Don’t complain about right field
If you're playing right field, become the best darn right fielder you can be. Do that and your role will grow, but complain about it and expect more of the same -- or the bench.
As a coach, one of my biggest pet peeves is a player who complains when the lineup is announced and he isn’t where he wants to be. You can see his shoulders drop.
What he doesn’t understand is that by moping, he’s making my argument for me. He’s showing me exactly why his role shouldn’t be expanded. It’s selfish, too.
Think about it. If you tell me that you should be at shortstop and a teammate should take your spot in right, you’re asking for a position you haven’t earned. That spot in right still has to be filled. And you’re telling me something about yourself — just not that you’re a shortstop.
There’s a better way, and it works!
Pull your coach aside after a practice or a game (not during). Tell him how much you’d love to play that position. Ask what you can do to make yourself good enough to play there. Then remind him that you’ll play wherever he and the team need you.
I have never once heard that from a player and thought less of him.
Still have a question? Ask Coach Fungo.
“Someone has to fill that role. If you don't, someone else will.”
I wrote the long version of this when I coached the Spiders: 12 Factors Other Than Ability That Impact Playing Time on SpidersElite.
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