Coach Wolforth recently challenged us all to "pay attention.' It sounds trite and trivial, but how much do you really pay attention? We are all so distracted by cell phones, texting, TVs in every restaurant, etc. There are distractions everywhere. And then we hunt more down.
But, to be excellent ... you must pay attention. Here are 10 ... or 11 ... things (a non-exhaustive list, for sure) to pay attention to on the baseball field:
1) Pay attention to where the baseball is going and where you want it to go. Are you really acquiring a target with every throw? Are you getting a target each time? If so, guess what? Bad throws while warming up will be rare. Bad throws during a game will be cut down dramatically, as well. Pay attention to whether each throw hits the target. Count makes and misses. Do this for 10 minutes and compare to how you have been throwing. Add following your throws and see what happens.
Likewise, are you paying attention to the baseball when you are hitting? Pay attention with your eyes. Be conscious with good broad- to fine-focus. Practice paying attention and do this every time you hit, whether in practice or in a game.
2) Pay attention to what is happening during BP. What are you trying to do? Are you working on your two-strike approach? Pay attention to whether it is working and why. Did you hit the ball hard where it wants to go? Know every time. Pay attention. Did you look for your pitch and find it in count cage? Know the answer to this.
3) Pay attention when you are in the dugout. Pay attention to the opposing pitcher's patterns, both with pitches and moves to first. Can you pick up an opposing sign or trend? Yes, you can, if you pay attention. Eyes and ears on the field, and pay attention.
4) Pay attention to any coach or player when they are communicating on the field. If some one is communicating info, then they believe it is important. Rather than daydreaming or thinking about what you want to say, pay attention. Learn something. Always be paying attention and learning.
5) Pay attention while others are getting instruction (it's like free correction, but less painful), and also pay attention while others are playing to learn from what they do well or otherwise.
6) Pay attention to game situations (realize and remind; situation and say it again) and hammer these into your brain like a news ticker. Decide what you will/can do before the play starts and be ready. Like acquiring the target when throwing, this technique is proven to dramatically reduce mistakes.
7) Pay attention to what the opponent is doing while you are on the field. Many clues are contained as to what is coming, if you will only look. See an OF who looks strangely out of position? There may be a pickoff play coming. Is an infielder shading in a different place than previously? It might be a clue as to what type of pitch is coming.
8) Pay attention to how your performance and AB's go. Get in the habit of reviewing your mound and plate performances intelligently. For instance, with your at-bats, ask: What was I trying to do? What went right/wrong? What do I want to do next time? Do this every time. Pay attention, and know what to pay attention to.
9) Pay attention to signs, and make it part of your routine and habit to get the sign early and often. This is a simple decision to make; and
10) Pay attention to your routine and preparation ... what works? Pay attention to find whatever clues or common denominators you can between good and bad performance, i.e., food, sleep, pregame exercises and warm-up, self-talk, everything. Pay attention.
Okay, here's a bonus:
11) Pay attention to the emotional state of yourself (and others) during competition. When you sense you are getting too amped, bring it on down. Conversely, if the game is "out of hand" and you sense the feeling that you or your teammates might be relaxing a bit too much, then amp it up. Stay at a proper focus and emotional level at all times, regardless of the situation. Pay attention and make the appropriate adjustment.
Know what is happening and why. You can. Just ...
Pay attention.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Will Smith's Words of Wisdom
I always like Will Smith, but wow ... this is good stuff. I got this from Coach Aaron Weintraub, a great mental game teacher. Great stuff. This thinking + your faith in Christ = God is going to do big things.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Exploring the Mystery of Pitch Counts
My knowledge on this subject is drawn largely from the excellent work and research of Ron Wolforth and his staff at the Texas Baseball Ranch.
I have modified what Coach Wolforth has suggested only slightly in how I deal with pitchers who have gone over 30 pitches in an inning (allowing them to continue only if it is the first inning and the pitcher has demonstrated the ability to work through such struggles at the current level of competition).
My background as a baseball player is as a position player (1B/OF) and a hitter. So, I have come to the table on the subject of pitching from a different perspective, and in some ways, without what I view as the baggage of a lifetime of shifting views on trends in pitching.
I have modified what Coach Wolforth has suggested only slightly in how I deal with pitchers who have gone over 30 pitches in an inning (allowing them to continue only if it is the first inning and the pitcher has demonstrated the ability to work through such struggles at the current level of competition).
My background as a baseball player is as a position player (1B/OF) and a hitter. So, I have come to the table on the subject of pitching from a different perspective, and in some ways, without what I view as the baggage of a lifetime of shifting views on trends in pitching.
Pitch counts are a strange and mysterious subject. They are treated as gospel, but few seem to understand them. There are "magic" numbers, such as 100 for a game that some will argue are never to be exceeded. No explanation is given for this magical line never to cross; it's just there, you see.
Still others argue that pitchers at various portions of a season are clearly only ready to throw 40, 50, 60, etc. pitches. How do they know this? Unless it's a knowledge of the demonstrated preparation of a specific pitcher at that point in the season, truly it's hard to tell.
I believe there are a couple of concepts that are really central to understanding the issue of pitch counts: 1) First and foremost, how much a pitcher throws on his own and in practice is crucial to developing the arm strength to throw longer and deeper into games; and 2) how a pitch count is accumulated is more important than what a pitcher's total count is.
