Keep the Drama Off the Field
I went to a non-softball related event this weekend and the whole concept of "keeping the drama off the field" was brought to the forefront of my mind.
This was basically and all day event and there was a little bit of trouble in the beginning of the event, but things were kept under control. But at the end, when it was over and everyone was breaking down a fist fight broke out. Not among kids, not among fans, but among people who were part of the community that was putting on the event.
Of course, the fight made the local newspaper with just one line on at the end of the article that said what other activities happened at the event. Negative stories are what the media is going to eat up, but this fistfight made EVERYONE look bad, not just those involved. They brought personal issues and drama "to the field."
I understand the tension between both sides, BUT when they are out at an event, they are seen as a whole, not as parts. Just as a team is seen as a whole and not as individuals. No matter what personal issues you have with your teammates, if you want the BEST chance at success as a player, you MUST put aside your personal differences when you're on the field. Softball is a TEAM sport and the BEST players know how to do what it takes (including drop the personal drama) to get EVERYONE performing at their best on the field.
People always talk about how girls have so much drama on the team and how boys are so much easier. I don't know...we may have drama, but guys have way too much testosterone sometimes. These guys that were involved in this fist fight at the event were all athletes in their high school years. I'm glad I wasn't on a sports team with them because they obviously didn't learn how to put personal problems aside when it's time to get on the field and be part of a team who is trying to reach a common goal. They also didn't really learn much about how to resolve conflict effectively. I really do think sports can be good training for that. Everyone is out to get you, people will say things to try to put you down, and if you're smart and if you want to be the best, you learn HOW TO DEAL with all of that in a POSITIVE way. Those of you who are still playing this game - I really hope you work on this. I don't want to be reading about you in a newspaper years from now as a 30-something-year-old looking like an idiot because you don't know how to handle the BS that gets thrown in your way and you don't know how and WHEN to handle the conflict in your life. Use softball as an opportunity to practice this because in real life it's much more serious and your actions will carry much heavier consequences than an error or a lost game.
So back to the "Girls and Drama" issue - Yes, girls have drama, but between that and testosterone overload, I'm not sure which is worse. LOL - what are your thoughts?
This was basically and all day event and there was a little bit of trouble in the beginning of the event, but things were kept under control. But at the end, when it was over and everyone was breaking down a fist fight broke out. Not among kids, not among fans, but among people who were part of the community that was putting on the event.
Of course, the fight made the local newspaper with just one line on at the end of the article that said what other activities happened at the event. Negative stories are what the media is going to eat up, but this fistfight made EVERYONE look bad, not just those involved. They brought personal issues and drama "to the field."
I understand the tension between both sides, BUT when they are out at an event, they are seen as a whole, not as parts. Just as a team is seen as a whole and not as individuals. No matter what personal issues you have with your teammates, if you want the BEST chance at success as a player, you MUST put aside your personal differences when you're on the field. Softball is a TEAM sport and the BEST players know how to do what it takes (including drop the personal drama) to get EVERYONE performing at their best on the field.
People always talk about how girls have so much drama on the team and how boys are so much easier. I don't know...we may have drama, but guys have way too much testosterone sometimes. These guys that were involved in this fist fight at the event were all athletes in their high school years. I'm glad I wasn't on a sports team with them because they obviously didn't learn how to put personal problems aside when it's time to get on the field and be part of a team who is trying to reach a common goal. They also didn't really learn much about how to resolve conflict effectively. I really do think sports can be good training for that. Everyone is out to get you, people will say things to try to put you down, and if you're smart and if you want to be the best, you learn HOW TO DEAL with all of that in a POSITIVE way. Those of you who are still playing this game - I really hope you work on this. I don't want to be reading about you in a newspaper years from now as a 30-something-year-old looking like an idiot because you don't know how to handle the BS that gets thrown in your way and you don't know how and WHEN to handle the conflict in your life. Use softball as an opportunity to practice this because in real life it's much more serious and your actions will carry much heavier consequences than an error or a lost game.
