Hey Jason and Dave,
I also appreciate you posts, and am glad to know Im not the only one that felt that way. You both said exactly what I was tempted to post after last Sundays game.
It might have been apparent that I was quite torqed and bummed out last Sunday because of the level of seriousness with which the game was being taken. It wasn't just Ken either (and Ken thanks for realizing it and your post of apology).. there were others. I know that (at least in my case) after the first couple of innings, the whining, fretting,assigning and "directing" affected my attitude, and things went down hill fast, and I couldn't seem to get anything right the rest of the day. It was one of two days that really sucked. Almost always I've had a blast and look forward to the games every week.
Its important to keep in mind that even though a good competitive game is great, winning is even greater, and we're all looking for that; We're also here to have fun, and improve our skills (and mistakes will be made in the process). Thats where the focus should be.
And not to go on a tangent (since this thread's really about live games), but as long as Im on a roll..... Towards the end of having fun and improving skills..... To the extent possible, I think guys should be able to determine for themselve what positions they play in a given game, rather than being assigned to a position. Obviously some common sense and compromise would have to come into play. I know in my case, I like a frequent change in scenerey. And based on the day's warmup, I get a good sense of what and where I should be playing that day. I suspect the same hold true for most others as well.
More live games!
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Baseball=Life
- Baseball Deity
- Posts: 1031
- Joined: Sat Jan 29, 2005 11:16 pm
- Location: SF, CA
We use a blend of serious strategizing to maximize a team's odds of winning on the one hand, and carefree playin' for fun (!) on the other.
A key part of the fun we have is when the games are close--when your team has a real chance to win a game. That's the most fun.
To achieve this, we must consider what's the best approach for our team to win... who should play which position, who should bat where in the batting order, etc. This makes a huge difference in a team's chances to win. I've learned a lot from poor positioning in the past.... someone I put at cleanup but whom couldn't get the big hit, someone with a bad arm playing the position where the power hitters on the other team most easily hit the ball, etc. So a lot of thought goes into putting someone in a certain position in the field or in a spot in the lineup.
Maintaining a competitive atmosphere is of upmost importance for our games. There is a less important value of people getting to try different things out there. What's best for the team's chances to win is of priority importance.
I don't think that positioning and lineup positioning is really much of an issue. I think the bigger issue is attitude sometimes displayed from someone who is disappointed in their teammate for messing up a play. I think there's really no place for this in our games.
Here's how things should be handled: give advice without expressing anger or disappointment.
Bear in mind that someone who just messed up is already probably frustrated and disappointed---you don't really need to reinforce these emotions. Instead, tactfully inform someone what they might do if that situation comes up again. NOTE: This is why it's so useful to talk BEFORE plays, reminding people what to do if the ball comes to them. Everyone needs these reminders, including veterans. Since we change up the teams each week, there's no guarantee that the person fielding alongside of you is on the same page as you. Middle infielders need to discuss who's covering 2nd for the forceout, who's going out for the cutoff/relay throw if it's a hit to centerfield, etc., etc.
Also, I don't have any problems with someone expressing frustration or anger with their own performance. Also, if you are getting on a person with whom you are close friends, that's also different.
So, again, don't express anger or disappointment with each other, be tactful when advising someone on how they might handle that situation if it comes up again, and understand the need to maintain the fun of competition when it comes to defensive positioning and lineup orders.
A key part of the fun we have is when the games are close--when your team has a real chance to win a game. That's the most fun.
To achieve this, we must consider what's the best approach for our team to win... who should play which position, who should bat where in the batting order, etc. This makes a huge difference in a team's chances to win. I've learned a lot from poor positioning in the past.... someone I put at cleanup but whom couldn't get the big hit, someone with a bad arm playing the position where the power hitters on the other team most easily hit the ball, etc. So a lot of thought goes into putting someone in a certain position in the field or in a spot in the lineup.
Maintaining a competitive atmosphere is of upmost importance for our games. There is a less important value of people getting to try different things out there. What's best for the team's chances to win is of priority importance.
I don't think that positioning and lineup positioning is really much of an issue. I think the bigger issue is attitude sometimes displayed from someone who is disappointed in their teammate for messing up a play. I think there's really no place for this in our games.
Here's how things should be handled: give advice without expressing anger or disappointment.
Bear in mind that someone who just messed up is already probably frustrated and disappointed---you don't really need to reinforce these emotions. Instead, tactfully inform someone what they might do if that situation comes up again. NOTE: This is why it's so useful to talk BEFORE plays, reminding people what to do if the ball comes to them. Everyone needs these reminders, including veterans. Since we change up the teams each week, there's no guarantee that the person fielding alongside of you is on the same page as you. Middle infielders need to discuss who's covering 2nd for the forceout, who's going out for the cutoff/relay throw if it's a hit to centerfield, etc., etc.
Also, I don't have any problems with someone expressing frustration or anger with their own performance. Also, if you are getting on a person with whom you are close friends, that's also different.
So, again, don't express anger or disappointment with each other, be tactful when advising someone on how they might handle that situation if it comes up again, and understand the need to maintain the fun of competition when it comes to defensive positioning and lineup orders.
"Baseball is like church, many attend, few understand"
- Leo Durocher
- Leo Durocher
