Being Selective At the Plate
December 21, 2009 by Walter Herbison
Filed under Mental Approach
Yogi Berra was notorious for swinging at bad pitches, but was also very productive in doing so. However, he was one of few that could do it and get away with it. I often work with hitters who are playing in the zone but not programmed to hold up on undesirable pitches. The first major leaguer that I worked with had this problem. The following remedied the situation for him, a host of others, and it will for you or a player(s) that you may be coaching. Have a special batting practice session, with instructions to the hitter not to swing at anything out of the zone.
Start throwing to him at slow speeds, then gradually increase the speed to the maximum. He begins the therapy by practicing out of the left or thinking side of the mind and then converts gradually to the right side of the mind, where the reflexes are located. Should he revert back to the old bad habit, slow the pitches again while gradually increasing the velocity.
This programs the sub conscious mind and body to swing at good pitches only. Once reprogrammed, focusing only on the ball will guarantee right brain play and maximum performance potential.
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