Does appearance matter?

quote:

Originally posted by Coach Knight:
Ultimately, if the kid can REALLY play, it won't matter if he looks like an ALIEN and someone will find him....but if he's a bubble guy and NOT the overwhelmingly best player on the field, then 1st impression is huge.

Coach, I agree 100%. The devils advocate says why take the chance? As a kid escalates up the baseball ladder the "differences" in ability between player A and B gets smaller every step. We stress leaving it all on the field, why not make sure that when a player takes the field he goes out there with every possible advantage with him.

In the past many of us may have been slapped down a notch because of the way we looked or another asthetic flaw at the same time knowing that we were the best for the job. While eventually we may have found "someone" to appreciate us for our talents, it may have had a different outcome if the "look" was a little "more acceptable".

On the flip side. Do we want to be graded on how we look or how we perform? Maybe that person who appreciated us for the result, more that the look, is where we wanted to be in the end anyway.

Judging a book by its cover,...not always a good thing,..but perhaps human nature for some. (?)

A coach told the kids at a camp once that if they had Darryl Strawberry's talent they could wear their caps any way they wanted to - everyone else had to look like a ballplayer and hustle like a ballplayer.

I hope the next person to come along with Strawberry's talent wants to look like a ballplayer and be a ballplayer.

Around here the really good ones look like ballplayers and not thugs or flower children.

Thugs are one thing but do not compare them with flower children---please--as one of the orginal flower children I consider that an insult

The idea behind a uniform look (same clothing, caps, short haircut) is most likely to promote "team mindset" and not individual personalities. It strengthens the team - working as one unit, etc. I do believe the military goes about it pretty much the same way. Everyone wears the "team" uniform and has the "team" haircut.

quote:

Originally posted by shortstopmom:
Judging a book by its cover,...not always a good thing,..but perhaps human nature for some. (?)

Read Moneyball.

Most scouts are old-schoolers who look at guys with their eyes. That includes paying attention to hair, etc.

There are some organizations out there (e.g. the A's) that look at just how a guy performs, but they are still few and far between.

I am old school, I expect my players to wear the uniform the right way, including the hat. I do not tolerate cussing (except in extreme circumstances). My guys are expected to act like gentlemen.

An old saying "You can be tough as nails, and still be a gentleman" and "Sharp appearance commands respect"

Looks and actions do matter. Wear your hair at a reasonable length. I have found over the past several years, most guys like it cut short anyway.

Helmets and bats are not thrown, if so, take a hike, I don't need you on my team.

CV

Why look bad if you dont need too? If you stand out you probably will be remembered for bad reasons. If you are a good player and you want to be noticed, play good.