To put these two concepts together, to know whether a pitcher is gassed after throwing 100 pitches, you need to know how much work he has put in -- practice and game work -- during a particular season and also how many innings he has thrown during the game at issue. For instance, assuming we are at least at mid-season, a pitcher who has gone 7 innings and thrown 100 pitches has really not extended himself such that he is at any real risk of injury. A well-conditioned pitcher can throw 12-15 pitches per inning for quite a long time, given the fact that he is resting and recovering while his teammates are batting.
Take for instance the "scandal" caused by University of Texas pitcher Austin Wood, who threw 169 pitches in a relief outing in a 2009 NCAA regional game (the longest game in NCAA history, a 25-inning UT 3-2 win over Boston College). Wood came on in relief with a runner on second in the seventh inning, and then ... he pitched the next 12 1/3 innings before he gave up his first hit, a single in the bottom of the 19th. He struck out 14, walked four and gave up two hits in 13 innings. Making Wood’s performance even more impressive was that the game was on the line in every inning. And all of this came after he pitched two innings the night before in a 3-1 victory over Army.
Austin Wood was able to do what he did (and his arm stayed attached to his body as he and the Horns went on to the CWS) because he was conditioned and also because he pitched efficiently through his night ... and early morning ... of work. He averaged about 13 pitches per inning. So, what a lot of people in the pitching world thought was scandal was no scandal. If a pitcher is at 15 or under pitches per inning, with much conditioning at all he can pitch a good long while. Remember, the pitcher is resting between innings. With warmups, the infielders are nearly throwing as much.
Most coaches, especially summer coaches, pay very little attention to anything but the total pitch count (and then, even the total is often monitored haphazardly). Neglecting how a total is accumulated is a mistake. What Ron's research has shown (and my experience has confirmed) is that if a pitcher throws 20 or more pitches in an inning, he is laboring in that inning such as to increase stress on his arm and body and decrease his effectiveness. If he follows such an inning with another 20-pitch inning, it is probably time for the pitcher to come out of the game. I have followed this formula and found it to be sound over the years.
Austin Wood was able to do what he did (and his arm stayed attached to his body as he and the Horns went on to the CWS) because he was conditioned and also because he pitched efficiently through his night ... and early morning ... of work. He averaged about 13 pitches per inning. So, what a lot of people in the pitching world thought was scandal was no scandal. If a pitcher is at 15 or under pitches per inning, with much conditioning at all he can pitch a good long while. Remember, the pitcher is resting between innings. With warmups, the infielders are nearly throwing as much.
Most coaches, especially summer coaches, pay very little attention to anything but the total pitch count (and then, even the total is often monitored haphazardly). Neglecting how a total is accumulated is a mistake. What Ron's research has shown (and my experience has confirmed) is that if a pitcher throws 20 or more pitches in an inning, he is laboring in that inning such as to increase stress on his arm and body and decrease his effectiveness. If he follows such an inning with another 20-pitch inning, it is probably time for the pitcher to come out of the game. I have followed this formula and found it to be sound over the years.
Coach Wolforth also suggests removing any pitcher following any inning in which he throws 30 or more pitches in an inning, based on the fact that the pitcher is tired and now more susceptible to injury. I have followed this rule with the one exception noted above; that is, if we are dealing with a pitcher who has shown the ability to recover from jams at the current level of competition then I will allow him to continue if and only if the 30-pitch inning occurs in the first inning that he pitches.
On the Mustangs, we track a pitcher's per-inning count to see how he is trending. If a pitchers count-per-inning starts to creep up then that is a factor indicating that his work for the day may be done. But to me, this part is art. The foregoing 20- and 30-pitch markers, however, are science (or rules in my book), and I adhere to them as such.
I use these rules as markers and extend our pitchers total counts out as we move through the season. As for the total counts, that is based upon the pitcher's experience, work history, and demonstrated effectiveness during a particular game.
And of course, pitch counts are only part of a story as to whether a pitcher continues. For instance, if your count is down but your fielders are dodging bb's with every pitch, well, you get the picture.
For those of you playing elsewhere during the fall and summer, I think it's important that you know this information and see how other coaches are handling pitching staffs. In the end, we want to be getting better each practice and game, but we also want to keep our arms and bodies healthy for the longterm.
See you on the field,
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
One Mind ... One Heart ... One Mission
We've talked about the mind and our mission.
At the retreat, we laid out what "one heart" means. And, as we set out on our journey this week, let's keep this in mind:
O -- One. One team, one coaching staff, one mission. We speak with one voice and we move toward our goal as one.
N -- No whining or excuses. You can make an excuse or a way. Your choice.
E -- Every player has value. This is so critical. Each player, whether on the field or off, is valuable. Equating value with playing time or positions in the field violates our heartbeat in a fundamental way.
H -- Hustle everywhere, doing everything. By doing so, we communicate respect for the game and the time and efforts of those around us, and we let our teammates (and opponents) know that we are excited and ready to play.
E -- Every task has value. Each thing we do, whether in practice or a game, is to be done to the best of our ability. You never know when the most important play of a day or game will be. Treat each task as valuable, and you will be ready.
A -- Attentive always ... at practice, in the dugout, on the field. We bring a ready mindset to all that we do, and the baseball field is our place of business ... a fun one, but a place of business nonetheless. We make all of our action, thoughts and words purposeful.
R -- Ready to do whatever is asked. A team full of ready teammates is a team ready to succeed.
T -- Team. We finish where we started. Everything we do is for our team and its welfare.
As we have discussed, maintaining "one heart" is the key ingredient to getting where we want to go.
