Spiders Elite

We want to keep youth baseball fun. We also want to recognize every player’s contributions and make them feel appreciated. Baseball is a mental game, and it’s important to create ways to keep your team loose, confident, and motivated.

That’s why the Spiders created the Money Chain.

It’s not an original concept. We’ve seen the Turnover Chain. I was ultimately inspired to do something like this after seeing Rogue Baseball do a Player of the Week award for my older boys.

Another solid day on the practice field. Players of the week: @PrestonTenney – Pitcher, @Stilian_B – Defender, @QBrazz5 – Hitter #ROGUE pic.twitter.com/qhkT48cZrB

— Rogue Baseball (@Rogue_Baseball) June 15, 2017

Let’s talk about the goals of the Money Chain and how we handle it, as well as how you could apply this to a similar award for your own team.

What Is the Money Chain?

The Money Chain is a gaudy, gold-looking chain (it may actually be worth about $15) with a big “$” symbol hanging from it. It screams, “LOOK AT ME!” and that’s intentional. We want people to notice it.

The Money Chain is awarded to a player following the final game of the day. It goes to a player who was “money” that day. It could be at the plate, on the mound, in the field, on the bases, it doesn’t matter. It could be for hustle, sportsmanship, or something else entirely.

After the coaches finish our post-game speeches, I whip out the money chain. Everyone knows it’s coming. I explain what the day’s “money” player did and why they deserve it. We then have a presentation ceremony where the player gets down on one knee, and I put the chain around his neck. That player then leads the team in counting us out (“1-2-3 SPIDERS!”).

It’s fun because everyone then sees the player leaving the field with this ridiculous chain. Big smile, lots of pride. That player often then wears the chain to dinner, school, practice, whatever.

The important thing, of course, is that the player needs to take care of the chain. He also needs to bring it for the next day of games, whenever that is. It’s incredibly bad form not to bring it, as we will then not be able to award the next deserving winner.

My goal is to award a different player with the Money Chain after each day of games. I try to award every player the Money Chain once before giving it to anyone a second time. Of course, there can be exceptions if any player had just an insanely good day of games.

Variations of the Money Chain

There are so many things you could do with this.

You could give different awards for hitting, fielding, pitching, and even baserunning. If you give multiple awards, it may be best to do this at the end of a tournament rather than the end of a single day’s games, like we do.

You could also have something that players wear during the game, rather than after. In other words, if a player made an insane catch, hit a homer, struck out the side, or something else, you could have that player put on the chain while in the dugout. Make it a big deal.

Of course, it doesn’t need to be a chain. It could be a silly hat. Or, like Rogue does, it could carry a responsibility with it. There’s a bucket of balls that the player must carry to and away from the field before and after practices and games. It’s actually a job, but one that they don’t mind since it’s a good recognition!

Keep it Fun

As mentioned at the top, the goal of these awards is to keep it fun and recognize players for their good play. They look forward to this. It increases their own competitiveness and they want to win it.

We’ve talked before about how coaches contribute to player burnout. This is a small thing, but it represents a positive culture that the boys really enjoy.

Your Turn

Do you do anything like the Money Chain? What do you do?

Let me know in the comments below!

Your body language matters. It’s contagious. It impacts your mental approach, and it impacts your teammates.

The negative reaction reflects negative thoughts. Negative thoughts won’t help you. They will get in your way.

But the problem isn’t that you’re just thinking negatively. The problem is that you’re showing it. And showing it is what impacts others.

Dropping your head in disgust. Putting your head in your hands. Throwing things in anger. Reacting to an umpire’s call. Moping and loitering after an out instead of joining your teammates. It’s all bad body language.

It doesn’t mean you need to have a big smile on your face when the team is down by 10.

It doesn’t mean that you should be unaffected emotionally by everything happening around you.

Being conscious of your body language means understanding that how you react to adversity has a direct impact on your teammates and on your own performance.

If your body language says you’ve given up, it probably means that you have. It says your teammates have the permission to give up, too.

The fight against negativity is a challenge that you can win. It will take some work. But focus on these things…

1. Keep Your Head Up

Don’t bury your face in your hands. Dropping your head also means that you are physically looking to the ground. If you do this in the middle of a play, it means that you have temporarily taken yourself out of the play. Other teams can now take advantage.

2. Avoid Dramatic Reactions

You disagree with the umpire’s call. Your eyes grow big, and your arms spread wide.

“WHAT??”

It’s disrespectful to the umpire. It suggests that you were wronged. It suggests that you aren’t responsible for the result. It will not help you with the umpire. It may suggest to your teammates that the umpire is out to get your team.

Dramatic reactions also distract you from the play. That strike three call? The catcher missed it, and it’s heading to the backstop. But you were too busy reacting to notice.

Keep control. Nod your head. Accept it. Learn from it.

3. Hustle Back to the Dugout

My favorite. You struck out. You didn’t like the result. Don’t mope. Hustle back to the dugout, head held high.

It’s a great way to choose positive body language over negative. It says that you’re going to be okay. That the team is going to be okay.

4. Take a Deep Breath

You made a mistake, or something didn’t go as you would have hoped. Don’t panic. Take a deep breath and…

5. Reset, Reflect, and Refocus

A good exercise to help young athletes — or any athletes — deal with an emotional moment is Reset, Reflect, and Refocus.

RESET: Acknowledge that something didn’t go your way. Gather yourself.

REFLECT: What is it that just happened? Did I do my best? What could I do differently next time? Without the reflection, we don’t learn from what happened.

