Play like a scout is watching
It can be hard to get players to do the little things that so often decide games. So I tried something different with my team: Play like a scout is watching.
If you knew a scout was in the stands, would you do anything differently?
In a perfect world, no, because a good player already hustles, stays locked in and treats his teammates right. But this exercise may help the typical player.
A scout — or anyone who came just to watch you — doesn’t only see you hit and field. He’s watching everything in between…
Do you always hustle? That means onto the field, off the field, after an out and to your backup spot. And I mean running as fast as you can, without hesitation.
How do you react to failure? Do you throw your hands in the air at the umpire, or throw your bat in the dugout? Do you sit with your head in your hands while your teammates are standing at the fence? He wants to see a short memory.
How do you treat a struggling teammate? Me-first players complain and make it worse, while team players help lift him up.
He’ll notice a player who’s talking to friends in the stands between pitches. Lazy warmup throws off the heels and trick plays between innings will end up in his notes, too.
He’s also watching whether you respect the umpires and the other team, and whether you run through a stop sign from the third base coach. When a coach talks to you after a strikeout, do you accept the instruction, or do you put your head down and ignore him?
If you know someone is watching everything you do, you’ll want to present your best self.
It doesn’t have to be a scout (particularly at the younger ages). It could be anyone you’d want to impress. Then play like they came just to see you.
Still have a question? Ask Coach Fungo.
“There is something special about a player who always hustles. He stands out.”
I wrote the long version of this when I coached the Spiders: Play Like a Scout is Watching on SpidersElite.
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