Common Mental Game Challenges For Ball Players
Your mindset can be an asset or a determent to your performance.
If you doubt yourself, lose composure after mistakes or over analyze your performance, your mindset can hurt your performance.
You can be your own worst enemy.
In these situations, it’s hard to bounce back with confidence and composure during the game.
Many baseball players struggle with these mental game challenges.
Cleveland pitcher, Justin Masterson is aware of the mental battle with himself. Masterson helped the Indians beat the Red Sox 11-0 last Wednesday night.
“You get a little excited, but once you get on the field, it is game time. Half the time, the battle for me is with myself,” Masterson said.
Half of the battle is fighting with your own mind.
Many ball players sabotage their performance; they can’t get out of their own way.
They set high expectations for their performance.
If you expect to perform perfectly or not make any mistakes you are setting yourself up for failure.
When you don’t achieve those expectations, you become frustrated with your performance.
You can also sabotage yourself by adopting negative self-labels.
Negative self-labels are confidence-busting names you use to describe yourself. You might tell yourself you’re a streaky hitter, for example.
Even though you may engage in self-sabotage, you can improve your mindset.
First, let go of any expectations you have for your performance. Instead, focus on what you need to do in the moment to execute, such as seeing the ball well.
Next, change your negative self-labels into positive ones. Instead of calling yourself a streaky hitter, tell yourself you’re a consistent hitter.
If you feel like you’re losing the mental battle, stay patient–you can improve your mental game with practice.
Take time to become aware of your mental shortcomings and work to improve your mindset.
A strong mental game can only benefit your performance.
Related Sports Psychology Articles
- The Mental Skill of Focusing
- How to Develop a Ball Player Championship Mindset
- How to Be a Consistent Hitter According to Harper
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Hey everyone, I’m Justice, I’m 15, and I play triple a ball.
So here’s my story…
Last season, my hitting had gone to hell and well… didn’t come back. The season before that it had never been better.
So obviously last season I would have mental problems all the time. I couldn’t break out of the frustration and break out of my slump.
This season so far, my hitting has gotten better, but still could use improvement.
Every day i go out hitting with my uncle, and yes my bat has improved, but there are still those times, maybe 50% of the time, that my hitting will just not be there. I’ll hit infield pop ups over and over and after maybe…. say 5 – 7 of those same hits I’ll get pissed. I’ll swear, but then right back in the box and focused again.
He keeps telling me that i’m battling my last season in my head, but i don’t see it. I go in with all the confidence I got, and don’t think on the down side of my swing, I barely think at all!
So My question is, is he right? could I be having a mental battle with my previous season subconsciously? Or could this be something else?
Thanks for listening,
Justice
Justice:
Yes, you can have mental scars from previous seasons. But my guess is that you are trying too hard in games and pressing instead of reacting to the ball and letting it happen.