I’m coaching JV softball at Bishop O’Dowd this year. It’s a good bunch of kids, I enjoy doing this, and believe me, it’s for the love, not the money. Practice on Monday was difficult, kids were lacking energy and focus, and a couple kids were sick, so they didn’t show up. We have a very tough opponent in Castro Valley scheduled for Thursday, so I’m trying hard to get them prepared.
OK, Monday not so good, let’s see what happens Tuesday.
We have a zig-zag throwing drill that involves throwing, running, and synchronization. Typically I have to call out the order where someone runs, but I decided to sit back and watch. They did it about 95% correctly without me saying a thing, best they’ve ever done – and I told them how pleased I was. Between some other drills and Dale throwing batting practice, they took a couple of water breaks. I have about 3 or 4 brief encounters with Brenda, it goes something like this:
#1
Brenda: Coach I gotta tell you something.
Me: What’s up?
Brenda: No I can’t tell you now
Me: scratching my head
#2
Me: Hey Brenda, what’s up?
Brenda: I can’t tell you.
Me: What do you mean?
Brenda: She’ll kill me if I say anything
#3
Me: Is it someone on the team?
Brenda: Yeah
#4
Me: OK, who is it
Brenda: (sheepishly) It’s Adrianne
Me: Is it me? Is it personal?
Brenda: Yeah
Adrianne is a nice kid, but for her, becoming a great softball player is neither an ambition nor a priority. At least once per practice (or so it seems) I have to repeat something because she’s having a side conversation with another kid about who knows what.
Brenda: She’s leaving the team, but you can’t let her parents know the real reason.
Me: OK, I’ll talk to her
Ugh! She must think I hate her, she’s miserable because I have to go out of my way to correct her, sometimes on technique, more often on behavior. Now I have to confront her and the latest drama. Is she going to lose it?
Batting practice continues, Adrianne is due up second. I try to clear the dugout, with limited success. My opportunity arrives to take on the situation.
Me: Adrianne, can I get a word with you?
Adrianne: Sure
Me: So what’s on your mind?
Adrianne: Uh, nothing.
Me: I mean with the team. Are you cool with everything that’s going on?
Adrianne: Uh, yeah, what do you mean?
Then ands there I realize I’ve been had.
Me: Is this Brenda’s idea of an Apirl fool’s joke?
Adrianne: Uh, yeah, I guess so.
Me: Dang, Adrianne! You had me cold! All you had to do was tremble or cry or something! you had me smoked on that one!
Anyway, it was fun and funny, I admire the way Brenda put it together. Even coach V was in on it. When we huddled at the end of practice he told me of the original plan, which was tha Adrianne was pregnant and had to leave the team.