“No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.”
- Theodore Roosevelt
After 14 years of coaching high school baseball, I feel that I have a very good knowledge of the game at this level. Whether it be teaching hitting or pitching mechanics or running a “wheel play” bunt defense, I am confident that my players can learn something from the information that I have acquired through the years from other fine coaches and coaching resources. That said, it is very easy to get caught up in the “chess game” of coaching baseball and forget about the young men you are leading.
In my previous blog, I talked about the importance of the players on your team committing to their individual role – whatever that role might be, whether big or small. Obviously, the players with the bigger roles will have no problem following you into battle. But the players who may be the designated fielders (play defense, but not bat) or the courtesy baserunners (run the bases for the pitcher or catcher, if they happen to get on) or the reserve utility players, these are the guys who must be convinced of their value to the team.
Any coach can make the statement about a player’s value to the team going beyond the playing time they receive; but unless that player trusts that the coach has his best interest at heart, his commitment to his role is clearly in jeopardy. How does a coach build this kind of trust? He must demonstrate that he genuinely CARES for each player on the team regardless of his role. It is easier said than done, but he must attempt to develop a personal relationship with each player and stay far away from any hint of favoritism. There must be interaction with each member of the team that goes beyond practice or games. Get to know their personal likes and dislikes, and never pass up a chance to express how important they are to the success of the team.
Years from now, your players may not remember everything that you taught them about baseball, but hopefully they’ll remember how much you cared!!!
