Great Fans || Baseball Dudes LLC

I’ve played in many stadiums in many states and was blessed to do the same overseas in Japan and Taiwan.

Wherever you go, the game is the same. Baseball is baseball. There has been one big difference though that to this day I am reminded about on a daily basis. Unfortunately, it’s the way the fans act.

If you have never played this game, I could tell you how tough it really is and I’m sure you would shake your head as to understand but there is no way to really know if you haven’t tried to do it day after day.

I don’t think I will ever understand what is going on in someone’s mind when they go to a game and feel that it’s ok to say/yell words and comments at players. I have heard some pretty harsh things over my career but have learned to ignore it and not take it personally but see young players let it affect them. The instances that are toughest to swallow are the ones where an adult is doing this with a child in the seat next to them. I always feel bad for how that kid is going to grow up thinking is an ok way to act.

Now with that said, I need to say that during my three years (2 in Japan and 1 in Taiwan) playing overseas, I never once heard a boo. Every single day, the fans appreciated our effort. It was a breath of fresh air.

At the end of the day, it’s great playing in front of great fans. There are a ton out there. In fact most are great. Unfortunately, it’s the few bad ones who give fans a bad name. If you are a fan, please understand that those players have a unique talent, work hard and are people just like you trying to succeed at a very tough game. Be kind, be polite and appreciate their effort.

“Be a Great Fan”

Chris Gissell (172 Posts)

Founder of Baseball Dudes. Blessed with three beautiful children and an amazing wife. Baseball is my life, after my family, and I love sharing what I have learned from it. Thanks for taking the time to view what we offer here at Baseball Dudes.

Perspective

I’ve been instructing for I don’t know how many years. At first it was just something I did during the off seasons but had no idea what it was leading to.

Fast forward to 2012, the Angels gave me an opportunity to lead their young draft picks, teach them the game and how to be a professional, my eyes were opened. Since then my appreciation and understanding of coaching has grown deep. The amount of time coaches put in, the level of patience required, the attention to detail necessary, the consistent body language needed to lead by example, the understanding of what’s really important and what’s not, the importance of being able to relate to all different personalities, athleticism and abilities, the fact that being a good coach means consistently growing ourselves and coming to the realization that the one thing that matters most in all of this is finding ways to use the game to help them prepare for all those years when they are not playing the game.

I need to say Thank You to all my past coaches and to all the current coaches who take pride in giving the kids in front of them what they need on top of baseball skills. It’s often a thankless role but remember that no matter where they go in the game, they are going somewhere in life. That’s our mission.

– Chris Gissell

“My purpose, MY WHY, is to provide for my family, while also doing everything I can to develop quality people through the many life lessons that Baseball provides daily.”

17 Years Professional Experience (14 as a player, 3 as a coach). MLB debut 8/22/2004 with the Colorado Rockies. Retired from professional coaching on 10/31/14 to focus on family and developing youth baseball players full time.

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