REFOCUS: Now, what’s happening? What’s the current situation? What do I need to do next? Move on from the mistake or negative moment.

6. Don’t Separate Yourself from Teammates

You’re having a tough game. Once you enter the dugout, the immediate thought may be to separate yourself from your teammates. To sit by yourself. Don’t.

Sure, you may need a moment to get yourself together. That’s fine. But you don’t want a prolonged period by yourself. Get back into the game mentally. There’s no better way to do that than to get to the fence and join your teammates.

7. Stay Engaged

The immediate response for youth players in these situations is to disengage. Go internally. Get quiet. While you may need a minute, gather yourself. Then re-engage! One of the best ways to move on is to stay engaged.

What’s your responsibility? What’s the score? How many outs are there? What’s the count? What’s happening?

8. Stay Vocal

We’ve all seen it. Nothing seems to be going right. The defense isn’t making plays. Every bounce goes the wrong way. We’re not throwing strikes. We’re not getting hits. Calls all seem to go for the other team.

SILENCE.

You can often look into a dugout and know what the score is based on sounds and body language. If it’s silent, things aren’t going to get better.

Stay vocal. Cheer on your teammates. Get crazy. Talk about situations, responsibilities, and play calls. Staying vocal helps you turn the page rather than giving in.

Coaches Need to Watch Body Language, Too!

Hey, coaches aren’t immune! We set the examples. If we exhibit bad body language, we can’t demand something different from players. It will trickle down.

It’s something I’ve long worked on. I’m heavily invested in each play. It’s important that coaches aren’t overly demonstrative when things aren’t going our way.

Remain positive. Show that positivity. Things are going to be okay.

Your Turn

Kids are emotional. They’re kids! You’re not going to eliminate bad body language, but it’s a good thing to work on.

Anything you’d add to this list? How do you deal with negative body language?

Let me know in the comments below!

A successful team is defined by more than just wins and losses. It’s about “we” over “me.” It’s about leadership. And it’s a collection of good teammates who consistently do the right thing and support one another.

What makes a great teammate? Let’s walk through a list. You’ll see that many, if not all, of these qualities also apply to leadership.

1. Do What’s Best for the Team

What’s best for the team may not be what you think is best for you.

You may not get to play the position that you want to play. But you have teammates who may be as good or better at that position.

You may not get to hit where you want to hit in the order. But every spot in the order is important.

You may need to sit the bench more often than you’d like. But you need rest, and it gives your teammates opportunities to play.

You may be asked to play somewhere new that makes you uncomfortable. But doing so may make the team better — and may actually make you a more well-rounded player.

Even though I’m not a big bunting coach, bunting is a great example of putting personal stats aside in an effort to do what the coach thinks will help the team win.

A great teammate rolls with the punches, works hard, does what’s asked of him, and does what is best for his team.

2. Support a Struggling Teammate

Everyone will have a slump. Every player will go through times when they are down or doubt themselves. It’s important that slumping players have teammates who support and encourage them.

Baseball is a mental game. Confidence and belief in self are big predictors of success. For a team to succeed, confidence level of each player is important. Teammates who recognize their role in supporting each other are critical.

3. Celebrate a Successful Teammate

Another way to keep morale high is helping a teammate celebrate his success. A big hit, nice play, or good inning on the mound is noticed and recognized by a good teammate. Even recognizing the little things that may go unnoticed like hustle and communication. That appreciation means something.

4. Be Humble When You Succeed

When you do something great and memorable, celebrate it in the moment. But don’t forget the team focus.

Avoid talking about your stats. Especially avoid comparing yourself to teammates and putting others down.

After a tough loss in which you played well, what is your demeanor? Are you smiling and wanting to talk to teammates about your great game? Or is your focus on the team?

The high performer who quietly goes about his business is often the best teammate.

5. Keep Your Head Up When You Struggle

As mentioned before, baseball is a mental game. How we handle adversity is important.

When you make a mistake or struggle, do you put your head down? Do you pout? Do you separate yourself from teammates? Do you throw equipment?

Body language is contagious. If you react to struggles — team or personal — negatively, your teammates will see it as license to do the same. If you keep your head up and remain positive, your teammates are more likely to follow suit.

6. Be Steady

Somewhat related to the last two, but a good teammate doesn’t get too high or too low. They are focused and consistent.

7. Be Dependable

A good teammate is there when you need him. This could relate to attendance at practices and games. It also could relate to playing through tough times.

When you struggle on the mound, do you fake an arm injury to make an excuse for your performance? Or do you keep fighting?

Do you keep fighting through exhaustion, bumps, and bruises? Or do you complain about them and allow it to affect your performance?

This, of course, isn’t related to actual injuries.

8. Lead By Example

While leading by example certainly consists of doing the things on this list, it’s also about doing the right thing. It’s about working hard when no one’s watching. It’s about choosing the positive action when the negative may be easier. It’s about sportsmanship and preparation.

9. Step Up When the Pressure is On

When the going gets tough, what do you do? Do you want the ball? Do you want that moment? Or do you hope the ball doesn’t find you? Hope that the ball goes to a teammate instead?

Good teammates, particularly leaders, are those who want that moment. They don’t shy from it. They aren’t fearful of failure. They understand that someone on the team needs to do it, and they will volunteer.

10. Take Responsibility

Is your failure always someone else’s fault? The umpire? The coach? The weather? The field conditions?

A good teammate is one who doesn’t make excuses, though it may be the easier path. A good teammate takes responsibility for their performance, and uses external forces as a challenge.

Your Turn

What other characteristics make for a good teammate? Anything you’d add to the list?

Let me know in the comments below!