Category: Baseball (Page 1 of 16)

Staying Motivated as a Player When Team Goals Have Faded

September 9, 2024 / Tom Bonetto

Why should a baseball player continue to work when there is no chance of winning the game, tournament, or conference championship?

I’m sharing a piece from one of my favorite sports psychologists, Dr. Patrick Cohn at Peaksports.

In the MLB, for instance, teams work hard to position themselves for a playoff run. Players focus on developing their skills, conditioning their bodies, and preparing for each game.

Unfortunately, some teams will be mathematically eliminated towards a season’s end with many games left on their schedule. So now what?

For these teams, staying motivated is challenging. They think, “Why should I continue to waste my time and effort when the season is a lost cause?”

It’s a valid concern. If you know you are eliminated from the playoffs with several weeks remaining in the season, it’s understandable to question “WHY” you should continue to work.

The Why

The word “WHY” is noteworthy. Your “WHY” is a statement of purpose that influences your actions. Ultimately, your “why” impacts your goals, motivation, and behavior.

Therefore, it is important to clarify your purpose so you can make the most of each opportunity to become a better player.

For example, if your team is not playoff-bound, clarifying your purpose can motivate you, making your training and practices meaningful.

You can bring your purpose into focus through some introspection.

Ask yourself, “What do I want to accomplish in the remaining games of the season?”

* Do you want to finish the season on a high note?

man with white t shirt running to baseball home

* Do you want to work on hitting mechanics?

* Do you want to work on adding a new pitch to your arsenal?

* Do you want to work on staying focused late in games?

* Do what to improve your mental skillset?

Continue Working Hard

Just as teams work hard in preseason to position themselves for a playoff run, you can utilize the remaining games to position yourself for a strong start to the next season.

Each time you step on the field for practice or games, there is an opportunity to develop your mental and technical skills to improve your game. When you set meaningful goals, you will be motivated to make the most of your practices and games.

Take, for instance, the 2024 Chicago White Sox. The White Sox lost their 100th game with over 30 games remaining in the regular season. Chicago had no chance of making the playoffs but still had an opportunity to improve as a team.

White Sox starter Jonathan Cannon discussed the importance of having a purpose when mathematically being eliminated from the post-season.

CANNON: “Obviously, no one wants to lose 100 games, especially with still a month to go. But we’re going to keep coming here every day, getting our work in and keep just going out there and trying to win some ball games.”

Goals provide purpose and sustain motivation. Having a positive, well-defined “why” helps you make sense of your efforts regardless of your circumstances.

Being Mathematically Eliminated from the Playoffs: Set some meaningful goals to make the most of the remaining games of your season.

* What do you want to achieve?

* How do you plan on working towards your goal?

* How will you fuel your efforts when your motivation dips?

* How will you hold yourself accountable for your actions until the end of the season?

Mind Games: What Makes a Great Baseball Player

July 8, 2024 / Tom Bonetto

I’m linking to a very interesting article by Andrea Thompson at Live Science. She’s analyzing Mike Stadler’s book “The Psychology of Baseball”.

While all sports involve a certain amount of psychology to strategize and plan in given situations, baseball is unique as there are so many different mental factors at play.

You can f ind Stadler’s book here…

And you can fi nd Thompson’s article here… and I’d invite you to read the entire piece!

Some key takeaways…

“Baseball is impossible without psychology: impossible to play, and impossible to appreciate fully as a fan,” Stadler wrote. “Watch any game, and most of what you see is thinking.”

Here are more excerpts from the Stadler book…

Mental agility

“Most baseball players have extraordinary capabilities to coordinate physical and mental processes, including fast reaction times, focus and high visual acuity.

Studies conducted by Columbia University on Babe Ruth while he was playing showed that he could react to visual and sound cues much faster than the average person and that he had better hand-eye coordination than 98.8 percent of the population.

Baseball players tend to have excellent vision, which allows them to see things like the spin on a curveball hurtling toward them at home plate, cues they can use to get a hit.

Reaction time is also critical in baseball, and the better players seem to have better reaction times. There’s some suggestion that this could simply be a matter of having more practice, “but you actually find even within really highly skilled players, the players at the higher end, the faster reaction times still tend to have higher batting averages and be slightly better hitters,” Stadler told LiveScience.”

“Most baseball players do have pretty good vision; a huge proportion of them test at better than 20/20,” Stadler said.

Baseball “Personality”

“Besides the physical process and acute mental abilities, successful baseball players also typically have certain personality traits—this is perhaps best exemplified by the diverging career paths of Darryl Strawberry and Billy Beane, Stadler said.

