Prep Star Assignment: Search Webster’s Dictionary for the word “Team” and you’ll find a new reference to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. With a victory in game 5 of the ALDS, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim proved that a few stars – surrounded by a solid “team” of good players – can outperform the most star studded and highest paid superstars in the game. Not only did the Angels win, they did it with their best pitcher being replaced by a rookie, and their most productive hitter being held to zero RBI for the series. That meant other players needed to step up and deliver. And they did!
While it may be a stretch to compare a professional team to a high school team, similarities between this year’s Angels and most high school teams are clear. Like the Angels, most teams don’t possess the “best” talent in the league. Like the Angels, most have a few stars that have earned league honors and are expected to perform at a higher level. And most teams have their share of injuries that require players who typically sit the bench, or who started the season at a lower level, to step up and perform if their team is going to win.
But the one thing the Angels possess that is rarely apparent with high school teams is a clear sense of dedication and commitment to each other; and the attitude, effort, and all out passion for the game that is needed for their team to win and reach the playoffs. While every Angel player (starter or reserve) was and is fully prepared to do what it takes to win, most high school athletes are not willing to make that kind of commitment.
The Angels are clearly a team. Every person among the Halo’s is willing to do what it takes to help their team win. Sure, there are some who are disappointed with a coaching decision now and then, but those attitudes are balanced by the understanding that each player has a role to play in order for the team to achieve success. And that’s why the Angels are winners.
Additionally, the Angels don’t let the opinions of outsiders direct or influence their approach or the way they play the game. Sports writers and commentators have opinions about who should play where and when. They second guess coaching decisions and, if possible, would be tickled to death if something they said to a coach somehow caused a change in the roster, position of a player, or the strategy within the organization. That’s part of their job. To create controversy is entertaining. It sells papers, magazines and air time.
Parents and other outside observers are not unlike sports reporters. They express their opinions and attitudes to coaches, other parents and to the players. Unfortunately, high school players are impacted by these opinions and it affects their attitudes and their approach to practice. It affects their performance. Unlike the Angels, young people tend to allow the things that are said to stir up controversy at home, at school and within the team.
This isn’t to suggest that parents or outsiders will ever stop giving their opinions. They won’t, because in some strange way, it’s part of their job too. Parents will, and should, seek to do what is best for their children. But that isn’t always what is best for a team to be successful.
What is important is that young athletes learn how to deal with outside influences. They should learn to take the opinions of others in the same way the Angels have learned to handle it. Listen, be respectful, and take whatever comes with a measure of grace. Then return their focus to the things – and only those things – which are important to improving their own performance and helping the team to win games.
The Angels are successful because they believe in and trust each other and their coaches. They sacrifice with strong efforts in both team and individual practice, and they maintain a positive and focused attitude that results in championship caliber performance.
Simply put, if high school teams are to be successful, they need to learn from, and follow the example of Major League Baseball’s Western Division Champion Los Angeles Angels.
One reply on “Prep Athletes Can Learn From Angels”
Great Article Very well written and interesting. I like the comparing MLB to Highschool even though obviously they are two different games. For other young kids to learn from great teams you could also throw in the 1996-99 Yankees, 1997 & 2003 Marlins, 2002 Angles, and so-on as there have been plenty of them. But that will be for a different article. Congrats on this one. Very impressive.