WHAT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO?
Sportsmanship in real life: It’s amazing how many disputes can be solved with a simple question: “What’s the right thing to do?” I ask this to my own young son often, because he truly knows what the right thing to do is and it’s a powerful way to avoid conflict. Ironically, it works just the same for adults. Sometimes, it just takes one calm, simple question to put things into perspective and solve an issue. And when I’m in the wrong, the answer to this question usually tells me so.
Sportsmanship challenges for this week:
#1 – Eye Contact – Look people in the eye. Have a competition to see how many eyes you can connect with during the good-game-high-five line. And if you’re feeling especially sportsmanshippy, consider using a full handshake with the other team.
#2 – Thank the Parents – After obligatory good-game-high-fives, stop the gang as you’re walking back to your dugout and thank the parents. “1, 2, 3… THANK YOU PARENTS.” And if you really want to send a sportsmanship message, do the same for the other team’s parents. I had fun last season when another manager did this to my parent families. immediately, I barked, “Don’t you show me up to my parents!!!” Of course, he’s a paster… father of four… and the dude who I ran to as fast as I could to coach with this season. THAT is a man I want leading my kid!
Play hard, have fun!
PARTNER OF THE WEEK – BASEBALL THINK TANK
If the saying is true that “you are the average of the five people with whom you spend the most time with”… then I fully intend to hang out more with Lantz Wheeler. As the mind behind Baseballthinktank.com, Coach Wheeler is pushing the industry of developing pitchers forward, stretching we coaches to be uncomfortable and rethink instructional technique. He has a device that’s revolutionizing the coaching world as well, the Core Velocity Belt. This is cutting edge stuff from the best in the business – Lantz Freakin’ Wheeler! I endorse him 1000%.
Visit the DC FORUMS to share best practices and Q&A.
- What is your meaning of SPORTSMANSHIP?
- Can you share a story about good sportsmanship?
- What’s the right thing to do when _____ happens?
EYE CONTACT – Make eye contact with each person you shake hands with after the game.
THANK THE PARENTS AFTER THE GAME – Do this for both sets of stands and invite the other team to join you in giving thanks.
