Throwing, catching, hitting, and pitching: They’re all essential components of baseball. Easily learned and fairy simple to improve over time, they’re certainly vital to your success on the field. There’s another important component to consider, and it’s one that some players struggle with. We’re talking about your mental game. Like so many things, baseball calls for focus, mental strategies, persistence, and more. Ready to master the mental game of baseball? Read on for tips from the pros.

Pay attention to your inner voice

We all have an inner critic. It’s louder in some people than in others, and it has a tendency to voice its opinions at the worst possible times. Pitchers hear it when they’re trying to get opponents to strike out; batters hear it every time they step up to the plate, and just about every infielder and outfielder hears it when a fast ball whizzes their way.

That inner critic can be your undoing, if you let it. The Baseball Stop team advise players to start the process of perfecting your mental game by listening to the words that enter your mind when you’re trying to focus on your playing. More often than not, they’ll cause you to question yourself and doubt whether your abilities are up to the challenges posed during practice sessions and games.

Perhaps these sound familiar:

  • I’m going to strike out. This pitcher makes everyone strike out!
  • The coach has it in for me. I’m going to be criticized for every move, so I may as well give up.
  • I know I’ll miss that fly ball.
  • I’ll never be able to pitch properly.
  • I’m pretty sure that my stats are toast. I’ve been playing poorly all season long. No use improving now.

Mastering your mental baseball game – the game that happens inside your head before, during, and after practices and games begins with acknowledging these harmful thoughts. But that’s not all.

Question your thought process

Where did the negativity come from? Was it something someone said to you, or is it something you came up with on your own? How does it make you feel? Many players feel stressed, nervous, off-balanced, and unfocused when that negative inner voice interrupts.

The good news is that you don’t have to allow yourself to become overwhelmed. Bats Finder recommend acknowledging your inner critic and questioning its authority is the first step toward changing the way you’re feeling. Simply noticing the thought process as it is taking place interrupts the loop of negative words playing inside your head.

Once you’ve interrupted the harmful thought pattern, it’s time to take the next step.

Shut down your inner critic

All too often, people let the negative voices in their heads play on and on. Over time, the negativity gains traction and self-doubt becomes stronger than before. When you shut down your inner critic with a response, you take control of your self-dialogue. At the same time, picture yourself successfully batting, running the bases, pitching, or catching the ball. Know you’ll feel amazing when you succeed, and don’t worry about failing – just keep on playing and doing your best. Even pro baseball players strike out, miss fly balls, and get tagged while running the bases. It’s all part of the game.

Here are some answers you might use on your inner critic next time negative thoughts interrupt your concentration.

  • I’m going to strike out. This pitcher makes everyone strike out!
    • I’m going to do my best to hit the ball. I’ve been practicing!
  • The coach has it in for me. I’m going to be criticized for every move, so I may as well give up.
    • I’ve been working hard to improve my game and I’m going to make the coach and my teammates proud.
  • I know I’ll miss that fly ball.
    • This ball is headed right for me. I’m going to catch it and the crowd will go wild.
  • I’ll never be able to pitch properly.
    • It’s really easy to pitch right into the catcher’s glove. And so what if the batter hits the ball? Not even pro players strike everyone out.
  • I’m pretty sure that my stats are toast. I’ve been playing poorly all season long. No use improving now.
    • There are a certain number of games left. I’m going to keep doing my best, and I’m going to have fun out there. After all, baseball is a sport and having fun is one of the biggest reasons why I play!

Of course, you can come up with other answers that make sense and suit the situation. Any answer that interrupts the voice in your head will be helpful, so don’t worry about getting this perfect!

It may take time to shut down the inner critic and master your mental game, but the more often you do it and the faster you respond with a snappy comeback, the weaker that voice will become and the more confident you’ll feel. Our advice? Send your inner critic all the way to the darkest corner of the dugout and keep on practicing those essential skills. You’ve got this.