Handling Mistakes

It is unproductive for a coach to criticize an athlete in the presence of others, yet it happens quite often. This can have a more damaging effect on team unity if done in a public setting say, after a game in view of all the spectators. Punishing the team for the mistakes of a few can only lead to division, certainly not unity. Besides, most coaches I know have made a few mistakes themselves. It is a part of life. But, how we handle our players mistakes is what defines our character and eventually our reputation.

The handling of mistakes should be done one on one and away from the public eye. Say, on the practice field the next day. This gives time for all parties to think more rationally about the degree of the mistake. Especially in the light of the following:

1) All players make mistakes. So, Expect mistakes.
2) Players don't intend to make mistakes.
3) Players don't like to make mistakes.
4) Players want to "make up" for mistakes made.
5) Players want to learn from their mistakes.
6) Players are hurt more by self-regarding feelings than criticism from others when they make mistakes.

So remember this before punishing the team for the mistakes of a few. All the running of bases after a game will not change the fact the majority of your team did not make the mistake. But it can change the majority of the team's view of their coach.

Coach's Check List

Through 30 years in Baseball and Athletic Administration I have compiled a "Coach's Check List" that I feel every coach should coach by! This list reflects the duties and responsibilities accepted when one becomes a coach. Remember, coaching involves far more than filling out a line up card, recruiting players or calling a pitch. Here are a few key duties for all coaches.

1) Be fair to every player. Treat every player equally and with the same respect.
2) Always be honest with your players. Be mindful that praise is a great motivator.
3) Speak "one-on-one" with every player, every day. This may be something as simple as the question, "Jon, how is your day going?" Build relationships not walls or platforms.
4) Always remember that you are a role model, on and off the field, for all players and kids. You must remember that everything you do is observed. Everything you say is heard and can have a profound positive or negative affect on a player.
5) Remember that to be a good coach, you must first be a good teacher. Structure and organization are a must in teaching the fundamentals, rules and skills of the game. Coach the details during the game to help players learn and perform to their highest level.
6) Be mindful that character development and self-confidence are what sports are all about. Kids do not have to play. They play because they love the game! Be sure you do not take that love from them.
7) Finally, teach that "WINNING is NOT EVERYTHING" but PREPARING to WIN" is. A good work ethic on the field will carry over into a good work ethic in life.

Have a great season as you coach your athletes on more than Baseball.

Over Confidence

One of the biggest mistakes any team or individual can make in competition is, being over confident. This usually occurs because the true sense of the team's (or individuals) strengths and weaknesses are inflated. Factors which can lead to over confidence are: playing a weak schedule early, not doing your homework on your opponent, an unrealistic evaluation of talent, poor game preparation and counting the contest in the win column before it is played. Over confidence can lead to a complacent attitude and a work ethic which often translates into a less than average effort on game day.

Getting off to a slow start during a game can be hard to overcome, especially when your opponent is playing with no fear or intimidation. They are executing while you are still trying to find your best effort. This explains why teams with lesser talent beat teams with more talent. Remember, upsets happen every day in athletics. Why? Because teams are ripe for an upset due to over confidence and complacency. Work hard, be humble, do your homework and avoid the upset.

Defense

Many people have written articles on the quote, "Offense wins games but defense wins championships." Some go as far as stating that the best offense is a good defense. I believe teams must have a balance of both in order to be successful, especially against teams of equal or better talent.

Success in the game of Baseball usually comes down to pitching and defense. It is not the 10 to 1 wins that will define a team, but the ability to win a 2 to1 game on the road. Having a team identity of, "being difficult to score on", can go along way in building respect for your program and confidence in your players for each other under pressure. Good defense can pick up a team and lead to an offensive explosion. However, poor defense can cause a let down and lead to an implosion with the inning running the wrong way.

Be careful to place a proper balance on both aspects of the game so as to send the right message to your players, supporters and opponents.

The Line-Up Change

There comes a time when most coaches consider a Line-Up change. Line-up changes are good for competition. They shake things up and give other team members a chance to start and show what they can do with that opportunity. This keeps everyone on their toes while taking nothing for granted. It gives hope to those who are not regular starters, develops their confidence, strengthens the team and keeps others humble.

However if line-up changes never occur (even when a player is not producing) then the coach sends a dangerous message to his team and others watching his program that production does not matter. Baseball is all about production, especially at higher levels. Sending a message that production does not matter, suggests that factors other than production on the field, do. This can be viewed as favoritism or prejudice and has no place in athletics.

So look for those opportunities where you can reward other players with some quality time. This will pay dividends in many areas over a long season.

Scoring a Difficult Job

Baseball is a game of numbers where scoring can become a challenge. Most High School teams keep statistics on the three basic categories of offensive, defense and pitching. These categories can be further divided into many sub categories to cover all facets of the game like: pass balls, wild pitches, fielding errors, earned and unearned runs, etc. The official scorer, in some instances, must use his own judgement to reconstruct the outcome of an inning when errors are made and determine what the inning would have been like error free.

Score books are kept, statistics are recorded and even posted on websites for anyone to view. High school coaches can check on opponents records and statistics at the click of a mouse. College coaches can check on game locations, team records, individual stats and even contact information.

