We had another tight game into the 7th inning tonight against Winthrop. Then the wheels came off - walk, hit by pitch, hit, walk, walk - where the hell does it go? It isn't that hard to throw strikes, it's really not. I am confident I can get out there and throw three outs before I a) walk three guys or b) let up a run.
I try to stay positive, but it's tough. I try to coach my ass off to get these guys mentally and physically ready to compete, but once we put them in, the game changes. Somehow, it changes. I want to take positives from each pitchers appearance, but when there are walks and walks and 3-1 piss-rods into the outfield, I run out of answers. The starters look OK, and for at least a few pitches in each appearance, the relievers even look OK. I don't know where it goes.
I'm not trying to be selfish here, but it all reflects on me. I am tough, this I know. I would love it if my guys were tough. I know this is a forum to express thoughts, and I probably shouldn't express some, but I am at a loss. I feel like sometimes the kids are afraid to go in because they don't want to fail. No shit, no one wants to fail. But that attitude - the "I hope I do well" - that's not the right attitude. "I will succeed and pitch like a beast" is the right attitude. Action thoughts.
I'm sorry I am venting on this post, but if I keep it in, I might have an ulcer by tomorrow morning. I just ordered pizza, showered and will eat a little bit - if I can keep it down. I am literally sick to my stomach over this year so far. Sure, it's early and we're only 2-4, but it's wearing me out.
I think I am going to have a meeting at some point tomorrow or early this week to talk to this pitching staff. I must be a terrible coach or something. It's slop. Pure and simple - it's tough to watch this happen every game. 3-0 we were up. 3-3 it was tied. 10-3 was the final. Where the hell did it go wrong? BB, HBP, IBB, BB, 1B, 2B, BB - throw the ball over the plate.
It's like the old saying goes in basketball - "you miss 100% of the shots you don't take" - you don't give yourself an opportunity to succeed if you walk everyone. It's simple, don't overanalyze the game, don't over think the game - just go out and do what you've been doing for your entire life - THROW STRIKES!
That's it, I'm done.
4 comments:
Boy thats tough..no easy answer for that kind of thing. It's good to vent though. I mean it, get that emotion out there so you can get some perspective back.
I wonder if it would help the fella's (Pitching staff) to vent? Get 'em together, share some of the frustration you did here (not all of course) and let 'em tell you what they think the prob. is.
I'm not there and I'm not a coach but I played enough ball (various types) to know that they sound like they are wound to tight. You're probably right..they are afraid to fail.
That was a critical observation on your part...dud it's not your coaching. It's early in the season and they (and the coaches) still got to figure out WHO this team is.. Shoot, that can be overcome.
It might help them to talk it out. Just my opinion, don't wait...have the talk in the morning...
Sorry man, I got on a roll.
great rant bro!
it is simple, but the key is it is simple...
you said it yourself, throw strikes!
agressive pitchers win games!
you are the coach, but you can't take the loss, when they don't play the way you coach em to...
just my take bro...
spin the positive, when you can and give em hell when you can't!
I'm curious, does the rest of the coaching staff feel the way that you do?
Hang in there. I still have my Applied Sport Psych book. It is an awesome read for any team. Mine is a 4th edition and I took the class 3 yrs ago (or close to) so I'm sure there is an updated version. I'd be happy to send it to you.
The techniques in there are solid. They encourage seeing each pitch/win etc. It's basically mentalizing your game. I think it slows your brain and anxiety down because it focuses your mind on the positives and does not let you think about the negatives.
It sounds like your guys win, and then for some reason they psych themselves out, or they are getting anxiety about winning. I know it's frustrating, but maybe something like this would help.
My paper during it was an exercise common in sports psych, and something, oddly enough, that I used to do prior to a performance. I would picture the performance in my mind's eye prior to getting on stage. That way it took away the nervousness of performing in front of a bunch of people staring at you.
My personal "mantra" since mine was singing, was to picture the audience seeing me in a duel light, one in which they saw me as I am standing on the stage, and the other, as how they would hear me. In my mind, my second me would be their subconscious interpretation of me...the performing me. I pictured my voice, and their perception being that of hearing an angel that no one could see, the wings lifting my voice higher. I never failed or faltered in a performance, and I think that was a big reason as to why. That was a me that I had created to associate with performing. It's highly beneficial in ALL types of performance and sports is very much a performance, and even more so than my type, it's highly interactive. I think methods like these get bad audiences out of your head too, and helps you block negativity from outside sources.
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