Hello All,
This past week has been a busy week for us Fighting Squirrels! We have played in some cold weather and this past Sunday we played in the rain. Where is the 65 degree weather that you think of when you play softball? So far this year, it has been far from softball weather.
We made a couple of road trips to colleges during the week and then Sunday we were home. That brings me to the highlight of the week. We WON!!!! We won our first conference game this year and as a coach I can't tell you how proud I am of these young ladies. We have all talked until we are tired of talking. Finally we put it all together, focused for one whole game, fought back with the intensity that is in each of us, showed the passion for the game, made plays when we needed to, made pitches when we needed to. All of us did our job to get this win! And what an absolute wonderful feeling it is! Stop and think about what it feels like to win! I hope now that they take this win and understand it is possible for us to win. I want us to continue on this journey we have started. We are starting to see lights as we come through this tunnel of darkness that has shadowed us for so many years. I can't begin to tell you how I feel but it's not about me. It's about these young ladies, past and present, that have helped our softball program get to this point. I said from the beginning that this team was special and I didn't know why. I am starting to see why I felt that way.
As we continue climbing, one thing is for sure. These young ladies keep getting better each and every day and they continue to care about each other each and every day. They have taught me to have fun with them. Isn't that what sports is all about-having fun? Well we are and we will continue to see where this season takes us.
Until next time. . . . . . . GO SQUIRRELS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, March 18, 2013
Two weeks in
Hello All,
Our softball team has been pretty busy with the first 2 weeks of our season. We have played in different weather but the majority seems to be cold and windy. Around March 6, we got hit with 17-20 inches of snow. It was pretty coming down but it wasn't pretty for our field, much less for practices, etc. We survived and made do with what we had available.
The weekend of March 9-10, we headed to Greensboro, NC and although we lost our games, we played in better weather than we had recently. It was really a gorgeous weekend, weather wise. We have been struggling as of late but I sometimes call them growing pains. Sometimes as coaches you just wonder what your players are thinking at certain times of the game. And you wonder if they even are thinking, about the game.
I have seen us make some terrific plays and then I have seen us miss a fly ball and as coaches we just cringe thinking "what in the world just happened there?" That has happened to us quite a bit lately and maybe these are our growing pains. As a coach though, you know we are much better than we have played. You sit and wait for the game to come that we play up to our potential.
Softball is a game of failure from the beginning. If you bat 3 out of 10, that's a pretty good average. However, you failed 7 times to put the bat on the ball. I believe as a coach we just have to accept that this is part of the game and not use it as punishment but more of acceptance. We have to believe and think about the positives more than the negatives.
I don't know right now where we are headed this season. It is a journey and one that has been full of many different feelings already. But one thing I do know for sure, we have great leadership, we have a team full of softball players that are passionate and love the game, we have played at times excellent and we have played at times horrible. I am having fun coaching this bunch of young ladies and look forward to watching us grow.
Until next time. . . . . . GO SQUIRRELS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Our softball team has been pretty busy with the first 2 weeks of our season. We have played in different weather but the majority seems to be cold and windy. Around March 6, we got hit with 17-20 inches of snow. It was pretty coming down but it wasn't pretty for our field, much less for practices, etc. We survived and made do with what we had available.
The weekend of March 9-10, we headed to Greensboro, NC and although we lost our games, we played in better weather than we had recently. It was really a gorgeous weekend, weather wise. We have been struggling as of late but I sometimes call them growing pains. Sometimes as coaches you just wonder what your players are thinking at certain times of the game. And you wonder if they even are thinking, about the game.
I have seen us make some terrific plays and then I have seen us miss a fly ball and as coaches we just cringe thinking "what in the world just happened there?" That has happened to us quite a bit lately and maybe these are our growing pains. As a coach though, you know we are much better than we have played. You sit and wait for the game to come that we play up to our potential.
Softball is a game of failure from the beginning. If you bat 3 out of 10, that's a pretty good average. However, you failed 7 times to put the bat on the ball. I believe as a coach we just have to accept that this is part of the game and not use it as punishment but more of acceptance. We have to believe and think about the positives more than the negatives.
I don't know right now where we are headed this season. It is a journey and one that has been full of many different feelings already. But one thing I do know for sure, we have great leadership, we have a team full of softball players that are passionate and love the game, we have played at times excellent and we have played at times horrible. I am having fun coaching this bunch of young ladies and look forward to watching us grow.
