The Interpretation of Body Language

Struck out again? Walked another hitter? Threw another ball in the stands from shortstop? The umpire behind the plate missed another call? And it is only the 4th inning?? Let's just:

• Throw our bat because it caused me to not swing on a hit and run.  
• Toss the helmet because it caused me to miss a sign.
• Flip over the water cooler because all of the ice caused me to get pick off.
• Pout because it appears to be the right thing to do.

Uh, no. Let me say that every staff member at Bardo’s who has ever played baseball knows the feeling! We have all been their more than once. So, before you go before crazy about your next set of errors and mishaps there are a couple of things I would like for you to consider.

Sir Isaac Newton states in his 3rd law of motion that:  For every action there is an opposite and equal reaction. In baseball, what Newton was saying about a body in “motion” could be applied to a body “emotions.” It is called “Body Language.” Body language has a voice that carries for miles. Body language says things that the mouth can’t even utter. Body language allows others to look past the error and into the heart of their character. Our reactions to the error say more about us as a player than the error itself.  (Can I get an Amen up in here!!)  Let’s face it, everyone knows it is frustrating and that you feel terrible. But the only thing worse than the error was your reaction to it. All of the mistakes, bad calls and lopsided scores only feel embarrassing. But the negative emotion and bad body language that are attached to them are embarrassing. It is more than a reflection of a bad attitude. It is merely a reflection of a lack of confidence. (Note: When parents make excuses for this behavior they are now just as guilty)

If players understood what their bad body language was actually saying to everyone, they would never allow their body to say anything. Here is what the pouting and temper tantrum is really saying. “I am not very good at this game folks!! I just didn’t want anyone to know that. In fact, I am so insecure in my ability that I need everything to go my way just so I can have a chance to win.” When the insecurity behind your inability becomes greater than the confidence about your ability, you are prone to emotional meltdowns. What I mean by that is that genuine confidence won’t allow you to react to mistakes. When major league players make little league mistakes there is seldom any reaction. Why not? Don’t they care? Sure they do, but they are so confident in their ability to make the next play that the previous mistake is labeled as a fluke. Otherwise, they would not be there. 

---