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can manage their emotions effectively by developing the following three emotions management skills: (1) recognizing when they are likely to become overemotional and lose their composure; (2) having a routine or way of settling themselves down and centering themselves when their emotions are too high or too low; and (3) learning from those experiences when they have not been able to manage their emotions.
3. Is being emotional a good or a bad quality to have as a baseball player?
Being emotional can be both good and not so good for a baseball player, no matter what the level of competitive play. If a player understands that by being intense and focused on each pitch this kind of emotional state will allow them to be more consistent at playing the game, then being emotional in that sense is a good quality to have for that player.
In contrast, if a player becomes frustrated and angry because things are not going as expected and this kind of emotion “hijacks” them out of the competitive moment and distracts them from the task at hand, then being emotional for that player, at that time, is not a good quality. The important things is for the player to learn the level of emotional intensity which they need to perform effectively, on the baseball diamond as well as how they can manage their emotions off the field at home, at school, and in other public locations.
4. When can emotions work for your favor and against you?
For the most part, emotions can work in the support of the performance and development of the baseball player when the individual understands their
emotions and when they have a way of
keeping their emotions on an even keel.
When a player takes the time to be respon-
sible for their emotions--- that is, when they
have a plan for emotional management--- then
more often than not, their emotions will work
in their favor.
In contrast, when a player does not take the
time to learn about themselves and their
emotions and when they do not have a plan to
make sure that they are managing their
emotions, then the player runs a great risk that
their emotions will work against them, their
game, and their teammates.