The importance of repeating yourself

White Sox pitcher Chris Sale
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/
Getty Images)

The other day I am watching the MLB Network (surprise!) and they are doing an analysis of the Chicago White Sox during their 30 Teams in 30 Days Tour.  They spent a bit of time on a young pitcher named Chris Sale who was drafted in last year’s MLB Draft and is already in the Major Leagues.  They showed him throwing a bullpen session and doing all the things the other pitchers were doing.  Something struck me immediately as I watched him throw.  Although the announcers did not mention it, I guarantee what I saw is a big factor in his success.   The mechanics and rhythm of every pitch he threw was exactly the same.  For pitchers, that is called “repeating your delivery.”  


It sounds simple.  Just learn a good set of throwing mechanics and repeat it over and over every time you pitch.  Like most everything else in baseball, that is easier said than done.  Most pitchers, from the Little League level all the way up to the Major Leagues, struggle with this at some point – some more than others.  It is why a Little League game can last so long.  The pitcher throws a good strike and then cannot find the zone on the next ten pitches.  It is also why a Major League starter can cruise for four innings and then completely fall apart in the fifth, losing all his command, and be taken out.  The ability to repeat your delivery is so important in pitching and takes (usually) many, many focused reps to master.  Many never get there.  


Repeating your delivery over and over has a couple benefits.  First, it helps with accuracy.  If a pitcher can repeat his mechanically sound delivery when he throws a strike, it makes sense that he will throw strike after strike because everything is the same.  Second, it also helps as the game procedes and the pitcher starts to tire.  Although his velocity may drop a little as he gets tired, if he can repeat his delivery, he usually can continue his success for a bit longer.  When most pitchers get tired, they unintentionally alter their mechanics by dropping their elbow or not using their lower half enough.  Not surprisingly, many lose their command along with their mechanics.

Consistency as a hitter depends
on repeating good swings.

It is important to note that all this does not just apply to pitchers.  An infielder who repeats the same good footwork develops consistency on all types of ground balls.  The hitter that repeats one good swing over and over is more likely to be consistent over time as well regardless of the pitch thrown or who is throwing it.  Hitting is hard enough.  Trying to hit with a different swing on every pitch is a recipe for failure.


A baseball player's goal should be to develop consistency with all his mechanics.  Many players who underperform or do not play as much as they would like do not lack ability.  What they lack is consistency.  Chris Sale got to the Major Leagues in part because of his ability to consistently repeat his delivery.  Whether he stays will depend on his ability to continue to do so.

Tips for runners in a "pickle"

Even the best base runners get picked off and/or get caught in a rundown every once in a while.  Although at the higher levels practically all these runners will be out, there are a couple things a runner can do to increase the likelihood that they will be safe.  Here are two tips that might just work for you when you’re “in a pickle.”

Run to the inside.  This involves a play where a runner takes off from first base on a left handed pitcher’s first move after coming set.  By taking off on the steal at first move, the runner is banking on one of two things.  Either he guesses right and the pitcher throws home on the pitch or the runner is faster getting to second base than the defensive team’s ability to throw the ball from the pitcher to the first baseman and then to the shortstop at second base.  When the runner guesses wrong and the pitcher throws to first, smart runners will veer to the infield side of the baseline on their way to second base.  This is because the first baseman will be throwing the ball to second base on that same infield side of the baseline.  A runner who runs on the infield side of the baseline can get in the way of the first baseman’s throw.  What the runner hopes for is either the ball will hit him on the throw or the first baseman will alter his throw to avoid hitting the runner. In both cases, the advantage is with the runner.  A runner who stays right on the baseline when he runs allows a clear, unobstructed throw from the first baseman to second base which increases the likelihood he will be out at second.

Turn to the right.  Another tough spot a runner may find himself in is a rundown between bases.  A previous post gave two priorities for the defense when a rundown occurs.  This tip is something a runner can do.  Most infielders are taught to sprint at the runner during a rundown to get him moving fast.  If they can’t catch him they toss the ball to their teammate and continue running to the right in order to get out of the baseline when the runner turns to run in the other direction.  The key there is that just about every fielder runs to the RIGHT to get out of the baseline.  However, just about every runner turns to the LEFT in order to turn around and run in the other direction after the toss.  Here’s a tip for runners.  Force yourself to turn to the RIGHT instead of the left.  Sometimes when you turn to the right you will run straight into the fielder who has just tossed the ball and is trying to exit the baseline by going to the right.  If you make contact with this fielder who no longer has the ball, obstruction is called and the umpire will award you the next base.

