Finding ways to get it right...

Coaching is an interesting pastime. I say "pastime" because for those of us who do it, we do it because of our love for the game and with the hopes that we can give back to a game that has given us so much already. As most of you know, I coach, manage, and even umpire in baseball and softball, because I simply have a huge hunger for the game and want to see all aspects of it blossom here in Bermuda. There is no doubt that we have some great kids coming up, and it is a great thing when you see kids who want to get better, trying so hard to get it right... even at this age level.

There are keys to success. As in everything, it requires, time, practice and a lot of patience. For some of us, it comes naturally. For some others, it requires extra. Motivation, dedication and a love for the game has to spur us on. When we look at what we have to accomplish, and the time we have to do it, it's a lot of work in a small window. Opportunities have to be maximised, and practices have to be effective so that what happens there is translated into game situations.

I am constantly working on ideas to get my points across, trying to get our kids to do the fundamentals, to enjoy themselves, to love and respect the game. As with anything, you get out of it what you put into it. It's an evolving thing. Kids who want to play, try very hard, and those who don't want to play, won't try as hard. Thus comes the other part of being a coach, finding the spark to keep them interested, and keep them going, when they really don't want to. I'm pretty lucky. After a few weeks I can tell who these players are, and while I still want them involved, I know that they are probably just content being out there. If they do something good, they know they get rewarded, and I always work with positive re-inforcement, trying to encourage focus and making good decisions, irregardless of how bad the play turns out.

Winning games is fun. It is also a difficult measuring stick because we are never too sure how good we are, or how bad we are. While we are winning, no one would be honest enough to admit that it has been easy, and as we do have the largest squad in Rookie league, our window of opportunity is that much smaller, simply because we don't have the amount of quality chances other teams are getting. We have been really lucky.

So we forge on. practice, practice, practice. Then we'll practice some more. Our success is a wonderful thing, but I am not about to rest on my laurels. Time to turn up the heat!