Until next time. . . . . . GO SQUIRRELS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
First Game
Hello All,
This past Sunday we had our first game.You couldn't have scripted a better day as far as the weather goes for this time of year. It was in the mid 50's, sunny. As I got to school that morning, I was excited to see this team play and compete. We have a scrappy, fighting team that has so much heart and passion for softball and great chemistry with each other.
The bus pulled into the parking lot and we loaded the equipment and everything we needed for the day. As the players started getting on the bus, it was exciting to know that softball season is finally here. They seemed anxious to get started as well. We only had about an hour and half trip so the travel would be somewhat quick. All of us coaches talked on the bus about different scenarios as to what could happen in the game and what would we do. I know that you are never prepared for every scenario so that is why as coaches you always have to have plan a, b, c, d, etc.
Once we got to the college, I noticed the players getting off the bus in their new uniforms and I really liked the new look. I will talk about that later on.
As we proceeded to warm up, the players were singing and getting loose. I thought that was a good sign.. We were going to start 5 freshmen on the field today so we knew the returners would need to be leaders for our young group. The game was almost getting ready to happen. The National Anthem was played, starters were acknowledged, pregame meeting with umpires concluded and here we are getting ready to bat. As I head over to the 3rd base coaching box, I feeling of calm came over me and I knew this is where the fun begins. Isn't that what softball is all about? Having fun with your team!
The end result was not what we wanted but overall there were a lot of positives. As with any sport, you have to take care of the ball and we didn't defensively. We made too many errors at crucial times that the opponents capitalized on. The errors are fixable though, which is a good thing.
We are a young team this year as far as college experience goes and I know we had some first game jitters. It showed in the first couple of innings of both games. Once we got ourselves under control, we made some really good plays and hit the ball hard. We had some players that came off the bench and executed exactly what we asked of them and played hard.We need to gain more confidence in ourselves and that will come as we continue to play each game. We have just started this journey but it is one that will be exciting, challenging, and competitive. We can't predict the future or know what it holds, but we can play softball one game at a time, one pitch at a time.
On a side note, if you buy uniforms that will consist of white pants, make sure you buy stock in all the stain removers on the market. Or if you are the coach that wants the pants, don't listen to yourself.
Until next time. . . . . . GO SQUIRRELS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This past Sunday we had our first game.You couldn't have scripted a better day as far as the weather goes for this time of year. It was in the mid 50's, sunny. As I got to school that morning, I was excited to see this team play and compete. We have a scrappy, fighting team that has so much heart and passion for softball and great chemistry with each other.
The bus pulled into the parking lot and we loaded the equipment and everything we needed for the day. As the players started getting on the bus, it was exciting to know that softball season is finally here. They seemed anxious to get started as well. We only had about an hour and half trip so the travel would be somewhat quick. All of us coaches talked on the bus about different scenarios as to what could happen in the game and what would we do. I know that you are never prepared for every scenario so that is why as coaches you always have to have plan a, b, c, d, etc.
Once we got to the college, I noticed the players getting off the bus in their new uniforms and I really liked the new look. I will talk about that later on.
As we proceeded to warm up, the players were singing and getting loose. I thought that was a good sign.. We were going to start 5 freshmen on the field today so we knew the returners would need to be leaders for our young group. The game was almost getting ready to happen. The National Anthem was played, starters were acknowledged, pregame meeting with umpires concluded and here we are getting ready to bat. As I head over to the 3rd base coaching box, I feeling of calm came over me and I knew this is where the fun begins. Isn't that what softball is all about? Having fun with your team!
The end result was not what we wanted but overall there were a lot of positives. As with any sport, you have to take care of the ball and we didn't defensively. We made too many errors at crucial times that the opponents capitalized on. The errors are fixable though, which is a good thing.
We are a young team this year as far as college experience goes and I know we had some first game jitters. It showed in the first couple of innings of both games. Once we got ourselves under control, we made some really good plays and hit the ball hard. We had some players that came off the bench and executed exactly what we asked of them and played hard.We need to gain more confidence in ourselves and that will come as we continue to play each game. We have just started this journey but it is one that will be exciting, challenging, and competitive. We can't predict the future or know what it holds, but we can play softball one game at a time, one pitch at a time.
On a side note, if you buy uniforms that will consist of white pants, make sure you buy stock in all the stain removers on the market. Or if you are the coach that wants the pants, don't listen to yourself.