Both players were drafted by the Mets in 1980 (Strawberry was picked much higher than Beane)—the team even had trouble deciding which player to pick first because of their comparable athletic abilities. But while Strawberry came to be one of the best hitters in baseball, Beane couldn’t hack it in the majors (though he went on to become General Manager of the Oakland A’s).

“Beane was just sort of crushed by the pressure of the batter’s box, just didn’t have that sort of self-confidence, almost arrogance, just to know, ‘I do this well. I’m fine. So what I just struck out, I’m going to hit next time,'” Stadler said.

Strawberry displayed the exact opposite reaction: “You can look at some of Strawberry’s early interviews when he broke into the league and was struggling a little bit as player’s naturally do, but he, even then he just said, ‘I know I’m a good hitter. I’m going to hit plenty of home runs,'” Stadler said. “He just wasn’t worried about the pressure.”’

Player Variability

“When a player starts to have a spate of really bad or good games, fans can get involved in the psychology of “streaks” or “slumps”. But Stadler says that research has shown that these supposed trends are really a matter of fans not taking in the big picture.

“It’s hard for the fan to take that really long view and keep in mind the player’s whole career as opposed to just the last few games’ performance,” he said.

Fans also tend to ignore how much baseball statistics can mask a players’ actual performance. A hitter may have a sub-par batting average, though he is still hitting balls really hard—they’re just hit to fielders who catch them.

In his book, Stadler mentions an interview with pitcher Greg Maddux after a streak of no-hit innings, where Maddux said he just got lucky because some guys hit balls really hard, but hit them right at a fielder.

“I think the players can kind of see that distinction in ways that, you know, because they’ve been around the game so much, that fans … might not be able to see that as the players are,” Stadler said.”

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Slowing Down the Game and Getting into “The Zone”

June 10, 2024 / Tom Bonetto

We’ve all heard about the game can seem to move at a slow pace for my players who are “in the zone”…so how can a player get there?

man wearing black cap with eyes closed under cloudy sky

Many athletes, and baseball players in particular, use multiple techniques to focus and help the game “slow down”, allowing them to perform at their best in high-pressure situations.

Here are seven strategies that involve mental and physical practices that players can use to enhance their concentration, reduce anxiety, and improve decision-making.

Here are some key ways players achieve this focus that can allow the game to “slow down”:

1. Pre-Game Routine

Players often establish a consistent pre-game routine that helps them get into the right mental state. This routine can include activities like stretching, visualization, listening to music, or engaging in breathing exercises.

By following the same steps before every game, players create a sense of familiarity and control, which can reduce pre-game jitters and increase focus.

2. Visualization

Visualization is a powerful technique used by many athletes, including baseball players. They mentally rehearse different scenarios they might encounter during the game, such as hitting a fastball or making a difficult catch.

By visualizing success, players can build confidence and prepare their minds for actual gameplay. This mental rehearsal helps players anticipate actions and reactions, making real-time decision-making more instinctual and less rushed.

3. Mindfulness and Breathing Exercises

Mindfulness practices and controlled breathing exercises help players stay present and calm under pressure. Techniques such as deep diaphragmatic breathing or box breathing can slow down the heart rate and reduce anxiety.

Staying mindful allows players to focus on the current pitch or play without being distracted by past mistakes or future outcomes. This heightened state of awareness helps them process information more clearly and react more deliberately.

4. Focusing on the Process

Experienced players often emphasize focusing on the process rather than the outcome. This means concentrating on what they can control, such as their stance, swing mechanics, or fielding technique, rather than worrying about the result of a hit or play.

By breaking down the game into smaller, manageable tasks, players can maintain a high level of concentration and prevent the game from feeling overwhelming.

5. Positive Self-Talk

Positive self-talk is another crucial technique. Players use affirmations and encouraging phrases to maintain a positive mindset. This practice helps combat negative thoughts that can lead to anxiety and distraction.

For example, a hitter might remind themselves of their strengths or recall past successes before stepping into the batter’s box. Positive self-talk reinforces confidence and keeps the mind focused on the present task.

6. Developing a Strong Mental Game

Mental toughness is developed through experience and intentional practice. Many players work with sports psychologists to enhance their mental game. These professionals provide strategies to deal with pressure, maintain focus, and bounce back from setbacks.

Techniques such as goal setting, mental imagery, and relaxation exercises are often part of this training. Building a robust mental game enables players to stay composed and focused during critical moments.

