The Real Leaders

What makes a real leader on a baseball team? And who are some of the one's you know that are?

Please keep this positive and not call out someone that is not. I just find that the real leaders of a baseball team come in many packages and would like to read your thoughts about this.

 

Braves, you have a PM...

 

Quiet confidence, leads by example, never questions Blue's calls (during a game, maybe privately later), no cursing, helps younger ones with adjustment to HS ball, gives 100 % all the time. We are fortunate that we have a few seniors on our team (First Flight HS) that fill the leader role, Vincent, DuCharme, Eure, & Conway.

 

It has been said that "Character is what you do when nobody is looking".

To me being a leader is:

How you act to your teammates when you're not having your best day?

Are you looking past your own performance and still picking your team up?

Do you support the worst kid and the best kid on the team the same?

Not only being willing to give yourself up for the benefit of the team but being happy to do it? ie: Sac bunts (many players do it because they are asked to but they're not happy about it.)

Being the first to point the finger at themselves when they make a mistake but quickly picking up other teammates when they mess up.

Giving 100% always on the field and off.

My son has had the honor of playing with many great teammates over the years but this one isn't even a hard decision!

Kirk Morgon - SC Panthers

 

Outstanding post...just what I was hoping to get. I've made it a priority to meet Kirk Morgan. I haven't met anybody that doesn't say the same thing.

 

That's cool to have seniors that can lead a team. It's not as common as you think.

 

For me, a leader brings the positive intangibles to a team. Just having them on the roster and in the dugout on gameday, makes the team better. They play for the love of the game and are mystified why anyone would play for any other reason. Sometimes that player is the name you hear over and over.
Sometimes it isn't.

Kirk Morgan-Mallard Creek
Jeremy Shellhorn-Weddington
Greyson Oxidine-Hough
Kyle Cliff-Central Cabarrus

 

+1 for Schellhorn

 

From a two-sided bookmark my son's Little League Coach gave him...

The Game of Life​

Leaders​

· A Leader thinks about other people more than himself. The greatest leader is the greatest servant.
· A Leader leads by example, especially in tough times.
· A Leader is honest with everyone, and most importantly, he is honest with himself.
· A Leader is a good listener.
· A Leader has a mind of his own, and does not get led into doing what he knows is not right.
And the glue holding all of this together is your relationship with God. So when you pray, pray that you can do these five things each day and you will become a leader.
Author – Coach Steve Lundberg
Other Thoughts
· Character is what you have when nobody is looking.
· There are no timeouts in life, the clock is always running.
· One person can make a difference and you might be that person.
· How you practice is how you will play.
· Life is a game of decisions; the person who makes the most good decisions wins.
· Winning is what happens if you did everything else right.
People don’t fail for lack of talent; they fail for lack of focus.

 

A leader doesn't need to be outspoken, because his actions speak volumes. A leader doesn't place blame, he accepts it. A leader is confident, yet not "cocky" in his abilities. A leader picks up that second baseman who made the error who "cost us the game". A leader practices like he plays on gameday. A leader is the one your kid hates to let down but knows if he stumbles, his leader will work harder himself to overcome and pat him on the back afterwards... win or lose. A leader is the kid your son talks about constantly, because they know what or who inspires them... but sometimes we overlook leadership and focus on stats alone.

Thanks Braves... great thread!

My vote and my sons as well is: John J Tuttle - AL Brown Class of 2010 ad Sophmore at Catawba College, he still pitches successfully. But the example he set for underclassmen his Jr and Sr year made my son not only a more confident player but a more confident person as well and that's a leader....