| Quick question for baseball coaches (and parents) | | | | this level of competency they are truly able to |
| to get things started: | | | | "Play ball!" Controlling the speed of a drill and the |
| What does the umpire yell at the start of every | | | | likelihood of success for the player can be |
| baseball game? | | | | accomplished during practice. It is for these two |
| A.) Think ball! | | | | reasons that the game is best taught in practice |
| B.) Execute ball! | | | | rather that in the game. |
| C.) Work ball! | | | | When players are trying to process training |
| The answer is no to all three. The umpire yells | | | | setting information at game speed it usually |
| out "Let's Play ball!" to signify the start of the | | | | results in "paralysis by analysis". This leaves the |
| game. | | | | player wanting to do the right thing but the speed |
| What a wonderful way to start a game. An | | | | of the game passes by them. |
| annoying whistle doesn't blow or an obnoxious | | | | During the game, the speed is much faster and |
| horn sound to start the game, rather the ultimate | | | | coaches have little control of the likelihood of |
| official mandates that both teams PLAY. How can | | | | success for his players. So remember, during the |
| you not love baseball? Allow your kids and players | | | | game, the mandate from the umpire is to "Play |
| to play the game. I have seen several areas that | | | | ball!" During practice is the (more) appropriate time |
| have taken the "play" out of baseball. | | | | for coaches to teach the game. |
| Too much pressure can cause fear which takes | | | | Over emphasizing critical situations makes it |
| the "play" out of baseball. Players that have | | | | difficult to bounce back. Errors and strike outs are |
| unrealistic expectations placed on them often | | | | part of the game. When a player makes a bad |
| loose the enjoyment of playing baseball. | | | | play or gets out it is more difficult to bounce back |
| Being competitive has gotten a bad rap in athletics | | | | if too much is made of the situation. Parents and |
| recently. When I work with parents and coaches, | | | | coaches have said to players "your strikeout at |
| I hear "Yeah, I know my kid is a bad sport but he | | | | the end of the game caused our team to loose |
| is just competitive." I disagree you can be | | | | the game." First of all no single play determines |
| competitive without being a poor sport. | | | | the outcome of the game and secondly, if it did |
| Coaches and parents may use the same excuse | | | | would this style of parenting/coaching make a |
| in a different setting. "Yeah, I know I act like a | | | | player more excited to try again? I seriously |
| jerk on the field...But I guess it's just my | | | | doubt it. Placing too much emphasis on a given |
| competitive nature coming through." No it really is | | | | situation, coaches and parents, can take the fun |
| you being a poor communicator and even less of | | | | out of the game. |
| a motivator to your players. | | | | In the area of the country that I coach baseball, it |
| Players need motivation and guidance to help | | | | has almost gotten to the point where kids are so |
| them become the best they can be. But when | | | | matter of fact in the way they approach baseball |
| unreasonable expectations are placed on them | | | | that if they are enjoying the game it sure does |
| then they loose the whole reason they got | | | | not show on their faces. |
| involved with baseball in the first place and that | | | | When did aspiring to play professional baseball |
| was to "Play ball!" | | | | start to look like a job for a 9 year old? Use the |
| Too much instruction can cause "paralysis by | | | | younger ages to imagine and to fearlessly try to |
| analysis". As an instructor, I am often guilty of | | | | be great with no fear of failure. |
| this one. I want my players and kids to do things | | | | To help keep it in perspective for overzealous |
| technically correct. | | | | parents and coaches...there have not been any |
| Practice it is the appropriate time to get players | | | | elementary or middle school age players taken in |
| into a setting that will give them the best chance | | | | the MLB Draft. It is o.k. when kids make mistakes. |
| for success. Playing the game using the proper | | | | It is a vital part of the development process. As |
| mechanics happens after many practice reps to | | | | coaches and parents, try to encourage your kids |
| the point that the desired skill is more reactionary | | | | to enjoy the game by doing what the umpire tells |
| than thought out and processed. As players reach | | | | them to do... "LET'S PLAY BALL! |