Doubts

The first thing needed to succeed in baseball is the "drive and passion". If that is not there it can be very tuff

From what you say he seems to be coming up short in terms of this aspect

It could als be that you are worried more about it than he is

What year in HS is he?

If he truly is not self-drive to maintain a high work ethic, he will have difficulty going to the next level.

Maybe he needs a rest. Maybe he just doesn't have as much passion for the game as he used to. Maybe he has gotten down on himself and thinks there is no use in doing the extra work it takes to succeed at the next level.

Hard to say. Will take some honest talk.

Parent - I think TR has made some very good observations.

If you asked my opinion and my son's opinion about most of his games, you would usually get a different perspective. I think good players are typically hard on themselves, but use that as a form of motivation and to drive themselves.

I would also suggest the video "Prospect" as the athletes do discuss the mental part of the game as well.

Also, many will disagree with me on this. However, I wouldn't be "aiming" for any particular level. Someone told us years ago to keep an open mind about schools because depending on what you're looking for in a fit, you may find it in a level you weren't expecting. There's great ball and players in DIII and NAIA.

Your son needs to focus on his game and have some fun. The players that are on the field enjoying the game are always the ones that play better IMO.

He'll be a junior this coming year.

quote:

It could als be that you are worried more about it than he is

Great point TR! Many parents tend to do one of two things. Either put our kid under the microscope to the nth degree or remove him from the specimen dish all together. As long as he is focused, has the passion, and the desire, things should click.

It maybe he is trying too hard. Tell him to relax and go back to basics. Footwork, balance and proper tecnique. He may be worried about keeping his spot on the team. The book won't help in my opinion. I wpuld back off and just tell him to enjoy the game and examine the basics. Take some pressure off.
You see this in some great ball players and TR may be right he has lost some of the drive and passion momentarily.

Thanks for the input. You're right -- perhaps I am more anxious than he is. (I'm ashamed to admit that it's woken me up a couple of times at night.) I've kept my worries to myself, though, and have not passed them on to my son. I've learned the hard way over the past several years that heaping pressure on my son has a negative effect on his performance.

Parent,
Welcome to the best Baseball web site for parent's ever invented. It's a form of group Therapy.
Every parent has something to share, and you will get great advice.
At about this same time as your son, I told my own son.
Do the very best you can do, If that's good enough you will succeed. If not so be it, You can live with that.
Just don't be a player that looks back and say's I should of did this are I should of did That.
Have no Regrets later in life.
It has to come from your son, nothing you as a parent can do about it.
Just Love him and support him. It will all work Out. the EH

Let him determine his path in baseball.All kids seem to find their "niche"eventually.It just may not be where we as parents wish it to be.as long as we can teach them a love for the game then alls well in the end.Respect the game and it will give a lifetime of rewards...

Parent we are all basically the same.
When my son started pitching and would get a little upset if he did poorly I would tell him that it would be no fun if you just showed up and won every game you pitched in. It may be lucrative but not fun and exciting. The potential to lose is what makes it fun to win. The greater the competition the greater the excitment.
I used to worry every time he took the mound and finally a few years ago I asked myself why. It didn't make sense. If he worked hard and pitched well he should do well and nothing I can do will change it. He has to do what ever it takes to succeed.

I think the book that you ordered would be helpful to most baseball players, but would recommend giving it to him and letting him read (or not read) at his own pace rather than sharing it with him. (Maybe you can sneak a peek at a few chapters when he is not using it.) At that age, he may set it aside for a few days or weeks, but then pick it up out of curiosity one day.

Also, you mentioned that he is playing on a top select team. If this is a step up from his previous experience (either this spring or last summer), the uncharacteristic errors may be the result of needing to make adjustments to the new level of play. Baseball is all about making adjustments, especially as the player moves up a level. Many of the parents here (including me) have seen their sons need to make adjustments at the college level, so this is probably a good experience for him now.

I did share with my son some stories once in a while, of players who had struggled at a new level and then gone on to be very successful. Like most teenage and young adult men, he didn't want a lot of advice from Mom, but the stories did seem to make an impression. There are plenty of stories here on this site of successful players who had some bumps in the road to success!

Best wishes,

Julie

Parent, I read the "Mental Game of Baseball" to my son....focusing on the chapters dealing with attitudes and confidence.

He was driving us crazy with his negativity.....he had become his own worse enemy at the plate.....so we bought the book....but like most teenagers....he already knew everything....what could 2 adults possible tell him that he didn't already know? So....I read to him.....and it was a great read....and helped son considerably....his confidence and consistency at the plate improved greatly. Maybe it would have happened anyway with maturity....but the book was definitely an asset.

You've been given a lot of good advise on this thread......best wishes.

quote:

When my son started pitching and would get a little upset if he did poorly I would tell him that it would be no fun if you just showed up and won every game you pitched in. It may be lucrative but not fun and exciting.

BHD - Interesting observation. I think it might be a real blast to see how boring it may be to show up and win every game

Thanks so much for the thoughts/suggestions. Good therapy indeed. It was helpful to know about making adjustments, as he does play for a smaller school in the spring. LadynMom, I may follow your advice and just address certain chapters. You're not the only one being driven crazy by negativity!