What I love about October baseball is the esteem that is given to the participating teams. These playoff teams are considered the best for this season. The players and coaches that represent these teams are revered for making it through to the end. The grind, as a MLB season is often referred to, is done and October serves as the season where ultimate respect is earned.
Baseball is a training ground for learning respect. The best teams are not always those with the best skilled players. Teams that win the games that matter most are those filled with players who respect the game, their opponent, their teammates, and themselves. Respect is learned through the thrill of victory, the disappointment of defeat, the process of competing--the whole experience of playing the game.
Respect does not mean getting along with everybody all the time. Heck, even liking someone is not required to respect them. In baseball, respect looks like this:
- accepting the best that others give (teammates, coaches, opponents, umpires)
- trusting coaches to teach and help
- listening to instruction and learning from expertise and experience
- accepting the calls made by umpires
- celebrating the accomplishments of teammates (tipping the cap to rival accomplishments)
Lately I have been working with 8 year old players teaching pitching mechanics. Pitching is hard no matter what age but especially for players who have never done it before. My policy for this age group is that pitchers must also catch. There is nothing like wearing the gear and running repeatedly to the backstop chasing wild pitches, blocking baseballs off the chest, and taking batted balls off the mask to learn respect. Getting practical perspective helps both pitchers and catchers to understand how difficult it is to perform.
It is in the environment of process and experience that respect is truly learned. Working within a framework where certain outcomes are pursued is a learning environment like no other. A team with expectations and a plan to execute is a unit of individuals who are taking responsibility; acknowledging and maximizing strengths and minimizing weaknesses; and purposing toward and end that is bigger than themselves. This is the mission of Upside Baseball.
We as people are capable of big things; much bigger things than we actually believe. Expecting more is to respect potential. Respect is a stepping stone to achievement. It is not a one time deal but an on-going management of belief, effort, teamwork, and trust.
As to the outcome of the playoffs? A toss up. The differences in skill and performance is so small among the teams. One thing you can be sure of--there will be plenty of respect dished out on all fronts.
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