Location
Northwestern College, Rowenhorst Student Center
Abstract
This research looks at the Northwestern College’s varsity baseball team’s partition. Within the team are two sub-sets, the 15 pitching only players and the rest of the team. Through the interaction and conversation of the players, the structure of practices and attention of the coaches, the two sub-sets team displayed an individualistic mindset of being separate from the other. This research is furthered by Simmel’s concept of Multiple Group-Affiliations. There can be multiple loyalties to sub-groups within the main group, illustrating the loyalties between the pitching group, field players and the rest of the team. Also based on Durkheim’s concept of mechanical solidarity, the pitchers are connected to each other because of the similarity within the members of the group. Although, the team as a whole is an example of organic solidarity. The physical distance between the two groups of the team was apparent. The pitchers often took all their gear and moved to one corner of the field to warm up, then to come together to play scrimmages with the rest of the team. The relational distance is a byproduct of the individualistic needs of the pitchers and during the meetings that happen before and in the middle of practices, the pitchers often leave the main group to have an offside huddle. Although, it was discovered that the team was broken up into two groups, it was found that this was out of necessity for the individualistic needs of the team and did not take away from the emotional support that the players had for each other.
Included in
Partition of a Team
Northwestern College, Rowenhorst Student Center
This research looks at the Northwestern College’s varsity baseball team’s partition. Within the team are two sub-sets, the 15 pitching only players and the rest of the team. Through the interaction and conversation of the players, the structure of practices and attention of the coaches, the two sub-sets team displayed an individualistic mindset of being separate from the other. This research is furthered by Simmel’s concept of Multiple Group-Affiliations. There can be multiple loyalties to sub-groups within the main group, illustrating the loyalties between the pitching group, field players and the rest of the team. Also based on Durkheim’s concept of mechanical solidarity, the pitchers are connected to each other because of the similarity within the members of the group. Although, the team as a whole is an example of organic solidarity. The physical distance between the two groups of the team was apparent. The pitchers often took all their gear and moved to one corner of the field to warm up, then to come together to play scrimmages with the rest of the team. The relational distance is a byproduct of the individualistic needs of the pitchers and during the meetings that happen before and in the middle of practices, the pitchers often leave the main group to have an offside huddle. Although, it was discovered that the team was broken up into two groups, it was found that this was out of necessity for the individualistic needs of the team and did not take away from the emotional support that the players had for each other.