Have you ever heard people talk about good teammates? The term ‘Good Teammate’ has many different meanings to different people. To define what a good teammate is, think about what type of people you would want on your team. Who do you want to help make you better? What kind of teammate do you want in your corner when things get tough (and we know that they will)?
Throughout my career, I have encountered all types of players, teammates, and coaches. When I think of those people, there are a few that really stand out to me, for the things they did, or said and/or how they acted. Some of these experiences were very positive and helped me grow and some stood out to me, for the opposite reasons.
The best way for me to describe the best teammates I have encountered is to say that they are “selfish” (in a good way), and “selfless” all at the same time. You may think that sounds odd or impossible? Well, let me try to explain; As athletes, we should all be selfish in a way that it drives us to be the very best, better than others (selfish) and to accomplish that, we take personal steps and accountability in doing what it takes to be the very best. But because softball is a “Team Sport” our main reason for wanting to be our very best, if to give our team a best chance of Winning! The harder each of us pushes ourselves independently, when it comes time to compete together – the team will be better collectively.
I find that good teammates tend to be contagious. When you find yourself with a good teammate – you know it right away and I believe it spreads to others on the team. I believe subconsciously we tend to emulate those who we’d like to be like -especially when they make a positive impact in our lives and those around us. But it takes someone to be that “Good Teammate” example to get this going and these types of people are tough to come by, especially competing in a sport, like softball, with so much failure built into the game.
During the most difficult times, good teammates are positive and unaffected regardless of their offensive or defensive results, and will conduct themselves in a way that is best for the team – and if you play softball, I don’t have to explain how incredibly difficult that is to do during the times of competition. For example, growing up playing travelball – we have all experienced being so wrapped up in a failure at the plate, that it negatively impact our mood for several innings – if not the entire game. This is an example of how NOT to be a good teammate.
I am going to share one big key that can make us all better players and better teammates. I found that focusing less on putting the entire team on my back, and instead encouraging and aiding my teammates to succeed with me – I became a better player and teammate. By shifting my focus off myself during game time, I cared more about the best for the team, and it took some of the pressure off. I wasn’t living and dying by every AB. Now, of course, I still want to be the best player and performer out there, but that is what practice is for. Come game time, it’s time to COMPETE. It’s impossible for one person to win an entire softball game by themselves, it take a TEAM of selfless individuals all pulling on the same side of the rope – for the same common cause – to WIN TOGETHER.
Recently, I spoke at a Rawlings Sponsored event with a couple teammates, and we were asked a question about if we were to go back in time, what we wish we learned when we were younger? Without rehearsing or talking amongst ourselves, we all had similar answers. All three of us mentioned that when we learned to be a good teammate, and be more TEAM oriented, not only did the game get easier, but it became more fun. We became better players by becoming better teammates.
Never lose sight of your personal goals and ambitions to be the best, but along the way, do what you can to be a better teammate. There is always room to improve. What does a good teammate look like to you? Whatever it is, do what you can to become that person. Be the one your teammates will always remember.