100th post! A contest and updates

Today marks the 100th post from Baseball By The Yard!

Contest!  To mark my 100th post, I'm giving away a brand new 2K11 MLB video game!  Check out the YouTube clip below!  If you requested a Baseball Curriculum, you are eligible to win.  If you didn't, click HERE to get your copy of the curriculum and be on the mailing list.  Getting on the mailing list makes you eligible for all giveaways and contests!


Other FYI's !

• I emailed the Baseball Curriculum to all those who requested a copy.  If you would like one, please click HERE for details on how to get a copy.  I'd love to hear some feedback about it.  Constructive criticism is always welcome!
• Baseball By The Yard should hit the 12,000 “pageview” mark in a day or two!  I’m not sure how that compares to other blogs that have 3 months of posts but I love it!  I'm humbled as well.  I am honored that so many have found the information I write about useful. 
• I’ve recently started doing some videotaping and would like to do some “video posts” in the future.  One challenge that I sometimes face is trying to write about intricate details like footwork, pitching mechanics, etc. in a way that is clear and easily understood by the reader.  Hopefully, the short video clips will clarify some of the written posts.
• If any of you have video clip requests, please pass them along in an email.  Especially if there was something I wrote about that you are having trouble visualizing.
• Thanks to all of you who take the time to comment under the posts or in emails.  I enjoy reading them and find them to be very instructive and thought provoking.  I am constantly learning new things as well so please don’t hesitate to send comments and suggestions my way.
  
  

Have a great week and as always, thanks for reading!

Footwork for outfielders

Avoid drifting when
possible.

When it comes to baseball instruction, I've always been a fan of taking a "ground up" approach.  That means everything I teach starts with the feet.  I believe most problems with hitting and fielding originate with footwork mistakes.  So when I discuss playing outfield, proper footwork is my first priority.  The following three parts are a progression of how I teach outfield footwork.  When an outfielder masters the first one, I then move him onto the next.

Square up to
the infield.

Square up. By the time outfielders reach high school, many of them know the importance of trying to "square up on the ball."   This means when a fly ball is hit to them, the outfielder tries to hustle under the ball, square up their shoulders/hips/body to the infield, and make the catch.  Doing this when possible prevents the outfielder from drifting or coasting away from the infield as he makes the catch.  Drifting forces the outfielder to stop his momentum after the catch, change directions, gather more momentum, and then make the throw.  A player who hustles and squares up has already stopped their movement away from the infield and only need to catch and throw.  Less footwork after the catch = quicker release back to the infield.

Behind the ball.  When an outfielder consistently squares up on fly balls, the next piece of footwork involves getting behind the ball.  I mentioned above that when an outfielder squares up he stops his momentum away from the infield before he makes the catch.  This saved valuable time.  However, after the catch the outfielder still has to generate momentum before throwing.  This is where getting behind the ball can solve this dilemma.  An outfielder who has quicker footwork can not only square up to the infield on a fly ball but can also move back a few steps behind the ball.  This allows the outfielder to move forward to catch the ball instead of catching the ball standing still.  Moving forward to catch generates momentum towards the infield before catching the ball.  The outfielder only needs to catch and throw without first wasting valuable steps to generate some momentum.

Although the timing isn't perfect, Juan
Pierre gets behind the ball and leads
with the proper foot to catch.

Lead with the proper foot.  The last phase of this progression will allow the outfielder to use less steps after they catch the ball in order to throw back to the infield.  A right handed outfielder should always try to catch the ball with his left foot forward.  A left hander should lead with his right foot forward.  Let's pretend a right hander does it wrong and leads with his right foot.  After catching he will need to step with his left foot, then his right foot - usually a hop/crow hop - and then finally his left foot again to throw.  That's three steps after catching.  A right hander that properly leads with the left foot forward on the catch only needs to cross/hop in front with his right foot and step to throw with his left again.  That's two steps after the catch.  One less step.  The timing of the proper step forward is equally important.  When a right hander leads with his left foot forward he must time it so his left foot is landing at the exact same time the ball hits his glove.  This takes some practice but the proper timing of both together allow for a quicker and more powerful throw because everything (footwork, catching, throwing) is in the proper rhythm. 


If you are an outfielder or a coach of outfielders, be sure to give the proper focus to footwork.  Usually improvements are made pretty rapidly once you do. 


