I recently came across an interesting quote about the difference of baseball compared to other sports. The quote was written by Harvard graduate and writer Chad Harbach.
The quote states that “Baseball is a team game but, at the same time, it is a very lonely game: unlike in soccer or basketball, where players roam around, in baseball everyone has their little plot of the field to tend. When the action comes to you, the spotlight is on you but no one can help you.”
Baseball can be lonely even though you are on a team. Everyone has to deal with their own spot on the field. Everyone is in charge of their area and when the action comes to that area, it is our responsibility to take care of our spot. We have to do our part to keep our area of the field taken care of to the best of our ability.
Often times, there is no one there to help us in the moment and that can be lonely, but that is the responsibility of a baseball player.
Baseball does not demand that we are always a star. Baseball does not demand that we accomplish more than we are capable of. Baseball just demands that we take care of our own plot of land. Baseball just demands that we take care of our responsibility.
If the responsibility demands a bunt then we must stick to our fundamental and execute the bunt. The game never demands the impossible. It always demands the possible, but there is nowhere to run and hide. There is nowhere to run and hide on a baseball field. The ball will always find you if you don’t want it.
When the ball is hit to you, the spotlight is on and all that is required of you is to do the possible. To tend to our plot of land and execute.
We cannot run – but instead – just do what is needed and help your team.