I know I am pretty good at baseball but is there anything i can do to boost my mental preparation.Im a junior and did not tryout last year because I was sick. I really want to make the Varsity team this year but I think I need more mental preparation.

Cameron - IMO - the way to be mentally prepared for anything is to first of all have a clear goal. Know in your mind what you want and that you're going to do everything it takes to prepare for that goal. Then spend you winter working your backside off to build the knowledge and skills you need to reach that goal. Work with someone in your community that can give you a proper evaluation of your strengths and weaknesses and then direct you how to improve those weaknesses. Those two things will give you the confidence and ability that will help you to know mentally that you have prepared as well as anyone there. Good luck to you and work hard this winter.

Cameron,

Buy the book

The Mental Game of Baseball A guide To Peak Performance by H.A. Dorfman and Karl Kuehl

It really helps you get your mental game sharp.

MENTAL PREPARATION from a Coaches viewpoint:

We like to get to the field 90 to 120 minutes before our game time regardless of what time we start, if it is at all possible--- as the team stretches and gets loose we, the coaching staff, walk among the players talking about their roles in todays game, who is the starting pitcher , who is first into the game in relief and we are looking to as the closer. I will walk among the players talking to all the players discussing their specific role--why you are leading off; why you are batting 9th etc---by the time we get to the infield warmups every player knows what his role is within the team framework-- if we are able to, we will meet in the hotel and have a "brain meeting'--last year in Jupiter we had 8:30 AM games every morning which meant a 10 PM curfew the night before and 6 AM breakfast followed by a meeting before we even left the hotel.

Before the kids left the hotel they knew exactly what was expected of them.

Many times we won't even take infield/outfield before the game as we are more intent on the mental aspect and the mental preparedness. we are aware of what our player physical abilities and at this point it becomes all mental.

Just a few thoughts from a coach