Baseball season is about to start and I’m already getting calls from parents, players and coaches who are concerned about losing streaks.
Anyone who has played baseball for any length of time has experienced the frustration of a prolonged hitting slump. And there are many causes of these performance valleys.
Some of the causes are physical. A breakdown in mechanics, poor balance, poor technique, a bobbing head, a tight grip on the bat, or injury can all contribute to poor performance in baseball players.
Some of the causes of hitting depressions are mental. A batter who has been hit by a pitch can get spooked in the batter’s box. A player who has been hitting poorly can lose confidence. A hitter who is worried about impressing his coach, his parents or a scout can become quite anxious. A player who is in conflict with his teammates may find it difficult to reach his potential. Similarly, a player with stress related to life off the field may have difficulty concentrating as he approaches home plate.
Also, it’s important to understand that there are many mind-body relationships when it comes to hitting a baseball. For example, a nervous player tends to grip the baseball bat too tightly. Likewise, a tense player may have difficulty turning on a field.
Interestingly, some people believe that our vision worsens when we are tense and improves when we are relaxed.
There are many ways to relax your mind and body before hitting the bat.
Players can learn relaxation, meditation, visualization, or self-hypnosis techniques. Some players benefit from listening to music in the dugout or before a game. Others do some aerobics before they hit the field, finding that it helps them relax when they get up to bat.
Tension will work against you at the plate, so it’s important for baseball players to learn how to feel very comfortable when facing the opposing pitcher.