7. Staying in the Moment

In high-pressure situations, the ability to stay in the moment is crucial. Players practice grounding techniques to keep their attention on the immediate action.

This can include focusing on sensory details, such as the feel of the bat, the sound of the ball hitting the glove, or the sight of the pitcher’s release point.

By anchoring themselves in the present moment, players prevent their minds from wandering and maintain a clear focus on the task at hand.

In Conclusion

Baseball players can use a combination of things, ranging from pre-game routines to grounding techniques to enhance their focus and slow the game down.

These strategies help them manage pressure, stay calm, and perform at their highest level, ultimately contributing to their success on the field.

The College and Professional Athlete

February 5, 2024 / Tom Bonetto

Playing sports at the college or professional level is a dream for many aspiring athletes, but it is much more challenging than most players and parents realize.

The percentages of high school athletes who make it into the collegiate and professional ranks are relatively low, underlining the competitive nature of these pursuits.

College Participation

First and foremost, making it to the collegiate level is an achievement in itself. According to NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) statistics, only a small fraction of high school athletes move on to compete at the college level.

The percentage varies by sport, with more popular sports having higher competition – but on average only 5% of high school athletes are able to play in college. And that doesn’t even consider scholarship athletes…

This underscores the importance of exceptional skill, dedication, and often a combination of academic and athletic competence to stand out in the recruiting process.

The Professional Ranks

The transition from college athletics to playing professionally is an even more exclusive path. The NCAA reports that only a small percentage of college athletes move on to play at the professional level.

It’s crucial to recognize that the journey to becoming a professional athlete is a challenging one, and success is not guaranteed even for those who excel in college sports. Injuries, changes in performance, and the highly competitive nature of professional sports leagues all contribute to the uncertainty of reaching the highest levels of athletic competition.

The Benefits of Athletics

While the percentages may seem discouraging, it’s essential to recognize the broader benefits of participating in high school sports.

Engaging in athletics promotes physical health, teamwork, discipline, and leadership skills, contributing to personal development regardless of whether a student-athlete advances to the college or professional level.

Most importantly, the lessons learned through sports can shape individuals into well-rounded, resilient, and determined individuals, laying the foundation for success in various aspects of life. The time management skills, the dealing with setbacks, and preparing to perform translate so well into the business and professional world!

Recovering From Injury | The Mental Side

January 2, 2024 / Tom Bonetto

Coming back from injury isn’t an easy task, especially in the athletic world. Athletes get hurt often, as it’s a risk in any game. But what does it take to fully recover and return to the field?

Of course, there’s the physical rehab, but what about the mental side?

I’m sharing an article from Dr. Patrick Cohn from Peak Performance Sports, and I’d invite you to check it out…

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A positive mindset is where you focus on a successful and speedy recovery rather than negative “what ifs.”

Every athlete will experience an initial adverse reaction to injury, but moving forward from injury requires that you process your circumstances and then focus on your mental and physical recovery one day at a time.

How do you bounce back from a sports injury?

The first step in bouncing back is to process your emotions. The sooner you can work through your intense emotions, the quicker you can move forward.

The next step is to evaluate the severity of the injury with a doctor, physical therapist, or athletic trainer.

Afterward, create a rehabilitation plan, including how you will work on building your mental toughness. Each week, assess your progress and adjust your plan as necessary.

Each of these steps helps you focus on solutions or positive action. The goal is to maintain a positive attitude and a sense of control throughout the recovery process to return to competition physically and mentally stronger.

Late in the 2023 NFL season, Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zach Cunningham suffered a hamstring injury and watched from the sidelines as the San Francisco 49ers dominated the Eagles, 42-19.

After the game, Cunningham talked about how difficult it was to be injured but stated he was focused on supporting his teammates and rehabbing his injury.

CUNNINGHAM: “It was really tough. I mean, having to sit and watch from the sidelines, it’s always hard having to sit out anyway…. It sucked a lot, man. You gotta focus on the stuff that you can control. I was out there trying to help where I could as far as anything I saw out there on the field. That and working on getting back. That’s my main focus.”

Focusing on what you can control, such as the recovery process, and supporting your teammates is empowering. Focusing on what you can do helps you maintain a positive perspective and can improve your mental and physical recovery.

Focus on what you can control. Setting goals to maintain a positive and productive focus is important when injured.

Set three athletic or rehab goals each day, such as 15 minutes of visualization, maintaining a positive attitude during rehab, discussing game strategy with your coach, or strength training.

Setting goals helps you move forward and build mental toughness along the way.