Doc that was Brock vs McMaster in St Catharines. It was a near riot. This was the 1st game of the semi finals. If Brock wins tonight it is all over for Mac. If Mac wins it is back here on Sunday. It was a good game until Mac showed their lack of discipline. The UMP let it go to far. Had a few cop cars pull right in to the tunnel going into the stands. The coach that was ejected showed a huge lack of control and I was afraid he would have a stroke. I can't remember seeing a coach that upset.
Please do not misunderstand my focus on the mental side to be lack of emotion or even will to win. I am a big believer to get better as a player, or even as a team involves how you deal with failure.
Al McCormick
www.mostvaluableplayer.biz
Al McCormick
www.mostvaluableplayer.biz
quote:Originally posted by njbb:
Like it or not players get mad at themselves and need to vent that frustration so they can focus back on their game.
Players need to deal with failure but they are not machines
Thanks again for all of the replies. I would have posted sooner but we were gone all day!
You got me thinking about frustration vs anger. I have seen bats/helmets thrown in anger. Son's actions were done in frustration. He is human that will have his frustration boil to the surface at times. He really does care! Would've been good though, if he had been taken behind the dugout.
Understanding this has been very helpful. Not so black and white on good and bad. And since this is not normally how he reacts, mom needs to chill out and stop over thinking. Beyond that he does need to be aware that unacceptable actions can have a BIG negative consequences depending in who is watching. And vice-versa.
I figure there is always something to learn. Some days are more character building days than others. Learn from our experiences and move forward. And boy, I'm learning a lot!
So, I guess I'll just relax and keep enjoying watching him 'play ball'.
You got me thinking about frustration vs anger. I have seen bats/helmets thrown in anger. Son's actions were done in frustration. He is human that will have his frustration boil to the surface at times. He really does care! Would've been good though, if he had been taken behind the dugout.
Understanding this has been very helpful. Not so black and white on good and bad. And since this is not normally how he reacts, mom needs to chill out and stop over thinking. Beyond that he does need to be aware that unacceptable actions can have a BIG negative consequences depending in who is watching. And vice-versa.I figure there is always something to learn. Some days are more character building days than others. Learn from our experiences and move forward. And boy, I'm learning a lot!
So, I guess I'll just relax and keep enjoying watching him 'play ball'.
Al - I did go to your website but couldn't find the handbook to download.
quote:Originally posted by justaflmom:
Al - I did go to your website but couldn't find the handbook to download.
Clever marketing. You have to dig just a bit to get to this page. No big deal. I didn't fill out the survey, so I'm not getting the download.
If I may, I disagree most athletes are venting to show their desire to do the right thing, I believe it is more tied to they want to do well for their parents, the team, the coach and the fans at the game. I could present a case it is done for sympathy (Don't get mad at me I really wanted to do well, My Bad), but however a person wants to justify it, baseball is a mental game and I believe anger or frustration inserts a "Fear of Failure" file in their brain which is played back when the player is faced with the same situation again.
In fact, I argue the individuals, whether it be coaches and/or players who are emotional are much more predictable or robotic than ones who under control focus on what they need to do next time they are faced with that situation or pitch in the future versus dwelling on what their mistake was.
A pitching coach noticing a batters emotion after an ugly swing at a curve ball is very likely to have the pitcher throw another curve ball. A frustrated catcher after a dropped third strike allowing a runner to get to first is likely going to see the runner steal on the first pitch, with the result being a ball thrown to center. Emotion shown by a team throwing their gloves around into the dugout after giving up 5 runs in the first, frustrated or anger, I doubt they are ready to hit, much less realize if they keep the other team from scoring and score only one run per inning they win the game 7-5.
Something to consider,
Al McCormick
www.mostvaluableplayer.biz
In fact, I argue the individuals, whether it be coaches and/or players who are emotional are much more predictable or robotic than ones who under control focus on what they need to do next time they are faced with that situation or pitch in the future versus dwelling on what their mistake was.
