What Catchers Can Teach Us About Leading a Business

Their equipment may be unflatteringly dubbed the Tools of Ignorance, but there's wisdom behind the facemask. Here are some lessons from catchers that you can apply to leading your own organization:

Strategic Planning

The catcher is the only position that has the entire field of play in front of them. With this unique perspective comes responsibility. A catcher can’t simply focus inward. You must know what every teammate on the field is responsible for on any given play. As the one person who has eyes on everyone else, you have the potential to impact every position on the field.

Executive Presence

In addition to being the only one who can see the entire field of play in front of you, catchers also hold the distinction of being the only position that everyone else can see at all times. It’s a little ironic that the one wearing the facemask is the most visible, but everyone is facing the catcher. All eyes are on you. What kind of energy do you emit? Are you rattled or stoic in the face of adversity? Are you the first one to sprint out onto the field, ready to compete? Whatever you do, people can’t help but notice.

Understand the Competitive Landscape

As a catcher, you share ownership of the game plan. You need to know the tendencies of each opposing hitter, and how to attack him with your pitchers’ specific strengths. You’re also the closest to the competition. Being able to read your opponent and adjust accordingly is critical to long-term success.

Focus on Execution

A catcher needs to be thinking ahead while always remaining present. With the exception of when a pitcher throws a complete game, the catcher is the only player on the field who is involved in every single pitch. No letting your mind wander or sulking over striking out in your last at-bat. One pitch can determine the outcome of the game; you can’t afford to take one off. If you’re too worried about the next hitter, the current one might beat you.

Accountability

One of the worst things a catcher can do is let the ball get behind them. Keep your eye on the ball, and keep it in front of you at all times, no matter what.

Servant Leadership

You come second. A catcher’s first responsibility is to his pitching staff, not himself. The first question after every game is “Did you win?”, not “How many hits did the catcher have?” A majority of your contributions will go unnoticed to the untrained eye. They will see the box score the next day where you went 0-4. They won’t see the pitch-calling, nurturing your pitcher through a tough spot, or blocking balls in the dirt, all of which played a direct hand in your team winning. One group that definitely will take notice: your teammates.

Strategic Partnerships

The biggest impact a catcher can have on their team’s performance is to get the most out of their pitching staff. In order to motivate and optimize a dozen people with different strengths, personalities, backgrounds, and quirks, you need to know what makes them tick. You need to connect with them as individuals. No cookie cutter stuff here. You need to wear whatever hat the situation or individual calls for: cheerleader, coach, disciplinarian, or psychologist. Like any successful partnership, a pitcher-catcher relationship is most effective when both sides know the other is prepared, capable, and willing to do whatever is best for the team.

The Work is Done When No One is Watching

Catchers are the working class of baseball. When all of their teammates are taking extra batting practice, honing their individual craft, or even resting, catchers can be found studying film and catching bullpens. They don’t do it for show. They do it because the position requires it. Embrace the grunt work because there is no grunt work. Just work that must be done in order to be successful. Backing up first base? Taking a foul tip off the hand? Throwing your body in front of a 95 mph fastball in the dirt so the runner doesn’t score? Sign me up.