Note: The same footwork - timing and proper foot forward to catch - applies to catching balls hit on the ground to outfielders as well.

Top commercials

Below are two of my favorite commercials on the mental side of things. 
I get chills every time I see the second one!

Indoor Hitting Drills

Yesterday's post dealt with some indoor practice tips.  Below are some drills specific for those hitting stations that allow you to maximize the time and space available.  Of course, these tips and drills are also great for individual players who are looking for ways to improve their hitting when they are stuck indoors at home.


Hitting drills for station work:

No stride drills – I’m a big fan of these drills because they stress to players that you don’t need a big stride to hit.  Live hitting, short toss, soft-toss, and tee work are all options for no-stride stations.

High pitch Tee – set the tee to the highest position to work on the highest pitch a batter can hit.  Placing the tee on a chair works great.  This forces the batter to work on getting on top of the ball.

Low pitch Tee – Set the tee to the lowest position.  As kids get older, more pitches will be down there so they better learn how to hit it.  A future post will show a video clip of this one which has a different twist to it!

Soft toss – Options for stations include normal bats and indoor balls, broom handles and tennis balls or golf Wiffle-balls, inside pitch, outside pitch, high pitch, and low pitch.

Stand in – Great option for a station if pitchers are throwing as well.

Wall 1 – Often called the fence drill where a hitter faces bat-distance away from a wall or fence and swings.  Works on keeping the hands inside the ball so the bat doesn’t contact the wall.  A padded gym wall helps in case the player does make contact with the wall.

Wall 2 – Batter stands as if the wall is where the pitcher is.  His front foot is proper stride distance from the wall.  He strides to the wall and completes a fundamentally sound slow motion swing until the bat gently taps the wall.  This works on swing mechanics, proper stride length, and prevents lunging.

Soft-toss / Top hand – The batter places his back knee down on the ground and extends his front leg out towards the wall or catch net.  Batter swings using only his top hand on the bat.  Tiny Little League bats are good for this drill.  Works on proper top hand performance on the swing.

Soft –toss / Bottom hand – Same as above but with the bottom hand.

Mirror swings – Slow motion or full speed swings where the batter can watch their own mechanics and make adjustments.  Windows work very well also depending on the reflection.

Bunting -  Stations may include bunting to first, bunting to third, suicide squeeze, base-hit bunts to first, and base-hit bunts to third.


There are many more so please add if there are some you use frequently!

Indoor practice tips

With flood warnings in effect for my area over the next few days, it appears we will have to endure the wonderful "indoor workout" nightmare.  If you live in one of the warmer, drier states, I hope you appreciate it.  In Pennsylvania and certainly areas more north, we usually start the season in, shall we say, less than ideal conditions.  A few years ago our very first day out on a field ended up being our first league game.  The weather prevented us from getting even one day of practice on grass beforehand.  Baseball is not alone.  At our high schools, the spring sport season consists of softball, boys and girls lacrosse, boys and girls track, boys and/or girls volleyball, boys and/or girls tennis, and possibly other sports as well.  When poor weather arrives, all have to fight for indoor gym time to practice.  To make matters worse, many times you don’t know when or where your time slot and location will be until the last moment.  It becomes a logistical nightmare at times.


It is what it is.  


To keep your sanity and also get the most out of your indoor practice it becomes essential for coaches to plan and run an indoor practice on the assumption that you will not have a lot of time or a lot of space.  

Unfortunately, high school coaches and players usually
become very intimate with spaces like this.

Here are some tips for your indoor work that can allow you to maximize the time and space available.  

Indoor Coaching Tips:

Plan ahead.  Meet with your coaches early on and discuss options for any scenario.  Come up with plans in advance for a 30 minute practice, 60 minute practice, 90 minute practice, etc.  It’s also good to plan for hitting only, pitching only, infield only, outfield only, etc. practices which can help alleviate the amount of kids you have to deal with indoors on that day.  Quickly pull out these plans as needed in a pinch.

Use stations.  Standing around on the field is bad enough for players.  A whole team standing around waiting for one kid to get out of the indoor batting cage is not only torture, it’s a waste of time and space.  Break them up into small groups and rotate them around to a variety of drills.

Keep them moving.  Boredom kicks in very quickly indoors.  Limit each station to 5 minutes or less.  It will force players to focus more on each drill since their time is limited.  Go around the stations a few times if necessary but don’t keep them in one spot too long.

