mental baseball?

Question

ok,well i've been playing baseball for a long time.im 17 and been playing since i was 6, i've never had a game in which you can say i don't know what i'm doing out there..but lately theres something wrong.i started the season back in june and was about 10 games deep into the season.in one game i was on SS and made a realy tough double play in which i dive for the ball to turn the the double play, from that moment on i was confident that nothing can get past me and in the sixth inning there was an easy play coming towards me and i misplayed it.i brushed that off..then in the very next inning i had an easy double play and i couldnt turn it.from that moment on i feel lost on the feild and sometimes i lose sight of the fundimentals, for example forget to back up the second baseman on a throw from the catcher.i know it's mental cause all of that expeirence and work.u can't tell me that ive lost it all of a sudden..

i want to know whats wrong..is it mental? and how can i fix it?
,thank you

Answer 1

I had a similar problem when i was pitching in high school. i threw a three hitter over 7 innings and struck out 15. Regardless to say i thought i was unhittable. I was wrong over my next two starts i got rocked to the tune of 8 earned runs in 5 innings.

The point is this. its baseball and thats part of the game. you have to remember that it doesnt matter how good you are you will always get beat. mistakes happen. for me when pitching it was not bending my knee. you have to suck it up and push on. Before your next game try clearing your mind and thinking only about the game and what your responsibilities are.

Answer 2

Sometimes you can press too hard and it has that effect. A parallel example would be in regards to hitting; you can have all the basic theories in the world down pat, but then when you ask a hitter who is red hot what he's doing, invariably he'll say something like "see ball-hit ball". Perhaps the best thing for you to do is NOT to focus so hard on what your supposed to do. Since you've been playing so much for so many years, you wont really ever "forget" what you should be doing out there; just relax more and let the game come to you again; you'll settle back into the ol' groove before you know it.

Answer 3

In all likelihood, you are just having a little "crisis of confidence". sometimes, when you have just done something exceptional, your mind has two distinct reactions. First, you believe you can do anything. Second, the thought of being good enough to take a big chance with your future -- trying to become a pro, for example -- gives you the willies. Maybe someone close to you said something that would make you think they would respect you less if you concentrated on athletics instead of scholastics, for example.

On the other hand, maybe you gave yourself a minor concussion when you dove to make that play, and you a just a little 'fuzzy' right now. Maybe you loosened a retina? You can get injured just that easily. Have a doctor check it out and relieve your mind that anything physical has happened.

Have a talk with your coach. Let him know you think something is wrong, and that you aren't just screwing up because you aren't trying.

I had an episode like that in college. Sophomore, first team third baseman. Been playing the game since I was 5 and loved it like you wouldn't believe... One day the coach had me move over to short -- I sucked! I sucked so badly that I threw my glove on the ground and kicked it. The coach tossed me off the field. Later, he had me into his office and said he figured I had severe personal problems with grades or girls or ?? and it would probably be best if I left the team!!! I was too cowed to argue with him, so I just quit, then and there.

The worst thing was, thirty years later, he didn't remember a thing about it.

I never played again.

Answer 4

Well even though i am a girl i can still give good advice and the same thing happened to me not to long ago. and the worst part is the we were at regional. and if you don't know what that is it is the second biggest tournament in the country!!! and I'm not kidding. Like you i also play SS and when you make a good play its exactly like you said you tend to think that you can do ANYTHING and your so focused on making an AWSOME play that you miss play even the easiest plays. all you need to do before every batter gets to the plate is BREATHE. Think about where the play is before you make it and just have fun trust me it works. Just take deep breaths.

Answer 5

I can't tell here! I don't know if it's a mental problem, or if all your fielding fundamentals are off! On the part about forgeting to backup the 2nd baseman, then you have your head up your a**'. Before every pitch you should be thinking? what should I do if this or that happens! Quit tying to be Mr. Superstar! Think! React! Quit thinking that you can do everything. Remember there is no I in team!

Answer 6

well,whenever a ball is hit to you no matter if you could win or lose the game depending on that play or it isn't really important to the outcome of the game just focus on the fundamentals like
getting in front of the ball
staying down on the ball
etc.

and even if you make a great play don't think that you can make every play you will make mistakes

you're probably just in a slump where you are just making mistakes when it's hit to you but you'll get through it just Hang in there and eventually you'll start making the plays again

so just focus on the fundamentals

Answer 7

Ugh, I feel for you--hang in there. I played college softball and the same thing happened to me for a little while. Just be very patient but also try to do some mental conditioning. There's a great sports psychology clinic in LA that works with a lot of professional ball players (e.g. Barry Zito): http://www.jaegersports.com. Even if you live nowhere near California it might be worth giving them a call or at least ordering their book "Getting Focused, Staying Focused." The author worked for years with my hometown team in the Cape Cod Baseball League, and he's fantastic, especially with visualizing exercises. Best of luck!!

Answer 8

Oh yeah is mental, what could actually help u out, is take a weekend off from baseball, dont play, think or anything or baseball, wen u can on any weekend, just go to a massage parlor, sit in steam, relax in jacuzzi, so just relax for 2 ddayz and ul l be fine

Answer 9

i am a freshman baseball participant. i made my top college crew as a tumbler, which I'm mainly high-quality at. under no circumstances anxious. however the first day of train, I used to be anxious and could not throw the ball directly. the identical factor occurred at present. i do know its simply nerves, however I cannot get my brain off the ones horrible pitches I had. i do know i simply must loosen up and no longer feel approximately my throwing, however I want support!

Answer 10

One good way to get over this is to take each game, good or bad, in stride, and don't let yourself get too emotionally high or cocky over the good games you have, and don't beat your self up too badly over the bad ones, especailly this last; negative thoughts and doubts have a way of sticking in your head and not coming out. Just believe in what you know you can do, but always know that you aren't the best you can be yet. Hope this helps!!!

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