“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.

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."

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,

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,

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.

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

Courage's Cousin: Adversity

Courage's cousin ... that is adversity. Adversity brings forth an opportunity to display courage. Will you? I believe you ... and we ... can.

I learned a long time ago that adversity is akin to a fire. When it comes, it burns away all that is perishable, and you are left with those things that are truly valuable -- namely, your character.

Put another way, rather than making us adversity reveals who we really are. So ... are you experiencing a little adversity on the way to a particular goal? Injury? Illness? Something even worse? Has some one changed their plans to where you are no longer a part of them, or at least the way you thought you were? Have you discovered that fallible people will let you down ... and maybe, just maybe an umpire will blow a call? I just, but you get the point.

That's life, and life is often unfair. But God is just, and He has a plan. I take comfort and draw strength from this truth when I encounter rough waters. I know God is working out his plan in me.

And He also has His hand on the Mustangs. I am excited to see what He is going to do.

Remember ... everything you may experience today, whether on the field or off, He has undergone in some form or fashion ... and in truth, He has gone through far worse ... and for you. He loves you more than words can say. And He believes in you.

So, get up. Dust off.

Let's roll.

See you on the field,

On Courage ...

From Coach Aaron Weintraub, who gets and teaches mental game concepts as well as any one:

"You display amazing courage in many circumstances. Let us not downplay it's importance, though, in everything we do. Courage is the strength of will to do what is difficult. When courage and motivation are combined, mountains will be overcome one step at a time, and then look like molehills in the distance behind you. Without courage, even a molehill is insurmountable. With courage, an ingrown toenail is irrelevant during a performance. Without courage, the injured athlete loses intensity, focus, and balance. Without courage, adversity is bad and represents the end of the road. With courage, adversity is actually sought out because mistakes are viewed as critical components for growth and happiness. With the courage to admit mistakes, weaknesses become strengths. Without it, weaknesses continue unabated or even grow until they blow up in your face. With courage, we can create new habits and make excellence second nature. Without it, we can make excuses. Without courage, the fear of failure can debilitate. With it, fear helps us push our own limits and reach new heights of personal or human achievement. This is because courage reveals fear and pressure for what they really are: the shadows of great opportunities.

This is why Winston Churchill said, 'Without courage, all other virtues lose their meaning.' If motivation and courage are sufficient, you will find a way!"

Take a deep breath: R-E-S-T

I'd like you players to get the R-E-S-T formula, as we have discussed, and get it into your bones -- your DNA, if you will. Let's more than memorize it. Let's play it on each play.

Here goes:

R (Defense) =

Realize the situation. Where are the runners? Where is the play? How many outs? What is the count? The hitter? Is it a bunt or a steal situation? The score? What are you going to do when the ball is hit to you? Get that news ticker in your brain going and check it.

Repeat yourself ... which is another way of saying: Communicate! Talk to each other about the situation, changes in coverage, your intentions, important reminders that you see on the field ... and, oh yes, CALL for balls in the air and let fielders know when you are taking charge of a play, i.e., an unassisted double-play.

Routine plays. Make them. Do this and we'll be fine. Play good defense. Our defense needs to be good rather than perfect. Web gems are great for ESPN but not required.

Remind yourself of the situation again. Check the ticker one more time. A good defensive player and team has the mind working always. We can rest after the game.

E (Hitting) =

Expect your pitch and hit it where it wants to go. Know exactly what you are looking for and expect to see it, a la Al Oliver in "The Mental Game of Baseball." If you think our approach is passive, you have yet to understand it. We are aggressively hunting for the pitch we want to hit and then hitting that pitch hard where it tells us it is meant to be hit hard. Do you think an ambush is passive? We are planning an ambush at the plate, and it builds throughout the game.

Every one has a two-strike approach, which is both a mental and mechanical adjustment. That is, our hitting zone with two strikes becomes the strike zone + 2-3 inches. We also make a mechanical adjustment -- every one of us -- to enable ourselves to be quicker and be able to cover the whole plate.

