Journal of Sport Behavior

A Surprising Gender Difference in the Portrayal of Baseball and Softball Players

Leonard Newman, Emily Deaton , Jenna M. Walmer, Chace Chu — Wed, 14 May 2025 00:00:00 -0700

The purpose of this study was to shed light on how implicit bias could affect the portrayal of male and female athletes—specifically, baseball players and softball players. Although bats are as central to the game of softball as they are to the game of baseball, as
“offensive weapons” they are associated with aggression, and both descriptive and proscriptive stereotypes of women are that they are less aggressive and dominant than men. Four hundred pictures of baseball players (men) and softball players (women) were
downloaded from popular general sports-related websites. Men were significantly more likely than women to be shown swinging or holding bats. Implicit gender biases affecting how athletes are depicted in the media could shape perceptions of the sports those athletes
play.

Beyond the Baseline: Cognitive Dissonance in the Journey to Professional Tennis

Edward Horne, Beverly Christine Green, Matthew Haugen, Jon Welty-Peachey — Wed, 14 May 2025 00:00:00 -0700

This study investigates the role of cognitive dissonance in the journey of professional tennis players as they strive for success in the sport. Utilizing Green’s (2005) sport development tasks and Festinger’s (1957) cognitive dissonance theory, in-depth interviews were conducted with eleven male players to explore their commitments from initial engagement to professional status. Findings reveal that athletes often escalate their commitment by withdrawing from conventional educational paths to prioritize athletic progression, heavily influenced by family support. Despite financial insecurities and limited career prospects outside tennis, players sustain their dedication, driven by a strong identification with the sport’s subculture and a unidimensional athletic identity. This escalation of commitment, while at times irrational, is rationalized through cognitive reframing and externalizing beliefs to maintain consistency with their identity. The study highlights the intricate interplay between identity, subcultural values, and cognitive dissonance in elite athlete development. It suggests that professional success is not solely dependent on skill and performance but also involves complex negotiations of identity and commitment, often at the expense of broader life experiences. The research calls for further exploration of diverse athlete narratives and the impact of cognitive dissonance on long-term development, aiming to identify more sustainable pathways in professional sports.

Secondary School 1st XV Rugby Players’ Perceptions of the Coaching Environment: A Qualitative Descriptive Study

Samuel Mckenzie, Simon Walters, Craig Harrison, Andrew Lenton — Wed, 14 May 2025 00:00:00 -0700

The physical, social, and psychological benefits of participating in secondary school-level sport are largely mediated by coaches. This qualitative descriptive study explores New Zealand secondary school 1st XV male rugby union (rugby) players’ perceptions of the coaching environment and how it affects their sport experiences. Descriptive data was gathered from three focus groups comprised of male secondary school rugby players (16-18 years old) competing in a top-level 1st XV rugby competition in New Zealand. Findings revealed coaches influenced athletes’ sense of ‘brotherhood’ and controlled which sports they played, how they played, and their ability to express themselves while playing. Players used covert and overt practices at times to resist control. Coaches also placed high expectations and significant pressure on players. The findings in this study extend the literature by offering insight into New Zealand’s secondary school 1st XV male rugby coaching environment. Findings might enhance coaches and coach educators’ awareness of how coach behaviors impact secondary school athletes’ sport experiences.

Sport Fandom and Post-Event Memories: An Examination of Negative and Positive Rumination in Sport Fans

Jordan Marie Pearsall, Daniel L. Wann, Xavier Brown, Patrick Cushen — Wed, 14 May 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Rumination is generally thought of as a negative thought pattern, in which thoughts are unwanted and cyclical in nature, and become more negative over time (Abbott & Rapee, 2004; Rachman et al., 2000). In Study 1, we examined the relationship between negative post-event rumination and sport fandom. We found that dysfunctional sport fandom was significantly and positively correlated with negative post-event rumination. Dysfunctional sport fans are those who are aggressive (Castleman et al., 2020; Wann et al., 2023), outspoken, and confrontational (Wakefield & Wann, 2006). In Study 2, we extended this work by examining the relationship between team identification and positive post-event rumination (i.e., thoughts that are cyclical and intrusive in nature, but that focus on positive outcomes like winning). We found that highly identified fans were more likely to positively ruminate on games and players.

Developing or Just Playing? Team Effects on Individual Performance in a Collegiate Summer Baseball League

Curtis Sproul, Karen Nicholas — Wed, 14 May 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Collegiate Summer Baseball Leagues offer development opportunities to college players. Overall, a significant number of Major League Baseball players once played in a summer league, suggesting at least some positive effect from the experience. However, teams within each league are individually owned and likely approach both business and baseball operations in different manners, leading to different opportunities for players based on their team affiliation. This investigative and exploratory study examines differences in player performance and from their collegiate season to their following collegiate summer league season. Results suggest that some summer league teams, such as the Savannah Bananas, have significant effects on individual player performance compared to their collegiate teams. Qualitative interviews with Bananas’ players are then conducted to add context and explanations for the quantitative results. Interviews suggest that the team environment in which they play improve their performance. Benefits to mindset, self-confidence, and goals to improve on and off the field are cited as beneficial.