Use every possible space.  Gyms, hallways, cafeterias, and classrooms are all fair game if managed correctly.  If you use indoor appropriate equipment to prevent damage and return everything to where you found it, most administrators and teachers will be very accommodating.  Don’t be afraid to ask.  Or just do it and apologize afterward if needed!

Bring out the gadgets.  Tennis balls, Incrediballs, mini-golf balls, superballs, fielding paddles, broom handles, and such are great indoors to break up the monotony of indoor work.  Be creative and improvise to keep drills fresh, challenging, and interesting.

Avoid full length BP.  If you are fortunate to have an indoor batting tunnel, divide it in two halves and have two stations going at the same time.  More players are able to work simultaneously.  Short-toss, soft-toss, and tee work are usually more productive options than one pitcher throwing and one player batting in a tunnel.

Bank it.  Keep files on indoor drills for pitchers, catchers, hitters, base runners, outfielders, and infielders.  Keep thinking and searching for new ones and add them to your bank of drills.  Pull them out when needed.

Coaching is not easy.  Failing to plan and organize practices just make things worse for everyone!

Catching tip for middle infielders

The concept “As you get older the game gets faster” has been written numerous times on this blog in many different forms.  Careers are ended when a player’s abilities cannot keep pace with the speed of the game at a particular level.  For some, it’s Little League.  For others, it’s high school, college, or a level within pro ball.  This entire blog (and my reason for creating Baseball By The Yard!) is designed to teach players how to make their game better and quicker so they can keep moving up the ladder.

Quick actions are important for every position, especially shortstop and second base.  A middle infielder cannot survive very long in baseball without having quick glove work during the process of catching and throwing.  Fielding and throwing to first, turning double plays, and tagging runners all require fast hands.  There are many tips to help players do these responsibilities more quickly.  Future posts will deal with many others but here is a quick tip that can decrease the time it takes to catch and throw.

Catching and throwing quickly is the foundation 
for success on defense.  Chase Utley, glove 
open, throwing hand nearby.

Don’t close your glove unless you have to.

This tip applies to fielding and throwing ground balls as well as turning double plays.  Closing the glove around the ball every time a player catches adds a little time to the process of catching, taking the ball out, and throwing.  A small amount of time is added because the player has to open the glove before reaching in.  It’s not much time but it all adds up.

To practice this, when playing catch middle infielders should try to catch the throws without closing their glove.  This requires soft hands and having the throwing hand close by.  Instead of catching the ball, a player should try to redirect the ball into the throwing hand.  It takes practice but if a player learns the feel of it, he usually does it by habit from there on after.

This tip isn’t going to take a player from high school right to the major leagues but it’s another little thing that a player can do to help keep pace with the game as they get older.

A tip to improve footwork

Notice anything the players in these photos have in common?

Albert Pujols

Miguel Tejada

Chase Utley

Chipper Jones

Jose Reyes

None of the players are wearing spikes.  All are wearing sneakers or turf shoes.  
Why would that matter?  On the surface, it wouldn't matter much at all.  Players in spring training take lots of ground balls and batting practice wearing sneakers or turf shoes.  They do it during the season as well.  Spikes are definitely less comfortable than sneakers/turfs and a 162 game season can be very tough on the legs and feet.  No big deal, right?  But have you ever seen high school players do drill work without spikes?  It's not very pretty.  Usually players are tripping all over themselves because they can't get any traction in the dirt.  They slip and slide and many end up on the ground at some point.  How come the big leaguers don't slip around and fall?  Because they have better footwork.  Their steps are efficient and precise, their weight is always balanced, their feet are always underneath them, and their bodies are always under control.  That's a big reason why they are where they are.  
Every once in awhile (if a coach gives you permission) take the spikes off and practice in sneakers or turf shoes.  If you are a coach, make sneaker/turf wearing part of a drill or practice to mix things up.  If a player is slipping around and falling, it's a quick indication that his footwork isn't where it needs to be.
Everything starts from the ground up.  If you want to be a great player, start putting more focus on your feet.

Baseball Curriculum

Our schools have a K-12 curriculum for every subject.  Math, science, social studies, etc.  If you want to see how your student is tracking, just look at the curriculum and see if they are keeping pace with the skills needed at the next level.  

Does your district / organization have a baseball curriculum?  Do you know what players should be able to do at each baseball level in order to prepare them for the game after high school?  If not, how do you know if you, your son, or your players are on track to play beyond high school?  

