I'm going to sit back and read the answers to the following. I would like to know how different people interpret this saying. I feel like I have one son, college player, who is not a student of the game. I have a jr. in high school and I would say he's a student of the game.
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I've always understood it to be a player who knows the history of the game. He knows Babe Ruth changed baseball. He knows about DiMaggio versus Williams. He knows DiMaggio had a 56 game hitting streak. He knows Williams was the last .400 hitter. He knows Gibson knocked hitters on their rear. He knows Robinson dusted off his rear, crowded the plate again and hit the next pitch out of the park.
I've never considered a student of the game someone who knows situations and reads plays well. For some kids it's purely instinct and/or reps.
This is very much a subjective term, I think. I'm sort of the opposite of RJM for a change. I think knowing some history is a part of it. But, for me, I think of these things...
..a player who watches higher level games with some intent of seeing how those players do it, who observes things going on in a game aside from the usual primary focus (pitcher/hitter), who is interested in many aspects of how the game is played, who seeks out what the opposing P looks like warming up, what the defensive arms look like, the 3b range and athleticism, who questions coach moves and asks himself what he thinks the right move/play/call would be, who is intrigued by varying batting styles and philosophies and perhaps pics bits and pieces to best fit his own style, who embraces different teaching philosophies and, again, picks some here and some there for himself, who plays a game and replays it in his mind later to learn what to do better next time, etc. I see players who analyze their previous AB's and strategize their next AB with this as one reference point. I see players who enthusiastically engage in instruction and really try to figure it out. I see players who critique their teammates and try to figure out how to fix their mechanical flaws or why they can't hit a certain pitcher. I have had a few players who frequently tell me "I figured it out". These are definitely guys I think fall into the category.
I don't think anyone does all of this but I am describing the type of thinker that I consider a student of the game.
Pick out one of the best books written on how to play the game. Make sure it covers the fundamentals and mechanics of every position and situation. Example would be Ron Polk's Playbook. Then give it to your son or read it yourself. If it all ends up making sense and you know that you learned something... You are a student of the game by my definition. If you have a never ending thirst for learning how the game should be played, you are a student of the game.
You can also be a student of the game from a fans perspective. That would include studying the history of the game and/or following baseball closely.
Two different types of students of the game. And some, maybe many, are both types.
I would say it is a kid that is doing his own research to improve. Some kids will read articles about swing mechanics, Analyse their own mechanics, dry swing in front of a mirror, maybe even keep their own stats on what they can improve and some are just soaking up what the coach or dad says and doing the work but they are not putting much of their own thought into it basically just doing their job and then forget about baseball until next practice.
The non student of the game who is only a ballplayer during practice and games doesn't have to be a bad thing either, sometimes the students of the game will soak up too many different informations which can confuse them.
Student of the game - Someone who watches and studies the games when they are not playing. Understands situational baseball and can have some level of success w/o being coached in the moment.
Things like using pump fakes to catch runners come to mind. Catchers knowing when it is and isn't a good time to try a backpick. Outfielder who understand that keeping the tying or winning run off of second is more important than trying to throw out a runner at home. Understanding 'no-doubles' situations. Understanding when to take a strike even if the coach doesn't give the take sign.
I guess I will say having a coach on the field is the best way that I can describe it. By the time you tell them to do something, they're already in process.
Good answers.
To me a student of the game is someone who is continuely working and learning something new and trying to get better, everyday. That could include a player and a coach, not so sure about a fan.
JMO