Until next time. . . . . . GO SQUIRRELS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, February 11, 2013
Injuries
Hello All,
We are still a couple of weeks away from opening our 2013 season. The team has been working really hard and unfortunately, we have had some injuries along the way. There have been a total of 3 serious injuries, or at least serious enough to keep them out of practice for a bit. As a coach, when you think you have found the right combination, something happens. We have had a couple of knee and arm injuries. We are working on getting everyone back healthy here soon. Our trainer has done a terrific job trying to get everyone healthy.
A couple of Saturdays ago, the team went bowling and out to eat. They had a wonderful time together and I believe it came at a good point in our season. Who would have thought that the pitchers would have all been on the same team bowling when they decided to divide up into teams.However, I guess for some they do throw a natural curve which I am sure helps at bowling. The coaches did not go to this so it was strictly for the players. I know it will pay off during our season.
I will be back with more later and until next time. . . . . GO SQUIRRELS!!!!!!!
We are still a couple of weeks away from opening our 2013 season. The team has been working really hard and unfortunately, we have had some injuries along the way. There have been a total of 3 serious injuries, or at least serious enough to keep them out of practice for a bit. As a coach, when you think you have found the right combination, something happens. We have had a couple of knee and arm injuries. We are working on getting everyone back healthy here soon. Our trainer has done a terrific job trying to get everyone healthy.
A couple of Saturdays ago, the team went bowling and out to eat. They had a wonderful time together and I believe it came at a good point in our season. Who would have thought that the pitchers would have all been on the same team bowling when they decided to divide up into teams.However, I guess for some they do throw a natural curve which I am sure helps at bowling. The coaches did not go to this so it was strictly for the players. I know it will pay off during our season.
I will be back with more later and until next time. . . . . GO SQUIRRELS!!!!!!!
Thursday, January 31, 2013
2013 Season
Hello All,
It has been about 3 weeks now since we started practicing for our spring season. The athletes have been working hard and even though the weather at times hasn't cooperated, we keep moving right along.
This past week we were blessed with 60-70 degree weather and it was great being able to get outside and on a field. Sometimes as coaches we always need to have backup plans because you just never know with the weather. One day this week, we even got caught in a big rain storm. The athletes had fun out in the rain until it really started pouring. It brings you back to when we were kids and it would rain and you could hear your parents hollering for you to come in.
What has impressed me the most so far has been the focus and commitment of this team. They are a special bunch of players and I am not sure why yet. Things have been different this year and I think that is a big step in the right direction. The players have really made it a point to be dedicated to each other as a team. Our team chemistry is really good right now and it is something we continuously work on.
Our leadership has been wonderful and the captains have taken the time to make each player feel welcome and have gotten to know each player. We tend to forget sometimes that student-athletes have so much on their plate that it is not just about softball. It really is a juggling act for many of them.
I just wanted to briefly say a few things about our season so far. I will blog more often as we get moving through the schedule.
Until next time. . . . . . . . . . GO SQUIRRELS!!!!
It has been about 3 weeks now since we started practicing for our spring season. The athletes have been working hard and even though the weather at times hasn't cooperated, we keep moving right along.
This past week we were blessed with 60-70 degree weather and it was great being able to get outside and on a field. Sometimes as coaches we always need to have backup plans because you just never know with the weather. One day this week, we even got caught in a big rain storm. The athletes had fun out in the rain until it really started pouring. It brings you back to when we were kids and it would rain and you could hear your parents hollering for you to come in.
What has impressed me the most so far has been the focus and commitment of this team. They are a special bunch of players and I am not sure why yet. Things have been different this year and I think that is a big step in the right direction. The players have really made it a point to be dedicated to each other as a team. Our team chemistry is really good right now and it is something we continuously work on.
Our leadership has been wonderful and the captains have taken the time to make each player feel welcome and have gotten to know each player. We tend to forget sometimes that student-athletes have so much on their plate that it is not just about softball. It really is a juggling act for many of them.
I just wanted to briefly say a few things about our season so far. I will blog more often as we get moving through the schedule.
Until next time. . . . . . . . . . GO SQUIRRELS!!!!
Monday, December 3, 2012
Fall Season
Hello All,
I can't believe that we are a little over a month from starting our softball season and we are really excited to begin. We have a great group of student-athletes who have been working really hard in the weight room as well as getting to know each other. There is something special about this group and I am not exactly sure why I feel that way but I am know time will tell.
