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FEATURED ARTICLE
LIMITATIONS TO THE PLAYER WHEN FOCUS IS NOT THERE
However, if the baseball player is not focused, in the moment, at the right time, then a range of circumstances and conditions may occur which could limit the player’s focus and their performance.
These include the following as relayed to me by major league players:
• They are likely to be confused as to what actions they should take in the
moment.
• They can become tentative in the use of their thoughts and actions.
• They can become discouraged and think about their outcomes as well as
other things which they cannot control.
• They easily can pay attention to other people and what these people are
thinking of them.
• Other limitations
IMPORTANT TIMES FOR THE PLAYER TO FOCUS
There are many moments in baseball.
These baseball moments can be organized in three important periods of time. These time periods, or time frames, are:
• Before the game;
• During the game; and
• After the game.
With regard to these three time periods, consider the following kinds of situations as emphasized by major league pitchers and position players, over the years:
Before the game, a baseball player’s focus needs to be centered on the following tasks at hand, moment to moment:
• Being willing to come to the clubhouse early enough or at least on time, and
“mentally park” all of the things that do not have to do with playing baseball,
including such things as friends, school work and other related matters. These
non-baseball matters, many of which may be very important, can be picked
up following the game and focused on there, at that time.
• Following through on effective pre-game routines, on the field, in the cages,
during bullpen sessions, as well as in the weight room, so that when it is time
to play the game, the player is ready to compete--- physically, mentally, and
emotionally.
• Listening to the coaches when they go over what they want accomplished
during the game such as when they review the advance scouting report.
• Other before the game tasks at hand.