See you on the field,
At the retreat, we laid out what "one heart" means. And, as we set out on our journey this week, let's keep this in mind:
O -- One. One team, one coaching staff, one mission. We speak with one voice and we move toward our goal as one.
N -- No whining or excuses. You can make an excuse or a way. Your choice.
E -- Every player has value. This is so critical. Each player, whether on the field or off, is valuable. Equating value with playing time or positions in the field violates our heartbeat in a fundamental way.
H -- Hustle everywhere, doing everything. By doing so, we communicate respect for the game and the time and efforts of those around us, and we let our teammates (and opponents) know that we are excited and ready to play.
E -- Every task has value. Each thing we do, whether in practice or a game, is to be done to the best of our ability. You never know when the most important play of a day or game will be. Treat each task as valuable, and you will be ready.
A -- Attentive always ... at practice, in the dugout, on the field. We bring a ready mindset to all that we do, and the baseball field is our place of business ... a fun one, but a place of business nonetheless. We make all of our action, thoughts and words purposeful.
R -- Ready to do whatever is asked. A team full of ready teammates is a team ready to succeed.
T -- Team. We finish where we started. Everything we do is for our team and its welfare.
As we have discussed, maintaining "one heart" is the key ingredient to getting where we want to go.
See you on the field,
Thursday, January 27, 2011
“The Mental Keys to Hitting” by H. A. Dorfman
I just finished the last in a great trilogy of mental game books by the father of the modern “mental game,” H. A. Dorfman. The Mental Keys to Hitting is an excellent book, and it is also a short and easy read. Dorfman describes key, foundational concepts in readable language.
What I especially enjoyed was finding this book – which has been out since 2000 – so neatly merged the concepts of Moneyball by Michael Lewis and The Mental Game of Baseball by Dorfman. I had thought that the concepts were compatible, and indeed supported each other. Well, voila, Dorfman writes this in his book.
Get this: Players, I highly recommend you read this book. What follows are my notes … Cliff Notes, if you will … of some key takeaway/excerpts/quotesparaphrases and such:
“The highest reward for a person’s toil is not what they get for it, but what they become by it.” -- John Ruskin, English writer/sociologist 1859
“First and foremost, SEE THE BALL!” (Remember the third "E").
Harold Baines, when asked how many times he had felt comfortable when he failed to see the ball well: “Never.”
“Want to see the ball better? Think ball.” My note: And use broad to fine focus, per the hitting chapter in The Mental Game.
“Use every at-bat to your purpose, instead of allowing it to use you.”
Agressivness under control …
“You’ve got to have the mentality that you are going to make somebody pay when you’re at bat.” – Mo Vaughn, 2000 Angels
Dorfman praises the Oakland A’s approach (featured in Moneyball). It’s been called Oakland’s ‘whacking and walking’ philosophy by Dorfman. “I tell hitters they start a car’s movement by using the gas pedal first. That’s aggressiveness. A hitter’s first thought before going to the plate should be about making good, solid contact. He anticipates a pitch he can hit and is ready for it when he sees it. He does not anticipate taking a pitch, because then, seeing a pitch in the hitting zone, he’ll be surprised by it. Aggressiveness is his operative approach.”
“Hacking is not a philosophy.”
“Oakland has always valued the base-on-balls … and was greatly concerned with on-base percentage as one important indicator of a hitter’s effectiveness. My appeal to a few reluctant players was that a walk helped their batting average. An undisciplined at-bat usually resulted in an out – and their average went down. A walk avoided that out, got them on base for the team – and kept the average from going down. This philosophy still prevails throughout the organization. Minor leaguers are taught to be patient – as well as aggressive.”
“Aggressiveness and patience … is the balanced approach of all good hitters. And of successful teams.”
Being able to take the ball the other way when required is a good indicator of “staying within oneself.”
An idea when a hitter senses he is losing control is to focus on taking the ball the other way. “You’ll track the ball longer and deeper into the hitting zone; you’ll stay back longer; it will help relax your swing – the bat will get through the hitting zone quicker.”
Your Goals vs. Others’ Expectations … You’ve got eyes; the ball doesn’t.
Set goals for yourself each day in BP or in games … i.e., disciplined BP, seeing the ball well, having a purpose for every BP round, reminding yourself of mechanical cues in the on-deck circle, stepping out of box and coaching yourself during an AB, being mentally ready for every pitch, establishing your strike zone (the pitch you want to hit) through discipline, being an aggressive hitter under control … (add your own)
Self-coaching: Only the player can decide to implement information into behavior.
Thinking takes place outside the batter’s box, rather than in it. In the box, look for the ball and be easy.
Instead of guessing, track the ball … Use your eyes … broad to fine focus.
Practice coaching yourself as to what you want to do in BP. Talk to yourself about what you want to do as a hitter, both in practice and in games.
Focus on the result (“I gotta get a hit … or drive in this run), as opposed to your approach (i.e., look for your pitch, see the ball, broad- to find-focus) and you will swing indiscriminately.
Learning to do this right is a process. Be patient with yourself. Use good tones in self-talk, as well.
“’See the ball.’ This is the most functional and appropriate replacement thought a hitter will ever have in the batter’s box. Remember it; use it; value it.”
“When you wish to change a thought, replace it with one that serves and directs you in a positive way.”
Concentration exercises: Do them.
“Step out of the frame, and it’s easier to see the picture.”
If a hitter’s focus is too broad or scattered, “think small … think ball.”
