The Baseball Retrospective is an engaging way to reflect on team performance using America's favorite pastime as a metaphor. Drawing parallels between baseball and project delivery, this format helps teams identify successes (home runs), missed opportunities (strikes), challenges (curveballs), and future strategies (batting up).
This retrospective format makes feedback sessions more approachable and fun by leveraging familiar baseball terminology. It encourages team members to think about their work in terms of hits, misses, and upcoming plays, creating a playful atmosphere while maintaining professional focus.
Originally adapted from sporting metaphor retrospectives, this format works particularly well with teams who enjoy sports analogies or need a fresh perspective on their regular retrospective meetings.
What is The Baseball Retrospective
Home Runs
What were some great outcomes?
Home runs represent major successes and achievements. Encourage participants to celebrate both individual and team victories, no matter how big or small. This helps build confidence and identifies what's working well.
Strikes
What did we miss?
Strikes represent missed opportunities or areas where we fell short. Frame these as learning opportunities rather than failures. Focus on identifying patterns and systemic issues rather than individual mistakes.
Curveballs
What was tricky?
Curveballs represent unexpected challenges or obstacles. Help the team identify both internal and external factors that made their work more difficult, and discuss how to better prepare for similar situations in the future.
Batter Up
What should be our next play?
This forward-looking topic focuses on actionable improvements and next steps. Encourage specific, achievable suggestions rather than vague ideas. Help the team prioritize these actions based on impact and feasibility.
Suggested Icebreaker Questions
- If your last sprint was a baseball game, what position would you have played and why?
- What's your favorite sports memory that taught you something about teamwork?
Ideas and Tips for Your Retrospective Meeting
- Keep the baseball metaphor consistent but don't overdo it - focus on the core concepts rather than forcing every baseball term to fit
- Consider using baseball sound effects or visuals to enhance the experience and make it more immersive
- Rotate who 'pitches' topics first to ensure everyone gets a chance to lead the discussion
- Use a 'dugout' approach where team members can take a moment to reflect before sharing
- Keep a 'scorecard' of action items and follow up on them in the next retrospective
- Ensure the baseball theme doesn't exclude team members who aren't familiar with the sport
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