How do you deal with a slow start in baseball or softball?
A fast start is not the norm. And righting the ship is essential for getting back on track quickly.
How do you get on track when the season starts slowly?
First, let’s create a common scenario. Preseason is often the time when big dreams and challenging goals are created.
The month before the season starts, you are full of excitement about having a breakout year, winning a championship, or achieving personal bests. During preseason, you put in the work to achieve peak physical conditioning, develop new pitches, improve your strength, and optimize your mechanics.
During preseason games, you are playing your best ball ever. You feel motivated, comfortable, and confident that this will be your year and your team will make the playoffs.
However, during the first few games of the regular season, you do not produce the same results as during the preseason. You think, “How can this be? I was crushing it just a few weeks ago.”
After every game, you are focused on your lack of production. You no longer feel at ease on the mound or in the batter’s box, and frustration begins to mount.
When you are overfocused on your “lack of production,” your confidence drops, and frustration grows. Those two factors work against you as you try to gain positive momentum.
Focusing on the process or your progress rather than outcomes is the solution to slow starts…
A process approach is one where a player objectively evaluates performance, highlights the positive aspects or progress of games, and identifies areas of their game that need adjustments.
For example, instead of focusing on your batting average, ERA, or team wins, celebrate small successes such as feeling comfortable with mechanics, and fighting off pitches with two strikes in the count.
Focusing keenly on the pitcher’s mound, fielding the ball cleanly and making accurate throws in the field, or staying composed despite having an off-game can help keep your head in the game.
Slow starts can affect players at every level, even in the major leagues.
The Philadelphia Phillies were hoping to get off to a quick start to the 2024 MLB season. However, the Phillies started the season 2-4 in their first six games. Despite their start, the Phillies know the key to success is to stay focused on the process.
Philadelphia designated hitter Kyle Schwarber has a good technique for evaluating games with an open, objective mind.
SCHWARBER: “I think we saw a lot of good at bats. I think we saw a lot of guys pounding the zone. So those are the kinds of things you look at. You want to look at the negatives and learn from them, but also keep the good things in your head and carry those into the next series.”
The key to effectively evaluating performance is removing judgement and emotions from the equation and getting feedback that will help you improve future performances.
To maintain confidence and motivation, you should evaluate your performance objectively…
Objectivity requires that you identify areas for improvement, create a plan and schedule for working on these aspects, and highlight small successes after each game.
Related Sports Psychology Articles
- Developing The Hustle Mindset for Baseball
- When Emotion and Intelligence Work Hand in Hand
- Perform Confidently Late in the Game
*Subscribe to The Sports Psychology Podcast on iTunes
*Subscribe to The Sports Psychology Podcast on Spotify
The Mental Edge for Ball Players (Digital Download)
“The Mental Edge for Ball Players” audio and workbook program teaches you to get a competitive edge in baseball and softball by overcoming a lack of focus, low self-confidence and other mental game obstacles. Learn practical mental strategies to improve your performance in competition.
“A quick note to let you know how effective your programs worked for my son who is 17 and plays varsity baseball in VA. In late 2009, I ordered the “Relaxed Athlete Program” for my son because I saw he was pressing too hard at the plate and had disappointing results for his season. Thanks to your programs, my son now has a completely new approach to the game of baseball (and school) and it’s more fun for him now. He made all-district player at his position and hit .443 this season. A complete 180 degree turn around from last year.”
~Mark M., Sports Parent