5 Simple Mental Tricks for a Baseball Hitter to stay Focused

Everyone must be mindful of the way they think, and how they use their words.  Our thoughts become words, and our words become our belief.  People often express their perceived limitations without realizing it.  Words are powerful.  Our words reflect our thoughts, which become locked in the subconscious mind.  The subconscious mind is the foundation for our belief system.

Athletes can stay on top of their game, or spiral out-of control if they don’t pay attention to the way they think and speak.

When a hitter of a baseball team goes into a slump, they often express their frustration with phrases like: “I can’t seem to get my timing right.”  “I’m swinging too late.”  “My back is hurting.” “I’ve lost range of motion.”  While any of these statements may be true, the statements risk becoming a belief that locks in the problem. They begin to watch an excessive amount of video, looking at physical characteristics to find their problem.  They move further away from their intuitive nature, and more into thinking.  If the player continues to focus on the limitation in their mind, the problem becomes a reality and can become unmanageable.

This pattern usually can be fixed by first helping the player acknowledge that they did not forget how to hit.  Their job as a hitter means they have made a career of being great at hitting the ball. They must stop focusing on the physical ailments and go into their mind.

5 Simple Steps to focus the mind and Stay on Top

1. Enter in relaxation. The athlete lies down and becomes very relaxed by paying attention to the breath as they inhale through the nose, and out through the mouth.
2. Engage in visualization. Visualize the upcoming pitcher.  They are usually already familiar with the pitchers style of pitching, so they consciously know what pitches to expect.  Visualize in sensory rich detail.  Imagine being in the clubhouse; smelling the sweat, hearing bats clank and loud voices preparing for game time.
3. Practice the at-bat in the mind. They imagine walking to the plate, feeling exhilaration, anticipating the dual between pitcher and hitter.  They look at the bat and take a deep cleansing breath.  The noise of the crowd dissolves, as if muted by a force from outer space.
4. Experience in slow motion. The player slows down the sequence.  They watch the pitch come toward the plate. The ball becomes larger; looking like a giant basketball by the time the bat hits it.  The swing is in slow motion.  They feel their body move with controlled force.
5. Imagine the conclusion. The ball coming off the bat feels effortless. They watch as the ball flies over the infield or leaves the ballpark for a homerun.  The athlete is in charge of what they visualize, no one else.

The athlete now feels more encouraged and is excited to get back to their game.  The subconscious belief is “I can!”  Their words are “I did, and I will again!”

This law applies to all people, not just an athlete.  We must catch our limiting statements that begin, “I’m afraid,” “I can’t,” “I’ve never been good,” “It’s just how I am.”  These statements keep the belief a reality.  When you change your words, you change your life!

If you believe you can, or you believe you can’t …You’re right! ¹

1947 September, The Reader’s Digest, Volume 51, (Filler item), Quote Page 64, The Reader’s Digest Association. (Verified on paper)