I think something I created can help.  It's a baseball curriculum that lists the things that players should be able to do before moving on to the next level.  It starts at Tee-Ball and continues to the varsity high school level.  It is much too big for a blog posting so I've decided to email it out to all that are interested in getting it.

Just click HERE to get the FREE 14 page Baseball Curriculum .pdf file.  

If you'd like to receive a coaching assessment for coaches and their assistants to see what their strengths and needs are, click HERE for that FREE Coaching Wheel Assessment.

If you'd like to get on our mailing list to receive site updates, news, and new product information in the future, click HERE.

As always, thanks for reading!

The best drill for infield tryouts

Tryouts begin for public schools in Pennsylvania tomorrow.  Coaches all over the state will be running their players through multiple drills to gauge ability and potential.  Outfielders will catch fly balls and make some long throws, pitchers will throw off a mound, catchers will receive and throw, and hitters will hit.  However, for infielders it's a bit more complicated.  There are four infield positions behind the pitcher and each one carries with it a number of separate responsibilities.  They will have to catch grounders and pop-ups, do run-downs, tag runners, turn double plays, cover bases on tag and force plays, field bunts, and backhand the ball.  That's a lot of drills to get done.  It got me thinking.  If I was given five minutes to evaluate players - thankfully I don't - and only could do one drill, what would it be?

Derek Jeter in the most
difficult play in baseball -
the slow roller.

Answer:  Slow rollers.


This play is what separates the men from the boys.  It's a play that involves a fielder charging a slowly hit ball where he must field and throw on the run.  So why would I pick this drill?  Because it allows the coach to see all of the following in just a few reps:


Aggressiveness to the ball.  To make this play, you have to fly through the ball.  Any tentativeness on this play and the runner is safe.


Quickness.  Quick first steps, quickness to the ball, quick footwork, and quick hands all have to be there for the runner to be out.


Balance.  Charging, fielding, and throwing aggressively requires balance especially since the fielder will be throwing off the other foot.


Agility and athleticism.  This play involves difficult body movements that are not typical on most ground balls.


Arm strength.  Slow rollers require some arm strength because the fielder is usually not moving towards his target before throwing.  His momentum is usually traveling towards home plate and has to use just his arm strength to get the ball to first base.

Partly due to his ability to make
this play, Scott Rolen is the best
defensive third baseman ever
in my opinion.

Footwork technique.  Players who have had good coaching in the past have probably been taught some basics about this play.  The play becomes much easier for an infielder who knows which foot goes where when catching and throwing.  It's a little technical so that will have to be a future post.  In a nutshell, left foot forward to catch, right forward to throw.


Throwing technique.  Good infielders are able to use any arm angle to throw.  From right over the top to almost touching the ground with their knuckles.  Variations of this drill allow coaches to see if the player can throw from multiple angles.


Softness of hands.  This play involves some finesse glove work in a short period of time.  Players who have softer hands usually fare better.  Having "soft hands" means balls rarely bounce out of a player's glove.  Think of catching an egg.  If you keep your hands still when you catch the egg, the egg will break.  If you have "soft hands" and can give a little after catching the egg, the egg will not break.  The same principle applies to catching a baseball whether it's thrown or hit at you.


Quick release.  The ability to catch and throw quickly is what will allow a player to keep moving up the ladder in terms of their defense.  As kids get older, the game gets faster.  Catching and getting rid of it quickly is a must.  A quick release can also offset problems with arm strength.  It is usually better to have a very quick release and an average arm instead of a great arm that takes forever to throw.


Thankfully I will be able to do many drills with all the players trying out but if I had to pick one, the slow roller would be it for infielders.


How about you?

Grind it out

Below is a link to an article that I think has a good message.  It's written by a former major leaguer (Todd Jones) for The Sporting News.  He was still pitching when he wrote it.  It's a bit old but it has a good message for players of any age.  This time of year there is lots of enthusiasm with better weather arriving and players getting out onto the field after a long winter.  However, right around the corner will be the long, hot summer days when a lot of players begin to wear down.  Also coming down the pike will be the inevitable slump or rut every player gets into.  It could involve hitting, fielding, pitching, or your mental side as well.  How a player handles this part of every season will go a long way in determining their long-term success in the game.  A prominent Pirates scout once told me that when he goes to see a player he not only wants to see him do well, he wants to see him face some adversity.  How he handles it sometimes says more about the player than a home run or a 90 mph fastball.


