What The Best Teams Do: Everyone Has A Purpose
/In college, you'll rarely see a player sitting on the bench doing nothing during a game. When I played at Ithaca College, every player on the team was always cheering, clapping, or doing something in a supportive role while on the bench. Your positive attitude can anchor the "spirit of sport" in your team.
One session our mental game lesson was about Charlie Morton, a 37-year-old pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays who started the last game of the 2019 World Series. At the time, his ERA was 0.57, and he had only made his first all-star game two years before that. If Morton had won that night, he would have tied a record by posting eight consecutive winning postseason starts.
When asked about this remarkable run, he said,
“I do not wake up in the morning and say it's my time to shine. I wake up and question if I've done what I was supposed to do to get ready for what I've been asked to do. I wake up with the humble recognition that what I am about to do is an opportunity that not many people get to experience, and I try to prepare for it just like that."
I think young players would do well to follow suit. To make each player part of the team and affect outcomes, it’s necessary for each player to contribute in every role. Pitchers spend a lot of time on the bench, especially in tournaments, to conserve energy for their start. It’s crucial to stay mentally alert to learn and be ready in case you need to go in.
If it’s not your "time to shine" (hint, hint: you never want it to be YOUR time to shine), then here are some ideas on how to contribute when you aren’t in the lineup.
Cheer on teammates! No one should be quiet on the bench. It's the softball culture. Always be encouraging fellow teammates and keep the energy level high. It's easy to get quiet between plays or at bats, but don't! If the girls can't think of another cheer, then clap. Always be doing something to help the team.
Give the signs to the pitcher. Depending on your age, learn the sequences of a typical at-bat, such as alternating inside and outside. You could also get the scouting report from your coach and try to base it off that. Evaluate her pitch-calling abilities after the game with your coach.
Track if the pitcher hit her spot and make a simple chart.. Your catcher would need to communicate to you if the spot was hit.
Spray charts are fun to complete and highlight your pitcher's natural tendencies.
Completing an above/below the line chart gives a robust analysis of how a pitcher is performing, including first-pitch strikes, momentum, and conversions (first-pitch strikes to outs).
After each pitch, note if the pitcher controlled the controllables. Once a ball leaves the pitcher's hand, she can't control where it goes. That means she can control how much work she put into preparing for the game. She can also control if she takes a breath before each pitch, her thoughts, and her attitude towards a bad call. For example, a resting pitcher might record if the starting pitcher completed her pre-pitch routine. Time how many seconds it takes her from receiving the ball from the catcher to the point at which she releases the pitch. The timing should be the same for each pitch to reduce stress and remain in control.
If pitchers and players on the bench don't have a purpose every second of every game, they can slide into negative self-talk and thoughts about unfairness. All players like a lot of action and love responsibility. If there is a way to find these things for yourself, you will remain a great teammate and excel as a player.