This fall season has been a wonderful time for us coaches to see and prepare for the spring. Since we have so many freshmen, it has been nice recognizing their attitudes, work ethic and ability. It has been very pleasing. We got to play one day during the fall which was good for us.
Halloween night, the team got together and went out to collect cans to give to the food bank. They dressed as zombies (picture above) and had a blast doing it. One of our former players came and created the faces of every zombie player. We appreciated her efforts tremendously. All in all it was a great time.
We have been busy throughout this fall season and the athletes have done an exceptional job all around. We have to remember that not only are they student-athletes, some are members of other organizations on campus and some are members of our VWIL program. Time management and organizational skills have been very important for these athletes. Everyone has worked really hard considering they are being pulled in every different direction. We are extremely proud of each one of the athletes. We believe in each of them and I can't wait to ride this journey out to see why they are a special group.
Until next time. . . . GO SQUIRRELS!!!
I can't believe that we are a little over a month from starting our softball season and we are really excited to begin. We have a great group of student-athletes who have been working really hard in the weight room as well as getting to know each other. There is something special about this group and I am not exactly sure why I feel that way but I am know time will tell.
This fall season has been a wonderful time for us coaches to see and prepare for the spring. Since we have so many freshmen, it has been nice recognizing their attitudes, work ethic and ability. It has been very pleasing. We got to play one day during the fall which was good for us.
We have been busy throughout this fall season and the athletes have done an exceptional job all around. We have to remember that not only are they student-athletes, some are members of other organizations on campus and some are members of our VWIL program. Time management and organizational skills have been very important for these athletes. Everyone has worked really hard considering they are being pulled in every different direction. We are extremely proud of each one of the athletes. We believe in each of them and I can't wait to ride this journey out to see why they are a special group.
Until next time. . . . GO SQUIRRELS!!!
Sunday, September 30, 2012
What is a leader?
Hello All,
I love the beginning of our fall non-traditional softball season. It has been nice to get outside and feel the dirt.We have started and it has been going well. The players have been working really hard in the weight room, conditioning, and on the field. I am excited to see how we come together as a team. It will definitely be a challenge and leaders always thrive on challenges. We will only go as far as our leaders will take us.This brings me to the point of this blog-what is a leader?
Every single person on the team can hold a piece of this. Some players are fit to lead by example, some by their vocals, and there will be some that lead and won't even know that they are leading. A leader is not allowed to feel sorry for themselves, to be down or angry. Leaders must beat these emotions. Is there a difference between leaders stepping up or stepping out? I sure think there is. If a player has to step it up for a game then their mental, emotional and physical energy was not the same as it was before. We need our leaders to step out and allow themselves to give us 100% all the time. They can not take a play off during practices and games. We need them to not hold back because they are worried about failure. They stand out because they don't doubt, hesitate or question anything. They lead by example with their energy and attitude and they never question the necessity of that. Leaders find ways to win ballgames.
I am hoping that this year we have a team full of leaders and not just the ones we name as captains. We have the power as our own individual to control our energy and attitude. I look forward to embracing this journey and seeing what happens. Until next time. . . . GO SQUIRRELS!!!!
I love the beginning of our fall non-traditional softball season. It has been nice to get outside and feel the dirt.We have started and it has been going well. The players have been working really hard in the weight room, conditioning, and on the field. I am excited to see how we come together as a team. It will definitely be a challenge and leaders always thrive on challenges. We will only go as far as our leaders will take us.This brings me to the point of this blog-what is a leader?
Every single person on the team can hold a piece of this. Some players are fit to lead by example, some by their vocals, and there will be some that lead and won't even know that they are leading. A leader is not allowed to feel sorry for themselves, to be down or angry. Leaders must beat these emotions. Is there a difference between leaders stepping up or stepping out? I sure think there is. If a player has to step it up for a game then their mental, emotional and physical energy was not the same as it was before. We need our leaders to step out and allow themselves to give us 100% all the time. They can not take a play off during practices and games. We need them to not hold back because they are worried about failure. They stand out because they don't doubt, hesitate or question anything. They lead by example with their energy and attitude and they never question the necessity of that. Leaders find ways to win ballgames.
I am hoping that this year we have a team full of leaders and not just the ones we name as captains. We have the power as our own individual to control our energy and attitude. I look forward to embracing this journey and seeing what happens. Until next time. . . . GO SQUIRRELS!!!!
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