When you spend a lot of time around the ballpark you hear things! Some are insightful and others, just plain dumb!
In the “just plain dumb” category:
So your daughter is struggling. She has been working really hard, but is not hitting. She knows that you are spending a ton of money on lessons, equipment, travel, meals and team dues (because you keep reminding her).
Then it happens, the pressure is on, the game hangs in the balance, the tying run is on third and the winning run is on second. She walks to the plate and expectations are low because she has been struggling so much. The other team never even thinks about pitching around her because she hasn’t been close all game. Some of her teammates appear to be grabbing their gloves and preparing to go out on defense because another strikeout is eminent.
Ball one, good take. Strike one, right down the middle (what the hell is she thinking?). Ball two, rise ball out of the zone. Strike two, big miss, here we go again. The next pitch, looks like a strike, a might swing and, BOOM, well hit. It could be, it might be, it is, homer.
Walk-off game winner!
Players jumping for joy all around the plate. A mob scene of happiness. We clean out the dugout, have a quick team meeting, talk about when to be at the field for warmups for the next game and then the players disperse.
Here she comes, your chance to give her a big hug and an atta baby! You can tell her how proud you are of her for sticking with it and working hard, even though it looked dark. Your chance to enjoy the fun and excitement of the big moment! She is smiling from ear to ear and can’t wait to here those amazing and impactful words, the guidance that comes from the really important people in your life. Instead, she hears:
“It’s about damn time!”
About the Author: Tory Acheson brings a wealth of knowledge to the Fastpitch Prep staff. He has coached at all levels of the game, including the last 25 years at the college level at the University of Wisconsin – Parkside, Tennessee Tech and Kennesaw State. He began his coaching career at the high school level spending 9 years Whitnall High School in Greenfield, Wis. and is now working as a professional softball instructor.
