Why Coaching Time On The Baseball Field Leads To More Wins

On the surface the real job of a baseball coach seems easy to identify, win baseball games. Put the right players in the right positions, build team chemistry, and motivate them to win. However difficult building a championship caliber team may be, it?s only one of the jobs a baseball coach has. In fact, it should be the last task on the coach?s list. When I first began coaching, I made the mistake of thinking that I was teaching how to play baseball. I was wrong! What I should have been doing was setting an example and teaching kids how to build a foundation to be successful in life. I learned that during every practice, and every game you have the distinct opportunity to make an impact on you players.

This became particularly clear to me over this past weekend when I received a text message from a parent of one of my players. In the text it explained how the player was giving a speech in one of his classes and it was regarding the things that he had learned on the baseball field. It wasn?t about how to field a ground ball or how to hit for more power, it was about values he had learned that would help in life. I was blown away. I had made an impact on a young man?s life. Making a positive impact on young player?s lives is still the single most important job of a baseball coach. We as baseball coaches are privileged with the opportunity to do so.

The next time you begin a practice or a game, I want you to take a good look around. Players come from all backgrounds and situations. Some are poor, some are rich, great home, broken home, but they are all there to learn about something they enjoy. Unfortunately for many coaches, they forget that the primary reason players play the game is because it is fun and they want to get better. As a result, the average retirement age of baseball players is 12 years old. Player?s are left with such a bad experience, that they don?t want to continue playing a game they once loved.

Between coaches yelling at players, and the politics behind playing time, the game becomes more about the people who run the respective organizations rather than the players. It seems like every time you turn on the television these days there is another story about two parents getting into a verbal altercation, or parent yelling at a coach because their child isn?t getting enough playing time. It is time to take a step back, reset, and refocus on what really matters and that is the kids.

I heard an alarming statistic early on in my playing career. The average retirement age of baseball players is 12 years old. I want you to think about that for a second, 12 years old. My guess is that young players stop playing the game because they have had a bad experience, not because they don?t like to play. I am not placing blame on any one person, but what I am saying is that we need to do a better job of communicating with our players and be aware that we are in a position to make a huge impact on young minds.

So if you are fortunate enough to be involved in with today?s players, I want you to always keep few things in the forefront of you mind to make your life easier. First, your number one baseball coaching goal is to make sure that all of the kids have fun regardless of the skill level. It is great to win, it really is. But just because you are on a winning team doesn?t mean you had a good experience. I have seen countless kids get shoved to the way side while others get all of the attention. Each player deserves just as much attention as the next. Make sure that happens and give just as much instruction based feedback to every player.

Two, help players to understand that learning to be successful on the baseball field can give you a strong foundation to be successful in life. It is sad to say, but we forget that many players learn many virtues while a part of a sports team. Take myself for instance, baseball instilled integrity, determination, perseverance, and the understanding of what it means to be a part of a team. If you keep these life skills in the forefront of you mind, you will be amazed at how your coaching approach changes from winning a baseball game, to helping the kids understand what it takes to be successful and learning to persevere.

The third baseball coaching tip, hold every player to the same standard. Whether it be you most skilled player, or the guy last of the bench, if they commit the same crime, they do the same time. Often time?s better players get preferential treatment. This is a sure fire way to create a feeling of resentment on the part of your players and tear your team apart. Not only will they not trust you, they won?t consider you a person they should confide in. Every player is equal regardless of the situation.

Four, players play the game, not the coach. Your role as a coach is to be a guide and a resource. Explain the reasons behind why situational baseball is important and what will put them in the best position to succeed on the diamond. Do not bunt a player out of situation because you don?t feel he is skilled enough to get a hit. Open the lines of communication and make sure that if something is misunderstood, you take the time to explain it further before moving on.

I hope these coaching tips have been helpful to you today. If you put these concepts into practice, I guarantee your approach to coaching will change. When you want the best for you players, regardless of who is watching on the outside, you will begin making an impact that will stay with your players for life. They will appreciate your commitment, and will work harder to maximize their potential. At the end of the day, winning baseball games comes down to the coach?s ability to inspire his players to reach new heights.

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