There is so many Case Histories Of Baseball Players Needing Mental Game Help. I went to fan appreciation day at the Seattle Mariners stadium a couple years ago. There were 4 pitchers on the dugout that us fans got to interview. I asked the first question: “What do you do for your mental game?”
All 4 of them responded but did not answer the question and so I finished by concluding “so you don’t do anything?” over the stadium loudspeakers and then gave them my card as they walked off.
Most players have no idea how important the mental game plays a part in baseball and softball. Even in the major leagues. Some make it on pure talent, that’s for sure. It’s also for sure that they would be much better even if they did something as simple as “visualization” regularly.
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Baseball is 90% Mental…the other half is physical”… Yogi Berra
Joe, an excellent defensive second baseman finds himself in a hitting slump. He goes through his mind to figure out what is happening and how he can fix it. He changes his stance at bat, his pre-hit routine and his lucky talisman.
All he can think of is that post on the wall of the dugout with the players averages and the last 20 at bats and it eats away at his confidence with each turn at the plate. A few of the other players give him “the look” as the team scratches and claws to stay in the race.
He begins to tell himselfat the beginning of the game and before each at bat that he “needs” this one. He’s becomes more and more tense and the slump gets worse. At first, he was hitting the ball hard and the shots just seemed to always go to a fielder. But now, he’s not making contact near as much and takes way too many pitches in secret hopes that he will draw a walk just to get on base and contribute to the team. The slump goes on…
Mike is a first-year varsity pitcher. Playing with his select team over the summer, he turned in a 2.9 era, best on his team, relying on his 87 mph fast ball. During the late fall and winter, he works out and stays in shape pitching to his catcher buddy. He reads a book on pitching by a famous ex-player who now coaches in the majors. Somewhere in there, he gets a piece of advice that convinces him to modify his style from a hard-charging Clemons-type of pitcher to more of a crafty placement pitcher.
He thinks about the possibilities all winter long and some new pitches he’s adding to his arsenal.
Spring comes around and his first 3 outings are dismal. He’s shelled left and right and doesn’t get past 7 innings. He goes back to the drawing board with his coach to try to “find” the “old” Mike. He gets wilder and wilder as he forces his arm to throw the heater. All he ends up with is ice on his shoulder after another loss…
Ben is an athletic phenom. Born with more speed and talent than anyone on the team…maybe the league. In his first year, he tore up the division leading in batting average and base steals. This year is a different story.
He argues with the coach about being moved from center to right field. He can’t seem to get along with a few of the players on the team who call him a prima donna. He shows up late and is the first one to leave practice. His work ethic is pitiful and the best the scouts can write about him at the end of the year is about what great potential he had. He languishes in A ball for 2 more years before giving it up after learning his girlfriend is pregnant again.
The Baseball Mental Game is as important as the physical game
Have you seen these players? Have you been one of them at times? What do they all have in common?…lack of a solid mental game.
Whether you’re like those guys above or struggle to get everything out of your practice or have lost your confidence, it’s very difficult to develop a mental game once you are past a certain point. It’s too late then.
Baseball is very unforgiving and there are always 2 players ready to step up their physical and mental regimen waiting to take your place.
Maybe you are one of those players waiting your chance eh? Excellent…if you keep that competitive drive high and incorporate mental toughness in your training, YOU WILL beat players with more talent.
We’ve got more free training on mental game help for you. Click here to get your free video training and guided visualization to discover how to perform under pressure.
Welcome to the Winner’s Circle!
Craig Sigl, the Mental Toughness Trainer