#38 play ball

The MLB All-Star Game is tomorrow and it got me thinking about baseball.  

Tony LaRussa will be the manager for the National League Team.  

Basketball has coaches.  Football has coaches.  Hockey has coaches.  Why is baseball the only team with managers?  

Tony will wear the same style clothes as his players.  

Basketball coaches wear suits.  Football coaches wear polos shirts.  Hockey coaches aren't in hockey jerseys.  Why do baseball managers wear team uniforms?

There are lots of differences in the actual sports:  all have clocks except baseball; no other sport has double-headers; nobody else is trying to hit the ball out of the playing field, etc.  These are inherent distinctions in the game itself so I am more accepting of the variance.

But why the difference with the manager?  Tony would look silly walking out in a suit to hand a reliever the ball.  But does he really need a big number on his back for the umpires to know who he is?  Wouldn't a polo and some nice shorts work well on those humid summer afternoons?

What about you and your team?  Are you a manager where you determine the lineup, call the plays and manage the organization or are you a coach?  Does your attire help you to fit in or set you apart?

I wonder what kind of difference any of this makes to the team.  But language, appearance, and tradition -- they are all powerful symbols that impart meaning.  Be intentional about the messages that you are sending when you Play Ball!

-- beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com
@leadershipdots
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