How Mentally Tough Are You on the Mound?
How would you describe your attitude after having a below-average baseball season?
Are you discouraged for the next season or excited to make the most of your new opportunities?
Every baseball player will have a season or series of games where they underperform. Just look at the stats of some of your favorite players. You will notice slumps, dips in production, and even times when they are benched in favor of another player.
These low spots during your career can cause you to question your abilities, future, and even your love for the game. Why do some athletes turn their performances around while others continually struggle?
The distinguishing factor is ATTITUDE! Your attitude is your perception of a situation. And your perception affects your motivation, focus, and willingness to work towards a solution.
For example, if your attitude is “I will never be able to turn this around,” you will view each at-bat or pitch as another occasion to fail. You will be anxious during games and lose confidence in your abilities.
During practices and intra-squad games, you will lack the motivation to work on aspects of your game that could lead to better outcomes.
However, if your attitude is “This is a new opportunity to turn my game around,” each pitch is a chance to start anew. In practice, you will be motivated to hone your mechanics.
You will maintain confidence because you know you were productive in the past and can bounce back despite your recent performances.
Since you are less worried about failure, you will feel more confident and maintain fluidity in your mechanics. With this attitude, you will feel empowered to work towards a solution.
Outfielder Gavin Sheets failed to live up to expectations after being selected in the second round of the 2017 MLB draft by the Chicago White Sox.
In 2024, Sheets had a .233 batting average with 106 strikeouts in 139 games. During the winter, Sheets was informed that the White Sox were not re-signing him and letting him enter free agency
SHEETS: “I didn’t see it coming. But it’s part of the game… it fueled me a little bit to say the least… As soon as it happened, I was kind of excited about getting a fresh start somewhere, getting somewhere where (I could) hopefully get back to winning.”
Fortunately, Sheets was signed by the San Diego Padres and made the most of his opportunity. Sheets is having his best MLB career start, hitting .345 in 10 games.
SHEETS: “It’s been so much fun coming to the ballpark every day, just the excitement I have, waking up, getting ready to come to the ballpark. It’s brought the fun back in baseball for me. I kind of lost it there for a year and a year or two.”
It’s not just a change of scenery that has helped Sheets jump out to a quick start, but also the work he put in to correct some bad habits and improve his mechanics.
Every ballplayer will face adversity, but your attitude determines whether you move forward or stay stuck… But you must be willing to put in the work.
Lifting your game higher starts with the decision to shift your perspective.
Remind yourself frequently that every season is a new opportunity…Every game is a new opportunity. This attitude will help you work towards a solution and keep you motivated through the tough times.
Related Sports Psychology Articles
- The Psychology of Baseball: Dealing with Pressure
- Stay Motivated During a Losing Baseball Season
- How to Win in Big Moments
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