Striking the Right Balance

Catch43,

You sound like a true baseball nut to me.

Yes, you are probably over analizing. I doubt that people like Willie Mays ever did that. But thank the lord that people like you exist. Someone has to think about the little things because that is what causes things to get better IMO.

If you want to analyze everything after your game that's ok, if you are doing it while playing that is not ok.

I can only give advice from seeing my own player having issues on the mound while constantly analyzing before each pitch what he was doing, until he learned that baseball is more of a game played on natural instinct. Once he put it all aside, didn't think about what he was doing but cruised on auto pilot, he found more success. I also think that this is something that subsides as a player matures and becomes more confidant. Learning how to control the mental aspect of the game is the key to your success.

You draw the line when analyzing interferes with your game.

JMO

But how do you know when it is interfering?

Baseball is unique. Each has their own way. Why change.

quote:

Originally posted by Catch43:
But how do you know when it is interfering?

That's something only you know, it was interfereing with son's game as he wasn't getting the job done as he should.
This is only something that you can decide, does it interfere with your performance. If so, than you might need a change, if not, then it's ok.

Breathe through your eyelids and you will be okay! It worked for Nuke in Bull Durham!

Its one play at a time , one bat at a time. You need to work hard to know the game, to react in the game, but in the game you need to just play. If you have worked on your swing and other aspects in the game just react. Have fun, thinking too much can make you tense. baseball is a game that in my opinion needs to be played as relaxed as possible.JMO

i'm not sure where i saw this story,or if it will even show the link. to me it explains why things are like they are. i think anyway. maybe not exactly on topic. but a good read.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/03/05/sports/web.0305prodigy.php?page=1

i think we know practice is important,maybe not exactly how important. interesting.

Catch43, As OldSlugger says ; "Why change?" I think what you're doing is fine for you. You can approach the game any way you want. No problem with anyone if you are a baseball nut, a casual baseball fan, or if you prefer vollyball over baseball. I think a problem arrises when parents ONLY allow their sons to approach the game as THEY approach the game (this is called forcing). I can look at the game as "only a game" yet my son can look at the game as the ultimate athletic challenge or vice versa. No telling how many times I have seen parents "ruin" the baseball experience for their kids by trying to make them "super star" players as young kids when the kid only wanted to play a game. On the flip side I have also seen parent fail to support their kids when it was obvious this kid wanted to play baseball 12 hours a day. I think parents (and kids to a certain degree) need to remain flexible throughout the son's baseball playing days and each make concessions for the other. Your biggest challenge may come when you have a son that doesn't want to play baseball. That's when you need to consider re-rewriting your tag of: "Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True.
And the Grand Canyon is just a hole in Arizona."
Fungo

I think all sports, even baseball, have to be played instinctive and relaxed. Easier said than done. Especially in baseball.

Players achieve their success based on talent. That talent is natural and can be compromised by the brain getting in the way. Practice off the field and off season is the best time to analyze and adjust this talent. Once the game starts the body has to be relaxed and loose in order perform at its maximim level.

In game adjustments have to made of course, but these are approach adjustments, how is he pitching me, what did he hit last at bat. Not worrying about footwork in the field or stance while batting.

I think you can overthink. A player needs to be relaxed and instinctual, but I also think there is nothing wrong with focusing on one thought for whatever you are doing at the time.

For instance, fielding - you might focus on staying on the balls of your feet and creeping in. Batting - throw the barrel of the bat at the ball. Pitching - stay behind the ball. Whatever your major challenge is, one thought and go instinct from there.

You can overthink, but if you don't go in with a plan or a trigger thought, that could potentially be trouble as well.

Catch43,

I can only speak as a parent; but here are a couple of examples from 27's past:

When he was struggling at the plate, I took him to a college hitting coach. The coach asked 27 to show him a few practice swings. 27 swung the bat a few times, and the coach looked at me and asked, "And you brought him to me because...?" I answered, "Throw him a ball." Once a baseball entered the equation, all the bad habits appeared. He was over-thinking each at-bat. The coach worked with 27 on muscle memory concerning his practice swing. He went on to hit 30+ homers and lead the team in almost every offensive category that season.

When I ask him now what he thinks about when at the plate, he says "Nothing. I see the pitch and react to it."

Virtually the same applies when he's pitching. He wants the signal from the coach and catcher fast...then he clears his mind, and lets all the hours of practice, workouts, and previous games just flow through his wind-up and delivery. (Although he is thinking while on the mound, it's between the pitches, not once he starts his wind-up.)

As fillsfan stated, the true analysis is after the game. The "tweaking" is during practice, workouts, cage, and bullpen sessions. For 27 at least, it is a combination of muscle memory and experience which allows him to "relax" and just play the game.

Hope this helped

All of these are great posts, but my initial question was not about relaxing during games. I don't over-think during games and don't get nervous in pressure situations.

My "problem" (which may not be, just trying to hear some opinions) is during practice, analyzing every single detail - when maybe its not even that important.

Catch43, As long as your having success on the field there is no problem. IMO.

The analyzing during practice is good as long as it doesn't put negative thoughts in your head during the games.

as an old tmer let me add my 2 cents

It seems today with the new breed of coaches there are some who over analyze and quite frankly over coach. they over think. I was one who when I coached adhered to the KISS principle. KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID. Pitchers throw strikes Defense pick the ball up Offense make consistent contact.
Now we hear of trick plays relaying signals etc etc etc. The best pitch in baseball is strike one. Getting to that point is the key. Defense will win you a lot of games. some advice to the young coaches get that fungo and hit as many fungos to your fielders as you can. Work the double play with your infielders until they can do it in their sleep. work on cut offs and relays. Keep the double play in order.