Talking in terms of “fault” or making excuses indicates a poor perspective.
“Work, rather than worry, when results are not ‘going for you.’ Focus on your approach, rather than catastrophic declarations or imaginings.”
“Cy Young lost 316 games and they named an award after him.”
Cultivate the “important ability to accept failure [of a bad at-bat] and categorize it as a one-time thing.”
“A 1-4 day – or an 0-5 day – won’t cause the breakdown. The hitter’s interpretation of the day will. It’s essential to see the ball well, but first see your world, the game, and yourself clearly, accurately, objectively. By doing so you can then assess your at-bats with intelligence, and make the necessary adjustments. As a bonus, your perspective will allow your talent to be free to express itself.”
Self-doubt promotes a sense of urgency.
“Know how to evaluate at-bats. Ask yourself: ‘Did I see the ball well?’ ‘Did I hit it hard?’ ‘Did I execute what I wanted to do?’ If not – make adjustments based on understanding, rather than a negative reaction. Know what you want to do during your next at-bat. Then trust your talent and put your last at-bat in your history book as a useful lesson.”
Trust yourself, rather than fearing consequences.
“To attribute the outcome of at-bats to compulsive or superstitious acts is to avoid responsibility.”
“Have a purpose for everything you do in batting practice.”
Preparation cycle has 7 phases (know them): 1) Dugout; 2) On-Deck Circle; 3) En route to batter’s box; 4) Out of the box (before stepping in); 5) in the box; 6) Out of the box between pitches; and 7) Back in the dugout after the AB (What was I trying to do? What went right/wrong? What do I want to do next time?)
Stay focused on task, rather than results or consequences.
Find the proper individual level of excitement/edge to compete. We are looking for a balance of heat and light.
Remember the power of the deep breath. Use it to relax.
Movement of any kind reduces tension. Be conscious of the techniques for helping to produce a relaxed state.
A healthy perspective is the best assurance of a relaxed state of mind -- and muscle. You want to be intense without being intense. How you see the ball is, in fact, influenced by how you see the world.
How you react is within your control. What happens to you ... no.
Numbers never come to a player who is focusing on them.
After a bad (non-quality) at-bat, ask: 1) What was I trying to do? 2) What went wrong? 3) What do I want to do next time?
"Confidence comes to those who fight through their self-doubt, rather than giving in to it."
Confidence: "You must work on it, not wait for it."
Preparation and self-coaching are key to confidence. Confident hitters take control, rather than being at the mercy of fate.
Play with enthusiasm and joy.
How to develop a confident attitude ... Understand: Confidence ebbs and flows ... Self-doubt is normal, but exceptional people refuse to give in to it ... Life-threatening consequences will not result from bad AB's ... Approach and response are more important than results ... Your behavior goals are more important than the expectations of others ... Responsibility encourages confidence; excuses encourage cowardice ... Taking risks will stretch you; being careful or fearful will limit you ... Coaching yourself with positive self-talk works ... Rather than worrying about the pitcher, focusing on what you want to do works ... Acting confident develops an attitude of confidence.
Adversity -- If you survive it, it is good for you.
To become a "clutch hitter," treat each AB as valuable. The task of hitting is significant, rather than urgent. A good routine is part of your job as a hitter.
A good AB is a Quality AB.
Inappropriate self-talk produces a sense of urgency. However, when a hitter feels that what he wants to do is easy, he relaxes.
Re: mechanics, you'll have no chance of seeing the ball if you are worried about mechanics in the box.
Pursue patience rather than passion at the plate.
The Yankees won three championships with this philosophy (also ours, btw): Work the count. Look for your pitch. Don't try to do too much (hit it where it wants to go).
Speaking of "dire" consequences ... do or die ... now or never ... I "gotta" ... I "must" ... or else ... This creates an atmosphere of pressure and is counter-productive.
See "pressure" as an opportunity or exciting challenge.
Real pressure is when you are 7-years-old and don't have enough to eat.
You are only in a "slump" if you allow yourself to be. Focus on a good approach, and voila, you are having good AB's.
Be relentless -- uncompromising and unyielding in the pursuit of consistently effective behavior.
Think about solutions, rather than problems.
Trust, rather than try. Think about that. It sounds counter-intuitive, but a lot of hitters press when the best thing to do is relax and trust their approach and preparation.
"Believe in your preparation; believe in your approach; trust your talent. By doing so, you give yourself the best chance to succeed."
"One man with a belief is worth 99 with an opinion."
And finally ...
"Believing is more perceptive than seeing."
There's lots of great stuff here. Review it, learn it, and apply it to your work as a hitter. You have the opportunity and the means to get better ... today. Let's get to it.
See you on the field.
What I especially enjoyed was finding this book – which has been out since 2000 – so neatly merged the concepts of Moneyball by Michael Lewis and The Mental Game of Baseball by Dorfman. I had thought that the concepts were compatible, and indeed supported each other. Well, voila, Dorfman writes this in his book.
Get this: Players, I highly recommend you read this book. What follows are my notes … Cliff Notes, if you will … of some key takeaway/excerpts/quotesparaphrases and such:
“The highest reward for a person’s toil is not what they get for it, but what they become by it.” -- John Ruskin, English writer/sociologist 1859
“First and foremost, SEE THE BALL!” (Remember the third "E").
Harold Baines, when asked how many times he had felt comfortable when he failed to see the ball well: “Never.”
“Want to see the ball better? Think ball.” My note: And use broad to fine focus, per the hitting chapter in The Mental Game.
