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When it comes to sports, the best players are both physically and mentally fit. This is especially true of baseball and softball, which is notorious for its challenging “mental game.” If you’re interested in honing your mental abilities to be a better player, here are a few things to keep in mind. 

Mental Skills Essential to Baseball and Softball

Baseball and Softball players that exhibit certain high-level mental faculties tend to have the greatest success in the sport. These include:

  • Good Reaction Time – Baseball and Softball is all about split-second decisions. Players must assess the situation, weigh their options, and decide the best course of action, all within an exceedingly short period. 
  • Prediction – Prediction doesn’t mean you must have extrasensory ability to see into the future. However, you must be able to use prior information to intuit another player’s possible course of action. For example, prediction can help a hitter determine the type of pitch likely to be thrown based on behavior exhibited in past games. 
  • Laser Focus – Baseball and Softball games are often noisy affairs when the crowd is immersed in what’s happening. Players must be able to ignore crowd noise and other distractions to focus on the task at hand, or these distractions will get the better of them. 

In addition to mental faculties, certain personality traits are thought to set up players for greater success. The Athletic Success Profile, which was developed by William Winslow, measures 11 personality attributes, including emotional control, self-confidence, leadership, and many others. Many organizations even use this evaluation when recruiting new players.

How You Can Improve Your Mental Game

baseballMuch like building your physical skills through practice, you can also develop your mental abilities by taking the right steps. If you find your focus waning during games, try meditating during your off-hours. Meditation has been found to improve concentration when practiced regularly. 

If you struggle with self-confidence, consider making an appointment with a sports psychologist. Even capable players develop doubts about their ability, and it may take professional assistance to get to the bottom of these doubts and stop them from impeding your progress. And while planning is beneficial in some respects, don’t get too far ahead during the game. Focus on performing the current action to the best of your ability. 

 

If you want to be a successful baseball or softball player, practice is crucial. Along with building your mental skills, you’ll need to take steps to improve your physical abilities, whether that involves hitting, pitching, or catching. In O'Fallon, MO, The Hitting Zone provides players of all skill levels the resources they need to be successful. This training facility features eight batting cages, automated pitching machines, and experienced instructors to provide a deeper level of training. Call (636) 272-1015 today to reserve your spot or visit them online for more great tips. You can also text JOIN to (636) 695-8397 for daily updates.

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