Callix Crabbe, second row center, presented a workshop on the benefits of positive coaching to the territory's coaches, December 7-9, 2016.
Here, he poses with coaches on St. Thomas on December 8, 2016.
Coaches from across the territory enjoyed three days of motivational workshops from one of their own, former MLB player and St. Thomas native, Callix Crabbe, at professional development sessions held December 7-9, 2016.
The sessions, held on all three islands, were a joint effort between the Virgin Islands Department of Education and the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation. They aimed to provide school and community coaches with practical tips to help develop their coaching skills, as well as information to develop the skills of young athletes.
“The Department is seriously committed to bringing programs to improve our children and youth skills and knowledge in sports,” said Pedro Cruz, commissioner of sports, parks and recreation during opening remarks at the St. Thomas workshop on December 8. “And, as you see, action speaks louder than words.” Territorial Director of Sports Peter Seipel attended and represented the Department of Education.
Mr. Crabbe, a Charlotte Amalie High School graduate who played professional baseball with the San Diego Padres from 2007-2008, captured the attention of the 20 coaches who attended on St. Thomas with his message of positive coaching.
“I have seen what positive coaching has done in my life,” Mr. Crabbe began. “What’s unique, though, is that I didn’t realize as a young boy that my coaches were teaching me more about life than about baseball. At some point, I did start to recognize it and I realize that’s the reason why I made it.”
Mr. Crabbe is a member of Positive Coaching Alliance, Inc., a national non-profit organization with the mission to transform the culture of youth sports so youth athletes can have a positive, character-building experience. He defined ‘positive coaching’ as that of “creating an atmosphere that supports the best possible performance, on and off the field.”
“If you can get your athletes to come to the arena, softball field, volleyball court, baseball field, or basketball court and they feel that they can have a chance to perform at their best, we would win more games,” he said.
However, Mr. Crabbe said good coaching isn’t only about winning. “Do not be a win-at-all-costs coach,” he continued. “Focus on process more than results. Study after study shows the benefits of a more positive approach [to coaching].”
Mr. Crabbe further pointed out that children have great sports experiences when they feel connected to their teammates, when they believe their skills could improve over time, and when they are having fun. “As I sat down and thought about the things that I felt were extremely important to me, and why I wanted to play baseball, I felt like I needed to be connected to my teammates,” he said. “I loved my teammates.” He went on to say that it made him feel good anytime he could help his teammates feel good about themselves, if they were having a bad day on the mound. Crabbe carried this same passion into his professional career.
Throughout his two-hour presentation, Mr. Crabbe made numerous references to his time as a young baseball player in St. Thomas and shared fond memories of inter-island competitions. He encouraged the coaches to model the behavior they wish their players to exhibit.
“Maybe we all can tweak some of the things we are doing in our coaching,” he said. “If we truly love kids, and we care about the sports we coach and love, we would make the time to change. You don’t have to change a lot; change happens just a little bit at a time. If you change just a little bit, that child who is getting ready to make a decision in a negative way, might stop.”
As a parting gift, attendees received a copy of “The Power of Double-Goal Coaching: Developing Winners in Sports and Life” book by Jim Thompson. Workshops held on St. Croix and St. John also saw enthusiastic participation from coaches on those islands.
Callix Crabbe played in the Majors for the San Diego Padres from 2007-2008. He now inspires coaches and athletes through his work with the Positive Coaching Alliance, Inc.
St. Thomas coaches take notes during workshop on December 8.
Sports, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Pedro Cruz gives remarks at workshop on St. Thomas on December 8.
