Watched the summer team that OSSS plays on. It was first day they have played as a unit; most boys were on this team last year, with OSSS and the Big Man (name withheld to protect me!) being the newcomers I think. The coach is a former All-State Catcher who coaches JV in the inner city I think. He brings a couple of players with him as well. Lots of Spanish being spoken. Which is awesome because the only kids that speak Spanish are the coach and the kids he brings.
So they play game 1, lose 5-2. OSSS played 1B, got two (2) AB's, went 0-2. Looked a little lethargic at plate. He told me on the flight ride up that he was tired. Chalk it up.
Game 2, OSSS not playing. Big Man at 1B. Now, they played together on varsity and the Big Man was never allowed near 1B. He was serviceable. Doesn't have a clue where to back up throws or take cuts however.
Pal of OSSS, we'll call him Sleepy is pitching, and doing great. He's a tough lefty and he will get better as we go. He pitches 5 and leaves with a 5-2 lead. Then the coach made the first of some questionable moves:
Put in some kid he brought who quickly loaded the bases (1B, 2B, HBP), then allowed two runs on 2 consecutive wild pitches. Wow. He was terrible.
With 1 out and #21 spitting the bit, decided to pitch the boy who had caught 13 innings on a hot sunny day. That boggles this mind.
With the starting catcher now pitching, he takes the starting SS and moves him behind plate. BTW, they have a backup catcher who was playing LF which would probably be the better move.
Put a kid he brought at SS who had the range of Stephen Hawking.
So the other (terrible BTW) team scored 8(!) runs to go up 10-5. That was the final.
So I leave you with this...because you played doesn't mean you can coach. WE SHALL SEE!