The Importance of Leadership in Baseball

Video Highlights

0:24 Leadership starts from the top.
0:34 Coaches need to create an environment where good leaders can rise.
1:10 Players who want to become leaders should be encouraged.
1:28 Leaders are not always the best players.
2:45 It is important that every team has leaders.
3:58 The coach must foster a culture that allows leaders to emerge.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

Leadership Starts From the Top

What goes into making a good leader, and how do you create an environment that makes good leaders? Leadership starts from the top. Coaches not only want to create good followers but should also strive to create good leaders.

Coaches need to create an environment where good leaders can rise

In creating an evironment where good leaders can arise and thrive, it's important to remember that it doesn't necessarily come down to the size, skill or talent of the player. It's also important in creating that environment that other players who are preventing potential leaders from arising become the odd man out. Rather than having a team where the majority are teasing or harrassing a player who wants to become a leader, that person is encouraged.

Players who want to become leaders should be encouraged

Coaches should teach players what a leader actually represents. By setting a good example, coaches can demonstrate what good leadership looks like.

Leaders are not always the best players

Players need to be aware that a good leader isn't always the strongest or tallest of fastest. It's showing up to the field on time and how you conduct yourself, and how you practice and train that form a leader, and other players will begin to take notice. A leader will demonstrate that on and off the field, on the bases, in the dugout. Leaders get rallies going, they are the most active, they do the little things that help their teams win. Coaches need to emphasize that just because a player isn't necessarily the best on the team doesn't mean he can't be one of the leaders.

It is important that every team has leaders

Every team needs a leader, or ideally, multiple leaders. For example, in the outfield, your center fielder will naturally be someone you want to be a leader. The short stop ideally should be a leader for the infield. Behind the plate, the catcher is one of the most important positions you want to have a leader. You need leaders in the dugout as well, to rally the team, or at least keep things energized and keep players focused. Especially with younger teams, a lot of times there aren't as many coaches, so it's important to develop those leaders. Players should also be proactive if they notice a lack of leadership on the team. They should take the time to learn what it takes to be that leader.

The coach must foster a culture that allows leaders to emerge

A coach cannot allow other players to keep someone who wants to be a leader to keep him down. You want leaders to rise through your ranks. You want to be known as a coach who encourage leaders to come up through your organizations. Good leaders can help you out as a coach as well by making things run more smoothly and stay organized. Since coaches can only control things to certain degree during the game, you need to have the right players and in the right places doing the right things so that they can communicate with their players on the field.