Softball -- brain dump

Something that used to be fun is now turning into a part-time job...

Last year I thought we had an excellent season! I had to work hard to get things arranged, planned and managed. I had some people step-up and take the fundraiser off my plate and that was a HUGE plus.

After this fundraiser, one member of the team got PISSED because Trixie and I (the only two in 'leadership' positions) decided to give everyone a small chunk of money and save some for the upcoming season. Looking back, I'm glad we did because the person in charge of finding a sponsor for us has been striking out and we needed the money to front the sponsor fee... Our realtor sponsor has been MORE that accommodating for us and has been GREAT over the past 3 years. We love him!

Anyway, after last year I was asked to form a 'board' for the team. I was told that the responsibility for making decisions shouldn't be soley mine and that the team should make the decisions as a group. After the committee meeting, the decision was made to just let the committee decide.

Apparently as long as the biggest complainer got to give input, fuck the rest!

So, now that the year has started, I've already had to call one person on their duties and say: You need to get this rolling and 'own' it. We fought back and forth but the biggest defense was: Why should I plan a fundraiser when there is snow still on the ground??

My response: 'Why should I even think about getting the team going when there is snow on the ground?'

Since then, Mickee has stepped up and kept communication flowing, answered questions, and even has his game plan for the weekend laid out. I'm SO happy he's doing this!

As for everything else? I got the meetings started; I solicited the feedback. I lead the committee meetings and the team meetings.

Recently, I was told that it was MY job to communicate practices and cancellations to the team. We had agreed that Tim would lead and manage practices. He started off well and scheduled a few batting cage runs, but then nothing... I was forced to try and figure out a time and place and day for practice.

When I called him on it I was told that it was MY job to do all that. All he was doing was the 'physical' part of practice leadership. How, exactly, does that take away any work from my plate?

I recently had a player 'blow up' because I cancelled practice because there was an OVERWHELMING lack of response...

I figured out that I put 89 hours into the team last year in 'Management'. That doesn't even include the time spent on tournaments.

With the way the season is going now and all the slack I have to pick up... I'm headed to overshoot that 89 hours...

Funny thing is: I get NOTHING for this. I'm not paid. I'm rarely thanked. I don't even get my freaking jersey free!

I'm not sure what my goal is here with this post but hopefully I can just let this go and move on... I'd like to have fun this summer.