A pitching coach noticing a batters emotion after an ugly swing at a curve ball is very likely to have the pitcher throw another curve ball. A frustrated catcher after a dropped third strike allowing a runner to get to first is likely going to see the runner steal on the first pitch, with the result being a ball thrown to center. Emotion shown by a team throwing their gloves around into the dugout after giving up 5 runs in the first, frustrated or anger, I doubt they are ready to hit, much less realize if they keep the other team from scoring and score only one run per inning they win the game 7-5.
Something to consider,
Al McCormick
www.mostvaluableplayer.biz
Al, I think your comments are generally true, but there are always exceptions. One of my son's h.s. teammates was heard loudly uttering the "F" word on more than one occasion after striking out. (His father lost it a few times in the stands too. Both are extremely driven.) But this kid hit almost .500 for the season on a very good team that was ranked as high as 6th in the nation in the spring. I am in no way condoning his speech or actions, but I think that for him, his angry outbursts only spurred him on to do even better the next time he went up to bat.
I hear you, and agree there are exceptions to every rule.
I wonder? Let's say this individual is athletically a head of most high school players which allows him to get away with venting through frustration or anger. The question is will it catch up with him.
I was fortunate to coach a player who was very much the same way. Big time player through high school, and did quite well in college although I did start to notice a drop off. Meaning he starting having some "o-fer games" which he never did. He got drafted, but after two years he was back home.
This kid had everything going for him. He was left handed, ran a 6.4 sixty, gap type hitter, plus arm from the outfield, and was very smart on the base paths.
Obviously we will never know, but did he not go as far as he could have because the quality of pitching caught up, and may have even passed his athletic ability which was affected by his emotional approach to failure?
Al McCormick
www.mostvaluableplayer.biz
I wonder? Let's say this individual is athletically a head of most high school players which allows him to get away with venting through frustration or anger. The question is will it catch up with him.
I was fortunate to coach a player who was very much the same way. Big time player through high school, and did quite well in college although I did start to notice a drop off. Meaning he starting having some "o-fer games" which he never did. He got drafted, but after two years he was back home.
This kid had everything going for him. He was left handed, ran a 6.4 sixty, gap type hitter, plus arm from the outfield, and was very smart on the base paths.
Obviously we will never know, but did he not go as far as he could have because the quality of pitching caught up, and may have even passed his athletic ability which was affected by his emotional approach to failure?
Al McCormick
www.mostvaluableplayer.biz
I was noted on another thread that the MLB pitcher in a play off game throw his glove down.We know it happens at every level.
They could easily get the F word out of college baseball: you say it; you get dumped for the rest of the game. It would go away overnite.
I'm sick of taking little kids to college games and hearing the F word on pop ups as the batter runs and curses his way to first base.
(not all schools are guilty, but many are)
I'm sick of taking little kids to college games and hearing the F word on pop ups as the batter runs and curses his way to first base.
(not all schools are guilty, but many are)
I agree it happens at every level, in fact I would agree it happens in about every career field you can think of.
I just believe an individual has a greater chance of becoming better at whatever they do by controlling their emotions and assessing what they should do the next time they are faced with a similar situation. I also believe venting causes a player to question their abilities, and yes it may cause them to try harder, but I do not always believe it makes them try smarter.
Does it happen, yes. At the same time I can not believe it is one of the attributes to success.
Al McCormick
www.mostvaluableplayer.biz
I just believe an individual has a greater chance of becoming better at whatever they do by controlling their emotions and assessing what they should do the next time they are faced with a similar situation. I also believe venting causes a player to question their abilities, and yes it may cause them to try harder, but I do not always believe it makes them try smarter.
Does it happen, yes. At the same time I can not believe it is one of the attributes to success.
Al McCormick
www.mostvaluableplayer.biz
quote:I'm sick of taking little kids to college games and hearing the F word on pop ups as the batter runs and curses his way to first base.