So enjoy the start to a new season but be prepared for what is to come.


Article:  Grind it out to end a slump

Hitting: Five stages of focus

In a couple posts this week titled “Don’t think, you’ll hurt the ballclub!” (Part 1 and Part 2) I wrote about the fact that many players think about the wrong things at the wrong time for the wrong amount of time.  I then offered some tips or strategies to allow players to improve in these areas. 

Hitting a baseball is said to be the hardest things to do in sports largely because of the timing involved.  Any excess movement or thoughts on the part of the batter usually ends up decreasing performance.  This post will concentrate on the “thoughts” portion.  So how can a batter take the concepts written about in the previous posts and apply it specifically to hitting?  One way is to break up hitting into five stages and show players what type of thinking goes in each stage.  The five stages and their main points are as follows:

Pre-game to Double-Deck.  Focus should be broad

• Physically preparing to hit.  Batting practice, soft-toss, proper warm-up, proper mechanics, etc.
• Thoughts on hitting involve gathering information about the pitcher, staying positive, and noticing how the game is evolving
• How does he pitch righties vs lefties?
• Majority of pitches in or away?  Up or down?
• What seems to be his “out” pitch or “go-to” pitch when in trouble?

On-Deck. Focus begins to narrow.

The thoughts and focus of an
on-deck batter and one in the box
should not be the same.

• Recognizing the situation you will be batting in.  Runners on?, outs?, score?, inning?, bunting situation?, etc.
• Much less focus on overall mechanics and more on a batter’s “keys” – hands back, stay on top, be aggressive, etc.  NOTE: Each batter should create a short list of “keys” that are specific to their individual success.    Ask a coach if you are not sure what they might be.  Keep your thoughts to these keys only.  Stick with short positive phrases like “Stay on top” or “aggressive through the ball.”  Avoid negative commands like “Don’t loop the bat” or “Don’t swing at bad pitches.”  Tell your body what you want it to do as opposed to what you don’t want it to do.
• Keep breathing deeply and slowly to relax the body and mind to control nervousness and/or anxiety.

In the box.  Focus is very narrow.

• Focus on the pitcher.  See the “whole pitcher” on the mound and gradually shrink your vision to his release point when he lets go of the pitch.
• All thoughts about mechanics are erased.  After a pitch or swing, a batter can step out and give a positive reminder about one of his keys but that's all.
• See the pitch and just react.  Trust your preparation.

Post at-bat.  Keep it simple, keep it positive.

Lighten up.  Never forget
that hitting is hard.

• Quickly process what went right and what went wrong.
• Shift to “defense thinking” as you run to your position.  Hitting is over.  Leave all hitting thoughts in the dugout.
• Give yourself a break.  Hitting is hard.  Find a positive no matter how small it may be.  A first pitch swing at a pitch over your head resulting in an easy pop-up becomes “Good job being ready to swing at the first pitch!” in your head.  You can just add “get a good pitch to hit” to your keys the next time you are on deck.
• Circle back to “Pre-game to Double-deck” focus when you return to the bench.

Post-game.  Return to a broader focus.

• Honestly evaluate your at-bats.  Three or four hard hit balls is a successful day at the plate regardless of how many turned into hits.  Four hits off the end of the bat may have improved your average but it should be a sign of concern and a need for possible adjustments as well.
• Replace thoughts of “I’m awesome!” or “I stink!” with “what do I need to work on before the next game to get better?”
• Once again … Give yourself a break.  Hitting is hard.  Find the positives no matter how small they may be.

With the use of these stages and creating their own routine, players hopefully will get a greater sense of control over their body and mind as a hitter.  Great hitters have many of the same thoughts as others.  Great hitters just do a better job of knowing what to focus on, when to focus on them, and for how long.

Don't let their best hitter beat you!

