Home to the SDYS 12u Girls Softball          Welcome to SDYS

Tustin All-Star Romp
Tustin All-Star Romp
Tustin All-Star Romp Directions
Tustin All-Star Romp 12u Rules
Tustin All-Star Romp 12u Match Up
Tustin All-Star Romp 12u Message
Tustin All-Star Romp 12u Pictures
Tustin All-Star Romp 12u Results
 
SDYS Memorial Tournament
SDYS League last updated 3/24/2005
SDYS Memorial Day Tournament Directions
Cardiff Sports Park Snack Bar Duties
Stage Coach Snack Bar Duties
Message-1
Memorial Tournament Match Ups
Memorial Tournament Pictures
Memorial Tournament Results
 
ASA
Banded and Non Approved ASA Bats
 
 
Oceanside Riptide Tournament
Oceanside Riptide Tournament
Rip Tide Capo Park Directions
Message-1
Message-4
Message-3
Message-4
Rip Tide Tournament Results

SDYS 12u All Star Bulletin Board                                       

Happy Friday everybody!

We had good practices this week, including our scrimmage with the 14U team. The young ladies are improving and raising their focus on how to compete in tournament softball. Notice I did not say "play tournament softball." This team must - and is - adapt the attitude that it is entering a game not to "play" or "compete" but to WIN! When the players elevate their attention so that they are ready for whatever happens during each and every play (pitch), they will dominate their competition.

We will scrimmage the 14U team again on Wednesday. I ask that our players be AT THE FIELDS no later than 6 p.m., so we can get the scrimmage started by 6:30 at the latest. It will go to 8:30 p.m.

I will send out the schedule for Tustin as soon as I get it. I expect to have it in my e-mail sometime Friday or Saturday at the latest. We then have the University City tournament.

How do I see the team at this point of our season? We are progressing and I believe, as I told the young ladies earlier this week, we are about to "flip the switch." They see themselves like the Padres, which turned  the frustration and losses of April into a league best 21-4 record in May. How did the team do this? By believing in itself, believing in each other (there is a big difference), playing fundamental baseball, and NOT GIVING UP. Our team is approaching this standard. I hope to have it in time for Tustin.

Our hitting is improving and we are finally laying down our bunts. The next step is to get the players to bunt to specific locations and not back toward the pitcher, which is the easiest "out" in softball. We will work on this technique on Sunday. Also on Sunday we will be working with specific players to improve/teach the skills to "slap" a pitch. This strategy keeps defenses off balance and allows for a team to create confusion, which is good when you are doing it to somebody else. I believe if our young ladies can slap the ball we will be able to beat anybody. Not every player will slap - some are set up to be percentage or power hitters.

Sunday's MANDATORY practice goes from 1 to at least 5 p.m. on CSP 4. Please make sure the players are at the field prior to 1 p.m. Please make sure they have plenty of water to drink and suntan lotion. I have asked Rosemary (Jessica's mom) to assist our pitchers on Sunday. Rosemary is a former competitive player and pitcher who is "retired" from softball due to athletic injuries. She understands the art of pitching and will be working with Jill and Reiley on refining their techniques to improve their strike ratio, placement of a pitch, and how to throw specific pitches. I ask (demand) that our pitchers embrace what she has to offer. Our pitching has done its job thus far. Any improvement only makes our team stronger.

I will be working with the hitters to embrace the offense. Our hitting needs to keep improving. We need more consistency. With it will come more power and better results. Our outfield play is vastly improved and will keep improving. Our infield play is coming up and you will see more of the defensive strategy incorporated in our next games, especially since we should be playing teams from outside our conference. It is part of my coaching philosophy NOT to show a league opponent what our team can really do. I know where San Marcos is deficient; they think we are a pushover. Wait until district!

PARENTS: The coaches would like to see the players do some "bonding." One of the goals of taking this weekend off is to get the players together in a non-softball environment. Unfortunately, school and family commitments have altered this plan. What I would like to see is the team doing something AFTER practice on Sunday. If somebody wants to volunteer to host a pool party-barbecue I would greatly appreciate it and I even promise to cook. The event can go from 5 to 7ish. We can make it a surprise for the players. The parents can bring their bathing suits when they pick them up from practice. I know some parents mentioned holding such an event but I do not want to impose on anyone. Let me know ASAP and I will verify with everybody via e-mail.

I see the improvement the players have made so far. This is not the same team that started play in the Oceanside tournament. Confidence is growing and I believe the wins will follow. Now here's what the parents can  do to help!

I really enjoyed hearing the cheering and screams during the game with Imperial Valley. Your enthusiasm lifted the players! They wanted to win badly because they heard and saw your support. Please bring this enthusiasm to every game. This team can play with anybody. This team can rally. This team can crush the ball. Let them hear you!

That's all for now ….

See everybody Sunday

Coach Dennis