Baseball and EM ?

Everyone who knows me knows I love baseball—and believe it or not, there’s a lot about the game that reminds me of emergency management.

1. Game Plan vs. Emergency Plan
Baseball: Every team has a playbook, scouting reports, and a strategy for each opponent.

Emergency Management: Communities develop emergency operations plans (EOPs), hazard-specific plans, and interagency coordination procedures tailored to threats and capabilities.

Both require understanding the opponent (hazard/threat), adapting the strategy, and having contingency plans when things go sideways.

2. Position Players = EOC Sections
Baseball: Each player has a specialized role—pitcher, catcher, infielders, outfielders—but all work together.

EOC: Planning, Operations, Logistics, Finance/Admin, and Command—distinct roles but tightly integrated.

If one position falters, the whole operation can stumble. Success depends on understanding your role and trusting your teammates.

3. Practice Makes Perfect
Baseball: Spring training, drills, batting cages—it’s all about preparation.

Emergency Management: Tabletop exercises, functional drills, and full-scale exercises ensure readiness.

You don’t wait for Game 7 or a hurricane to figure out how to work together. Reps matter.

4. Reading the Field
Baseball: Managers and players must adjust on the fly—shift defense, change pitchers, bunt in the 9th.

Emergency Management: Situational awareness drives decisions—change tactics based on weather data, public behavior, or resource status.

Adaptability and decision-making under pressure are core to both.

5. After-Action Reviews = Game Tape
Baseball: Teams watch tape, study what went wrong, and look to improve.

Emergency Management: After-Action Reports and improvement plans are key to evolving capabilities.

Both are committed to learning from mistakes, tightening coordination, and doing better next time.

6. The Bullpen and Bench
Baseball: You need depth—a strong bench and a reliable bullpen for when starters need relief.

Emergency Management: Mutual aid, backup staff, and redundancy in systems ensure resilience.

You can’t go the distance without reserves.

7. The Crowd
Baseball: The fans aren’t on the field, but they influence the game—morale, momentum, and pressure.

Emergency Management: The public isn’t in the EOC, but they are the reason for the plan, and their response shapes the outcome.

Clear communication, public trust, and community preparedness are critical to success.