Anyone work with mental conditioning coach?

I am not sure what all you get from a mental conditioning coach, but I am sure that the mental aspects of the game are critical to high school and college players, and are often under emphasized. Confidence, a positive mental attitude, and mental toughness are huge and often separate really good and great players. These things can be developed and instilled over time, and some just seem to have them as part of a natural makeup. We have all seen kids who in a high leverage situation step up, while others wilt. I think given the opportunity to be coached in these areas, or to have them emphasized, players should take advantage. Makes me think about the saying, "if you think you can, or if you think you can't, you are probably right" 

Has your son read The Mental Game of Baseball by Dorfman?

IOWAmom:

several years ago when I coach our Summer team of HS and JC players, one of my left handed hitters "struck out" walked to the dugout and "threw' his bat.

I calmly walked Jeff to behind the dugout, took a old bat from the dugout and told him to hit the old rubber tire until he could control his emotions.

I removed Jeff from the game, because his actions could injure one of his teammates. Rich Bordi [former MLB pitcher] and I set up clinic's to HS & College coaches regarding the psychology  of coaching HS players. MY MA degree was in Social Psychology.

A pitcher can "get mad" at himself. Do you remember the "Mad Hungarian"

Bob

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shWVAyVcHUs

I don't think you can teach mental toughness. I think that is acquired through hardship, adversity, and being put in tough situations regularly throughout your life. 

But sports psychologists are legitimate if your son wants to talk to somebody about anger and getting caught up in thoughts on the mound. Is there a stigma? Probably. Will anybody care if it makes him pitch better? No. I wouldn't go in and expect somebody to teach him how to be tougher, but they can probably work with him on dealing with stress and the like. I don't know what a mental conditioning coach is, sounds like somebody with a BA in Psych, but your son is at a P5 school I'm sure they have a psych resource within the athletic dept. Probably at no cost as well. 

Son was fortunate in that his hitting instructor emphasized the mental aspect of the game as well as the mechanics.  1/2 the time was spent being a student of the game, the other 1/2 taking cuts.  I've commented previously that he is a good athlete but nothing outstanding.  He was successful in HS, college, and pros by incorporating the mental aspect with ability thus far.  Several coaches and sports writers have made this comment throughout the levels.  When both are combined it gives you a greater advantage over others who just relying on one, as I've seen in several college games.  I did not include sports psychologist into the equation for this op.

It is now called the 6th tool. Mental Coaches are becoming more prevalent, certainly at the MLB and college level. I know my son leveraged his coach at Clemson and still talks with him today. There are many really good books that you can read and apply to situations. 

Here are some profiles of key people at the Center For Sports Psychology. They work with everything from pro teams to individual travel team athletes.

https://www.psychologyofsport.com/page5/index.html

Son had a session this summer with someone who specializes in sports/performance psychology. Was very productive. We'll definitely use him again if/when the need arises. Premier Mindset and The MindStrong Project are two resources I'd recommend. 

Beyond that, I highly recommend Heads Up Baseball along with the Dorfman books. 

It's not uncommon at all but the player has to be open to speaking with someone and using suggestions My son used a mental conditioning coach often while playing in pro ball and sometimes uses what he has learned with his players. Strength trainer is a good source as well, as many incorporate mental conditioning.  

Your son should start by speaking to his coaches.  They may know of someone on his campus who can help.

Search on this site:      Steve Springer     The Mental Side of Baseball    Quality At Bats

I read Dorfmann’s book when my kids were preteens. I taught them many of the principles without them knowing they were being taught mental conditioning.