them in the last two weeks!

went to a clinic 30 years ago with several college coaches on panel.
Question: what do you do when your best hitter goes into a horrible slump? what's the first thing to do to get him on track again?
Answer: (coach thinks a bit before answering) "i'd get with him off the field alone and ask him, how things are going between he and his girlfriend." he continued, "there's no one answer for all players. seriously, it could be a romance problem. it could be a thousand things. you just need to continue to express your confidence in him; ask him to tell you what he's uncomfortable with/what has changed both on and off the field; make a strategy together and work at it. it's a game; don't make it life or death; but let him know you what you're seeing, and that you are serious in seeking the team's and his success."

i thought that was about as solid and common sensical as it gets. and then we all laughed and went on with the panel discussion; and after the clinic i went back to being the best coach and "personally involved advisor, with permission" i could be.

it's just a part of baseball.