“Use every at-bat to your purpose, instead of allowing it to use you.”
Agressivness under control …
“You’ve got to have the mentality that you are going to make somebody pay when you’re at bat.” – Mo Vaughn, 2000 Angels
Dorfman praises the Oakland A’s approach (featured in Moneyball). It’s been called Oakland’s ‘whacking and walking’ philosophy by Dorfman. “I tell hitters they start a car’s movement by using the gas pedal first. That’s aggressiveness. A hitter’s first thought before going to the plate should be about making good, solid contact. He anticipates a pitch he can hit and is ready for it when he sees it. He does not anticipate taking a pitch, because then, seeing a pitch in the hitting zone, he’ll be surprised by it. Aggressiveness is his operative approach.”
“Hacking is not a philosophy.”
“Oakland has always valued the base-on-balls … and was greatly concerned with on-base percentage as one important indicator of a hitter’s effectiveness. My appeal to a few reluctant players was that a walk helped their batting average. An undisciplined at-bat usually resulted in an out – and their average went down. A walk avoided that out, got them on base for the team – and kept the average from going down. This philosophy still prevails throughout the organization. Minor leaguers are taught to be patient – as well as aggressive.”
“Aggressiveness and patience … is the balanced approach of all good hitters. And of successful teams.”
Being able to take the ball the other way when required is a good indicator of “staying within oneself.”
An idea when a hitter senses he is losing control is to focus on taking the ball the other way. “You’ll track the ball longer and deeper into the hitting zone; you’ll stay back longer; it will help relax your swing – the bat will get through the hitting zone quicker.”
Your Goals vs. Others’ Expectations … You’ve got eyes; the ball doesn’t.
Set goals for yourself each day in BP or in games … i.e., disciplined BP, seeing the ball well, having a purpose for every BP round, reminding yourself of mechanical cues in the on-deck circle, stepping out of box and coaching yourself during an AB, being mentally ready for every pitch, establishing your strike zone (the pitch you want to hit) through discipline, being an aggressive hitter under control … (add your own)
Self-coaching: Only the player can decide to implement information into behavior.
Thinking takes place outside the batter’s box, rather than in it. In the box, look for the ball and be easy.
Instead of guessing, track the ball … Use your eyes … broad to fine focus.
Practice coaching yourself as to what you want to do in BP. Talk to yourself about what you want to do as a hitter, both in practice and in games.
Focus on the result (“I gotta get a hit … or drive in this run), as opposed to your approach (i.e., look for your pitch, see the ball, broad- to find-focus) and you will swing indiscriminately.
Learning to do this right is a process. Be patient with yourself. Use good tones in self-talk, as well.
“’See the ball.’ This is the most functional and appropriate replacement thought a hitter will ever have in the batter’s box. Remember it; use it; value it.”
“When you wish to change a thought, replace it with one that serves and directs you in a positive way.”
Concentration exercises: Do them.
“Step out of the frame, and it’s easier to see the picture.”
If a hitter’s focus is too broad or scattered, “think small … think ball.”
Talking in terms of “fault” or making excuses indicates a poor perspective.
“Work, rather than worry, when results are not ‘going for you.’ Focus on your approach, rather than catastrophic declarations or imaginings.”
“Cy Young lost 316 games and they named an award after him.”
Cultivate the “important ability to accept failure [of a bad at-bat] and categorize it as a one-time thing.”
“A 1-4 day – or an 0-5 day – won’t cause the breakdown. The hitter’s interpretation of the day will. It’s essential to see the ball well, but first see your world, the game, and yourself clearly, accurately, objectively. By doing so you can then assess your at-bats with intelligence, and make the necessary adjustments. As a bonus, your perspective will allow your talent to be free to express itself.”
Self-doubt promotes a sense of urgency.
“Know how to evaluate at-bats. Ask yourself: ‘Did I see the ball well?’ ‘Did I hit it hard?’ ‘Did I execute what I wanted to do?’ If not – make adjustments based on understanding, rather than a negative reaction. Know what you want to do during your next at-bat. Then trust your talent and put your last at-bat in your history book as a useful lesson.”
Trust yourself, rather than fearing consequences.
“To attribute the outcome of at-bats to compulsive or superstitious acts is to avoid responsibility.”
“Have a purpose for everything you do in batting practice.”
Preparation cycle has 7 phases (know them): 1) Dugout; 2) On-Deck Circle; 3) En route to batter’s box; 4) Out of the box (before stepping in); 5) in the box; 6) Out of the box between pitches; and 7) Back in the dugout after the AB (What was I trying to do? What went right/wrong? What do I want to do next time?)
Stay focused on task, rather than results or consequences.
Find the proper individual level of excitement/edge to compete. We are looking for a balance of heat and light.
Remember the power of the deep breath. Use it to relax.
Movement of any kind reduces tension. Be conscious of the techniques for helping to produce a relaxed state.
A healthy perspective is the best assurance of a relaxed state of mind -- and muscle. You want to be intense without being intense. How you see the ball is, in fact, influenced by how you see the world.
How you react is within your control. What happens to you ... no.
Numbers never come to a player who is focusing on them.
After a bad (non-quality) at-bat, ask: 1) What was I trying to do? 2) What went wrong? 3) What do I want to do next time?
"Confidence comes to those who fight through their self-doubt, rather than giving in to it."
Confidence: "You must work on it, not wait for it."
Preparation and self-coaching are key to confidence. Confident hitters take control, rather than being at the mercy of fate.
