Wanna know if you've got what it takes to be a great Little League coach? Take this quick 2-question quiz: Question 1: It is a playoff game and the score is tied. The umpire forgets about a critical rule and makes a call that costs your team a run. Do you: a) Fight for that … Continue reading Little League Coach Quiz
Category: Little League
Down and Away
Let’s start with a quick update on Jack’s little league season. He’s about 6 games in and we have yet to get a hit. At first he was hitting long fouls, pop fly outs, and drawing walks. But that past 3 or so games, he’s started the old pattern. Striking out looking. Weak, late … Continue reading Down and Away
Game on, Coach K
Jack had his first practice for spring Little League. The dummy forgot his glove, so Shani had to run back and get it. I picked him up after practice. "How was practice?" I expected the usual response. "Good." But he was looking away from me and trying not to smile. You know that smile when you're … Continue reading Game on, Coach K
The Meteoric and Painful Rise of Jack Nuckols, Pitcher
This weekend concluded the spring baseball season for Jack, and it was a rough one at the plate for our hero. There was a regression in his approach where at-bats were filled with tentative swings, attempts to draw walks, and head shakes as he shuffled back to the dugout following a called strike three. Game after … Continue reading The Meteoric and Painful Rise of Jack Nuckols, Pitcher
Little League Infographics
In honor of the end of a fantastic little league season, my friend Kari White and I created some graphics that help define the experience.
How to Win at Little League: Duds, not Studs
When it comes to coaching a little league team, if you are trying to field a winning team, most coaches go about this completely wrong. The wrong approach: Coaches tend to focus on their stud kids. Discuss the draft with a coach and they will talk about the first 4 rounds. "I got Johnny round … Continue reading How to Win at Little League: Duds, not Studs
Game of the Year
This weekend was the finals for the "Dog Eat Dog" tournament in Jack's Fall Ball League. Jack's crew was the severe underdog – and it showed. The teams started plugging away Sunday night and it was quickly becoming a slaughter. By the end of the 3rd inning, Jack's team was down 11-3. The team was … Continue reading Game of the Year
A Tale of Two Sidelines
Alex had a soccer game this weekend, and I happened to notice something on the sidelines. Check these two photos out.Here are the dads from my town:Here are the dads from a nearby town:Look closely. Look at the difference in the clothes, the postures, the expressions.Which dads do you think are discussing skills their 9-year-olds … Continue reading A Tale of Two Sidelines
3 Feel-Good(ish) Little League Stories
I have 3, count 'em, 3 baseball updates to share with you. All are heart-warming in their own way. Let's start with... 1) Baseball and Burgers I got together for lunch with my friend Randy this week. Over burgers we had ourselves a good ol' fashioned baseball bitchfest. Both of us have sons in little … Continue reading 3 Feel-Good(ish) Little League Stories
At long last…Milkshake
PING! went the sound of the aluminum bat. A hard grounder between the first and second basemen. And before anyone could even take in the fact that Jack had made contact for the first time this season, Jack Nuckols was standing on first base. I will tell you, the boy’s smile was something to behold. … Continue reading At long last…Milkshake
Walk Off Victory
Jack’s coach wrote an email to me a Shani: “I wanted to check in and make sure Jack’s enjoying himself. The assistant coach and I are coming up with ideas on how to get him that first hit. Once that happens his confidence is going to kick in and he’ll be hitting like crazy. Jack … Continue reading Walk Off Victory
Tuesday Ballgame with Thursday Post Script
There’s been a lot of rainouts, and the prediction was for more rain Tuesday. But at 5:30 I found myself in 70 degree weather with a slight breeze. Jack’s game was on. Shani and I sat on the top row of the bleachers so we could lean back against the metal bars. Alex joined the … Continue reading Tuesday Ballgame with Thursday Post Script
NuckolBall 