Facilitating the Transition out of Professional Baseball Following Release: A Self-Determination Theory Perspective

in The Sport Psychologist

Click name to view affiliation

Johannes RaabeWest Virginia University

Search for other papers by Johannes Raabe in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMedClose
*
,
Andrew D. BassPittsburgh Pirates

Search for other papers by Andrew D. Bass in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMedClose
*
,
Lauren K. McHenryThe University of Tennessee

Search for other papers by Lauren K. McHenry in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMedClose
*
, and
Rebecca A. ZakrajsekThe University of Tennessee

Search for other papers by Rebecca A. Zakrajsek in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMedClose
*
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/tsp.2019-0119
Keywords:
basic psychological needs; Minor League Baseball; qualitative research
First Published Online:
10 Sep 2020
In Print:
Volume 34: Issue 3
Page Range:
209–219
Restricted access

Approximately 90% of players in Minor League Baseball will be released at some point in their career. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore the role of individuals’ basic psychological needs during the release from professional baseball and throughout their subsequent transition to a new career. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 former Minor League Baseball players. Thematic analysis generated four themes: (a) The release resulted in immediate but temporary basic psychological need thwarting, (b) the “liberating experience” of the release allowed individuals to perceive autonomy in the transition out of affiliated baseball, (c) perceptions of competence served as the foundation for a positive transition to a new career, and (d) meaningful connections fostered individuals’ perception of relatedness in the transition out of affiliated baseball. The findings suggest that need fulfillment might act as a buffer between potential stressors in the transition process and athletes’ cognitive, emotional, and behavioral response.

Raabe is with the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA. Bass is with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. McHenry and Zakrajsek are with the Dept. of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA.

Raabe (johannes.raabe@mail.wvu.edu) is corresponding author.

Supplementary Materials

    • Supplementary Material (PDF 134 KB)
  • Collapse
  • Expand

The Sport Psychologist

Cover The Sport Psychologist

  • Alfermann, D., Stambulova, N., & Zemaityte, A. (2004). Reactions to sport career termination: A cross-national comparison of German, Lithuanian, and Russian athletes. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 5(1), 61–75. doi:10.1016/S1469-0292(02)00050-X

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Armour, M., & Levitt, D.R. (2020). Baseball demographics, 1947–2016. Retrieved from https://sabr.org/bioproj/topic/baseball-demographics-1947-2012

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Bartholomew, K.J., Ntoumanis, N., Ryan, R.M., & Thøgersen-Ntoumanis, C. (2011). Psychological need thwarting in the sport context: Assessing the darker side of athletic experience. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 33(1), 75–102. PubMed ID: 21451172 doi:10.1123/jsep.33.1.75

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Battochio, R.C., Schinke, R.J., Battochio, D.L., Halliwell, W., & Tenenbaum, G. (2010). The adaptation process of National Hockey League players. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, 4(4), 282–301. doi:10.1123/jcsp.4.4.282

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Berg, B.L. (2007). Qualitative research methods for the social sciences (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

  • Botterill, C., & Brown, M. (2002). Emotion and perspective in sport. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 33(1), 38–60.

  • Boyatzis, R.E. (1998). Transforming qualitative information: Thematic analysis and code development. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.

  • Bradbury, J.C. (2009). Peak athletic performance and ageing: Evidence from baseball. Journal of Sports Sciences, 27(6), 599–610. PubMed ID: 19308873 doi:10.1080/02640410802691348

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. doi:10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2017). Using thematic analysis in sport and exercise research. In B. Smith & A.C. Sparkes (Eds.), Routledge handbook of qualitative research in sport and exercise (pp. 213–227). New York, NY: Routledge.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2019). Reflecting on reflexive thematic analysis. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise, and Health, 11(4), 589–597. doi:10.1080/2159676X.2019.1628806

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Brown, C.J., Webb, T.L., Robinson, M.A., & Cotgreave, R. (2018). Athletes’ experiences of social support during their transition out of elite sport: An interpretive phenomenological analysis. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 36, 71–80. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2018.01.003

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Brown, M. (2018). Minor league ballplayers would lose minimum wage rights as part of $1.3 trillion spending bill. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/maurybrown/2018/03/22/minor-league-ballplayers-will-lose-minimum-wage-rights-as-part-of-1-3-trillion-spending-bill/#4bf2cc2737fa

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Butt, J., & Molnar, G. (2009). Involuntary career termination in sport: A case study of the process of structurally induced failure. Sport in Society, 12(2), 240–257. doi:10.1080/17430430802591027

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Cecic Erpic, S., Wylleman, P., & Zupancic, M. (2004). The effect of athletic and non-athletic factors on the sports career termination process. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 5(1), 45–59. doi:10.1016/S1469-0292(02)00046-8

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Cosh, S., Crabb, S., & Tully, P.J. (2015). A champion out of the pool? A discursive exploration of two Australian Olympic swimmers’ transition from elite sport to retirement. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 19, 33–41. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2015.02.006

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Costa, S., Ntoumanis, N., & Bartholomew, K.J. (2015). Predicting the brighter and darker sides of interpersonal relationships: Does psychological need thwarting matter? Motivation and Emotion, 39(1), 11–24. doi:10.1007/s11031-014-9427-0

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Deci, E.L., & Ryan, R.M. (2000). The “what” and “why” of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11, 227–268.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Gordon, I. (2014). Minor league baseball players make poverty-level wages. Retrieved from https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/06/baseball-broshuis-minor-league-wage-income/

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Halloran, R. (2007). Strategic communication. Parameters, 37(3), 4–14.