Walk him! ... or at least don't
give him much to hit.
(Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

Growing up, I heard many great “baseball sayings” from my father and grandfather.  Some sayings or cliches are meant to be funny but most are also instructive.  On a mile high pop-up to the catcher, my dad would say “That’s a home run in an elevator shaft.”  It gets a laugh but it also sends a message to the batter that he better make an adjustment.  One purely instructive saying I heard regularly before games I pitched was “Don’t let their best hitter beat you.”  Great pitchers know who the opposing teams’ best and hottest hitters are.  If there is a situation where first base is open and their best/hottest hitter is batting, great pitchers know that either walking him or at least not giving him any good pitches to hit might be the best strategy.  This is especially true when runners are in scoring position.  Be careful though.  Sometimes the team’s “hottest” hitter is not their “best” hitter. An intelligent pitcher may opt to pitch to their “best” hitter instead of their “hottest” hitter who might be up to bat next.  If the other players on the team beat you, so be it.  Tip your hat to them.  However, usually when you make their best hitters a non-factor in the outcome of a game, it's to your advantage.  Great pitchers know all this information about their opponents and have a game-plan before they step onto the mound.

"Don't think, you'll hurt the ballclub!" (Part 2)

Yesterday’s post talked about a player’s need to compartmentalize their thoughts in order to focus on the right things, at the right time, for the right amount of time.  We all know some people who just seem to never let things get to them.  They're level headed and can transition between multiple tasks seamlessly.  Other people we know fly off the handle at a moments notice and have a very tough time shaking bad events that occur during their day.  So how can a baseball player improve in this area and be more like the latter example?  Here are some strategies for coaches and players that may help:

Problem Jar – This is something a coach can put in the locker room or near the bench.  If a player has something weighing on his mind, he writes the issue on a piece of paper and places it in the jar.  This mentally and physically symbolizes the player getting rid of the issue for the time being.

Pocket it – This is the same as above but instead of a coach organizing it with a jar, the player writes the problem down on paper and then places it in a pocket of his street clothes.  The problem and all the negative thoughts associated with it stay there until after practice or the game.

Exit sign - Many locker rooms already have this type of thing.  They place a motivational sign over the door that players exit through on their way to the field.  Players sometimes tap it on the way out to remind them that they are about to enter practice or a game and need to leave problems they are having in the locker room.  The wording of the phrase can reflect the need for this as well.

“Work zone” sign – Similar to the exit sign but this can be placed in a player’s locker or in a dugout to remind players that they are expected to be there physically and mentally.

Sign-in to practice – Coaches can do this by putting a clipboard in the dugout or on the bench.  Physically signing your name when you arrive to practice lets the player know he is officially at practice now and needs to conduct himself as such both physically and mentally.  If the player is not mentally ready, he doesn't sign-in. 

Change your clothes, change your mind – This is something people do all the time without recognizing it.  They come home from school/work and immediately change into something more comfortable.  Usually when they do this the mental stress of their day subsides because the changing of the clothes represents a changing of roles and thoughts.  Players can use this as well.  Taking off their school clothes symbolizes the effect of “taking off” their stress from the day.  As they put on their uniform, the player gradually shifts his mind into proper baseball focus to the point where when he is fully dressed in his uniform, his mind is fully clear of the baggage from his day and completely focused on baseball.

TIC – TOC.  This strategy helps players recognize when their mind is drifting during competition and then helps them get back on track.  Remember that great players have many of the same thoughts as distracted players but the great ones refocus quicker.  When a player recognizes that his focus is drifting to something irrelevant, he says the word “TIC.”  It’s important that he hear himself say it as opposed to just thinking the word.  Saying it helps to snap him out of the distraction.  He then says “TOC” when he regains his focus on what he should be focusing on.  Saying these two words a lot is a positive thing because the player is finally recognizing how many times he gets distracted and can finally address it in a positive way.  Other cue words might be “DELETE,” “FLUSH,” “LET IT GO,” and so forth.  A player should create words or phrases that are personalized and unique for them.

Routine Chart. Click on this previous post for details.

Note:  You may have noticed that many of the strategies involve a physical action that helps the player compartmentalize and get refocused.  Sports psychologists will tell you that if a player is distracted by internal things (negative thoughts, irrelevant thoughts, etc) the player should shift their focus to something external to “get out of their head.”  Writing something down, tapping a sign, taking off clothes, putting on a uniform, and saying TIC-TOC out loud along with other methods like fixing batting gloves and tapping your spikes with the bat are all examples of this.  Every player should come up with their own technique to help themselves “get out of their head.”

If external distractions are the problem – yelling coaches, parents/girlfriend/scouts in the stands, etc. – it’s beneficial for the player to focus internally.  Visualization,  imagery,  breathing exercises, etc. are all good for getting the player to focus less on external distractions and more on their inner (hopefully positive) thoughts. 

Click on some of the links at left under the category “Sports psych” and search for more suggestions for players and coaches.