Stepping on the SB Scale

It's been a tough week as my Father has been sick, but thankfully he is recovering nicely. As I am a soon to be parent I can't help but think about my relationship with him over the years and I can honestly say we both made a lot of mistakes and wasted a lot of time. I've grown to respect him more and more the last few years as he has bravely dealt with illness after illness like a warrior while cherishing every moment of life along the way.

Still I want to avoid some of the mistakes we've made and I don't know why and I know it sounds weird, hell I am weird you know that, but for some reason when it comes to our relationship I keep thinking about a nerdy two-sided logical philosophy I learned while geeking out watching Star Trek years ago:

Philosophy #1 "the Needs of the Many outweigh the needs of the Few"

Philosophy #2 "the Needs of the One outweigh the needs of the Many"

This philosophy is all about stepping on the scale of life and weighing the right thing to do. Sometimes it’s obvious. Sometimes it's subtle. Obvious is easy, but subtle, ah that's tricky. Subtle gets into that grey area where your decision is all based on feel, sometimes something just feels right, even when common sense dictates otherwise.

For a long time my father and I couldn't weigh what we needed and the scale was tilted too much in one direction:

• We didn't Sacrifice - It was always me me me for both of us.
• We didn't Spend time together - he worked. I did my thing.
• We couldn't Communicate - didn't talk for years. Years!.... Stupid
• We couldn't Connect - something was off. He was a hustler. Me a mama's boy
• We couldn't find a middle ground - too stubborn and selfish

Fuck this blog got serious and deep. How the hell am I going to Segway into softball after that? Easy, we all know it's more than just a game. Going forward all I can do is weigh the needs of the my family to my needs and find a balance. True love involves sacrifice after all.

It's worth noting that "The needs of the many versus the needs of the few" tough decisions are not limited to Captain Kirk or parents, you see every softball manager must make that call each game. Top Ten Examples Include:

(10/9) Incorporating New Players and Benching Regulars

Insider Analysis : "the needs of the Many outweigh the needs of the Few" - everyone deserves a fair chance and if that means someone has to sit then you got to do it. Again the talent, maturity, and experience level on your squad makes this grey area decision. Bottom line: No way in hell you do not play a new impact player. Benching a stud is moronic. 

(8) Pinch Hitting 

Insider Analysis : "the Needs of the One outweigh the needs of the Many" - never pinch hit for anyone except a forfeit avoider before July 4th. You have to show confidence as the upside will benefit everyone. Ironically  failure benefits everyone as well as long as you learn from it. As a side note, if you have to pinch hit for someone let them know at least a batter ahead, no one wants to walk into the box and be pulled back. It's embarrassing.

(7)Releasing a Talented Trouble maker

Insider Analysis : "the needs of the Many outweigh the needs of the Few" This is a big time grey area dilemma  I say do it, if and only if, your replacement level player is better. Chemistry is overrated and better left for warm feel good features on ESPN.

(6) Replacing a loyal player due to age, injury of performance

Insider Analysis : "the needs of the Many outweigh the needs of the Few". Veterans have pride but As Marcellus Wallace said in Pulp Fiction "Fuck Pride"

Sorry but your not doing anyone any favors by showing favoritism to someone based on past performance if they are physically unable to get the job done. A wise man once told me "loyalty doesn't win you championships" If you have better option use it. There is no shame in switching positions. None

(5) Switching Positions

Insider Analysis : "the needs of the Many outweigh the needs of the Few". Not everyone can play where they want to, sometimes you have to play where the team needs you. Put away the first base glove and take out that outfielders mitt homeboy we need you out there.

(4) Taking a pitcher out

Insider Analysis : "the Needs of the One outweigh the needs of the Many" -same idea as pinch hitting. Unless the pitcher asks out the game its his all the way especially early in the season

(3) Getting everyone in the game

 Insider Analysis : "the needs of the One outweigh the needs of the Many". No excuse for a manager not to get a player in at least of a couple of innings during the regular season. Easier when yo have two games.

(2) Making a lineup

Insider Analysis : "the needs of the Many outweigh the needs of the Few". You cannot make a lineup catering to some scrubs ego because they can't bat lower than 7th. Moreover, the biggest failure I see in softball is when a bum running the team bats himself really high in the order. So selfish. The softball gods will somehow pay you back one day

(1) Addressing Mistakes
Insider Analysis: "the needs of the One outweigh the needs of the Many". A manager has to hold players accountable for their play. How you address mistakes is a key grey area decision. Some players do not respond to yelling or public criticism while others feed off of it. Act accordingly otherwise tension will grow.

Knowing what to do in family, life, and softball is not always clear so trust your instincts when you step on the scale to weigh who comes first " the many or the few"?

Live Long and Prosper, I had to add that geeky line. Sorry