So back to the "Girls and Drama" issue - Yes, girls have drama, but between that and testosterone overload, I'm not sure which is worse. LOL - what are your thoughts?
Labels: fastpitch softball, softball performance
posted by Stacie | 8:49 AM
5 Comments:
Drama on the field or in the dugout is only there if it is tolerated. There are too many girls that want to play softball to tolerate such an issue. If your an adult with Drama problems...check yourself! You lead by example. Little eyes are watching and little ears listening.
There's a place for drama.....it's call HOLLYWOOD. Leave it off the field.
I coach a 14u FP team and talk about DRAMA>>>>>>>>! The girls that sat more often hated a few of the girls that got more play time, name calling, back stabbing etc.....even the mom's got involved! Finally, I made team members and parents sign a contract stating that they will be sent home from the game or practice or even off of the team if I hear any more of it. In the past 3 weeks, I have taken 1 girl off of the roster (the main trouble maker)and sent 1 girl home from practice and told her she could only return on "probation". Problem fixed for the most part. A tourney this weekend though, I had to "lecture" 2 moms on keeping it off of the field and how their attitudes are affecting our team. They dont like another mom. I have found out that the girls get the drama from the attitudes of their parents. All ended well after a rough start this weekend though. We are making progress, slowly but surely. I am worried though because I will be adding 2 experienced players to the roster in a few days and I expect some fall-out from that. Im not quite sure how to break up the cliqueness that has found its way onto the team. We have qualified for the World Series, but I have serious doubts about taking this group of girls!
I cannot stand the drama on or near the field. That has nothing to do with softball and should be left behind. My team experienced some drama issues because a few girls didn't know when to shut up about things. And the people it was about found out. Not a pretty situation. I hate it.
SAVE THE DRAMA FOR YOUR MAMA!
A couple seasons back (2006) I coached 14U. There was some steam between two of the players, but nothing ever erupted. Until during practice, with a couple weeks to go before our end-of-season tournament the two girls came to a face off and even shoved each other. I stopped them, had a talk, then after a cooling off period continued with practice. But then one player fielded the ball, and from a distance of about 15 feet threw it as hard as she could to second base where, you guessed it, the other player was covering.
I stopped practice, telling everyone to take a break, and telling the two drama players to stay separated. I figured there was no need to continue practice so I started packing up. Another player approached me saying that I need to talk to them. I answered by saying, "What more can I say?" And I really didn't know what else to say. I already did the team talk, the walk away talk, etc.
After I packed up the gear, I went to the bleachers were most of the players were and called the rest over. Being at a loss for words I started out saying, "Before I say anything, would anyone like to speak first?" I wouldn't say what I did was inspirational, but a player spoke up starting out saying that things like this will split the team. Then another player spoke up, then another. Most of the players has something to contribute, a few remained silent. I was just amazed at the affect the players had speaking to their own team. I closed with telling the team that we had the best fielding, the best hitting, the most aggressive base running; that we have a shot at winning the championship; and reiterated what the first player who spoke up said.
I said practice was over, and started pulling bases as the players trickled out going home. After a few minutes a couple of them were still waiting for their parents. Yep, it was the two drama players. One was still sitting on the bleachers, while the other was wandering around behind the backstop. A nice distance, I thought. Then I saw the one behind the backstop approach the other player. I was concerned if there would be any more shoving and I made my way to the shed to put the bases away which was also moving towards the two players (just in case). Well, the two seemed to have worked something out. There were no sparks.
I was impressed at how the team was able to come together on their own. I was especially impressed at how the two drama players worked out their conflict. I didn't have to be the lecturing coach, which players seldom listen to anyway, and I didn't have to resort to punishments or ultimatums, or to turn the matter over to the Player Agent for resolution.
Oh, the team played like champions, and won the tournament.
I play on a high school team and we only won 3 game because of drama. We had 2 of our best player quit because of it. It's sad that it is still happening in high school
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