Issues with consistency
So this season (last as a coach) has taught me a lot. We have the individual talent to be undefeated, but have not been able to win a single game...only led for 6 innings total, and the boys are frustrated. We are trying to teach them to drop the last play and learn from it, but things arent working out. Last weekend was the culmination of years of excuses from players and umpires that effectively nuked my dugout.
Before I go into specifics, understand I hold the team responsible for not helping themselves and giving up. HP ump said he wanted to get home early during ground rules.
I had three plays in the first two innings where umpires called opposite mirror plays against us the weekend prior. I didn't get mad, sent encouraged the boys to "get it next time"...then I got warned for my dugout chirping on balls and strikes. Umpire threatened to end the day (on the 1st game of a DH). I told him I would handle it, but i was on 3B and didnt hear anything. Talked to the boys, and coaches, one coach was very frustrated and removed himself, but said he didn'tsay anything. I even talked to the coach of the other team, and asked if heard anything...he said it may have been his scorekeeper on our behalf. Then last play of the game, 1B runner steals, throw down comes, close play, results in a collision between SS (as the ball was arriving) and base runner...both dugout call time and jog out to check players on the ground...HP ump ejects and suspends the runner. Opposing coach told him that was unnecessary. Ultimately, it was the last play, and he agreed to not suspend.
Next game, even worse...literally all against us. Every call in the field had an umpire conference.
Every coach I've coached against this year is complaining about this...not balls and strikes, but procedural issues with officiating.
Most talented players seem not care anymore, and a couple feel like their satisfied with their other team's performance (school, rec, tourneys). But most boys, only have our team and they're getting slaughtered, frustrated, and distracted.
Probably just going to delete this, because I sound like I'm just complaining.