Games

Question
I have a 14& under girls fastpitch team. I have a problem that they have been going flat and losing games that they are ahead in by more than 4 runs. They seem to stay in games that are close. Can you give me ideas on the cause and how to fix this problem

Answer
Well, Tiger House, you didn't give me enough information.  Normally a four run lead is going to hold up unless one of two things are happening.  Either your having a lot of errors or your pitchers are getting tired.  Another possibility is that teams are getting their timing on your pitcher the second and third time at bat and having success late against her.  For this reason, you need your pitcher to constantly alter speeds.  She may throw one pitch as hard as possible, then back off slightly on the next pitch etc...  She can achieve these subtle speed changes by simply gripping more of the ball or adding fingers to a particular grip.  If she is throwing her fastball with a two finger grip, have her use three or four fingers on some pitches.  This will prevent the other team from timing her.  If it is a simple case of fatigue, then you obviously want to sub more often.  

If your problem is error related, try a technique I read about.  Most mental errors in ball are a direct result of girls not being focused before each pitch.  When your infielders get onto the field, have them draw a circle in the dirt where they normally stand on defense.  Inform them that this is their "focus bubble"  after each pitch, they will step out of this bubble and run through the following check list:  How many outs are there?  Where are the base runners?  What is my play if the ball is hit to me?  What are my responsibilities on a steal?  What are my responsibilities on a bunt?  After she determines the answer to each question, she is to step back in her focus bubble and prepare for the next pitch.  This exercise will increase focus and eventually become instinct for them.  Please let me know if this helps.

Coach Mike