Winning and Losing with Class

Unlock the secrets to fostering a culture of respect and sportsmanship in your team as we navigate the complex world of coaching with wisdom from Coach Ken Carpenter. This episode of Baseball Coaches Unplugged addresses the critical issue of poor sportsmanship, as seen in recent college football incidents, and offers strategies to instill a mentality of winning with class. Drawing from 27 years of high school baseball coaching, Coach Ken shares compelling stories and practical techniques to help you inspire your players and reflect the true spirit of the sport, whether in victory or defeat.

Join us on this journey as we explore the profound impact of handling losses with dignity and maturity, revealing the deeper character of both players and coaches. We delve into the essence of respect on the field, emphasizing the importance of representing not just oneself but the entire sport. With insights that transcend baseball, this episode is a treasure trove for anyone passionate about coaching and leadership. Whether you're a seasoned coach or a baseball enthusiast, prepare to elevate your game philosophy and build a team culture that champions productivity and succes.

Join the Baseball Coaches Unplugged podcast where an experienced baseball coach delves into the world of high school and travel baseball, offering insights on high school baseball coaching, leadership skills, hitting skills, pitching strategy, defensive skills, and overall baseball strategy, while also covering high school and college baseball, recruiting tips, youth and travel baseball, and fostering a winning mentality and attitude in baseball players through strong baseball leadership and mentality.

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:01

Hello and welcome to Baseball Coaches Unplugged. I'm your host, coach Ken Carpenter. Baseball Coaches Unplugged is a podcast that helps you, the listener, with strategies to help elevate your coaching. You'll gain practical insights from some of the best coaches around the country that you can implement with your team. Today, on today's podcast, we're going to discuss sportsmanship how there's a lack of it and what we can do to change it and make it better, not only in baseball, but all sports.

Speaker 2: 0:37

Welcome to Baseball Coaches Unplugged with Coach Ken Carpenter, presented by AthleteOne. Baseball Coaches Unplugged is a podcast for baseball coaches With 27 years of high school baseball coaching under his belt, here to bring you the inside scoop on all things baseball, from game-winning strategies and pitching secrets to hitting drills and defensive drills. We're covering it all. Whether you're a high school coach, college coach or just a baseball enthusiast, we'll dive into the tactics and techniques that make the difference on and off the field. Discover how to build a winning mentality. Inspire your players and get them truly bought into your game philosophy Plus, get the latest insights on recruiting, coaching, leadership and crafting a team culture that champions productivity and success. Join Coach every week as he breaks down the game and shares incredible behind-the-scenes stories. Your competitive edge starts here, so check out the show weekly and hear from the best coaches in the game. On Baseball Coaches Unplugged.

Speaker 1: 1:34

Baseball Coaches Unplugged is powered by the netting professionals, improving programs one facility at a time. The netting professionals specialize in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for baseball and softball. This includes backstops, batting cages, bp turtles, screens, ball carts and more. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding, windscreen, turf protectors, dugout benches and cubbies. They're not limited to just baseball and softball. They also work with football, soccer, lacrosse and golf courses. Contact them today at 844-620-2707. That's 844-620-2707. Or you can visit them online at wwwnettingproscom. Check Netting Pros out on X, instagram, facebook and LinkedIn for all their latest products and projects and tell them Baseball Coaches Unplugged podcast sent you. Before I forget, don't forget to hit the subscribe button. Leave us a review. It helps us to grow the show and look for a new episode every Wednesday. Grow the show and look for a new episode every Wednesday.

Speaker 1: 2:49

I wanted to dive into a topic that's been pressing on all of our minds lately sportsmanship. This past weekend, college football showed us exactly what not to do Flag planting on a team's field after winning a college football game. Michigan did it at Ohio State, nc State followed suit at the University of North Carolina, florida at FSU and Arizona State. At Arizona, even Michigan's head coach, sharone Moore, as soon as the game came to an end, turned and walked to the back of the benches and started waving and talking to the OSU fans. This is an image that is not needed in sports. I do have to say hats off to University of Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian for stopping his players as they were attempting to plant a flag at their rival, Texas A&M's field, and I get that. Rivalries can sometimes get heated and we have to do more and we have to be better. And what does this have to do with a baseball podcast? Baseball is supposed to be a game of respect and honor and if you remember Vince Lombardi's famous quote, act like you've been there before. That's what winning with class means. When you step onto a field, you're not just representing yourself or your team, you're representing the entire sport. Shake hands, acknowledge the other team's efforts and walk off the field with your head held high, whether you won or lost. And walk off the field with your head held high whether you won or lost.

Speaker 1: 4:39

Anything less is a disservice to the game. Let's talk about losing, accepting a tough loss. It stings, it burns, it hurts, but it's part of the game. The way you handle defeat is a reflection of your character. Blaming others, throwing tantrums or getting into fights doesn't change the outcome. It just shows a lack of maturity and respect.

Speaker 1: 5:05

Remember the greatest players in a game have lost more times than they can count. It's how they respond to those losses. That's what made them into legends. It's how they respond to those losses. That's what made them into legends. Let's not forget about a team reflects its coach. I'm a big believer in this. If you, as a coach, lose your temper, argue with the umpires, totally disrespect your opponent, guess what your players are going to follow suit. They look up to you. They model their behavior after you. So if you want a team that plays with class and respect, you have to lead by example. And, like I spoke to earlier, the Michigan players did exactly what their coach was doing. The Michigan players did exactly what their coach was doing. But here's where it gets controversial.

Speaker 1: 5:59

Youth and travel sports, I believe, are breeding grounds for these negative attitudes. These environments where winning is everything often creates entitled, disrespectful players. Often creates entitled, disrespectful players. From an early age, kids are taught that they're the best, that they deserve to win and that losing is unacceptable. And when these kids grow up, they carry those same toxic attitudes into high school, college and beyond. The result Players who can't handle losing, who disrespect their opponents and then entarnish the integrity of the game.

Speaker 1: 6:42

The narrative needs to be changed. We need to teach our young players that sportsmanship is more important than winning, that respect for the game, for their opponents and for themselves is what truly matters. We need to show them that winning with grace and losing with dignity are the marks of a true athlete. So, coaches, it's on us to set the standard. Lead by example, teach our players that baseball is more than just a game. It's a platform to build character and to learn life lessons and to grow as individuals. Let's honor the game by embodying the true spirit of sportsmanship. Baseball Coaches Unplugged is proud to be partnered with the netting professionals, improving programs one facility at a time. Be sure and call and tag them today at 844-620-2707 or visit them online at wwwnettingproscom. I'm your host, coach Ken Carpenter, and, as always, thanks for joining me on Baseball Coaches Unplugged.