The Fundamentals Never Change

Every afternoon in Major League ballparks across the country, long before the national anthem or batting practice crowds, an infield coach is usually in foul territory putting players through the smallest details of defense. Sometimes it’s barehanded. Sometimes they’re on their knees. Sometimes it’s one player. Sometimes it’s the entire infield.

It’s become such a normal part of baseball that most players never think twice about it.

Ron Washington helped make it part of the game.

Ron Washington working with Giants infielders at Kauffman Stadium

I caught up with the San Francisco Giants’ infield coach during their visit to Kansas City, and it reminded me why his influence can be seen throughout baseball. Long before he became a longtime Major League manager and one of baseball’s most respected infield instructors, Wash was part of the Royals Baseball Academy in Florida in the early 1970s, a groundbreaking player development program created by Royals founder Ewing Kauffman. The Academy immersed gifted young athletes in the fundamentals of baseball, and one of Wash’s classmates was future Royals legend and eight-time Gold Glove winner Frank White.

Those lessons never left him.

Today, at 74, Wash is still on the grass every afternoon teaching the same fundamentals. I asked him why he still goes through those drills every single day.

His answer was classic Wash.

“As long as this is baseball, we’re working.”

After the Giants left town, Royals infield coach Jose Alguacil, himself one of the game’s respected infield instructors, texted Wash to thank him for catching up during the series. He wrote that Wash’s enthusiasm for the game is contagious and that his work ethic and dedication continue to inspire him.

Baseball has changed dramatically since those Academy days. Technology has changed. Training has changed.  The fundamentals haven’t.

That’s Small Ball. The fundamentals never go out of style.