Eyes -- Always remember to use your eyes -- broad to fine focus. This is a slump buster and the most important element of hitting.

Expand your approach if/when the pitcher has shown that he is able to deny or alter our ability to find our pitch. Make an adjustment -- it could be physical or mental -- to get to your pitch and remain the aggressor on offense.

Remember: Our goal at the plate is to have a Quality AB (6 or more pitches, a hard hit ball, and/or get on base) each time. Following our approach helps us get there.

S (Baserunning) =

Situation -- Know it. How many outs? What is the count? Where is the force? What am I going to do when the ball is hit? Consider the options.

Sign -- Get it. No conversation with the 1B. Get it quick before the opposition zeroes in on the coach.

Stretch your lead. Rather than simply happening, leads are worked for. Getting an extra step could be the difference in a stolen base vs. and out or a run. Work on the field. Always.

Say it again. Keep the ticker going. Develop a habit of self-talk re: the situation and what is happening in the game. Use positive self-talk to coach yourself as to what you are going to do before it happens. A prepared runner is an effective runner.

T (Pitching) =

Three-pitch approach. Our goal is by the third pitch to achieve the following: We want the runner ON, OUT, or the count at 1-2. We do this because we want to throw strike one, make the hitter hit our pitch and then get hitters into pitchers' counts. We also want to manage our own pitch counts and keep the number of pitches seen by the opposition as low as we can under the circumstances. The odds are in the pitchers' favor, so we use these odds. At two strikes, we either throw a pitch to get the hitter out or we are setting up a pitch to get him out on the next pitch. Remember ... and think ... tournaments. Here, we are seeking to have our opposition do the opposite on offense as we are doing (see "Expect" above).

Tempo -- We keep the game moving, pitching at a reasonable pace (albeit our own) so that our fielders stay ready and engaged. "Human rain delays" are hard on defenses. Also, when runners are on base, we keep our minds on the hitter but we get to the plate quickly and also vary our tempo to give our catcher a better chance on steal attempts.

Target -- As with the hitter and his eyes, the pitcher must remember to use his eyes to locate the target and remember to throw at it. Sounds simple, but if you are struggling throwing strikes (as with hitting), go back to using your eyes and focus. You'll be amazed at the results.

Task-at-hand -- A lot happens on the baseball field that is outside a pitcher's control. All a pitcher can do is focus on the task-at-hand, that is, throwing the next good pitch. Our pitches need not be perfect; good will do. Once the pitch is released, the pitcher has done his job. Now, it's on to the next pitch. Rather than umpires, fielding miscues, the on-deck hitter, or coming out of the game, the pitcher must stay on task. As he does so, then the results get easier to attain.

Remember ... As pitchers, our goal corresponds to our goal as hitters. That is, our goal is to prevent the hitter from getting a Quality AB. Following our approach helps us attain our goal.

So, there you have it ... R-E-S-T. Got it? Now you can relax.

See you on the field,

It's Labor Day, which means ... it's Baseball Season!!

Greetings, all.

I am super excited to get going on 9/7 ... 5:30 @ Barton ... as we kick off Fall Training and begin preparations for the 2011 season in earnest.

You'll see some old and some new. You'll see some changes, some new drills, some familiar concepts, and some new ones, too. That's what growth is all about -- taking what works and employing it again, tweaking and improving always, and implementing new ideas to get to the next level.

That is what we've been doing around here for some time, and now we are poised to have our best year ever. We are going to have three good teams, with a solid foundation in place to sustain a level of excellence on the field in the coming seasons.

So, I am pumped. But actually, I am always pumped to work with and, really, just be with the Mustangs. There is no other baseball program like it in the world.

So, enjoy each day. And be ready. It's still hot outside, but ... fall is upon us. And that means it's baseball season. And that means it's time for the Mustang Nation to shine once again.

See you on the field,

Coach Rut