Oakland Park Baseball

Dave L wrote: I know I've made some pretty blatant errors and have made some stupid plays and believe me I'm tortured by each and every one. !

I think Dave makes a great point, by accident.

As a few people said, this group is a great, fun learning experience. I played some organized baseball, but I’m also very much self-taught. Knowing this, I think it is important to try and listen to people who have maybe played more than I have. For example, I’m totally new at shortstop. But when I’m playing with, for example Scott, I can’t wait for him to say “take two steps to the right” or some little bits of advice. I think that we all have a lot to learn from each other.

Also (and this is getting back to Dave’s quote) I think its good to show humility when playing. Its good to say, “Yeah, I know I fucked up!” because we all do. I think if people don’t acknowledge their mistakes, it can show teammates that we don’t wanna learn. And personally, if Scott told me to take three steps to the right, and I didn’t, and the ball was hit where he told me to go, I would understand it if Scott got mad (not to say he would)

Finally, I would like to apologize for some of my outburst. I realize that even when the outbursts are about myself, it is still not very present to be around. I am easily flappable, and I’m sorry when that shows at the ball park.

I agree with you Peter. I haven't played baseball since little leauge and it is always helpful when people give me advice, but I believe that it should be in the dugout. For example, Mike was giving me advice on the field, but I would get distracted and someone would overthrow the ball to the pitcher and I would have to get it. If I am distracted then the runner on second could run and I wouldn't have enough reaction time to stop it. The advice your talking about is ok, but real advice like when to lead off, or shit like that should wait till the dugout. Thats my opinon.

Advice should be given anywhere, including out in the field. However, advice needs to be stated in between pitches, so that people aren't distracted during a play. It's impossible to anticipate all the advice one might need to give prior to being out in the field... for instance, you don't necessarily know who's going to be in which position until you're out there.

The key for advice, like I said in the other thread, is that it's stated without anger or disappointment. Friendly advice, like "hey, if that situation comes up again, here's an idea about what to do" or whatever. It's lame to get on someone because they fucked up when you could easily just give them tactful advice if you could hold your temper.