Play with enthusiasm and joy.
How to develop a confident attitude ... Understand: Confidence ebbs and flows ... Self-doubt is normal, but exceptional people refuse to give in to it ... Life-threatening consequences will not result from bad AB's ... Approach and response are more important than results ... Your behavior goals are more important than the expectations of others ... Responsibility encourages confidence; excuses encourage cowardice ... Taking risks will stretch you; being careful or fearful will limit you ... Coaching yourself with positive self-talk works ... Rather than worrying about the pitcher, focusing on what you want to do works ... Acting confident develops an attitude of confidence.
Adversity -- If you survive it, it is good for you.
To become a "clutch hitter," treat each AB as valuable. The task of hitting is significant, rather than urgent. A good routine is part of your job as a hitter.
A good AB is a Quality AB.
Inappropriate self-talk produces a sense of urgency. However, when a hitter feels that what he wants to do is easy, he relaxes.
Re: mechanics, you'll have no chance of seeing the ball if you are worried about mechanics in the box.
Pursue patience rather than passion at the plate.
The Yankees won three championships with this philosophy (also ours, btw): Work the count. Look for your pitch. Don't try to do too much (hit it where it wants to go).
Speaking of "dire" consequences ... do or die ... now or never ... I "gotta" ... I "must" ... or else ... This creates an atmosphere of pressure and is counter-productive.
See "pressure" as an opportunity or exciting challenge.
Real pressure is when you are 7-years-old and don't have enough to eat.
You are only in a "slump" if you allow yourself to be. Focus on a good approach, and voila, you are having good AB's.
Be relentless -- uncompromising and unyielding in the pursuit of consistently effective behavior.
Think about solutions, rather than problems.
Trust, rather than try. Think about that. It sounds counter-intuitive, but a lot of hitters press when the best thing to do is relax and trust their approach and preparation.
"Believe in your preparation; believe in your approach; trust your talent. By doing so, you give yourself the best chance to succeed."
"One man with a belief is worth 99 with an opinion."
And finally ...
"Believing is more perceptive than seeing."
There's lots of great stuff here. Review it, learn it, and apply it to your work as a hitter. You have the opportunity and the means to get better ... today. Let's get to it.
See you on the field.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Advice from Ron Wolforth re: "Poison"
Here are some words of wisdom from Coach Ron Wolforth of the Texas Baseball Ranch.
"I often tell my children and my athletes...just because you can do something or you can say something...it doesn't mean you SHOULD do something or say something.
"Wisdom, judgment and constraint are closely related.
"Apparently to MTV...wisdom, judgment and constraint pale in significance to ratings. Recently they have produced a youth drama called 'Skins'...which ...MTV purports is a valid and accurate depiction of what is occurring in youth 14-18 Americana.
"Normally I would never watch any show on MTV but last week on the O'Reilly factor they had mentioned how irresponsible this show was...and while I was sitting in a hotel room in Baton Rouge Louisiana this weekend getting ready to speak...I saw it advertised for later that night...and I stayed up and watched it for 15 minutes...that's all I could stand.
"It is salacious and indecent. It has no redeeming qualities. It was pure junk...and in my 15 minute segment it had none of the apparent racy sex scenes. Of that at least I can be thankful.
"But what it did have was a scene of drug overdose...a stolen SUV and an automobile accident in which the vehicle was totaled but everyone walked away. How nice. EVERY adult in this drama was like Charlie Brown's teacher...you remember....WA...WA...WA Wa-wa.
"Why bring this up in our baseball segment? Because poison is absolutely everywhere. I COULD eat mud at the bottom of a chicken coop...but I don't think that's a good idea.
"I could have a Scotch and a Hershey bar for breakfast every morning...but I don't think that's a good idea.
"Poison comes in many forms...what we breathe...eat...drink...
"It can come through our skin...
"And a lot of the poison comes through our eyes and ears into our brains.
"The books we read...the music we listen to...the movies and TV shows we watch...and our interaction between our friends, family and teammates.
"I often ask our guys if it'd be OK to put just a little poison in their OJ at breakfast....not enough to make them sick...just a little smidge of poison...would that be OK?
"When they universally say No...I ask WHY?...it's just a little poison...they almost always say...no...that a little poison over a long time can be really bad.
"I agree 100%.
"My advice is to watch VERY closely for any poison...coming from ANYWHERE...but especially from supposedly innocuous TV shows, music on the radio or the ramblings and actions of your best buds.
"They say it is hard to soar like an eagle when you are surrounded by turkeys...I believe that's absolutely correct.
"Stay away from poison...and stay away from idiocy...even if they've been your best bud since 2nd grade.
"I remind you wisdom, judgment and constraint are closely related...
"Just because you can do something doesn't necessarily mean you should."
"I often tell my children and my athletes...just because you can do something or you can say something...it doesn't mean you SHOULD do something or say something.
"Wisdom, judgment and constraint are closely related.
"Apparently to MTV...wisdom, judgment and constraint pale in significance to ratings. Recently they have produced a youth drama called 'Skins'...which ...MTV purports is a valid and accurate depiction of what is occurring in youth 14-18 Americana.
"Normally I would never watch any show on MTV but last week on the O'Reilly factor they had mentioned how irresponsible this show was...and while I was sitting in a hotel room in Baton Rouge Louisiana this weekend getting ready to speak...I saw it advertised for later that night...and I stayed up and watched it for 15 minutes...that's all I could stand.
