Baseball is a sport that requires passion and dedication, but players also need skill, strategy, and mental toughness to excel. Even players who master the sport have plenty to learn. So often, the small things go forgotten but matter the most. If you want to excel at the game, the tips below put information in your hands that can help you level up at your favorite sport, whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or professional player.
1. Master The Basics First
Far too many baseball players see the greats and dream of playing exactly like them the second they begin playing. They forego the basics and aim to pull off some of the same standing-ovation-worthy techniques as the pros they idolize. Do not make the same mistake.
Focus on the basic techniques before leveling up. Throwing, hitting, fielding, and other core skills emphasize the more technical moves and skills like grip and posture. When you have the basics down, you never work harder than necessary.
2. Find Your Batting Stance
Every player has a unique batting stance. Finding one that feels natural to you is essential to be comfortable at the plate. Experts recommend batting with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and your weight evenly distributed. Your elbows should have just a little bend.
Some players find their batting stance instantaneously but finding it can be difficult for others. Play around with your stance until you find your perfect fit.
3. Wear Your Baseball Sunglasses
I know you were not expecting a tip telling you to buy sunglasses for baseball, yet here we are. Wearing sunglasses protects your eyes from glare and helps you focus your eyes on the ball. Goodr offers a huge selection of stylish, affordably-priced sunglasses for every personality.
Goodr sunglasses are lightweight and stay in place whether you are running, sliding, or jumping in the air. Choose from dozens of colors and styles that help you look good while they improve your game. Sunglasses for playing baseball keep the sun out of your eyes and allow you to stand out on the field.
Never play a game without your baseball sunglasses.
4. Fancy Footwork
In baseball, quick feet are quintessential for quick plays, whether you’re chasing a ball or throwing to the batter. Footwork tremendously impacts your speed, accuracy, and overall performance.
Practice lateral movement, quick pivots, and getting low to the ground. Regular practice makes perfect. The better your footwork, the better you become at the game. Move over, Babe Ruth.
5. Mental Toughness
Baseball players must be as mentally tough as they are physically strong. The game has ups and downs, highs and lows, and being able to handle every moment with dignity and grace can make a big difference in your game.
Whether the opponent at bat is tough, you strike out, make an error, or deal with other pressures, mental toughness helps overcome them all.
A few tips to improve mental toughness include:
- Keep a positive mindset. Do not dwell on mistakes but instead, focus on the next play. Mistakes happen; you are only human. By acknowledging mistakes happen and refocusing your attention, you can direct yourself where it matters the most.
- Do not focus on the outcome of the game, but instead on the process and enjoyment of the sport. You win some, you lose some, but focusing on only the wins can mentally devastate you.
- Create a pre-game routine and stick with it. A pre-game routine helps you get into the mental state necessary to perform your best during the game.
- Never dwell on mistakes, but instead, use them as learning opportunities.
- Pressure is part of any sport, including baseball. Mentally tough players understand pressure comes with the game and can embrace any challenges that come their way.
- When you talk positively to yourself, it can lift your spirits. Practice a positive inner dialogue, and when times get hard as they sometimes will, remind yourself that you are capable, strong, determined, and resilient.
Bring mental toughness to every practice and every game and watch how much better you perform. The information above can guide you into a better state of mental awareness and improve your strength so you are prepared for anything that comes your way.
6. Body Conditioning
Conditioning improves your performance, helping you reach peak strength, quickness, and flexibility, all important as a baseball player. It sculpts and tones your body, giving you a physique you like to see in the mirror and that appeals to the opposite sex.
Body conditioning should be part of your practice schedule. At least three times per week hit the gym and work your core and your legs. Dont forget cardio so you have the stamina to last through the game.
We can’t forget to mention how important it is to stretch before the game, during the game, after the game, when you wake up in the morning before you go to sleep, and when you hit the gym -any time is a good time to stretch your muscles and give your body a little more flexibility.
7. Know The Game
Baseball players should know the game on a more personal level than non-players. They should pay attention to their surroundings, including other players. When you pay attention to how people pitch, their stance, their movements, and other habits, you can learn how to master the game and earn a spot on the G.O.A.T. list.
When you know the game, you know your surroundings, your opponents, and what to expect next. The most successful baseball players use this strategy to better their game, and so should you.
The Bottom Line
Baseball players never stop learning. During practice and on the field, expect moments that teach you information you didn’t know before. This information betters your skills. Use the information offered here to improve your game. In no time, you’ll see dramatic improvements in your overall performance.
