung heroes a lot. Monica was already awesome coming in as a freshman of course, but she has matured with a lot of his help. I remember talking to Marty and Ralph when they had signed her at a showcase in FL and they said that all the west coast teams were now telling them "they were on the map because of her." Before the kid ever stepped on the field in and Orange and White Uniform, they were being told: "See you at the World Series..." I think that is cool to see her competing four years later in such a dominating manner on the brink of that National Title. My stomach was in knots last night watching; I really hope they pull it off!