Chapter 17 - Setting An Example

Hero worship seems to be inherent in the human race, and a particularly strong factor in determining the behavior of young people, who pattern their actions after those of their heroes. For this reason the physical prowess of Biblical heroes like King David and Peter, the big fisherman, has captured the imagination of people, as have ancient Greeks like Ulysses and Hercules, or Richard the Lionhearted of England who wielded a two-handed sword with one hand. Similarly the mental, moral, and physical strength of such American heroes as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln continues to set an example.

Hero worship is especially common at younger age levels, where beginners look up to the better players on the teams and try to emulate them. Thus responsibility must go with ability, and players must be taught the importance of setting a good example on and off the field. The attitudes and actions of managers, coaches, umpires, officers, parents, and other spectators create a climate of sportsmanship, citizenship, and constructive living and provide patterns which young players can be expected to follow.

CODE OF CONDUCT. With alert and sympathetic guidance, boys will develop healthy codes of conduct. Several years ago a team from Portland, Maine, was participating in the Little League World Series. One of the officials spoke to the boys about the importance of setting a good example and displaying responsibility. He pointed out that they should be enthusiastic in their play and have fun while playing, but that they must be on guard against saying or doing things which would set a bad example for young onlookers.

Later these boys were guests at a professional baseball game. They sat near one of the dugouts, where some of the language used by the players was far from saintly. After the game, several of the Portland Little Leaguers approached the official who had talked to them earlier about responsibility.

One of the boys spoke up: "Did you hear the swearing at the game tonight? It was awful. Those men weren't living up to their responsibilities."

The Portland boys had learned a lesson which should be learned by everyone in baseball. The game will grow and prosper only as long as it produces heroes like Christy Mathewson, Lou Gehrig, Pepper Martin, Walter Johnson, George Sisler, Honus Wagner, Peewee Reese, Alvin Dark, Phil Rizzuto, Bobby Brown, Al Rosen, George Kell, Gil Hodges, Carl Erskine, and Stan Musial—to name but a few—who did and do live up to their responsibilities.

As one example of their responsibility, a newspaperman once asked Honus Wagner to endorse a certain brand of tobacco, pointing out to Honus that the tobacco company would pay both of them for the endorsement. Wagner thought over the proposal and then wrote to the newspaperman. He stated that he didn't smoke and didn't think smoking was good for athletes, and for that reason he would not endorse tobacco. However, he added that he realized that the newspaperman had a large family and needed money, so he was enclosing a personal check payable to the newspaperman for the amount he would have received if Wagner had endorsed the tobacco.

The following check list may be a helpful reminder to all concerned.

Responsibilities

Manager And Coach:

To inspire in his boys a love for the game and the desire to win.

To teach them that it is better to lose fairly than to win unfairly and to stress the values derived from playing the game fairly.

To lead players and spectators to respect the integrity and judgment of officials by setting them a good example.

To be the type of man he wants his boys to be.
To eliminate all possibilities which tend to destroy the best values of the game.

To show cordial courtesy to opposing teams.

To achieve a thorough understanding and acceptance of the rules of the game and the standards of eligibility.

To encourage leadership, use of initiative, and good judgment by the players on the team.

To recognize the aim of the game to promote the physical, mental, moral, social, and emotional well-being of the individual players.

To remember that an athletic contest is only a game—not a matter of life or death for players, coach, official, fan, state, or nation.

Player:

To live clean, to play hard, and to play for the love of the game.

To win without boasting, lose without excuses, and to continue to strive despite defeat.

To respect officials and accept their decisions.

To always remember that he represents his family, team, league, community, and country.

The Umpire:

To know the rules.

To be fair and firm in all decisions. To call them as he sees them.

To treat players and coaches courteously and demand the same treatment for himself.

To know the game is for the boys and to let them have the spotlight.

The Spectator:

Never to boo a player or official.

To appreciate a good play no matter who makes it.

To know that the team, league, and community get the blame or the praise for his conduct.

To recognize the need for more sportsmen, and to strive to set an example of fair play in every thought and action.

Everyone Involved:

To live the Little League pledge:

I trust in God,
I love my country and will respect its laws,

I will play fair and strive to win-But win or lose,

I will always do my best.