Softball/Baseball: The Unique Culture Of The Game …down time on the bench brings out special personalities

Each coach has their own beliefs, value system and expectations of how they want their team to conduct themselves when at the park.  In my experience working under various coaches playing football and baseball in high school and college along with a brief stint in the minor leagues, I learned there is not a ‘type’ of approach to coaching that is the secret to success.  Those experiences taught me that successful coaches are those who are true to themselves and don’t try to copy others who have a different personality or approach.

John Wooden, the great coach of UCLA basketball in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s was mild mannered and reserved.  Lou Piniella, arguably one of the best managers in modern baseball, was a fiery guy.  He screamed and yelled at umpires, threw bases and kicked dirt on home plate.  John Gruden, current head coach of the Raiders, who lead Tampa Bay to a Super Bowl victory in 2003, is known as a master of the X’s and O’s, for coming up with creative schemes to disrupt opponents, and being a bit eccentric.

Each had a different approach, but all had their successes.  Each lead their teams by embracing their own individuality. Our players quickly catch onto our being real or not.  Regardless of our abilities, they respect a coach who is true their nature.

While I am encouraging each coach who reads this to not deviate from their belief system and personality, I am suggesting that we recognize the structure of the game of softball and baseball is different that our county’s other popular sports: football, basketball and soccer (I’ll toss hockey in there too …I’m a huge fan 😊), which are battles over territory and are more or less non-stop.  Softball/Baseball is a different world.  When batting, most of the players are in the dugout, hanging out.  During this down time, players will socialize, and in this environment the unique personalities of our players are sure to come out.

In my experience coaching on the college level for eight years, my couple of decades as a player and as an observer of the sport, I believe that regardless of how we choose to run our teams, it is important to allow some amount of leash for personalities to come out. The video included in this post illustrates a coach permitting one of his players to be herself.  I have little doubt this gal’s quirky disposition contributes to the success of her team.  In a game that involves a lot of ‘failure’ and that can produce a high level of anxiety at times, having a player(s) on the club who keeps humor and a bit of lightheartedness in the team environment can play a positive role in helping all of their teammates to relax a bit and perform better.

I have fond memories of the joksters on teams I was a member of, and coached.  This gal is great, as is her coach’s response to her antics.  Enjoy watching! 😊