But y'all are not reading this blog for that. While I was getting excited about the game and reminiscing about my old baseball days, I realized that student ministry is kinda like a baseball team. Former Major League baseball player Curt Schilling once said "Baseball is not a sport that one can achieve individually." I think that that equates directly to ministry. You cannot achieve success as a church individually.
One of the most popular pictures of unity of the church is a body. All the parts of the body working together. The body cannot function without all the different parts. Just as a baseball team is made up of 9 different position players that all together make only 1 team, student ministry is made up of multiple types of students that come together to make 1 group. In baseball each position has a different "baseball stereotype" attached to it. If you will hang with me I want to examine each baseball position and how the "baseball stereotype" helps us understand different students in our ministry. Just like a baseball team all the members must work together to be successful.
WARNING: This article assumes that you know about baseball positions and baseball terms. If you do not understand baseball I suggest you check out this article that breaks down each position. Also the views expressed are my own, I have played baseball since I was four years old and would consider myself a huge baseball fan. Each position breakdown is what I see as a common perception of each position. Okay here we go...
First Base
Stereotype: Power Hitter
Application: First basemen are known more for their batting at the plate than their play in the field. These are the students who are the heavy hitters. They like to swing for the fences. In discussions they try to make the "home run" point. They strike out more often than not, but when they make contact it spurs great discussions! If you can try and set them up it can really ignite the rest of the students.
Second Base
Stereotype: Always ready but not always involved
Application: I always played second base growing up. Because of the position on the field you don't see much action, but since you are in the infield there is always the chance the action will come your way quickly. Second base is more of a thinking position than an action position. These students are ones who are always ready for the action, but don't always see it. In discussions they want to make a good point but never get the chance. These students have skills that are not always needed. Making sure these students are involved is key to a good team.
Short Stop
Stereotype: Always ready but not always involved
Application: I always played second base growing up. Because of the position on the field you don't see much action, but since you are in the infield there is always the chance the action will come your way quickly. Second base is more of a thinking position than an action position. These students are ones who are always ready for the action, but don't always see it. In discussions they want to make a good point but never get the chance. These students have skills that are not always needed. Making sure these students are involved is key to a good team.
Stereotype: All-star player
Application: On the baseball diamond the Short Stop is usually the MVP of the team. They play a position that is very active, and they become the face of the team. These are the students that crave the most attention. They like being involved in everything. The biggest thing to keep in mind when dealing with these students is need to be reminded that everyone needs to be involved. The worst thing I have encountered in ministry is asking a student to step back and let another student step up. Getting everyone involved is key to keeping the team healthy. Everybody wants to be an all-star but only a few truly are.
Third Base
Stereotype: All-star player
Application: On the baseball diamond the Short Stop is usually the MVP of the team. They play a position that is very active, and they become the face of the team. These are the students that crave the most attention. They like being involved in everything. The biggest thing to keep in mind when dealing with these students is need to be reminded that everyone needs to be involved. The worst thing I have encountered in ministry is asking a student to step back and let another student step up. Getting everyone involved is key to keeping the team healthy. Everybody wants to be an all-star but only a few truly are.
Stereotype: Quick reflexes
Application: Third Basemen are very interesting on the baseball field. They play what is called the "Hot Corner." They have to be able to react on a spur of the moment. Sometimes they act like they aren't paying attention but always make the play. These are the students that seem to not be paying attention but when the time comes they show that they were absorbent as a sponge and sharp as a tack. When handling these students keep in mind that people have different ways of learning.
Right and Left Field
Stereotype: Quick reflexes
Application: Third Basemen are very interesting on the baseball field. They play what is called the "Hot Corner." They have to be able to react on a spur of the moment. Sometimes they act like they aren't paying attention but always make the play. These are the students that seem to not be paying attention but when the time comes they show that they were absorbent as a sponge and sharp as a tack. When handling these students keep in mind that people have different ways of learning.
Stereotype: Not the most skilled but the most heart.
Application: In Little League the kids who really want to play baseball but have no coordination or skill are usually put in right or left field. They make the best of the situation and have fun. Sometimes these are the kids that just don't understand, but try really hard. A good idea when you have students like these is to get your other students involved in the teaching to them. Sometimes students understand students better than they understand adults.
Center Field
Stereotype: Not the most skilled but the most heart.
Application: In Little League the kids who really want to play baseball but have no coordination or skill are usually put in right or left field. They make the best of the situation and have fun. Sometimes these are the kids that just don't understand, but try really hard. A good idea when you have students like these is to get your other students involved in the teaching to them. Sometimes students understand students better than they understand adults.
Stereotype: Best communicator on the the field
Application: The center fielder is the leader of the outfield. Of all the players on the field he has the most area to cover. Almost every time the ball is hit, he is moving. Because he has the best vantage point of the field he communicates to the other players what is going on. These students need to be challenged. They are glue that keeps everyone working towards a common goal. They can help solve problems within the team.
Catcher
Stereotype: Best communicator on the the field
Application: The center fielder is the leader of the outfield. Of all the players on the field he has the most area to cover. Almost every time the ball is hit, he is moving. Because he has the best vantage point of the field he communicates to the other players what is going on. These students need to be challenged. They are glue that keeps everyone working towards a common goal. They can help solve problems within the team.
Stereotype: The behind the scenes leader
Application: The catcher calls for what pitches he thinks the pitcher needs to throw. In special situations he calls what plays he thinks the defense needs to enact. He is usually a direct line between the catcher and the coach. If you have a "youth council" or group of student leaders, they fall under catcher. They make the calls that they think will give the team the best chance for success. Keeping these students accountable is key to keeping them on the top of their game.
Pitcher
Stereotype: The behind the scenes leader
Application: The catcher calls for what pitches he thinks the pitcher needs to throw. In special situations he calls what plays he thinks the defense needs to enact. He is usually a direct line between the catcher and the coach. If you have a "youth council" or group of student leaders, they fall under catcher. They make the calls that they think will give the team the best chance for success. Keeping these students accountable is key to keeping them on the top of their game.
Stereotype: Always involved
Application: You would think the Pitcher would be the most important player on the team but remember there is not one player that is more important than the others. Pitchers are involved in almost every single play of a baseball game. These students are those who are always in every aspect of the ministry. These are the students whose parents are involved in the church. When ministering to these students keep in mind that keeping church fresh for them is important. These are the students that get bored with church. Keep these students interested and they will help keep excitement in the church.
Manager
Stereotype: Always involved
Application: You would think the Pitcher would be the most important player on the team but remember there is not one player that is more important than the others. Pitchers are involved in almost every single play of a baseball game. These students are those who are always in every aspect of the ministry. These are the students whose parents are involved in the church. When ministering to these students keep in mind that keeping church fresh for them is important. These are the students that get bored with church. Keep these students interested and they will help keep excitement in the church.
We don't usually think of the manager when we think about a baseball team, but the manager is in charge of the moral support and everyday in and out of the team. For me this equates to my adult leaders. They are a vital part of my ministry. They pick up where I leave off. They step in and take care of issues I cannot get to. Every team needs managers, just like every ministry needs adult leaders.
I hope this helps re-invent the idea that as followers of Christ and a church that we are one team together. It takes all 9 players to play a game of baseball. If you lack a pitcher the play will never get started. If you don't have an outfield anytime the ball is hit out of the infield you're in serious trouble. All students are unique and together they make up a successful youth group, only if they are working together as a team!
As always all comments and suggestions are welcome and appreciated!
God Bless and PLAY BALL!
Tyler
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