Play The Bench Like It Was Meant To Be Played

“An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.”  –  Proverbs 12:25

Aside from a hot, summer, Saturday afternoon tournament triple-header during which the dugout potentially provides a wanted shady respite from a scorching sun, most players don’t get real excited about finding themselves on The Bench.  Players want to play.  That’s understandable.  But unfortunately, players often approach The Bench with the wrong attitude and the wrong mentality. Players view The Bench as a place “not in the game”, or a place where a player gets relegated.  It should however be viewed as an opportunity.  It should be viewed as a responsibility.

The Bench is a position, not unlike any other position on the baseball field.  And not unlike any other position, there’s a right way to play it and a wrong way to play.  If a player believes The Bench is “not in the game”, it is only because that player has made it so.

The Bench should certainly be a place to rest.  If a player is tired, or thirsty, or hurt, or emotionally drained, The Bench should be a place for him to reenergize, to get a drink, to heal his wounds, and to get his head right.  A player should be afforded a moment or two of down-time on The Bench when needed.  But The Bench is not simply about an individual player’s needs.  A player on The Bench has responsibilities to his teammates.  A player on The Bench has responsibilities in the same way a second baseman, and a center fielder, and a pitcher, and everyone else on the field has responsibilities.

A player on The Bench at a very minimum must maintain a positive attitude while playing The Bench.  A player may be disappointed about not being on the field during a particular inning or during a particular situation.  But that disappointment cannot manifest itself as sulking, moping, complaining, or otherwise general bad attitude.  The player’s teammates deserve better than such selfish behavior.

A good teammate, whether he’s playing third base, first base, right field, or The Bench looks to encourage his teammates through word and deed.  The player on The Bench need not be obnoxious about cheering for his teammates, but a little consistent positive chatter from The Bench can be an uplifting source of energy for the team.  The player on The Bench should also be the first one out of the dugout at the end of a half inning to give his teammates coming in from the field high-fives, fist bumps, and verbal affirmations.

Every position on the field offers a unique perspective from which to watch a baseball game.  The difference between a position on the field – whether it be third base, right field, catcher or any other – and The Bench is that a player playing The Bench is afforded the opportunity to observe and think about many different things.  A player playing The Bench can watch virtually anything he wants – an opposing batter, an opposing coach, any one of his teammates on the field, the umpires. and more.  The players on the field in contrast must concentrate on the duties of their respective positions in that moment.  The player on The Bench is afforded the opportunity to observe what his teammates on the field cannot.

Learn opposing hitters’ tendencies at the plate.  Figure out where they hit the ball and why.  If you find yourself pitching to the same hitters later in the game, this might come in handy.

Take note of the umpire’s strike zone.  Figure out if he’s calling the low and outside pitch for a strike.  When you come to the plate later in the game, this might come in handy.

Watch hit ground balls as they cross the infield.  Learn the terrain and speed of the ground.  If you find yourself playing an infield position later in the game, this might come in handy.

Watch opposing baserunners.  Figure out who has speed.  If you find yourself in the outfield with a runner tagging up to advance on a fly later in the game, this might come in handy.

The point is, don’t just “sit on the bench”.  Concentrate, show a little energy, encourage your teammates, and try to learn something while you’re there.  The best players always do.