"It is salacious and indecent. It has no redeeming qualities. It was pure junk...and in my 15 minute segment it had none of the apparent racy sex scenes. Of that at least I can be thankful.
"But what it did have was a scene of drug overdose...a stolen SUV and an automobile accident in which the vehicle was totaled but everyone walked away. How nice. EVERY adult in this drama was like Charlie Brown's teacher...you remember....WA...WA...WA Wa-wa.
"Why bring this up in our baseball segment? Because poison is absolutely everywhere. I COULD eat mud at the bottom of a chicken coop...but I don't think that's a good idea.
"I could have a Scotch and a Hershey bar for breakfast every morning...but I don't think that's a good idea.
"Poison comes in many forms...what we breathe...eat...drink...
"It can come through our skin...
"And a lot of the poison comes through our eyes and ears into our brains.
"The books we read...the music we listen to...the movies and TV shows we watch...and our interaction between our friends, family and teammates.
"I often ask our guys if it'd be OK to put just a little poison in their OJ at breakfast....not enough to make them sick...just a little smidge of poison...would that be OK?
"When they universally say No...I ask WHY?...it's just a little poison...they almost always say...no...that a little poison over a long time can be really bad.
"I agree 100%.
"My advice is to watch VERY closely for any poison...coming from ANYWHERE...but especially from supposedly innocuous TV shows, music on the radio or the ramblings and actions of your best buds.
"They say it is hard to soar like an eagle when you are surrounded by turkeys...I believe that's absolutely correct.
"Stay away from poison...and stay away from idiocy...even if they've been your best bud since 2nd grade.
"I remind you wisdom, judgment and constraint are closely related...
"Just because you can do something doesn't necessarily mean you should."
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Here you go, Players: R-E-S-T
R (Defense) -- Realize the situation (including any defensive signs). Repeat yourself (communicate). Routine plays. (Make 'em). Remind yourself (of the situation. Keep the news ticker going in your mind).
E (Hitting) -- Expect your pitch and hit it where it wants to go, with the only exception being when the sign (which we get between every pitch dictates otherwise). Every one has a two-strike adjustment. Eyes (broad- to fine-focus). Expand your approach when the pitcher/defense makes your preferred plan unworkable. Adapt and make 'em pay. Remember ... our goal at the plate ... is a Quality AB (hard-hit ball, get on base, or 6 or more pitches) always.
S (Baserunning) -- Situation (Know it). Sign (Get it. It's your responsibility.) Stretch your lead and yourself (Work for every inch you can get and run with your hair on fire.) And ... Say it again (Keep the situational ticker rolling. What are you going to do when the ball is put into play and where, for example?)
T (Pitching) -- Three-pitch approach of attacking hitters with a plan. (What do we want after three pitches? ... On, out, or 1-2) . Tempo (Between pitches and to the plate when runners are on. Manage it.). Target. And ... always Task-at-hand. Focus on making the next good pitch. Remember ... our goal on the mound is to prevent each hitter from getting a Quality AB (see above).
Be ready for Friday. Every one know these. It's our DNA.
See you on the field,
E (Hitting) -- Expect your pitch and hit it where it wants to go, with the only exception being when the sign (which we get between every pitch dictates otherwise). Every one has a two-strike adjustment. Eyes (broad- to fine-focus). Expand your approach when the pitcher/defense makes your preferred plan unworkable. Adapt and make 'em pay. Remember ... our goal at the plate ... is a Quality AB (hard-hit ball, get on base, or 6 or more pitches) always.
S (Baserunning) -- Situation (Know it). Sign (Get it. It's your responsibility.) Stretch your lead and yourself (Work for every inch you can get and run with your hair on fire.) And ... Say it again (Keep the situational ticker rolling. What are you going to do when the ball is put into play and where, for example?)
T (Pitching) -- Three-pitch approach of attacking hitters with a plan. (What do we want after three pitches? ... On, out, or 1-2) . Tempo (Between pitches and to the plate when runners are on. Manage it.). Target. And ... always Task-at-hand. Focus on making the next good pitch. Remember ... our goal on the mound is to prevent each hitter from getting a Quality AB (see above).
Be ready for Friday. Every one know these. It's our DNA.
See you on the field,
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Message from Coach Aaron Weintraub
Here is a portion of an email I recently received from Coach Aaron Weintraub (with some pertinent thoughts for accomplishing our mission in 2011):
"Are you considering dedicating yourself to approaching your potential in your sport this year? I want you to go for it! You have tremendous personal power. Don’t just ‘kind of’ go for it, but give it all you’ve got and achieve your dreams! It’d be normal and much easier, of course, to coast along - even working hard at times (when it's comfortable). Then, if you happen to get close to a worthwhile goal, you could work a bit extra to see if you can win that big prize. The biggest prize, though, is knowing you're a champion even before the contest ends because you've put your heart and soul into your effort. Consider this: the easiest way usually isn’t the best way and although the gap between good and great is wide, the difference in what is required from you to get from good to great is not particularly big. Just slightly more initiative, diligence, and persistence...consistently."
See you on the field,
"Are you considering dedicating yourself to approaching your potential in your sport this year? I want you to go for it! You have tremendous personal power. Don’t just ‘kind of’ go for it, but give it all you’ve got and achieve your dreams! It’d be normal and much easier, of course, to coast along - even working hard at times (when it's comfortable). Then, if you happen to get close to a worthwhile goal, you could work a bit extra to see if you can win that big prize. The biggest prize, though, is knowing you're a champion even before the contest ends because you've put your heart and soul into your effort. Consider this: the easiest way usually isn’t the best way and although the gap between good and great is wide, the difference in what is required from you to get from good to great is not particularly big. Just slightly more initiative, diligence, and persistence...consistently."
