Leading Winning Teams

7The Importance of Routine, Focus, and Training for Adaptability

The Power of the Three Ps

1. PLAN

Putting a winning game plan together is not every athlete's strength. Most athletes are given the plan and taught what each of them needs to do so that the team accomplishes the plan together. Most athletes have never been on the inside to really learn the how, what, and why of what an organization is going for.

Hire a Catcher Approximately 50% of the managers today in MLB are former catchers. They are consistently held in the role of field general and communicator to the rest of the team. They must have a comprehensive approach and knowledge of all that the coaches are looking to pass on to critical personnel. Catchers will sit in on meetings with coaches and staff, the pitching coach, the hitting coach, a team meeting, and a defensive coach. No one single player communicates more to the staff than a catcher. He becomes the go-between with the staff and the field personnel who must execute the plan. I would consider him a facilitator and integrator. I believe this is the reason that so many baseball catchers become managers and leaders.

In addition to all the staff communications and off-field responsibilities, the catcher must maintain their own physical skills of catching, throwing, hitting, and running, while maintaining an elevated level of emotional intelligence and control. An emotional outburst or poor relationship with an umpire is detrimental and affects the whole ...