Where's the Water?

'Tis the season of softball tournaments and my twelve-year-old niece is an All-Star....literally. Though an excellent swimmer, she has decided that fastpitch softball is her sport of choice. Quite competent at both ends of the battery, she's a natural third-baseman too.

So what does softball have in common with swimming?
Easy. The value of a good coach.

Really good coaches educate and inspire. Really bad coaches damage and destroy. If your children participate in organized sports, make it a point to know and observe their coaches. Correction and criticism should be constructive, not belittling, and the overall experience, positive.....period! Do not settle for less.

The best athletic (and life) coach of all time is still John Wooden.
Read and download his Pyramid of Success.

Swim Meets

Today was a beautiful day to be outside, so this morning I watched Niece #2 play in a softball tournament. Not to brag any, but she plays a mean third base and is quite competent at either end of the battery as well. After the game, I just had to stay outdoors so I visited my favorite walking park for a quick hike. My lucky day! The outdoor aquatic facility was hosting a swim meet so I had to stop and watch for a while. Long course swim meets happen in the Spring and this one was no exception. Long course distances are 50-meters per lap whereas short course distances are only 25-yards/meters per lap; consequently, short course times are usually faster with swimmers taking advantage of more flip turns and underwater (dolphin-kick) time. Olympic competitions are always held as long course. If you are interested in swimming, by all means attend a swim meet! Though often deemed organized chaos, meets are interesting, entertaining, usually free, and most always in need of volunteers. One of my favorite 'volunteer jobs' is that of a timer. If you are recruited to time, enjoy the front row seat, complimentary drinks and snacks, and shade! Someone will give you a crash course in timing and by the end of the day you'll be an expert.