The importance of keeping accurate information becomes crucial in light of the public access to these figures. Most coaches review the score book before posting is done, especially when it is kept by a novice (who may not understand all the scoring rules) or by a parent. However even then, mistakes can be made, rules misinterpreted and applied. How should one handle this?

A simple request to the coach to review the instance in question based on the, "Book Rule" you wish to site will do. Remember the official scorer and coach have the final say but mistakes are made and corrections do help the team records as well.

The Scrimmage

This past weekend, High Schools all across Southern California were allowed by CIF-SS regulations to conduct their annual scrimmage. The CIF Blue Book defines a scrimmage as follows. "An interscholastic scrimmage in baseball is a training session between a minimum of two and a maximum of three schools where no score is kept, free substitution and time-outs are permitted, spectators are not urged to attend, and officials are not paid."

This is what makes a scrimmage unique and the reason why it is not counted as a contest. This format permits coaches to set up situations, get game experience in the execution of certain skills in a more controlled, relaxed format. The scrimmage also allows the coaches to freely substitute players in and out giving a great deal of flexibility not normally afforded in the game.

While many High School Baseball Coaches still run a scrimmage as it was intended to be, a training session with teachable moments and free substitution, some have gone far beyond this definition and treat it as a regular contest. Even to the point of sending a message or setting the tone for the season and playing to win. This attitude is far beyond the intent of the rule and reflects a selfish will to win when no score is to be kept.

I like this rule and as a traditionalist, I would not like to see it changed........only followed.

Leadership and Character

Abraham Lincoln once said, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test his character, give him power.” All leadership positions come with a certain degree of power, but character, is displayed through the use of that power.

Character, is the firm foundation upon which one must build to win respect. The respect that leaders must have requires that one’s ethics be without question. Therefore, no lasting reputation worthy of respect can be built on anything less. In the final analysis, how we are perceived communicates far more than what we say.

As parents, coaches and professionals, we are constantly being watched and evaluated. To provide the right example, we must stay above the line between right and wrong and stay well clear of the gray areas. By taking the higher road, and demonstrating the courage to do the right thing, people will follow. This will build others up, challenge, inspire and bring out the best in one’s athletes or employees, because no one will follow a hypocrite. So, look over your shoulder now and then to be sure someone’s following you. If they are, then you are leading in the right direction.

As Andrew Carnegie once said, “the older I get the less I listen to what people say and the more I look at what they do.”

Pressure to Play

Playing outside the season of sport in High School athletics has become expected. So much so, that if you do not, your commitment is questioned. With the recent change in the association rule, the demand by high school programs of their athletes is now coming into conflict with healthy activities not a part of athletics. When a family has to choose between spending time together on a holiday weekend or attending some required off season activity, this is evidence that the writers of the association rule were miles ahead of their time. Add to this, Club coaches wanting a piece of the student athletes' time and making their desires known, this produces an interesting tug of war in which neither side may win and the athlete will certainly lose.

I can remember as a student athlete looking forward to opening day. The long awaited time had finally come and there was this unmistakable excitement in the air. It truly was a Big Deal. Now, with year round play and the controlled structure of 6 days a week summer, fall and winter; by the time spring gets here, opening day is just another day.

There is a line between being prepared and being over worked and that line can be the difference between your team's success or failure down the stretch.

A-Rod Admits Using Performance-Enhancers

NEW YORK (AP)—Alex Rodriguez admitted Monday that he used performance-enhancing drugs from 2001-03, saying he did so because of the pressures of being baseball’s highest-paid player. In a recent interview with Peter Gammons Rodriquez said, "Back then, it was a different culture. It was very loose. I was young, I was stupid, I was naive. I wanted to prove to everyone that I was worth being one of the greatest players of all-time. I did take a banned substance, and for that I'm very sorry. I'm deeply regretful."

Scott Boras told Fox Sports on Saturday that even if the SI report is accurate, "It was one season, and since then, Alex has gotten the 'Good Housekeeping' seal the last five years by passing baseball's drug tests."

While I respect his honesty, (more than can be said for other players) many questions remain. Where did he get the steroids? What did he put into his body? Can he rehabilitate himself? How will this effect his legacy? How are Yankee fans going to treat him? Can he focus on Baseball? Alex Rodriguez is a great talent, one of Baseball's best in this era or any other. But now, he may be a superior talent with public doubt attached, with the asterisk of steroid use next to his name.

If pressure existed with the Rangers in 2001-2003, how much more will there be to preform in New York with a $275 million dollar contract for the next nine years with everyone watching?

Player Development

Coaching involves many different aspects related to the team, its players and the game. Without a doubt the most valuable legacy any coach can give to each of his players is their development. Developing a players confidence, skill level, knowledge and performance, is the trade mark of a good coach.

The elite coaches take pride in player development which is often reveled by their preparation for obstacles before they happen. Therefore, when they do occur, the work has already been done and the players are ready to perform. These coaches understand the importance of developing each member of a team for the long run. As, "Iron sharpens iron," so player development improves the team and keeps each member sharp.

Joe Paterno stated, "The desire to win is important but the will to prepare is vital." The difference between winning and losing is not about good players, teams lose with good players. What it takes to win are interested players, committed to work for coaches who are committed to their development.

The final testament of player development is in the conviction and will of the team to carry on as changes occur. How well any team improves speaks volumes about player development.A good coach will make his players see what they can be rather than what they are. - Ara Parasheghian,