Respect the Game: Why Baseball’s Small Habits Still Matter
In this blog, Coach Leo Young and Brannon Snead talk pet peeves—but the message goes deeper. Leo vents about “baseball litter,” the careless habit of leaving balls all over the field. Brannon doubles down on modern showboating—specifically, the rise of bat flips. What starts as a list of annoyances turns into a powerful reminder that respect, focus, and old-school discipline still matter. For athletes and coaches wondering how small habits affect culture and safety, this blog breaks it down with zero fluff.
FROM TRAINING TO TRIUMPH - WHAT MILITARY AND SPORTS TEACH ABOUT LEADING, WINNING, AND GROWING IN LIFE
Coach Leo Young
10/1/20252 min read
“Baseball Litter” and the Culture It Creates
Coach Leo Young’s pet peeve might sound small—until it isn’t.
“Baseballs laying on the field drive me insane. That’s how you roll an ankle doing long toss.”
It’s not just about tidiness—it’s about attention to detail, respect for the field, and awareness of the players around you.
Leaving gear scattered might seem harmless, but it reflects something deeper:
A relaxed mindset
A lack of urgency
Disrespect for teammates’ safety
If you’re careless with cleanup, what else are you careless with?
What’s your biggest sports pet peeve—and what does it reveal? Drop your story in the comments on the full video.
The Bat Flip Era—and the Competitive Line It Crosses
Brannon Snead’s pet peeve? Bat flips.
And not because he’s against emotion—but because he played with a different code.
“I gave up less than 10 home runs in my entire pitching career from T-ball through college. You hit one off me? Cool. Flip the bat? You’re catching one in the ear next time.”
This wasn’t about ego—it was about competitive balance.
You want to celebrate? Fine.
But don’t disrespect the game—or your opponent.
Compete like Griffey. Compete like Nolan Ryan.
“It wasn’t about showboating—it was about showing up and competing.”
Old-School Lessons That Still Matter
Somewhere along the way, baseball started celebrating flash over form.
And what gets lost in the process?
Grit
Humility
Situational awareness
Mutual respect between teams and teammates
“It takes all the fun out of it—for me,” Brannon says.
Because when everything’s a show, nothing feels earned.
What Coaches Can Do Right Now
You don’t have to be old-school to teach discipline.
But you do have to draw the line somewhere.
Coaches, here’s what still matters:
Pick up every baseball
Don’t tolerate careless routines
Teach players to compete with pride—not just celebration
Remind athletes that swagger without structure falls flat
It’s not about being “the fun police.”
It’s about building players who respect themselves, their teammates, and the work it takes to get better.
How Sore to Soaring Reinforces These Values
At Sore to Soaring, we train athletes and coaches to embrace high standards.
✔ Field presence
✔ Personal discipline
✔ Leadership through small habits
✔ Competing with class—not chaos
Because it’s not just about how you play.
It’s how you carry yourself when no one’s watching.
🌍 Learn more about how we develop competitive, disciplined athletes → https://www.soretosoaring.org
Disclaimer:
The content shared is for informational purposes only. This is not a judgment of any person or program mentioned. All names and events are discussed from personal memory and are not meant to accuse or endorse. The goal is to share insight from lived experience.
#SoreToSoaring #RespectTheGame #BaseballCulture
#BrannonSnead #LeoYoung #BatFlipEra
#DisciplineInSports #FieldAwareness #PlayerAccountability
#YouthBaseball #CoachToLeader #OldSchoolMindset
#SportsLeadership #RealCoaching #AthleteDevelopment
