Hugs can do wonders but they can't raise the dead unfortunately. At the time you could've cancelled the practice and I guess just spent the day with her so she didn't have to go home but she still receives emotional support. Or let the kids keep practicing on their own but pull her aside so she didn't have to be sobbing in front of everyone.

Just be a good coach and encourage her to play well and help her overcome sadness with the power of softball. Or something.

She is there because she needs to get her mind off her pain. Rather than a learning practice try a fun practice. Play some games to develop skill while having fun. She wants to laugh let her have some time away from the sorrow.

I had a similar thing occur when I was coaching hockey one year. We played tag on the ice for about a half hour. Soon everyone was laughing and having a good time. Better than stops and starts any day.

That's what happend on my team. We played games that practice and my coached had her smiling and laughing

Tell her to go home. She shouldn't have been at practice.

John is a mindless, puerile @sshole. I reported your answer, you turd.

I agree with Yeezus: You should send her home. She needs to be with her family right now.

I've coached a 11 year old girl since she was 5. Her mother passed away tonight but she came to practice for her team. She was a wreck. She cried a lot and I didn't know what to do? I didn't want to make inner feel weird or anything but we're super close. I'm a man. I want to comfort her but don't know how??