Clara the Clown - cf

Ah! Here's Clara the Clown. As far as she's concerned, everything is funny. With most coaches, she has to be very clever and secretive, because if she gets caught...! That kind of coach just can't wait to catch her in the act. As for you, you can have fun with her, enjoy her humor, and get along just fine, but you have to work on it with her.

#1 Rule when dealing with someone who is always asking for attention.

Give her all the attention you can but never when she is demanding it.

One thing in our favor is that Clara is a good clown. Nothing that she does is meant to do any harm or to hurt anybody. She “just wants to have fun.” But, the time that she really bugs us coaches is when we want everyone to be serious. So, we're leading 4 to 3 in the last of the 7th and they have runners on 2nd and 3rd with 1 out. It simply is not O.K. for Clara to be doing her behind the back ball tricks out in center field while you are having a summit meeting on the mound. What Clara is doing is not a problem, but her timing is awful.

Well, Coach, this is what we call a need for education. You have to spend time talking to her about when and how she can be a good clown. The major concern is whether it is appropriate in terms of situation and time. “Claras” are good to have around --they keep us laughing and happy when the time and situation are right.

Example:

You are having a postgame meeting and you are suggesting that there is a need for better bunting in future games and that you will be dealing with that at the next practice. Clara has a bat in her hand demon-starting how to bunt behind her back. She does have a good response from her teammates; in fact, more people are watching her than you.

Your feelings:

There she goes again. Doesn't she ever give it a rest? It's about time she grew up and helped us get some of our important business done.

What you would like to do:

Say, “Clara, cut that out. When are you going to grow up?”

Try this instead:

Say, “Clara, that isn't appropriate right now. Can you help me deal with this problem? Thanks.” Then as soon as possible, “Clara, thanks for helping me when I was busy telling the team how to lay down a good bunt - did you get that okay or do you want me to help you with it?”

You have a full time job with Clara. She needs a lot of reinforcement and recognition. Don't let her get desperate and turn into that nasty clown. Everyone gets hurt in that case.

But, look at the bright side; things could be worse. You could pick up Sam the Smart Aleck and have two clowns on your team competing for Team Clown. (Can you imagine having Melissa McCarthy and Jim Carrey on your team at the same time?)

Clara's Goal: Attention

Give her all the attention you can - but never when she is demanding it.