A Case Study of Leadership in Women's Intercollegiate Softball

Abstract

The relationship of selected characteristics to the relative leadership status within a women's intercollegiate softball team was investigated using a multiple iegression design. At the beginning of the season all 23 members of the team were assigned to Team A (the first team with the more highly skilled players) or Team B. Players were also classified according to their class year (juniors and seniors vs. Freshmen and sophomores), their primary playing position (catch ers and infielders vs. pitchers and outfielders), and whether or not they had previous experience playing on the intercollegiate softball team. Leadership status was assessed with a questionnaire completed by all team members three times, at the beginning, middle, and end of the season. Separate step-wise multiple regression analyses were, used to determine the relationship of the selected char acteristics (Team, class year, playing position and previous experience) to leadership status at each of the three times. The results were similar for all analyses with the combination of Team, playing position and previous experience significantly predicting leadership status. Members of Team A had greater leader ship status than members of Team B; players with previous experience had greater leadership status than players without such experience; and catchers and infielders had greater leadership status than pitchers and outfielders. Thus, Team, playing position and previous experience were related to leadership status as predicted, and that relationship was consistent thrcughout the season.