I have been playing baseball for a while, and I have always had a fear of batting. Usually against slow pitchers I am okay, but when the speed increases, I get more nervous. Many times, I clearly see the ball coming in as a strike, but my mind "blanks out" and I don't swing. I am afraid of getting hit, even though I rarely do actually get hit, but sometimes I feel fine when I hit, even off the fastest pitchers.
PLEASE HELP!
Replies sorted oldest to newest
How old are you? How long have you been playing? Did you take one in head/face that may be causing some anxiety? Relax, not the first player who doesn't enjoy wearing one. Watch any MLB game and you will see plenty of pros doing some creative footwork to avoid getting hit themselves.
However, this may also be a problem. You need to provide more information. Age, size, velo you are facing, etc.
Hey Miketrout
First, I do feel for you. So please don't take my comments too harsh. But fear of getting hit by a baseball is a pretty tough one to excel at a sport where you will most likely get hit by a baseball.
Have you gotten hit hard in the past? Is this a reason for your fear? As a point of perspective, do you fear anything else that limits you from doing something, like drowning/swimming or crashing/driving?
Fear is a mechanism that keeps us at a heightened sense. Having some fear is natural. Having an abnormal fear of something can be debilitating.
See if there's somebody you can talk to about your fear and challenges.
Well, Mike I did notice you struck out 184 times this season. Now I know why!
Honestly, if you were my son, I would bring you to an accurate batting cage, have you put on your helmet (with face mask) and cup and have you lean into a couple on the slower settings. I'd have you then lean into a few at the higher settings. Part of taking away the fear is making it familiar.
Ask your team's coach if you can stand in the batter's box while the pitchers do their pens. This is good for pitchers too. Work on identifying pitches while you're at it.
