Personality traits of intercollegiate baseball athletes playing central versus noncentral defensive positions at three levels of competition

Bibliography: pages 60-63.The purpose of this study was to determine if personality differences exist among intercollegiate baseball players according to "central" and "noncentral" defensive positions at three competitive levels. The subjects were 221 academically eligible male baseball players enrolled at various National College Athletic Association (NCAA)--Division I, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) institutions within the State of Illinois during the Spring Semester of 1983. They were from 18 to 24 years of age, and had an average of 11.6 years of playing experience in organized baseball. The Athletic Motivational Inventory was utilized to analyze the personality traits of athletes. Subjects responded to the 190-item inventory which measured the athlete on the following personality traits: drive, aggressiveness, determination, responsibility, leadership, self-confidence, emotional control, mental toughness, coachability, conscientiousness, and trust. Data were statistically analyzed through a 2 x 3 factorial design and Scheffe’s post hoc test was used when significant F values were obtained through ANOVA comparisons. For the most part, the factorial comparisons indicated few significant differences between personality trait scores, defensive positions, and level of competition. However, NCAA athletes playing noncentral defensive positions had significantly higher scores on the personality trait responsibility than the NCAA athletes playing central positions (j> < . 05). Further, NAIA athletes scored significantly higher on the leadership trait than NJCAA athletes (£ < .05). The NAIA athletes also scored significantly higher on the conscientiousness factor than NCAA players (jd < .05). In conclusion, there was little difference in the personality traits of intercollegiate baseball athletes playing central or noncentral defensive positions irrespective of the level of competition.M.S. Ed. (Master of Education