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Mental-Prep Archive

Question:	My 12 yr old son has been working with your program since November. We seem to have worked through the transition from tee to soft toss to pitching machines, but is seems as if his swing changes when he sees live pitching. We've been working on seeing the ball, but his abilities and practice haven't materialized into results in batting practice. Consequently, his self confidence is extremely low. I am working with him on this issue, for I know that if he doesn't think he can hit, he won't. Any suggestions or recommendations?

Dave Hudgens:	You are absolutely right, if he doesn't think that he can hit, then he won't. Build up his confidence by telling him how good he is doing even on the small things. When he is at the point where he is doubting his ability, then you should remind him of the success he has had. Even if those successes may seem small to you, by you reinforcing him you will bring his confidence back to the point where he will start to know that he can hit. Good luck, remember that the mental game is one of the aspects of baseball that no one has power over except the player himself.

Question:	My 11 year old son hits much better in the more competitive AAU than in LL. In AAU, he really drives the ball. Line drive extra base hits. His mechanics are good. quick hands, uses legs, stays down on the ball. In LL, he doesn't use his legs, swings at bad pitches, doesn't drive the ball. I know its a mental thing. He says he is tense. I think its a holdover from last year. His first year in LL majors, he did not hit well then either. (partly because he got hit on the elbow.) He works really hard, takes extra BP. But this is primarily mental. How can I help him overcome this psychological barrier

Dave Hudgens:	It's true when people say that this game is more mental then physical. You talked about him taking extra batting practice, which is very good, however how muck time is he spending creating good mental habits. As much time as he spends in the cage he should spend visualising himself having success. Let him go over mentally all the success he has had in his AAU league. Have him go up to the plate with nothing on his mind except him knowing that he going to have success in that at bat. With this attitude he will always dominate.

Question:	Lately, my 13 year old hates to do his drills. I think he is getting a bad influence from his babe ruth coach,who told him that drills aren't necessary and he won't let him use a wood bat in batting practice. Basically his practices consist of standing around,with no repetition or work ethic. Sholud I let him alone? Sholud I let him struggle? I know if he does'nt do his drills his mechanics will go down hill. But I also know it not good to force him. How would you address the situation?

Dave Hudgens:	You have fun into one of the most difficult situations that a parent can face, but it can be fixed. Mechanics, not having success, or not performing to one's capabillity all can be fixed with hard work and desire, however desire has to come from the inside. Your job as a parent is to encourage him in anything that he can have fun with. It's possible that he may simply be going through a phase right now that will wear off with time. You shouldn't force him to do drill work, however you might try to do some drills that he has fun doing. If your son is tired of doing drills, you might want to try playing pepper, or any other fun activity that involves hitting. This will bring back the fun into baseball, which will increase his desire for success, which in turn will lead him into doing his regular drill work. Good luck with the training.

Question:	I hope everybody is having a great off-season. It's about a month and a half to my spring baseball season (I can't wait) what should I be doing now, mentally and physically? Thanks.

Dave Hudgens:	Use the time that you have now to start focusing in on perfecting your mechanics. You don't want to spend a lot of time during the season fixing mechanical problems that could have been prevented now. Also start honing in on your visualization exercises. Really see yourself taking game swings and having success. By doing this you will be able to have confidence at the start of the season, instead of hoping to get off to a good start. In your mind you should have already completed the best season of your life. Since you have that confidence, everything will feel familiar to you, and you won't be anxious. Good luck with the season!

Question:	I don't know why I'm asking you this because I probably already know the answer but just looking for alittle reassurance. I have been inconsistent at the plate this year and have never really came out of the bad season I had this summer. Lately I have felt alot of pressure do to worrrying about signing...the biggest part is finding out whether I want to move 4 hrs away to one of the best juco programs in the country. When Im going good I feel like I am prepared and I usually have hit for about an hour after practice, but if I dont get around to hit after practice I feel unprepared and start coming out of my normal swing. Is it that I am not prepared?

Dave Hudgens:	I think you do know the answer to your own question. I know the way you work, I don't believe you are ever unprepared. But it sounds like you are worrying about things in which you have no control over. If you play your game, concentrating on what you have control over, such as catching the ground ball, making a strong throw, getting a good pitch to hit, etc. Now your ability will show through and you won't have to worry about the scouts. This is all easier said than done, it takes mental toughness to block outside distractions off. Focus on the task at hand and you will have success.

Question:	How can you eliminate slumps. This season i went through a 2 week stretch where I did not get a hit which in ended up bein an 0-26 slump. Before those 2 weeks i was hitting .400 after the two week stretch I hit slightly over .500 . The same happened to me last season. How can I eliminate or at least shorten these slumps so I can be a more productive hitter.

