Last three games have gone poorly. What can I do?

[jbolt_2000]

Little League, Majors Division (11-12).

So, we played last week against the top team in the area. They are undefeated and have ten runned the teams in almost all 16 or 17 games they've played so far. I knew it was going to be tough to beat them.
We came out strong and it looked good, we were down 4-2 in the 4th, then their big kid hit a homer and we fell apart. We went on for 45 minute 5th inning and lost 20-2. The kids just didn't want to play after that home run. The fifth inning hurt us and I knew the kids were tired, but they weren't even trying on routine grounders and pop flies. I mean these were can o' corn pop flies that slipped out of their gloves!!!

Then our next game we played horribly the first two inning. I got on the kids and was mad at how poorly they were playing and hot it seemed like they didnt want to be there. We picked it up for 3 inning and got ahead in the game 8-4. Then they gave up again in the last inning and we barely squeeked by 8-7.

After that we had the Memorial Weekend and I gave the kids off for 6 days. I thought maybe they were getting burnt out. I thought a break would bring them back refreshed and ready to play. I was wrong...

Then tonight - We have played this team three times and came real close all three times. I knew their best pitchers weren't available and we had everyone to go. It was looking good. Then right off the bat we missed routine grounders, stopped on fly balls, and again looked like we just didnt want to be there. We had 7 grounders hit up the middle to CF and he dropped every one of them. Not just drop but it either slipped through his glove or he picked it up and squeezed it out when coming up with it. We had two hit to LF and he threw the ball over the pitchers head both times, when the play was at second base!
Our pitching was alright. Only two walks and a few strike outs. I tell my pitchers not to worry about balls and strikes and let our defense work, but I couldn't do that today. No one came out to play.

We couldnt hit at all either. We only got two hits through the 3rd. It was 18-0 in the top of the 4th when the other team put in a weak pitcher and we got 6 runs.

At this point I am just at a loss as to what is going on. We have 4 games left (21 games total). I feel like I am not motivating these kids properly. I feel like I am doing something wrong here.

I've been through kids being tired and not trying hard or messing up a bit. But this was a total loss of all fundamentals on some of the kids. I just have no idea what is going on.

Any ideas on how to treat this on Friday at our next practice?

[skipper5]

At this point, you should just be trying to end a challenging season on a positive note.

This isn't a baseball issue, it's a leadership issue--you're the captain of the Titanic. You can withdraw into yourself, or have a temper tantrum, or spend the last 15 min. afloat trying to comfort the remaining passengers.

This is a character test for you, not for your players. They're just young kids on a ballfield. Plaster a smile on your face, stay positive, and show them how to deal gracefully with adversity. And, who knows, maybe a stray spark will ignite something good. Whatever. Drills won't cure what ails your team wtih only 3 games left. They're playing lousy, who knows why. That's baseball.

Don't try to command better performances out of your players, but continue to maintain the order and decorum. It's more fun to win, but kids can learn much more about life on a losing team, by observing how the adults in charge deal with adversity.

At Friday's practice, do some fun drills that keep them engaged and remind them of how athletic they can be when the roof isn't caving in around them.

[songtitle]

I tell my pitchers not to worry about balls and strikes and let our defense work, but I couldn't do that today. No one came out to play.

We couldnt hit at all either. We only got two hits through the 3rd. It was 18-0 in the top of the 4th

Are you calling pitches down the middle? Your defense may not be ready for this.

Are the other teams throwing on the outside third of the plate?

[baseballdad]

Yes leadership from you and team leaders is important for the proper attitude.

If you are not addressing the skill based mistakes of the game in the next practice that is what I would do. Dropped flyballs- practice starting with the basics, missed grounders-practice starting with the basics. Sounds like fundamentals could use some work.

Lack of hustle, get their feet moving prior to the play so they are in motion.

[ctandc]

Are you calling pitches down the middle? Your defense may not be ready for this.

Are the other teams throwing on the outside third of the plate?

Are you joking?

I mean seriously...the 12U LL regular season talent in your area must be OUTSTANDING...because in our LL there are 10 Majors teams.

You'd be lucky to have one kid per team that could hit spots at 11/12 years old.

If you've got a regular season LL team with pitchers doing that, then I'm sure your league has already won the LLWS at least once right?

[bbb3601]

Our team last year went through a streak like this. Our coach thought it was due to pressure, and feeling the need to win. The next practice he started off with back to the basics for about 15 minutes. Then he called them off the field went to his van and brought back two trash cans filled with water ballons. They finished practice with a water fight, and a game of 2 base. I wish he didn't move away because he really understood being 10. Our play on the field improved 10 fold, and they played loose. We finished third at state. I also think it sent a message to the parents as well. Lighten up folks it isn't the end of the world.

[songtitle]

Are you joking?

I mean seriously...the 12U LL regular season talent in your area must be OUTSTANDING...because in our LL there are 10 Majors teams.

You'd be lucky to have one kid per team that could hit spots at 11/12 years old.

If you've got a regular season LL team with pitchers doing that, then I'm sure your league has already won the LLWS at least once right?

We try to play real baseball here, yes.

[jbolt_2000]

I know that I'm not going to fix this through drills and ripping into them. I really feel like its something I need to do or say to them to help get them motivated.

I do think we will work on some fundamentals on Friday because that totaly broke down, but I think we will make it fun again after that. Maybe they just aren't having fun anymore. I don't know.

[Drill]

The best advice I heard a high school player tell some little leaguers when he was a assistant coach was.


If you play baseball you must have a short term memory!


This has stuck with my son for about 4 years now and as a catcher he has to use it for himself for poor at bats or bad plays, he has reminded other players of this fact.


If you ever are in sales you know its what can you do for me NOW! Not what you did yesterday or last year. You have to have a positive attitude.


IMHO,

drill

[songtitle]

I do think we will work on some fundamentals on Friday because that totaly broke down, but I think we will make it fun again after that.

Work hard on fundamentals during practice, while you are the field.

Have fun afterwards.

[ctandc]

We try to play real baseball here, yes.

So you are saying that on every one of your Majors teams, you have multiple pitchers that can hit spots on a routine basis?

Please let me know where you are, I'd love to come watch that.

[wogdoggy]

So you are saying that on every one of your Majors teams, you have multiple pitchers that can hit spots on a routine basis?

Please let me know where you are, I'd love to come watch that.

song titl;e have your pitcher throw 20 pitches,,then tell me how many are strikes then tell me how many are strikes right on the glove..then come back with a percentage..then get back to us..

[songtitle]

So you are saying that on every one of your Majors teams, you have multiple pitchers that can hit spots on a routine basis?

Please let me know where you are, I'd love to come watch that.

We aim for the outside third. If we miss, we miss. But we teach them real baseball - never throw down the middle.

[songtitle]

Please let me know where you are, I'd love to come watch that.

Atlanta. Y'all come see us.