Gotta hand it to the coach of my daughter's softball team. Playing in the semi-finals the umpire made two calls that really cost our team. He blew a call at second that led to the other team scoring a run and with two outs in the last inning with our girls down 11-10 and runners on second and third he calls a third strike on a ball that hits the plate.
Both awful calls and acknowledged by parents and coaches of the other team.
Several parents complained and one actually got in front of the ump as he headed for his car (which he did in a trot).
Now this ends our season and the girls are upset. Think about how we feel when a ref/ump blows a call that cost us a bet. This game meant more to those girls than a bet does do us. Gathering around the dugout the coach addressed the team after the game and handled the frustration of the girls perfectly.
"Ladies, if we play better defense and don't give up 11 runs we don't have to worry about a couple of bad calls. We own this loss, it's on each of us. Leave here tonight understanding that an umpire did not lose this game for us, we did. You will make your own breaks in this game as well as in life. Never look to blame someone else."
He went on to tell them how proud he was of how they played and how far they had come this year versus last year and had something specific to say about each girl.
Thanks, coach. Nice job.
Both awful calls and acknowledged by parents and coaches of the other team.
Several parents complained and one actually got in front of the ump as he headed for his car (which he did in a trot).
Now this ends our season and the girls are upset. Think about how we feel when a ref/ump blows a call that cost us a bet. This game meant more to those girls than a bet does do us. Gathering around the dugout the coach addressed the team after the game and handled the frustration of the girls perfectly.
"Ladies, if we play better defense and don't give up 11 runs we don't have to worry about a couple of bad calls. We own this loss, it's on each of us. Leave here tonight understanding that an umpire did not lose this game for us, we did. You will make your own breaks in this game as well as in life. Never look to blame someone else."
He went on to tell them how proud he was of how they played and how far they had come this year versus last year and had something specific to say about each girl.
Thanks, coach. Nice job.