Dave Hudgens:	I find that slumps begin with most hitters when they are going good. They get away from what is making them successful. They start thinking that they can hit anything, so they start swing at pitches outside of the strike zone. Before changing or making major adjustments in your swing check your pitch selection and how well you are seeing the ball. These two factors are usually the reason for the struggles.

Question:	I coach ages 7 thru 9. What do you consider a pitch-count for 3 inning for this age. I keep my kids at 60 pitches and no more. There are other coaches who are clueless as to the number thrown. I counted 109 pitches thrown by the opposing pitcher last game (3 innings). I confronted the coach and he said he did not keep a pitch-count and that the kid could handle the load because he throws alot at home in the yard. What is your read on this? Thanks.

Dave Hudgens:	You are doing a good job of looking after your young pitchers. At that age about 20 pitches an inning is enough. So around 60 pitches for 3 innings is good. If a kid throws around 30 pitches in an inning I would take him out. You are doing a good job of protecting your pitchers arms by keeping track of how many pitches they are throwing. Most youth league coaches don't understand how much strain is put on the arm when pitching at that young age. I'm sure the coach you are talking about is teaching the kids the correct mechanics also.

Question:	Could you please detail the best way to get ready for a game.

Dave Hudgens:	What you are talking about is what I call the "Hitter's Success Chain" Before the game: If you have the ability to watch the opposing pitcher as he warms up so you can time his delivery, the speed and type of his pitches, and his commend. Look for his release point. In the dugout: Pitcher is now on the mound. Watch to see what type of pitches he is throwing. Check his release point. Is he having trouble commanding any of his pitches? What type of pitch do you want to look for off this pitcher? On deck: While taking your practice swings remind yourself about any keys you have about your swing. This is the last time you should think about your mechanics. Time the pitcher's delivery; see yourself hitting your pitch hard. Know the situation before you go to the plate. Allow only positive thoughts into your mind. Focus on what you want to do, not on what you don't want to do. In the batter's box: do your pre-at bat routine with a relaxed rhythm. Do not vary your routine once you have found on that has worked for you. If anything disrupts it, call time out and step out of the box. This should get you ready for your at bat. The key is consistency and getting your mind ready to attack every pitch.

Question:	I'm curious what your thoughts are regarding hitting the first strike. I'm coaching 11-12 yr olds and am trying to encourage them to be patient hitters and make the pitcher work. However, often it seems as though the first strike turns out to be the best pitch to hit. I'd appreciate your feedback.

Dave Hudgens:	Teach the kids to be aggressive under control. They should be thinking swing on every pitch until they see it's not their pitch. If the first pitch is a pitch they can drive, hit the ball into a gap. If you have a hitter who swings at the first pitch no matter the location, thin make an adjustment. You can teach kids to be aggressive and selective at the same time.

Question:	My 15 year old is playing freshmen ball, excelling behind the plate but struggling with the bat. He has problems tracking the ball, recognizing location, getting out in front of the plate. I'm telling him to use the pitches he calls for as a catcher as an aid in tracking ball rotation and spin. He's short to the ball with his hands but sometimes is slow getting them there. Too often he's fighting off the ball as it gets into the plate too deep. The ball's hitting the bat as opposed to the opposite happening. He's now ripping his hands through the zone quicker but if the bat head isn't meeting the ball out in front, hand speed is being negated. Using Vision Training drills in trying to help the ball tracking, using Harvey D's book to keep his head straight in fighting through what he perceives to be a slump. And in this case, he needs success FIRST before he gets the confidence. We need help in Boston, can you simplify my approach in helping him?

Dave Hudgens:	When kids start to struggle they start trying harder, this leads to jumping at the ball and all kinds of mechanical breakdowns, as well as visual problems because of excessive head movement. Before you overhaul his swing check his effort level, his hands should be at 100% but throughout his swing he should be able to stay on balance. Keep doing the vision training drills, it will only help his tracking and reaction. You mention in another post a spinning around the front foot. It sounds like he is casting his hands and spinning off the ball, make sure his weight transfer is correct and he is getting his weight from back to center, have him try to drive the ball right back through the middle while staying inside the ball.

Question:	I'm a number 2 hitter in my teams lineup and I have noticed I have been getting walked more than usual. The leadoff hitter when on is at second. I usually get a first pitch fastball right down the heart of the plate. Then I get four straight balls and walk. Should I hit the first pitch to move the runner or possibly score him?

Dave Hudgens:	While there is nothing wrong with taking your walk, I would advise to be ready for the first pitch, and drive it to the right side, if the pitch is in the location you are looking. If the pitch is not one you can drive to the right side, (assuming the runner is on second with no outs) than take the pitch. Think swing on every pitch until you recognize it's not the pitch you want. You’re not guessing but anticipating the pitch in a certain area.

