Youth Baseball Digest – Arrogant Coach, You're So Vain, You Probably Think This Article is About You
One of my biggest "pet peeves" in baseball and life is when I have to associate with coaches that think too highly of themselves. They have overbearing and arrogant attitudes. They are "know-it-alls" that put themselves on a pedestal above the game, above their peer, and above their players. I would have to say that 99.9% of all baseball coaches that I have ever met are sociable, likable, and humble people that know their true worth and importance to the game of baseball. That other 1/10 of 1 percent of all baseball coaches too arrogant for my liking.
Arrogance is defined by Webster as an offensive display of superior or self-importance; overbearing pride. You have seen coaches like I am describing. They are completely "full of themselves". They feel that they are the object around which the world of baseball revolves.
These baseball coaches are easy to spot. They are overly loud. They are overbearing. They are too flashy for their own good. They want to be seen and to put on a "show".
Many of these coaches feel that baseball is privileged to have them. They consider themselves as "God's Gift to Baseball". They highly overestimate their own worth and importance to baseball. Many of these coaches are young and too inexperienced to know better. As they mature they begin to realize that baseball coaching success can be achieved without making enemies and alienating people by being too arrogant.
I am a firm believer that two qualities that every person in life must learn are humility and modesty. Players must understand that baseball is bigger than one team, one player, one league, one season, or one career. Baseball is "God's Gift" to us as players and coaches. It is a privilege to coach and play it. Every player and coach has a duty and responsibility to protect the values and virtues of the game.
There is no need or place for arrogance in baseball. You can have pride and confidence as a player and coach without being a "jerk".
I hope this article was informative to you. Good luck to you and your team in the coming season. Have a great day, Nick.