See you on the field,
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving
Greetings, all. Well, even we here in the Mustang Nation must admit that it's football season now. Still, the preparation for 2011 will be ongoing over the break. Players will be hearing from team captains soon. I am excited to see how it will all come together when we hit the field in January.
In the meantime, though, I think it's great to pause and give thanks to God for the incredible blessings we all enjoy. I love Thanksgiving, which is a distinctively Christian and American holiday.
It's funny how we are wired, that is, expressing gratitude seems to always give us more for which to be grateful. Similarly, in losing ourselves we find our place in life. Jesus said, "Whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it."
I am really thankful for the Mustang Nation and the special players (young and younger) that wear the red and black. I am thankful for the new players and families that are joining us this season. This is how we continue to grow and get better.
I am thankful for the opportunity to play a lot of quality opponents, and I am really grateful for our friends outside the program who have allowed us to play as good a schedule as any homeschool program.
I am thankful we get to play on some of the best fields in Houston ... and in Texas. Heck, I am even thankful for Barton.
But seriously, just the opportunity to do this and experience the great ride that we will go on together brings me great joy. Each of you players, parents, and coaches is a part of this. So, thank you.
Be thankful for everything ... for the opportunity to play baseball ... to live in America ... to have dreams ... to have all you need ... to have families that love you. Players, thank your parents.
And remember ... it will be baseball season soon. There's another reason to be thankful.
See you on the field in January.
In the meantime, though, I think it's great to pause and give thanks to God for the incredible blessings we all enjoy. I love Thanksgiving, which is a distinctively Christian and American holiday.
It's funny how we are wired, that is, expressing gratitude seems to always give us more for which to be grateful. Similarly, in losing ourselves we find our place in life. Jesus said, "Whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it."
I am really thankful for the Mustang Nation and the special players (young and younger) that wear the red and black. I am thankful for the new players and families that are joining us this season. This is how we continue to grow and get better.
I am thankful for the opportunity to play a lot of quality opponents, and I am really grateful for our friends outside the program who have allowed us to play as good a schedule as any homeschool program.
I am thankful we get to play on some of the best fields in Houston ... and in Texas. Heck, I am even thankful for Barton.
But seriously, just the opportunity to do this and experience the great ride that we will go on together brings me great joy. Each of you players, parents, and coaches is a part of this. So, thank you.
Be thankful for everything ... for the opportunity to play baseball ... to live in America ... to have dreams ... to have all you need ... to have families that love you. Players, thank your parents.
And remember ... it will be baseball season soon. There's another reason to be thankful.
See you on the field in January.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Great Fall in the books ...
It's hard to imagine, but a great fall has come and gone ... wow. Things seem to pick up speed as we get older, I tell you.
But we had a blast wrapping up our Fall Training with a first-ever "All Mustangs Scrimmage." You just never know around here. And we also had a great camp put on by former pro players Kevin Castleberry and Chris Burton ... along with current Minnesota Twin Danny Lehmann.
I learned some great new stuff, and I saw players learning, too.
I've had some great discussions with a number of our players and parents about the nuances of hitting mechanics, instruction and the like, after our camp. For sure, there is a certain degree of "art" (as opposed to science) in teaching this game. Of course, there is "science," too, if you will. But there are shades of gray.
Later on, we'll discuss some of these, and why we teach certain things the way we do.
But for our players, here is an important mindset to take with you whereever you go (in and out of baseball): The learning never stops. You can learn something from every one. Work hard to find what works and then work some more. None of us has a lock on all knowledge in any field; accordingly, it behooves us to stay hungry and stay humble. Most high achievers in any field are continuing to grow; they are transforming from students of others into students of themselves as they mature and grow.
It's "more than baseball," you might say.
So, stay hungry and humble. Such an attitude will serve you well on your mission in life.
Tryouts are Sat., 11/13 at 9 a.m. (Spring-Klein Rothwood). Directions are on our website.
See you on the field,
Coach Rut
But we had a blast wrapping up our Fall Training with a first-ever "All Mustangs Scrimmage." You just never know around here. And we also had a great camp put on by former pro players Kevin Castleberry and Chris Burton ... along with current Minnesota Twin Danny Lehmann.
I learned some great new stuff, and I saw players learning, too.
I've had some great discussions with a number of our players and parents about the nuances of hitting mechanics, instruction and the like, after our camp. For sure, there is a certain degree of "art" (as opposed to science) in teaching this game. Of course, there is "science," too, if you will. But there are shades of gray.
Later on, we'll discuss some of these, and why we teach certain things the way we do.
But for our players, here is an important mindset to take with you whereever you go (in and out of baseball): The learning never stops. You can learn something from every one. Work hard to find what works and then work some more. None of us has a lock on all knowledge in any field; accordingly, it behooves us to stay hungry and stay humble. Most high achievers in any field are continuing to grow; they are transforming from students of others into students of themselves as they mature and grow.
It's "more than baseball," you might say.
So, stay hungry and humble. Such an attitude will serve you well on your mission in life.
Tryouts are Sat., 11/13 at 9 a.m. (Spring-Klein Rothwood). Directions are on our website.
See you on the field,
Coach Rut
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