“Baseball really is a glorified game of throw and catch.” – Tucker Elliot
In today’s society, with the cameras always whirring, commentators speculating, and crowd roaring, the game of baseball seems anything but simple. All of these extra stimuli make for greater pressure, feelings of stress, and frayed nerves that can cause even the most even-tempered players to struggle to maintain composure. When we let ourselves become overwhelmed with everything that isn’t baseball, our performance on the diamond suffers.
In times such as these, it is important to remember what the game really boils down to: a handful of players playing catch and hitting the ball. When you walk onto the field, focus on your personal skill, not on the built-up hype around you. If you’re an outfielder, can you catch fly balls, backup infield plays, and accurately throw? As a batter, can you keep your composure and make solid contact with the ball as you’ve done thousands of times before? Draw confidence and focus from your hard work and preparation.
The game of baseball is in fact a simple game that can be immensely enjoyable to play. All too often, players fall victim to the add-ons and lose sight of the game they fell in love with. Be an exception. Get back to the basics and let the rest fall away. Baseball is a game to be played. If it doesn’t feel like a game anymore, it’s time to reignite the kid inside you.
In today’s society, with the cameras always whirring, commentators speculating, and crowd roaring, the game of baseball seems anything but simple. All of these extra stimuli make for greater pressure, feelings of stress, and frayed nerves that can cause even the most even-tempered players to struggle to maintain composure. When we let ourselves become overwhelmed with everything that isn’t baseball, our performance on the diamond suffers.
In times such as these, it is important to remember what the game really boils down to: a handful of players playing catch and hitting the ball. When you walk onto the field, focus on your personal skill, not on the built-up hype around you. If you’re an outfielder, can you catch fly balls, backup infield plays, and accurately throw? As a batter, can you keep your composure and make solid contact with the ball as you’ve done thousands of times before? Draw confidence and focus from your hard work and preparation.
The game of baseball is in fact a simple game that can be immensely enjoyable to play. All too often, players fall victim to the add-ons and lose sight of the game they fell in love with. Be an exception. Get back to the basics and let the rest fall away. Baseball is a game to be played. If it doesn’t feel like a game anymore, it’s time to reignite the kid inside you.