I hear fans say this all the time. It may make them human but they are at the game wanting to see super stars and that means good examples for the kids as well as great ball players. swearing and bad behavior makes them look ordinary.
To become more consistently better, you have to recognize your weaknesses and improve upon them.
Sometimes, anger and frustration is the result of the player expecting to be successful every time the odds are against him. In baseball terms, they are at the start of an at bat.
Example:
First pitch fastball, hittable pitch is fouled back, or basically missed. Your baseball odds of a successful at bat diminish slightly. Pitcher throws a duece that is called strike 2. Now you are in the hole 0-2 and your chances of success diminsh even greater.
You swing at a pitch in protection mode, and pop out.
Batter throws a hissy fit. Where did it all go wrong? Is the batter upset from the original first strike on the foulback? Does he realize that missing that first hittable pitch happens to great hitters. Does he even acknowledge that the guy trying to get him out also has talent?
From my hitting experiences, I would think internally "dang, won't see that meatball again", then I would shorten up a tad and use whatever I could muster to identify what the next pitch would be, usually a curveball. Not guessing, just based on tendencies.
Good hitters watch very carefully when their teammates are at bat, they study the pitcher from the on deck circle looking for any advantage possible, in my opinion.
Sitting on the bench moping or mentally funked by brooding over that bad at bat compounds the issue.
If you have to vent anger and frustration, use your bat on the baseball the next time up. Some players have a hard time believing 3/10 is good in baseball.
Sometimes, anger and frustration is the result of the player expecting to be successful every time the odds are against him. In baseball terms, they are at the start of an at bat.
Example:
First pitch fastball, hittable pitch is fouled back, or basically missed. Your baseball odds of a successful at bat diminish slightly. Pitcher throws a duece that is called strike 2. Now you are in the hole 0-2 and your chances of success diminsh even greater.
You swing at a pitch in protection mode, and pop out.
Batter throws a hissy fit. Where did it all go wrong? Is the batter upset from the original first strike on the foulback? Does he realize that missing that first hittable pitch happens to great hitters. Does he even acknowledge that the guy trying to get him out also has talent?
From my hitting experiences, I would think internally "dang, won't see that meatball again", then I would shorten up a tad and use whatever I could muster to identify what the next pitch would be, usually a curveball. Not guessing, just based on tendencies.
Good hitters watch very carefully when their teammates are at bat, they study the pitcher from the on deck circle looking for any advantage possible, in my opinion.
Sitting on the bench moping or mentally funked by brooding over that bad at bat compounds the issue.
If you have to vent anger and frustration, use your bat on the baseball the next time up. Some players have a hard time believing 3/10 is good in baseball.
Agree with Old Slugger. In fact I carry it one step further.
I ask kids, "how many pitches does it take to hit a baseball?" So if you are down two strikes, don't focus on the possibility of striking out, focus more on bat control and recognizing the pitch.
Interestingly enough some of my kids became better hitters with two strikes than they were the previous two because they seem to be more focused.
Al McCormick
www.mostvaluableplayer.biz
I ask kids, "how many pitches does it take to hit a baseball?" So if you are down two strikes, don't focus on the possibility of striking out, focus more on bat control and recognizing the pitch.
Interestingly enough some of my kids became better hitters with two strikes than they were the previous two because they seem to be more focused.
Al McCormick
www.mostvaluableplayer.biz
quote:Interestingly enough some of my kids became better hitters with two strikes than they were the previous two because they seem to be more focused.
Or because pitchers serve one up.
Any college coach that allows foul language on the field during a game is a poor refelction of that coach.
As far as displaying frustration, it's not unusual for a player to show, it improves as he matures, that's a very big part of the process. Mine always wore his emotions on his sleeve, something that he has learned to improve.
IMO, being frustrated and having a hissy are two different set of circumstances and each should be dealt with accordingly.
