🏆 How Smart Coaches Evaluate Losses

📅 Published: April 22, 2025

📖 Introduction: The Game That Got Away

We’ve all been there. That game where everything seemed just out of reach—where the little mistakes snowballed into a heartbreaking loss. That was us recently. We played a tough game that started at 6:30 PM and got called early due to darkness at 8:10 PM. We only got in four innings and lost by one run—10-9.

But this blog isn’t about blame. It’s about learning, adjusting, and growing. Whether you win or lose, the evaluation process is how good coaches turn young players into smart, resilient athletes.

⚾ What Went Wrong: A Post-Game Breakdown

1️⃣ The Big Inning That Broke Us

The third inning was tough. One run had already scored when our first baseman dropped two routine throws, allowing two more runs to score. Then, a pair of slow rollers to shortstop turned into runs because we didn’t make the throws in time. Our dirt infield at home is a slow roller, and that matters.

Adjustment Made: We’re moving the infielders in to shorten the throws—especially on slow infields. Other fields? We’ll adjust accordingly.

2️⃣ Stolen Bases—Out of Control

The other team stole bases at will. I asked my team to guess how many they swiped—someone said 20. Honestly? That sounds about right.

They weren’t fast; they were just aggressive and smart.

Root Cause: Too many walks. Free passes put runners on base and create pressure. It also exposed our pitchers, catchers, and infielders, who weren’t ready to shut down aggressive baserunning.

🧠 The Teachable Moments

➤ The Tag-Up Blunder

We had a runner on second—walked, then stole second. Next batter popped up to short left field. The runner left early, didn’t tag up, and was doubled off. That hurt. Especially since we went over that exact scenario in practice the day before.

🛠️ Our Fixes: Practice Innovations That Work

💡 Mini Game: Stolen Base Shutdown

I created a new drill to simulate high-pressure base-stealing situations. When all 12 players are present, we split into:

• 6 defenders (P, C, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B)

• 6 batters/runners

• No outfield, full focus on infield mechanics

Each pitcher faces 1 batter, then rotates. If a runner reaches base (walk or hit), the defense must work together to prevent stolen bases. Pitchers, catchers, infielders—everyone is responsible.

Upcoming Tweaks:

• Rotate pitchers less often (possibly 3 innings at a time)

• Keep score over 3 innings

• Continue teaching pitch-outs and one-bounce throws to second

  
  

We ran this with just 10 kids recently—5 vs 5—and I filled in as catcher. Even I made throwing errors. No one’s perfect. But that’s the point—practice is where progress lives.

🎯 Moving Forward: Every Game is a Lesson

Losses sting, but they reveal weaknesses you can address. They’re the ultimate teaching tool. Some issues will always need work—throwing strikes, executing on the bases, staying focused. Other problems, like stolen bases or infield depth, emerge game-by-game and must be prioritized accordingly.

Coaching is about adjusting. Teaching. Re-teaching. Building confidence and knowledge—rep by rep.

📝 Final Thoughts

There’s no magic fix for all the issues that can arise in a youth baseball game. But with thoughtful evaluation, creative practice design, and consistent messaging, you can turn any loss into a win—for your team's future.

📢 Call to Action

If you enjoyed this coaching insight, make sure to: ✅ Subscribe to Terry Time Media’s blog

🎥 Follow our YouTube channel for game footage, drills, and youth coaching strategies📩 Share this article with fellow coaches and parents in your league

Let’s build better ballplayers—together.