Being in the lead can present some mental game challenges. Some players, and even teams, try to protect their lead so they don’t make mistakes. This can cause you to over control your performance, try too hard, think about the results and play tentatively. Other players become complacent with the lead and allow the opposition to make a comeback. Some teams struggle with closing out the game because of a comfort zone. A comfort zone is based on an expectation about how you think you should perform. You might expect to lose to a certain team or win by […]
Read more
08
Oct
2010
Playing Aggressive When Behind
07
Oct
2010
Halladay Uses His Mental Skills to Succeed
Philadelphia Phillies’ ace, Roy Halladay made history in his postseason debut hurling the second no- hitter in Major league postseason history against the Cincinnati Reds. Halladay also threw a perfect game earlier in the season against the Marlins, making him the first pitcher in MLB history to throw a perfect game and a no-hitter in the same season. “It’s an unbelievable feeling,” said Halladay in a postgame interview, “This is why I love the game.” When asked how satisfied he was with his postseason debut Halladay responded, “Complacency is something that can make you peak. If you can avoid […]
Read more
01
Oct
2010
Patience is a Powerful Mental Tool in Sports
In his rookie season professional baseball player, Nelson Cruz lacked discipline and patience as a hitter. In the minor leagues, Cruz was a standout player, but he struggled at the plate more often than none. “I didn’t have the patients to be a successful hitter,” said Cruz, “I now know that whatever the situation, I have to stick to my approach, be patient, and make the right adjustments at the right time.” With his new approach, Cruz began the following season with a 14-game hitting streak, five home runs, and a .391 batting average. The saying “patience is a […]
Read more
29
Sep
2010
Use Warm-ups to Focus Your Mind
All good athletes use a warm-up routine one hour before they play. Besides helping you get loose and limber, a warm-up routine has several psychological advantages. The first is that it helps you get focused to play. A warm-up routine helps click in your concentration and put on your game face. It is similar to a runner who stretches before a run or a pilot who performs a checklist to make sure everything is in good order before take-off. Second, this is an excellent time to put the concerns of your life behind you and prepare for the game. […]
Read more
13
Sep
2010
Big League Pressure in Youth Sports
Little League Baseball is the largest youth sports organization in the World, and is well known for the Little League World Series. Year after year, youth baseball players dream of making the trip to Williamsport in mid-august to compete against the top little league teams in the world. Those of you, who are old enough to remember the 1982 Little League World Series, can appreciate the magnitude of this event, and how much nationalistic pride can rise from a Little League World Series Championship. In the summer of 1982, a little league team from Kirkland, Washington advanced to the […]
Read more
06
Sep
2010
Hitting Tips: Panicked-Hitting
If you engage in panicked hitting, you are too scared to start your swing. You panic because hitting is the weakest part of your game and you know it. You need to get a hit in order to play well. Visions of poor hitting days and strikeouts have you bewildered. Even if you gather yourself enough to take a cut at it, your muscles are too tense to make a smooth swing. You not only needs to gain confidence back in your hitting, but you also needs to lose the fear that paralyzes you at the plate. As for […]
Read more
05
Sep
2010
Motivation is the Key to Hitting Success
The motivation to succeed in baseball begins with an athlete’s dream or mission. Some athletes’ dreams started early in life when they fell in love with baseball. Other athletes recognized their talent and potential to play the game. No matter what fostered their dreams, they became actively engaged into their mission to be the best they could be. The best ball players in the world have an intense desire to be great, which is fueled by their childhood dreams of winning their first little league world series or winning the college world series. The childhood dreams fuel the drive […]
Read more
04
Sep
2010
Baseball Pre-Performance Routines
Do you have a pre-pitch or at-bat routine? Some ball players have a routine, but don’t use it consistently. Others don’t have a routine at all. Without a consistent routine at the plate or on the mound, you’re more likely to lose focus or become distracted. A pre-pitch or at-bat routine is designed to help you: Focus on what’s important Prepare consistently for the pitch or at-bat Feel confident before execution Trust your swing or throwing action Phillies pitcher, Roy Halladay, recently threw a perfect game to beat the Marlins 1-0. Before his perfect game, Halladay was coming off […]
Read more
01
Sep
2010
Jimmy Rollins Steps Up in Big Games
As the hunt for a division championship and playoff spot begins to heat up every game counts Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies made two consecutive World Series appearances in 2008 and 2009, but currently trail the Atlanta Braves by 2.5 games in the National League East. Philadelphia is starting to make their run, winning 20 our 25 games, and manager Charlie Manuel is confident in his team ability to continue winning big games. “When there’s a lot of focus on our team, we rise to the challenge, this is when we really like to play,” said Manuel. Phillies Shortstop Jimmy […]
Read more
