‘Team spirit’ is a phrase we hear a lot. The words connote profound concepts—the desire to be a part of something bigger than oneself; the joy of realizing goals together, that individually, cannot be attained. When connectedness happens, one plus one really can make three.Like you, we’ve been on many kinds of teams. They all have had their ups and downs. Most have had plenty of politics. One thing has stood out, though—the teams whose players really connected as teammates tended to outperform expectations.
Coaches played a big part in creating the teams’ atmospheres. We only had one coach that emphasized ‘fun’ over fundamentals and discipline; and most of the players found that without sound fundamentals and discipline, there really wasn’t much ‘fun.’ There never was a question of ‘control’ or who was ‘in charge,’ but the manner in which the authority message was conveyed varied from coach to coach. Team spirit also varied, as did the season records.
As the players got older, creating a team connection extended from the coach to the captains. Captains walked a tightrope when players were blasted by the coach or felt distanced from others in the group. They enforced the coaches’ rules and beliefs, but also sought out the individual. Captains weren’t immune to the coach’s ire, and had to learn the ropes, themselves. They had survived the system and thrived. Captains checked on injured teammates and made sure they brought everyone together outside of practice. Campfires and team dinners were places for players to vent—appropriately—with respect for the team and each other. They also served to build relationships that ultimately strengthened the team. Captains represented everybody, and communicated with everybody. They explained the expectations to new guys, and demanded accountability when players blew off responsibilities. They even met with the coach when it became clear his style was draining team morale. Captains fostered trust and respect among teammates. They joked with them, and offered perspective. They strove to be fair. Above all, captains were leaders, instilling optimism, players’ belief in themselves, and the team’s sense of ‘oneness.’
An observer usually can sense the teams with strong spirit. Two of Kyle’s high school teams played in tournaments that eventually went to national championships. Both times, they were underdogs from the north, gearing up to play all the teams from the south and west. Much of our season had been snowed-or-rained out—our teams probably had played half the games of their warm climate counterparts. One team got slaughtered fairly early on, before making a comeback. The other had some games that weren’t pretty, but somehow they managed to keep inching toward play-offs. In moments we all will remember with awe, both teams won their respective tournaments.
The notable qualities about both teams were their attitude and work ethic. They also had strong skills, but so did the other teams that made the tournaments. Our boys had fun, without losing sight of their goal. Instead of placing blame when errors happened, they moved on. They joked about eating the same breakfast, at the same restaurant, in the same seats, at the same time every day, once the winning began. Most of all, they trusted and supported each other on the field. Rivalries between individuals cooled as the teams progressed, showing that egos could retreat for the greater good. The groups’ connectedness was a force you could feel. The beauty of these wins was that everyone contributed—and knew he did—in some manner. Those moments were pure joy, and epitomized the essence of teamwork.
I often wonder if Kyle will experience that kind of connectedness in college. A friend of mine attributed the wonder of those championship weeks to the fact that the boys were still young. They’re older now, tougher and a little less trusting. The level of competition has risen and the stakes are high. Understandably, players closely guard personal vulnerabilities that can be revealed in the process of building trust and connection. I think there are a lot of factors in addition to that—the number of returning vs. new players, the team’s accomplishments, the way games are won and lost, and the players’ connection with the coach, to name a few. All I know is that for those two high school teams, connectedness was a powerful force, and it made winning that much sweeter for all of us.
Team spirit doesn’t have to blare. Oftentimes, it is subtle and strong. Players quietly give themselves up for the team by playing through injuries and making other personal sacrifices. They earn each other’s respect through hard work, and the recognition that each player is maximizing his effort on the field. Team spirit can grow with interaction and communication—and that simply takes time. As that happens, separate individuals bond into a solid group. And so, with another season upon us, strategies will be drawn up and fundamentals will be honed—but the teams that will outperform will likely include a strong sense of connectedness.
Julie Thompson is a parent of a former Baseball Factory Exclusive Program player. She has volunteered to share her opinions, observations and general thoughts regarding the college recruiting and player development process. She will share what worked and what didn’t for her son, in the hope that other parents and players may benefit from her experience.
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