HITTING - In Pressure Situations, Focus on The Execution, Not The Result

(this is an excerpt from Mark Gola’s forthcoming book, Baseball’s Sixth Tool)

Down by a run in the final frame, there is a runner on third base with one out. The batter steps up to the plate and third base coach yells, ‘We need a fly ball here.’

These are the kinds of words that get hitters into trouble.

The word pressure is in quotations because the only pressure felt in baseball is by those who place it upon themselves. There are crucial situations in a ballgame that may have a greater impact on its outcome, but this should not be considered pressure. It should be viewed as an opportunity to do something great. Players who look at these situations as a chance to be the hero have a much better chance of actually being the hero.

As mentioned, when walking up to the plate, your thoughts should be that you have an opportunity to do something special. Embrace that potential reward and then shift your focus to the job at hand. Understand what it is you need to do to achieve your goal. Concentrate on pitch selection, a swing thought, a simple reminder, or visualization.

A mistake hitters often make is thinking about the result. They get caught up in the moment. This is where that advice from the coach can cause problems. The body does what the mind tells it to do, and if all you're thinking about as the batter is hitting a fly ball, what do you think might happen? Typical mistakes like dropping the rear shoulder, coming out of your swing prematurely, flying open with the front shoulder, etc. are all mistakes born of thought. You're trying to help the ball into the air. Focusing on the result can have an adverse affect on your execution.

Take a deep breath and think about what you need to do as a hitter, and if you do things the right way, the result will take care of itself. Stop worrying about what might or might not happen. Engross yourself in one simple thought of execution and all the peripheral elements ... the score, the runners on base, the thoughts of your teammates, the coaches, the spectators in the stands ... they will all go away. When you think about it, all of that stuff is just window dressing. The pitcher is still the same distance away throwing the same baseball. You're wielding the same bat with the same swing. Don't build up the at bat to be any different in your mind. Just execute what you've practiced and the results will follow.

Here are some suggested thoughts when you’re in this particular situation. These are merely general suggestions. Only you can decide what thoughts work best for you.

Pitch Selection

Get a pitch middle-in

Get a pitch out over the plate

Make sure the pitch is thigh-high and above

Make sure the pitch is below my hands

Swing Thought

Drive through the ball

Short and quick

Balance from start to finish

Palm-up, palm-down

Attack

Visualization

Line drive through the middle

Line drive gap to gap

Line drive to the opposite field

(Visualize the pitch you're looking for)

Simple Reminder

Quiet stride

See the ball long

Stay inside the ball

Keep the head down

Whether you use some of these thoughts or employ others, it must remain simple and isolated to one or two. Don't choose five of these thoughts, because too many will cause a traffic jam. Keep it simple and be decisive!