How Hockey and Baseball share the same winning formula: Momentum, and Confidence.



I want to be clear, my knowledge of Hockey in no way makes me qualified to have conviction of the observation I am about to express.

Hockey/Baseball are incredible similar in more ways than we may have thought. Let me unpack.

The Object of player focus (Baseball/Puck)

These two objects are similar in weight, both are manipulated by a stick in some way, they both travel at extreme velocity, and both can cause devastating injury if a player is struck above the shoulders. If that was every similarity it would still be a reasonable observation of similarity, but for me the greatest similarity is the nature of their unpredictability. For a baseball, the unpredictability is how the baseballs rotation is always a variable force, For a Puck its the nature of its glide on the ice, and that it has two separate surface realities -- It can glide on the flat, and roll on the tread.

The Sticks

The concept of manipulated a puck/ball that already has a level of unpredictability baked into its physical nature with a stick as an extension of a participating player only COMPOUNDS the randomness of winning success. "PUCK LUCK is real" my good friend Kris expressed, I had no idea how accurate that statement is.

History of Champions.

I think it is relevant to point out that Hockey and Baseball are by far the most egalitarian team sports in regards to Championships. The nature of the two sports infinite variables due to the nature of its physics has led to two sports that rarely sees sustained  championship dynasties.

The Power of confidence and momentum.

I am not implying that skill isn't of seminal importance, yet when skill is basically a wash what wins in these two sports in critical situations is mental visualization, belief, leadership, intangibles. The ability to negotiate the random variables without losing focus or being discouraged is ultimately the Rosetta Stone of winning in these sports. Curses, Omens, Traditions, are conspicuous because of the randomness factor. The RAT, The Octopus, The Goat Curse, The Curse of the Babe, Playoff Beard, etc etc... looms ominous is these infinitely random sports.

In short, when talent is a wash, BELIEF!! is the stuff of champions in these two Sports.  

THE FLORIDA PANTHERS LOOK LIKE CHAMPIONS RIGHT NOW.



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