Article from Positive Coaching Alliance Connector (Newsletter) June 3, 2010
A Perfect Ending to an Almost-Perfect Game
Despite last night’s (6/2/2010) obvious and admitted blown umpire’s call that cost Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galaragga the last out of what would have been a perfect game, the aftermath exemplified PCA’s principle of Honoring the Game.
Instead of losing his cool and flipping out on the umpire, Galaragga smiled and went about his business. Instead of focusing on what he could no longer control, Galaragga, like all Triple-Impact Competitors, prepared for the next play. He executed it flawlessly, retiring the next batter and recording the complete game, one-hitter (his first complete game and shutout of his career).
If, in a moment like this, Galaragga can keep his cool and show class, then youth sports parents, coaches and athletes can do the same during their own games.
In true Triple-Impact Competitor style, Galaragga improved himself (by rising above the umpire’s call), his teammates (by calmly finishing the game even as some of them continued howling over the call), and the game (by providing youth players, parents and coaches a great example that we expect to see emulated throughout youth sports).
If, in a moment like this, Galaragga can keep his cool and show class, then youth sports parents, coaches and athletes can do the same during their own games.
In true Triple-Impact Competitor style, Galaragga improved himself (by rising above the umpire’s call), his teammates (by calmly finishing the game even as some of them continued howling over the call), and the game (by providing youth players, parents and coaches a great example that we expect to see emulated throughout youth sports).
Post-game, umpire Jim Joyce also Honored the Game by personally apologizing to Galaragga and owning up to the blown call, without excuses, in media interviews. In Galaragga’s post-game interviews, he continued to shine, saying he knows “nobody’s perfect.”
The more youth sports participants remember this about each other, the better off we’ll be.
–Jason Sacks, PCA Director of Partner Development