I know, I know, I talk about subscribing and then don’t post anything for a while. But I’m back now.

One thing I will never get is why some fastpitch softball coaches (or coaches in general I suppose) like to play everything close to the vest. In other words they randomly bench kids, or cut their playing time, or move their positions around without ever telling them why.

Not sure if they think it’s a way of motivating players, but in my experience all it does is de-motivate players. Especially teenage girls who have enough worries and self-esteem issues already without adding why the coach doesn’t like them anymore to the mix.

It may be unpleasant as a coach to have to tell a player you want to put someone else in her spot, but it’s a conversation you need to have. It also helps to tell her what she needs to do to win her spot back.

Competition is a good thing. If players feel like they have to compete for a spot they will try hard. But only if they feel like the competition is fair, and they know on what basis they’re competing.

The easy thing to do is just make the change and say nothing. But it’s not the right thing. Take care of your players and in the long run they will take care of you. It should be Coaching 101 — but apparently it’s not.