As far as displaying frustration, it's not unusual for a player to show, it improves as he matures, that's a very big part of the process. Mine always wore his emotions on his sleeve, something that he has learned to improve.
IMO, being frustrated and having a hissy are two different set of circumstances and each should be dealt with accordingly.
The F-bombs and the like have no place on the field or otherwise, it shows a lack of intelligence i feel.My son also has come a long way in not showing his emotion on the bump. Tough lessons learned, but I feel he's a better player because of it. And when we see the helmet, bat, glove throwing not addressed it is a direct reflection of that team or organization. I think all our kids want to do well out there and put enough pressure on themsleves. I try and get them to focus that energy and some of that emotion into a better approach next time.
.
I'll take a little different tact...
Observatons...
First....Care and patience in emotional moments for all. As a parent or coach I always prefer to wait overnight or at least a few hours before making much in the way of constructive or critical comments, particularly ones I feel strongly about. In the heat of the moment, or just afterwards, players and parents will often say overexaggerated things that they don't really mean based on the high emotion of the moment rather than logic and sense...or reality.
Second...It takes all kinds. Low emotion guys and high emotion guys. Coaches are looking for a producive emotional state regardless. For some it's keeping them calmer. For some its amping them up that is needed for optimum performance. My calm oldest played basketball as well as baseball through HS and the coaches were constantly trying to get him amped up. The first time he slugged the padding under the basket they cheered. Not beacsue of the action, but the emotion shown. Never was repeated but they felt they freed up some ability that way. On the flipside, I am constantly trying to get my athletes to get rid of all the mental garbage and focus all energies to the accomplishement of the task.
Third...I always wait to see if any problem is an temporary abhhoration or a pattern before assessing it. Sports is a very emotional activity, with the investment involved (Emotion, time...) most every player has moments of high emotion when they cross the line. Negative patterns I break. Such emotional moments I do not condone, but I understand and softly address. I also like this...from TPM...
Four...If this thing is really encoraged teamwide, condoned, visible and up front as it seems then I am sure that the school will be addressing it soon.
44
.
I'll take a little different tact...
Observatons...
First....Care and patience in emotional moments for all. As a parent or coach I always prefer to wait overnight or at least a few hours before making much in the way of constructive or critical comments, particularly ones I feel strongly about. In the heat of the moment, or just afterwards, players and parents will often say overexaggerated things that they don't really mean based on the high emotion of the moment rather than logic and sense...or reality.
Second...It takes all kinds. Low emotion guys and high emotion guys. Coaches are looking for a producive emotional state regardless. For some it's keeping them calmer. For some its amping them up that is needed for optimum performance. My calm oldest played basketball as well as baseball through HS and the coaches were constantly trying to get him amped up. The first time he slugged the padding under the basket they cheered. Not beacsue of the action, but the emotion shown. Never was repeated but they felt they freed up some ability that way. On the flipside, I am constantly trying to get my athletes to get rid of all the mental garbage and focus all energies to the accomplishement of the task.
Third...I always wait to see if any problem is an temporary abhhoration or a pattern before assessing it. Sports is a very emotional activity, with the investment involved (Emotion, time...) most every player has moments of high emotion when they cross the line. Negative patterns I break. Such emotional moments I do not condone, but I understand and softly address. I also like this...from TPM...
quote:being frustrated and having a hissy are two different set of circumstances
Four...If this thing is really encoraged teamwide, condoned, visible and up front as it seems then I am sure that the school will be addressing it soon.
44.
OB you are right, you need all different types to have a successful team. Many coaches look for this is recruiting, who will be the quiet steady one, who will be the cheerleader, who will be the rock steady guy and who will add some spark by doing wild things to motivate. Lot goes into mixing personalities that will work toward a common goal.
Sometimes a player has to let it out to move forward. I have had to replace a few cell phones for that very purpose.
Sometimes a player has to let it out to move forward. I have had to replace a few cell phones for that very purpose.