  • Hill, C.E., Thompson, B.J., & Williams, E.N. (1997). A guide to conducting consensual qualitative research. The Counseling Psychologist, 25(4), 517–572. doi:10.1177/0011000097254001

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Keefer, K.V., Parker, J.D., & Saklofske, D.H. (2009). Emotional intelligence and physical health. In C. Stough, D.H. Saklofske, & J.D.A. Parker (Ed.), Assessing emotional intelligence (pp. 191–218). Boston, MA: Springer.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Knights, S., Sherry, E., & Ruddock-Hudson, R. (2016). Investigating elite end-of-athletic-career transition: A systematic review. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 28(3), 291–308. doi:10.1080/10413200.2015.1128992

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Laborde, S., Dosseville, E., & Allen, M.S. (2016). Emotional intelligence in sport and exercise: A systematic review. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 26(8), 862–874. PubMed ID: 26104015 doi:10.1111/sms.12510

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Lapchick, R. (2019). The 2019 racial and gender report card: Major League Baseball. Retrieved from https://43530132-36e9-4f52-811a-182c7a91933b.filesusr.com/ugd/7d86e5_a3c90a67f6f04a00afc39d6bf1d1c1f1.pdf

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Lastoria, T. (2013). Baseball insider: On the minor league release process. Retrieved from http://msn.foxsports.com/ohio/story/baseball-insider-on-the-minor-league-release-process-032513

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Lavallee, D. (2019). Engagement in sport career transition planning enhances performance. Journal of Loss and Trauma, 24(1), 1–8. doi:10.1080/15325024.2018.1516916

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Lavallee, D., & Robinson, H.K. (2007). In pursuit of an identity: A qualitative exploration of retirement from women’s artistic gymnastics. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 8(1), 119–141. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2006.05.003

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Lazarus, R.S. (2000). How emotions influence performance in competitive sports. The Sport Psychologist, 14(3), 229–252. doi:10.1123/tsp.14.3.229

  • Lazarus, R.S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal and coping. New York, NY: Springer.

  • Mageau, G.A., & Vallerand, R.J. (2003). The coach-athlete relationship: A motivational model. Journal of Sports Science, 21(11), 883–904. doi:10.1080/0264041031000140374

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • McKnight, K.M., Bernes, K.B., Gunn, T., Chorney, D., Orr, D.T., & Bardick, A.D. (2009). Life after sport: Athletic career transition and transferable skills. Journal of Excellence, 13, 63–77.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Noy, C. (2008). Sampling knowledge: The hermeneutics of snowball sampling in qualitative research. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 11(4), 327–344. doi:10.1080/13645570701401305

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Ntoumanis, N., Edmunds, J., & Duda, J.L. (2009). Understanding the coping process from a self-determination theory perspective. British Journal of Health Psychology, 14(2), 249–260. PubMed ID: 18789187 doi:10.1348/135910708X349352

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Park, S., Lavallee, D., & Tod, D. (2013). Athletes’ career transition out of sport: A systematic review. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 6(1), 22–53. doi:10.1080/1750984X.2012.687053

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Raabe, J., Zakrajsek, R.A., Bass, A.D., & Readdy, T. (2018). A revolving door: A qualitative investigation of release from professional baseball. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 16(5), 505–519. doi:10.1080/1612197X.2016.1275741

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Raabe, J., Zakrajsek, R.A., & Readdy, T. (2016). Teammate influence on collegiate swimmers’ basic psychological need satisfaction: A qualitative perspective. Journal of Intercollegiate Sport, 9(1), 27–49. doi:10.1123/jis.2015-0016

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Ryan, R.M., & Deci, E.L. (2017). Self-determination theory: Basic psychological needs in motivation, development, and wellness. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Smith, B., Sparkes, A.C., Phoenix, C., & Kirkby, J. (2012). Qualitative research in physical therapy: A critical discussion on mixed-method research. The Physical Therapy Review, 17(6), 374–381. doi:10.1179/1743288X12Y.0000000030

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Stambulova, N., Alfermann, D., Statler, T., & Côté, J. (2009). ISSP position stand: Career development and transitions of athletes. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 7(4), 395–412. doi:10.1080/1612197X.2009.9671916

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Stambulova, N., Stephan, Y., & Jäphag, U. (2007). Athletic retirement: A cross-national comparison of elite French and Swedish athletes. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 8(1), 101–118. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2006.05.002

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Sturges, J.E., & Hanrahan, K.J. (2004). Comparing telephone and face-to-face qualitative interviewing: A research note. Qualitative Research, 4(1), 107–118. doi:10.1177/1468794104041110

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Torregrosa, M., Boixadós, M., Valiente, L., & Cruz, J. (2004). Elite athletes’ image of retirement: The way to relocation in sport. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 5(1), 35–43. doi:10.1016/S1469-0292(02)00052-3

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Tracy, S.J. (2010). Qualitative quality: Eight “big-tent” criteria for excellent qualitative research. Qualitative Inquiry, 16(10), 837–851. doi:10.1177/1077800410383121

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Vallerand, R.J. (2000). Deci and Ryan’s self-determination theory: A view from the hierarchical model of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 312–318.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Vilanova, A., & Puig, N. (2016). Personal strategies for managing a second career: The experiences of Spanish Olympians. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 51(5), 529–546. doi:10.1177/1012690214536168

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Wylleman, P., Alfermann, D., & Lavallee, D. (2004). Career transitions in sport: European perspectives. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 5(1), 7–20. doi:10.1016/S1469-0292(02)00049-3

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 2392 928 11
Full Text Views 150 27 0
PDF Downloads 108 31 0