Question:	What percent of batters get on after the first batter gets out. My baseball coach asked us that but wouldn't tell us.

Dave Hudgens:	I don't know what the percentage is off hand, but your coach is probably talking about how pitchers have a let down after getting a quick out. This situation is similar to a hitter getting two quick hits, then letting down. The best hitters will tell themselves, I'm 0 for 0, these are the guys that end up having the great days and great careers.

Question:	My son is on the young side of the playing age in Little League as his birthday is June. In all his years playing, he has never shown fear of the ball. This year we moved up into minor division - first year of kid pitch. He is now showing fear at the plate by backing up in the box before the ball is even released from the pitcher's hand. How do I help him? One of his coaches states, "You can't coach fear."

Dave Hudgens:	Fear at the plate is something that many, if not all kids go through at one time or another. I disagree with your coach, this is something that he can get through with the right information. First, teach him how to get out of the way of the ball. He should understand that he is going to be able to react to the ball better if he knows how to get out of the way of an on coming pitch. Teach him to turn away from the ball, you can do this by throwing tennis balls at him and mixing in strikes and balls, up and in. Second, start teaching him a more aggressive attitude. That he is going to be the one that hits the ball right back at the pitcher and he is going to have the most aggressive attitude on the field, even if he is the youngest. I know what your going through, my son's birthday is July 31 - the Little League cut off day.

Question:	I have a 20 year old son who is a catcher for a Division II school in Texas. He is playing great defensively behind the plate, but is stuggling with his bat. He has always been a very streaky hitter his entire career from little league up through college. He seems to hit when there are no runners on base, but when there are runners on base in scoring position, he very seldom hits, mostly resulting in a strike out or fly out. He has told me that he has tried lots of mental techniques to get his mind focus on each plate appearances, but most of the time he cannot control the thoughts of not producing at the plate. Should he see a Sports Psychologist?

Dave Hudgens:	I do not know what type of mental routine your son is doing. Most players that have trouble with runners in scoring position are trying to hard to get the job done. Your son should not change his approach when runners are in scoring position, he should be think hard contact back up the middle.

Question:	What sould I think when I step into the batters box? How should I get my mind set and ready to hit? How do I deal with nervousness of not living up to my team's expectations? I am worried that I won't impress my team, how do I overcome that? I can hit (really good in cages, practice, etc.) but in games I fail and hit the ball with no power or miss completely, how do I overcome that?

Dave Hudgens:	Think "see & react" and otherwise just concentrate on your breath (it's expelling) and the feel & sound of it. This separates you from the world and everyone in it. By the time you step-up, all the thinking is done and your body instructed so that all you need do is see and react. Concentrating on the senses and see-react will block out the world except for the ball. They'll all love it when you hit the ball.

Question:	How do I relax in the batters' box and not fail? How do I focus on just hitting the next pitch, and stop worrying about trying to impress my team? How do I stop worrying?

Dave Hudgens:	You are touching on many topics. I suggest you order the Mental Game Of Baseball by Harvey Dorfman & Karl Kuehl. You need a plan for your game and this book would be a good place to start.

Question:	I'm a 20 year old little league baseball coach. I coach a 13 year old baseball team. These kids were hand picked by my team's manager. At practice they hit the ball all over the park some days and some days they don't touch the ball. Our main problem is when we get in a game we can't get the big hit when we need it.

Dave Hudgens:	I have never seen a player choke that wasn't giving a great effort. And that is the problem, they are trying too hard. When runners are in scoring position the approach should be no different than with bases empty. As a coach you must teach your hitters, the situation doesn't matter, try to hit the ball back through the middle. Don't try to do too much, teach the kids these are the situations to stay relaxed and see the ball and have fun

Question:	My son plays highschool and township ball. He's recently been striking out regularly. In the cages with live pitching he line drives everything. He has a trainer he works with all the time. I'm sure it is a head thing, but is there some pre at-bat mental focus he should be concentrating on?

Dave Hudgens:	Harvey Dorfmann says in one of his tapes "All good coached are communicators" and that is what you need to do with your son. Find out what he is thinking when he is up to bat...is he focusing on only seeing the ball? This is something I sometimes take for granted and probably sets a good hitter away from a great hitter is consistency with his eyes. All good hitters have consistent eye patterns. Also when I start to struggle is when I am trying to do too much and overswinging....also look at that.

