Coach Hughes' Corner
It has been a while since I have posted a Corner. I have been really busy and have finally had time to sit down and figure one out. I would like to know why we do what we do. And I have always been interested in why people make the decisions that they do. With that said, I am sure each one of you have set up there and wondered why I do some of the things that I do. So, I will list some scenarios or situations that have happened this year below and tell you what is going through my mind.
First, Runner on 2nd, no outs best hitter on deck. Basehit up the middle to best arm in outfield. It was hit to hard to score easily. Most coach's will hold up the runner. Coach Hughes usually doesn't, Why? A lot of it depends on the inning, game, and score. But in most cases, I will take a chance to score the runner. How often in a high school game does a runner get thrown out at home? Not often. A lot of things have to happen just right. So, I take the higher percentage play and score the run. Last night, I was 1-2 on that decision. I sent Miller on Riley's hit and held Burnside up on Cameron's hit.
Second Situation. I have heard this from other coach's and umpires more than any one else, but I am sure you all wonder why. Why do you argue some things really hard but let other things go? I have said this to the boys numerous times. When you are playing hard and doing things right, I will fight for you till the end. But when you are making errors and not running bases right, it is hard to argue with an umpire on anything because we are not executing. Friday night was one night that I thought we were fighting hard and making some plays. I was fighting for them. Last night, in the early innings we were making errors all over the field, physical and mental. I really didn't have much to argue about if we can't make plays. Even the few that I questioned was not hard b/c we were throwing the ball all over the field. I believe that if you take care of the ball and hit the way you are suppose too, then calls can be questioned or argued.
Third situation. Why bunt? I have heard this all the time. You bunt to move runners, you bunt to put the ball in play when your not hitting very well, you bunt to keep the infield honest, and most important, I bunt because that is the way baseball has been played for over 100 years. Just like last night. That is the most we have bunted all year. I had went away from it, playing for the big inning, and found ourselves struggling to score. We put down 3 bunts last night and all seemed to work to our advantage. Riley moved the runner and was safe. Devon moved the runner and then we scored. Reese made Musick work to get to his bunt, then he walked a runner, hit a batter, and allowed the big hit by Riley. I like the bunt. It is a great part of the game if you do it successfully.
Fourth situation. I get told all the time that I am really competitive and intense. Isn't this a good thing. I think so, my wife may not at times. But I feel that if it rubs off on the guys and they play with a little swagger or confidence, then it helps. Sometimes, I try to hold that in and try to make the boys respond. Other times I feel like I need to be loud and intense to get them motivated. This has worked and back fired. You never know. You just have to pick the time and roll with it.
A chance to have a share of conference with a win on Friday night vs Exeter. Bring everyone out to the ball park and cheer on these young men. It will be a great evening for a game of baseball with everything on the line.
Coach Hughes
First, Runner on 2nd, no outs best hitter on deck. Basehit up the middle to best arm in outfield. It was hit to hard to score easily. Most coach's will hold up the runner. Coach Hughes usually doesn't, Why? A lot of it depends on the inning, game, and score. But in most cases, I will take a chance to score the runner. How often in a high school game does a runner get thrown out at home? Not often. A lot of things have to happen just right. So, I take the higher percentage play and score the run. Last night, I was 1-2 on that decision. I sent Miller on Riley's hit and held Burnside up on Cameron's hit.
Second Situation. I have heard this from other coach's and umpires more than any one else, but I am sure you all wonder why. Why do you argue some things really hard but let other things go? I have said this to the boys numerous times. When you are playing hard and doing things right, I will fight for you till the end. But when you are making errors and not running bases right, it is hard to argue with an umpire on anything because we are not executing. Friday night was one night that I thought we were fighting hard and making some plays. I was fighting for them. Last night, in the early innings we were making errors all over the field, physical and mental. I really didn't have much to argue about if we can't make plays. Even the few that I questioned was not hard b/c we were throwing the ball all over the field. I believe that if you take care of the ball and hit the way you are suppose too, then calls can be questioned or argued.
Third situation. Why bunt? I have heard this all the time. You bunt to move runners, you bunt to put the ball in play when your not hitting very well, you bunt to keep the infield honest, and most important, I bunt because that is the way baseball has been played for over 100 years. Just like last night. That is the most we have bunted all year. I had went away from it, playing for the big inning, and found ourselves struggling to score. We put down 3 bunts last night and all seemed to work to our advantage. Riley moved the runner and was safe. Devon moved the runner and then we scored. Reese made Musick work to get to his bunt, then he walked a runner, hit a batter, and allowed the big hit by Riley. I like the bunt. It is a great part of the game if you do it successfully.
Fourth situation. I get told all the time that I am really competitive and intense. Isn't this a good thing. I think so, my wife may not at times. But I feel that if it rubs off on the guys and they play with a little swagger or confidence, then it helps. Sometimes, I try to hold that in and try to make the boys respond. Other times I feel like I need to be loud and intense to get them motivated. This has worked and back fired. You never know. You just have to pick the time and roll with it.
A chance to have a share of conference with a win on Friday night vs Exeter. Bring everyone out to the ball park and cheer on these young men. It will be a great evening for a game of baseball with everything on the line.
Coach Hughes
posted by jhughes at
1:41 PM
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