[Charlie B]

This was my first year working games with kids who shave and men's league. Everybody says I look better than a rookie. All I can say is, I think I have 'em all fooled.

Mostly I've learned what I don't know:

* How to get a good look at and call pickoff attempts
* When to get help on possible pulled foot plays
* When to go out from position A (and where to go)
* 3-man mechanics
* 4-man mechanics
* What's a balk
* What's a low strike
* Where's the outside corner
* What's a strike in a men's league game (I'm clueless)
* How to maintain my concentration for the whole game
* How to manage a game
* How to leave the game on the field

If I can get a little better at each of those things next year, I'll feel like I'm getting somewhere.

Here are some things I learned:

* How to keep my head still and track the ball
* Make all movements and signals crisp and aggressive
* How to appear calm when I'm getting yelled at
* When a coach is working me (always!)
* How to get to my car when parents are screaming at me
* Six-stitch hats work fine for both plate and bases
* How to crease my hat like the big dogs (big year for hats!)
* Waterless hand cleanser works great