Seeds…I’m not talking about the salty sunflower seeds we chew, spit and use to litter dugouts. I’m also not referring to the seeds we plant in the ground for grass, vegetables or flowers. In the past, we even used the term “seed” to describe the exceptional speed of a baseball leaving the bat of a hitter, ie. “Did you see that? Man, that was a seed.” The seeds I want to address in this space are the ones we plant in the minds, hearts and souls of our players.
My paternal grandmother passed away at the age of 96 back in 1997. She was a lifelong gardener, not just because she enjoyed it, but mostly because she raised seven children on a small Kentucky farm during the Great Depression. She grew heirloom tomato plants that someone had given to her (possibly her mother) dating way back before the Depression. These very large, delicious tomatoes are called “Oxheart,” because their size and odd, heart-like shape. My grandmother then gave these seeds to my mother and when I retired from coaching, my mother gave seeds from these plants to me for planting. Since then, I have given these seeds to one of my sons, a former assistant coach, a former player and a Dodger scout.
That is like the seeds we plant in the hearts and minds of the players we coach. When I was a graduate assistant coach for the legendary Ron Polk, I learned how to prepare a team for the season and for a game by utilizing his Fundamental Drill Series. It was a thorough, quick-moving series of drills that emphasized bunt defenses, first and third situations, pitchers fielding practice, and many other strategies. Many of my former assistant coaches and players have implemented a variation of Fundamental Drill Series in their practice repertoire and are using them religiously to pass on to others.
More importantly, we pass on incredible virtues such as how to play as a team (putting others first), how to accept responsibility, how to compete fiercely but with class and good sportsmanship, how to build positive relationships that will last a lifetime and how to be a positive role model for younger players.
As coaches we also—unfortunately at times—plant seeds of doubt, fear, negativity and bitterness. These toxic seeds may be handed down for generations just as health-giving heirloom tomato seeds are handed down. Although, in this scenario, fewer players will be impacted because entire generations will not participate in baseball. As coaches, it is our responsibility to plant seeds of hope, passion, good sportsmanship and love for the game that can be handed down to multiple generations. This is how we grow the game and make sure it is in good hands when we pass the torch.
When coaches pour value into their players, seeds are being handed down to a future generation of baseball fans, businessmen, educators, coaches and tradesmen. These seeds of value will impact players, families and communities. The responsibility is great. The reward is greater. The Apostle Paul said it this way, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)
In chapter 11 of my book, Coaching with Purpose, I said this: “Coaches, we have a front row seat to the future. Besides teachers and parents, there are few adults with more opportunity to impact the next generation. If we want our communities and our country to have a bright future, it starts with us.”
If you are a coach reading this and thinking, “I don’t know if I’m equipped to lead players in this way. I just want to coach baseball.” Remember, you don’t coach baseball. You coach baseball players. If you are a coach who wants a great culture, it starts with you. We don’t improve our character by making drastic changes overnight. We grow by making small changes every day throughout our career and our lifetime.
When we plant seeds of positivity into the lives of our players and in our family, it builds a brighter future for all involved. Today, make sure you plant and nurture the things that really matter and are lasting. “At the end of the day, at the end of your life, trophies won’t matter if you’ve lost the people you want to celebrate the wins with.” (Coaching with Purpose)