Women’s softball is the epitome of team sport. Like most female athletes softball players compete for the name on the front and not the one on the back. If you have ever attended a women’s softball, basketball game, or soccer match, you will notice the constant communication. They are quick to let each other know what is happening and try to help their team mate execute to her fullest.

That’s not usually the case with men. I’ve yet to see a softball pitcher pound her glove in disgust if an error is committed, or the outfielder misjudges the line drive. Instead, they will rally around each other and discuss what has to be done to prevent damage caused by the runner on base.

Part of the reason for their attitude may revolve around fame, or the lack of it. Even Lisa Fernandez isn’t going to attract the level of attention given to A-Rod. She won’t even attract the level of attention accorded to Paul Konerko or Adrian Beltre. That’s not taking anything away from those players, but Fernandez is the best at her game while they are merely good, albeit very capable players.

The lack of attention and what comes with it probably keeps the women grounded and more goals oriented. They aren’t playing for the big free agency dollars. Instead, they are playing for the love of the game. And, since they love the game, they want to learn everything they can. Therefore, they are open to coaching, clinics, evaluation from peers and anything else that makes them better players.

Most softball players are fundamentally sound. They may not be five tool players in the scouting sense, but they can play all aspects of the game. They know what to do in situations. Power hitters like Crystal Bustos and Fernandez will sacrifice or lay down a bunt when it is needed to advance the runners. More importantly, they know how to execute a sacrifice or a bunt.

Can you imagine David Ortiz or Jason Giambi laying down a bunt? Bustos and Fernandez are comparable hitters, but they can execute the play. Bunting in the American League has become a lost art form. Last season I watched practically every member of the Mariners make a gaffe when attempting to bunt a runner along. Yet, I see NCAA players drop bunts and often beat the throw to first.

It is not that women are genetically better able to grasp the fundamentals of bunting; it is that they don’t operate on ego. As a result, they can be coached. Look at the number of managers and coaches who revolve through the MLB teams. If they aren’t any good, why do they keep landing jobs? It isn’t that they aren’t any good; it comes down to the players shutting them off. Particularly when they are asked to do something they don’t want to do, or may require them to work on a fundamental that they lack.

Part of it stems from agents who don’t want to see Big Papi reduced to Scooter by dropping bunts to put the ball in play. There is money to be made for a MLB superstar and dropping bunts won’t make the highlight reels on Sportscenter, or even Baseball Tonight.

Softball players aren’t going to pull down big contracts. They enter into the sport knowing that the financial returns are few. If they are out there training year around, attending clinics in the off season and playing fall games when their hands feel like ice it is because they love what they are doing.

Because they love what they are doing they want to do it to the best of their abilities. That means that if the coach says sacrifice the runner along, the batter will execute the play. However, this thinking holds a number of rewards. For one thing, the runner may score and you win the game. For another, being fundamentally sound extends to the field.

There are a lot of defensive skills in the NPF, PFX and NCAA ranks. It starts even before high school with players spending as much time working on fielding drills as they do hitting. There are very few weak links on the better softball teams. You know what I mean, that player who you try to hide in the field and hope the ball isn’t hit that way, or that there isn’t a deciding play involving his glove. I’ve yet to see a defensive liability on the premier teams.

Speed and strength are something that can’t be taught. You can work hard to gain muscle, but there isn’t too much out there that will make you faster. While Fernandez and Richardson may not be the fastest to don the spikes, they were heads up runners who didn’t make mistakes. They didn’t run the team out of an inning, or get caught napping off of the bag. Again, it is fundamentals in play. Watching where the ball is hit and being aware of the fielder’s ability. Sometimes it is worth challenging an outfielder’s arm and other times it helps the cause to stay on base. The players are usually aware and are always listening to their coaching staff. I don’t remember ever seeing a member of the WNT out at the plate because she blew through a stop sign.

Establishing communication assists the players on the field by making them aware of each other. I have yet to see two players crash into each other pursuing a pop up or line drive. The player who calls it makes certain she is heard and the rest of the players lay back in case they are needed for an assist. Even in the MLB playoffs I have seen several close calls because players don’t make their presence known, or suddenly appear out of nowhere when someone else is under the ball.

I’m not implying that softball players are superior to their baseball counterparts. I’m stating that they are better trained because they accept training better. The same way Japanese baseball players are trained in fundamentals. Ichiro has expressed surprise at how little US players truly know of the game. He has even stated it amazes him how they mistreat their equipment. It is an attitude that is not found in softball.

Again, it goes back to the clinics and early training. Girls watch women who know the game and are willing to show them how to execute. The Hueyville, AL high school softball team runs a weekend clinic for girls 12 and under. Can you imagine that happening in boys sports?

Flush off another successful season in Connecticut Women’s Basketball, a reporter once asked Geno Auriemma if he ever considered coaching in the NBA. Auriemma looked at the guy like he had two heads and responded by saying, “Why? My players listen to me.” That’s what makes softball players sound athletes. They listen, learn and pass the knowledge along. It is a formula that will make the game better for future players and fans.