7 Ways Theatre Can Improve Little League

Every artist has had to defend the validity of their chosen career path to an ignorant outspoken outsider at least once in their lives. Some well-meaning person who wants them to get a real job with economic stability. Ironically that same person listens to podcasts in the car, is an avid reader, and loves going to the movies yet somehow cannot see the essential nature of art in their everyday life. This person should be thanking the brave artist but instead chooses to criticize. Instead of going into the psychology of this unhappy human, let’s focus on how art makes literally everything better, even sports. If baseball is America’s pastime, then little league is similar to children’s theatre. Here are seven ways a “useless theatre degree” could be used to drastically improve a little league game.

Stage Left Field

Before the game even begins, it is important to understand the layout of the field. Now one can’t be completely scientifically and historically certain here but there are a lot of similarities between a baseball field and the stage. Left and right field are from the batter’s perspective much like stage left and stage right are from the actors. The crowd is seated in the round just like some more experimental theatre productions. There is an inherent drama in the design of the diamond much like a stage. Theatre’s origins can be traced to the 6th Century B.C. Baseball’s origins began in the 18th century. One could infer that theatre influenced baseball from the beginning.

An Actor Prepares: Warm Ups

Now just like any good actor before a performance, one cannot simply show up to one’s little league game and immediately start playing. First one has to rehearse or practice. One has to take care of their instrument by eating well, getting enough sleep, and drinking water. On performance or game day one should properly warm up with stretches and some mild cardio. It is also important to be in the right mental headspace.

Baseball Dads or Other Actors Don’t Give Notes

This is perhaps the biggest lesson to retain from this list. Baseball Dads are just Stage Mom’s by another name. Many Dads try to relive their glory days through their own children. This makes it very hard for your little leaguer to succeed. In theatre, there is a rule that can solve this very problem. Actors and audience members do not give other actors notes. Direction comes only from the director or in this case coach. Respect this chain of command.

Don’t Touch Other People’s Props or Equipment

It is super tempting in theatre when there is a cool prop, like a bloody sword, to play with it but this will only end badly. Same rule applies to bats, gloves, and helmets in baseball. If it is not yours don’t touch it. Return it to the props table once it is no longer needed or as is popular in little league nowadays one’s own personal bucket.

Technique or What’s My Motivation

Many coaches focus solely on the technical aspects of things like batting, running, and catching. These are very important and should definitely be rehearsed but the missing element is the age old actor question: “What’s my motivation?” For example, when trying to get a reluctant batter to hit hard, try telling them to be really angry at the ball. A slow runner can be coached to pretend to run away from a scary monster. A poor catcher can be told its candy and if they catch they can eat it. Be creative and think outside the box.

Intermission or What to Do in the Dugout

Baseball games like Shakespeare plays can go on for quite some time. It is hard to maintain that intense level of focus for so long. It is even harder to dip in and out of it. For this one should follow the example of method actors. Do not break character. Stay focused when not on the field or at bat. Once the game is over, it is okay to break character.

Zip Zap Zop or How to Concentrate

Along the lines of concentration for long periods of time, coaches should consider adding the classic theatre game of zip, zap, zop to their practice routines. This game has the players standing in a circle passing energy to each other using the pattern zip, zap, zop much like how one would pass a baseball. One person starts and sends it to another person by making eye contact and a strong forward motion such as clapping or pointing to another saying “zip.” The person who received it continues and passes it along in the same way with “zap.” The receiver again passes it saying “zop.” Then the pattern starts again. This game promotes concentration and being clear in communication. Skills needed in both baseball, theatre, and life.