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The Baseball Observer - Jan/ Feb 2016
4. What are warning signs and red flags that a player really is not part of the team?
Although there are any many warning signs and red flags that can signal to a coach that a baseball player is not really being a good teammate, here are some of the most concerning ones:
• The player does not prepare himself to be ready to compete for games while
at practices and in other locations such as the weight room, thereby running
the risk of undermining overall team readiness.
• The player does not compete, pitch to pitch, with an effective level of
emotional intensity that is necessary to help put the team in positon to win.
• The player is primarily concerned about his statistics as well as what the
media and other people are saying about the player’s performance.
• During the game, the player does not congratulate or otherwise acknowledge
their teammates when they make good plays and have good performances.
• The player does not participate in clubhouse meetings or other team
activities, on or off the baseball diamond.
• The player actually provides the opposition with information about a key
team player (e.g., starting pitcher) in the hope that that teammate does not
perform well.
• The player gossips to players on other teams or to the media about team-
mates or coaches.
• The player refuses to assist another team in that player’s practice or workout.
Especially if requested to do so by the player or coach.
5. What are situations that make it difficult for players to be good teammates?
Playing the game of baseball the right way is challenging and hard and, no doubt, situations will develop that make it difficult for players to be good teammates. Here are some of the more common situations;
• When a player does not receive sufficient playing time from a coach, while
other players receive more than sufficient amount of playing time.
• When teammates are trying to ostracize the player from being part of the
team, including spreading gossip about the player either as a performer or
person.
• When another player on the team has commented directly to others that the
player is not a good at what they do.
• When a player is demoted to a lower level of play.
• When the coach uses poorly chosen words to the team about them as people
and as players, especially if the team is not performing well.