Practice #4--on keeping score

In West Raleigh, we keep score. This should seem obvious to those of you with experience in the league, but to those of us new to the Mudcats, this is a revelation. Returning parents may not know this, but there are leagues where keeping score is actually discouraged (Also, in those leagues, which might or might not be the Chapel Hill YMCA t-ball league, you should never loudly advise your daughter to "run him over" when her path to home plate is blocked by an opposing player who isn't moving. Not that I would do that...or that I would know what it's like to then be stared at disapprovingly by a host of parents from the other team as they make a mental note to report me to the Bad Parent Hotline.).

There will be other parents--most of whom seem to live next door to us--who will tell you that keeping score is evidence that West Raleigh is too competitive, and is ruining the precious little hearts of our next generation. To them, I simply say, "Drop down and give me 50 pushups and quit whining, you little punk." Also, it turns out that they might be wrong. There's an increasing feeling that the prevalence of non-competitive youth sports might actually be detrimental to the kids involved. That link takes you to a very lengthy story, but it's worth reading.

Or you could just come to a Mudcats practice and see the evidence first-hand. Practice #4 was held on an immaculately groomed Method Park field. Immediately after preliminary stretching, Coach Andrew announced, "We're going to have a little cone competition." And what did the kids do when told there was going to be a contest? They cheered, as they broke into two lines and competed to see which pair could make the longest, most accurate throws.

Then the squad broke into three groups that rotated among three areas: infield practice, outfield practice, and hitting. Infielders began to deal with some game situations, knowing where to throw the ball with runners on base, and the importance of calling "Time" in a timely fashion. Don't know what to do as an infielder? Calling "Time" while running at the lead runner is always a safe play. Outfielders continued to focus on catching fly balls while also getting the ball into second base after making the play. And hitting was split into four stations--the "Hurricane," soft toss, the boat oar, and wiffle ball.

Wait, did he say boat oar? Yes, one of the most fun parts of practice involved each Mudcat putting the boat oar through his arms behind him. Because he wasn't holding it in his hands, but rather in the crooks of his elbows, that forced him to use his hips to generate some power while swinging at tennis balls. They make it look easier than it sounds on paper--everyone on the team got in some good swings.

Nearby, the highlight of the wiffle ball station came when Tyler caused a wiffle ball to disintegrate on contact with his powerful bat. The only thing missing was the theme music from The Natural as Tyler held up the remaining shards of the ball.

Practice concluded with the Mudcats broken into four three-man teams for a quick scrimmage. It was the first true live action of the season, with baserunners and live pitching on the field from Coach Andrew. Highlights included a nice sprawling grab by Anthony in shallow right field as he backpedaled from his second base position, and a bullseye long throw from the first base side of the second base bag by Drew that nailed a runner trying to grab an extra base going into third (perhaps due to poor instructions by the incapable third base coach).

Coach Rob was the designated assistant in charge of helmet stickers, and he spent the entire practice looking for good examples of hustle. He awarded stickers to (fittingly) Charlie Hustle, Anthony, and the Killer B trio of Ben, Ben, and Brenner.

Thursday's practice will be from 6-7:30 at East Cary. Yes, score will be kept.