And here’s what I mean by that.

1) Trust is a huge factor. Coaches know which players they can consistently (and consistently is the key word here) rely on to make plays or make something happen in an important at bat situation.

2) Baseball IQ matters. A lot. Coaches can’t be in every player’s ear on every pitch. The players who know where they need to position themselves, know how to anticipate the batter’s or the pitcher’s approach, and know “if this then that” are the ones the coach will come to depend on.

3) Commitment level. The players who consistently (there’s that word again…) show up on time, every time, work hard and avoid team drama are the ones the coach will reward.

Are there coaches who play favorites for the wrong reasons? Yes. That’s how “Daddy Ball” became a thing. But don’t forget there are plenty of coaches who play favorites for the right reasons. And if there’s a dad coach whose son or daughter can be trusted to make consistent plays, has great baseball IQ and is committed beyond the rest of the team? Be thankful.