No two baseball players are the same. Players have different skill sets, come from a variety of cultures, and bring unique personalities to a team. However, there are certain character traits that all successful ballplayers share no matter their background. Ken Ravizza and Tom Hanson breakdown of this concept in Heads-Up Baseball really clicked with me.
They highlight three character traits that all successful ballplayers have:
- Fun and enjoyment
- Respect for the game
- Pride and integrity in their work
I believe that fun and enjoyment is the most important trait because it sets the base. It’s the reason every athlete starts and keeps playing baseball. The younger version of yourself played baseball just because it was fun! You hung out with your friends, played games without a care in the world, and idolized the professionals on television.
As the definition of fun/enjoyment changes throughout the years as the level of competition intensifies, successful players embrace it. If you don’t enjoy coming to the ballpark and putting the work in everyday, then your chances of excelling in baseball are minimal. There are many activities that are not exactly “fun”: 8am lifts, throwing in the off season when it’s cold outside, and taking the same repetition over and over until you get it perfect. The enjoyment of the game allows you to push yourself through those activities that you don’t want to do, but you need to do to excel.
The second trait, respect for the game, takes on two definitions. The first is showing respect for the game through how you play. Chances are the player you respect the most is the one that respects the game. Every time they step on the field, they give it their all. They’re locked in for every pitch, at bat, and inning, ready for any opportunity that comes their way. Clayton Keyshawn, Ichiro Suzuki or Joey Votto come to mind when I think of players who respect the game. You don’t have to like them, but you have to respect the way they play.
The second definition of respect is recognizing that the game is difficult and committing to improving your skills. Like many things, having success in baseball does not happen overnight. Players that respect the game don’t waste their time or rely on shortcuts thinking that will get them to the finish line. Relying on quick-fix YouTube videos or “velocity hack” tips is not the way. You have to show up everyday with the intention of committing to the process and stacking days on top of each other.
The third trait that makes a successful ballplayer is pride and integrity in their work. Having pride in your work motivates you to prepare and play above your physical feeling that day. Take pride in your preparation and practice so you’re ready every single day. In Heads-Up Baseball, Pete Rose’s pride is used as an example. He was unbelievably consistent because he took pride in being the hitter he knew he could be everyday, and made sure that his practice was up to the standard he expected. This pride helped him put together a phenomenal 24-year career.
When it comes to the actual game, your pride and integrity goes into always playing hard. You know you worked to get stronger, faster, and develop new skills. And those skills deserve to be utilized to their fullest extent. Players with integrity recognize the hard work they’ve put in everyday and play to the level they’re capable of. If you ask yourself after a game “did I give it my all,” the answer should be a resounding yes, no matter how you feel physically going into the competition.
There are many other traits out there that make a successful ballplayer: leadership, mental toughness, composure, relentlessness just to name a few. Every player is truly different and will show strengths in certain traits over another. However, fun and enjoyment, respect for the game, and pride in your work set the foundation for all traits. Master these and you’ll give yourself the best shot to become the player you want to be.
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