Confidence vs. Showboating in Baseball

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Check out Netting Pros on X , instagram , facebook and LinkedIn for all their latest products and projects . Hey everyone , welcome back to Baseball Coaches Unplugged . And today I want to talk about something we all see more and more in high school sports showboating .

You know what I'm talking about the backfl flips , the exaggerated celebrations , sometimes even trash talk . A lot of people like to call it swag or confidence , and don't get me wrong , I'm all for enthusiasm , but there's a line between celebrating with your team and putting on a look-at-me show . That's more about the individual than the team . Now I get it .

These kids watch the pros on TV . They see guys like MLB players than the team . Now I get it . These kids watch the pros on TV . They see guys like MLB players flipping the bat or a pitcher stare down the batter after striking him out . They see the swagger and to them it looks like confidence and in a way it is . Confidence is key in baseball .

You've got to believe you're going to make that player get that hit . But what we have to remember is that when kids look up to these pros they might not always see the whole picture . They see the confidence , but they don't see the years of discipline and respect that go into what these players do . For example , ken Griffey Jr .

He had an effortless swagger to him , the way he'd strut after a home run . Griffey played with confidence , but it was always about his love for the game . He wasn't out there trying to show up an opponent or make it all about himself . He was just playing baseball the only way he knew how , with joy and passion .

That's the kind of enthusiasm we should want our players to bring . But here's the danger . When high school players see big moments and try to bring the swagger into their games , they sometimes cross the line into what is called showboating . Showboating is not confidence . It's about drawing attention to yourself .

It's saying look , look at me , look how good I am , and it usually comes at the expense and respect for the game and for your opponent . I'll tell you that's not the message that you want to send to our teams . My first year as a varsity head coach , I had a player named Ty Harriet . He hit 15 home runs on the varsity as a freshman .

When his high school career ended , he had 41 home runs . Never once did he admire his home run . He just put his head down and ran around the bases . His senior year he had 38 walks . 15 were intentional . He never showed frustration to the walks , or even if he struck out , he never let his emotions get the best of him .

He just acted like he did it 100 times before . Now don't misunderstand me here . We want our players to feel proud of what they've accomplished . When you hit a big double or strike someone out in a tight spot , it's natural to want to celebrate .

But instead of directing that energy toward the other team or into an act , let's teach our players to direct it towards their teammates . That's where the power is in building each other up and not tearing someone else down . There's a huge difference between celebrating with your team and showing up the other team .

I love seeing the dugout go wild after a big play , but I've always told the players celebrate with each other , bring the energy back to the dugout . Go wild after a big play , but I've always told the players celebrate with each other , bring the energy back to the dugout , not out there on the field in a way that disrespects the other team .

Now some of you could say well , coach , you're taking the fun out of the game . But here's the thing Baseball is a team sport and we focus too much on one person's moment , we lose that team aspect . Plus . Why do you want to give the opposing team a reason to want to play harder ? As coaches , it's on us to set the tone .

We need to create an environment where confidence is encouraged , but respect is a priority . Our players should know that courage , but respect is a priority . Our players should know that , yes , we want them to play with passion and heart , but we also want them to show respect for the opponent and , most importantly , respect the game .

This doesn't mean we don't have fun . It just means we find the right way to channel that energy . The good thing is , 99% of coaches coach the game the right way Most scouts and college coaches aren't looking for kids who need the spotlight . They're looking for players who can control their emotions , handle pressure and show respect .

The guy who hits a home run and spits around the bases like he's done it a hundred times , that's the kid that's going to get noticed because he's showing confidence , not arrogance . At the end of the day , baseball is a game of humility . This game will humble you quickly if you let it .

So why not approach it with a sense of respect , both for ourselves and for those that you compete against ? So , for all the players listening , celebrate with your teammates . Build them up , play with passion , play with confidence , but leave the showboating home . Let your talent do the talking , not the bat flip or the stare down .

And for the coaches , keep coaching them up . When we do , we help create not only better baseball players , but better teammates and better people .

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Baseball Coaches Unplugged . I'm your host , coach Ken Carpenter . Let's keep playing hard , playing smart and playing for each other Until next time . Stay focused and stay humble . Today's episode of Baseball Coaches Unplugged is powered by the netting professionals .

Will Miner and his team are improving programs one facility at a time . Contact them today at 844-620-2707 , or you can visit them online at wwwnettingproscom . This has been Baseball Coaches Unplugged , presented by AthleteOne .