Question:	I have had a bad problem this year. When I go to home plate I am not aggressive at pitches on the corners, and I am striking out alot

Dave Hudgens:	I wouldn't worry about the pitches on the corners (unless I am looking for a pitch in that area). If I am looking for a pitch on the outside half, and I'm leaning that way, I would swing at that pitch on the outside corner, until I had two strikes. Something that will help you if you use it is Harvey Dorfmann's "The Mental Game of Baseball" this book helped me greatly control my emotions. As far as bieng non-aggressive try to think swing on every pitch. Have the mentality that every pitch is going to be the one to hit.

Question:	I keep hitting line drives but they just endup to a fielder. When I'm not hittng line drives it's always strike or ground out I haven't hit in to games. I'm hitting them to the right side on outside pitches and to the left side on inside pitches.

Dave Hudgens:	I'm assuming you are a right handed batter. It sounds like you are hitting the ball to all fields, and hitting line drives for the most part. It's possible when your line drives are caught for outs you are getting frustrated, than, you are trying to hit the ball harder which is causing you to miss the ball or roll over. If this is the case, try to take one at bat at a time, don't let a poor result affect your next at bat. Stay positive and keep it simple.

Question:	I am 14 years old and I weigh 110 pounds. I have never been a very good hitter on my AAU team. I also have never had alot of confidence and have had a problem with being aggressive.

Dave Hudgens:	I suggest you work on your aggressiveness, think swing on every pitch until you see it's not your pitch. Confidence will come the more you play. Keep up your good work habits, good practice habits will help you build confidence. Make sure you are working on the right techniques. You need a road map to have successes

Question:	I'm a college freshman, and I'm redshirting at a D1 school. This whole year I have had no confidence in myself whatsoever. I often feel like I don't even deserve to be there, and like I should just quit. The game was once something I loved, and I loved to work hard, but now its like I can't wait to leave as soon as practice is over. I have trouble making routine plays at shortstop during fungo drills, and I had always prided my self in the past with my defense.

Dave Hudgens:	Not everybody can play this game and those chosen few who can need to enjoy everyday on the field. This is your problem--not that I can't but can I still make those routine plays and hit like I used to? You seem to be a person who at one time really loved the game (thats called success). So, try to enjoy and play the game you truly love and quit making excuses. Be the player you have always been and not that player who feels sorry for himself. Go to practice and play it like its a game and forget the pressures. Be loose. Be yourself. You practice like you play and you play like you practice.

Question:	My son is 14. Last year he played on a 13 yr old travel team. The spring prior to the season I had a high school pitcher pitch to him so that he could learn to hit curve balls. He got hit a couple of times and we quit having the high school kid pitch to him. Since that time, he has been stepping out when he strides because of fear. He knows when he is doing this and admits that it is fear. Last year was a disappointing year as far as hitting is concerned. He lost his aggressiveness and his bat speed.

Dave Hudgens:	I suggest relating to pitches with normal footwork (stride & transfer), and sometimes image using that to develop the escape move from. Remember that cleanly ditching depends first on a good visual pickup and tracking, so practice them too. Might also try leaving the bat behind sometimes and see what effect its absence and/or presence might have. Do you have an escape method planned? If not, then get into one.

Question:	My son is twelve and has a swing flaw I can't seem to fix. When he gets ready to swing he drops the head of the bat from about a 45 degree angle behind his head to level. The bat drops a 12-18 inches. His hands do not drop just the head of his bat. This causes him to cast and to be late to the ball. He does not do this in any of the drills. We do wall swings and hit off the tee and everything is fine. Then we go to live pitching or wiffle balls and the flaw come back. Any ideas on how to get rid of this flaw?

Dave Hudgens:	Many hitters are great in drills but cannot transfer the same swing into the game. I have found that with hitters like this, their effort level in their swing is not the same in their drills as in the game. They practice at a balanced and controlled tempo, and then when it's game time they up the effort to about 110%. There is a good chance that your son is thinking "distance" instead of line drives. Next game, make it a priority for him to make solid contact and line drives.

Question:	My son has been a student of yours for the last few years and has had tremendous success. I've helped him along and now he attempting to be a little independent of me. He has the power and mechanics to hit a ball 400+ feet and has done so many times; however, for the first 10 at bats this season he's 2 for 10 and has hit everything on the ground. He is getting a little frustrated since everybody, including himself, expects him to hit the long ball. Three scouts were at the game and I believe that they were impressed because I saw them watching him. I've told my son that scouts look for mechanics, quick hands, bat speed and hard contact and that he shoud be happy with his result. Can you confirm this. Also, at times getting a little "long". What can cause this?

Dave Hudgens:	You are correct, scouts look for hand and bat speed, and hard contact. When kids are trying to hit the ball out of the ball park, they are going to over swing and cast the hands, creating a longer swing. That's great he can hit the ball 400 feet. The long ball will happen more often if he concentrates on line drive and hard contact.