How to overcome fear while playing baseball?

Every baseball players at one stage of life may have experienced the fear and anxiety before the game.

Similarly, every baseball batters, once they get hit by a baseball, then they might get a fear of facing next balls and may have experienced a decrease in their hitting ability after a hit.

This type of fear not only affects the individual’s game, it also affects the players team performance as well.

The fear of getting hit goes from young age to high school, college and even at some major leagues.

So, this post lets us discuss the fears that occur during baseball games and tips to overcome the fear while playing baseball.

To overcome the fear of heights, one must gradually expose himself to heights and should struggle with them.

In the same way, if you are getting nervous while playing baseball, then get on the ball and practice more.

If you are a beginner and struggling with hard baseball, then start with a tennis ball or Wiffle ball and practice more reputation.

If you are a beginner in batting, one of the common injuries experienced by baseball batters is getting hit on the elbow. If you are feared of getting hit on the elbow by wild pitches, use an elbow guard.

Protective kits in baseball plays an integral role in maintaining the safety of the player.

How to overcome fear of fast pitching

For lot of hitters, fast pitches is scary but at the same time fast pitching is an opportunity to prove your skills and talent in baseball.

When you face a fast pitcher, the first things you have to do is time the ball well and adjust yourself to the velocity of the ball.

The real problem with fast pitches is batters are consistently late to the ball and doesn’t know what the pitchers is goanna throw and simply guess the ball because of its speed.

For the fast pitchers you cannot simply guess the ball and its hard to see the ball and decide whether to swing a bat or not.

The first thing you have to do is time the fastball. Timing is the important factor for fast pitches, practice more on your timing for faster pitches by using machines.

How to get used to fast pitcher?

When facing the fast pitcher, you already know that he goanna throw hard. So, you need to be ready and prepared for the fastball.

When the fast pitcher picks his legs up and is ready to throw the fastest pitch, you have to be ahead of him.

You should be ready to swing the bat before the ball releases from his hand. Doing this gives you more time for the fast-pitch throws and helps you hit the fast-pitch deliveries easily.

Learning to get hit by a baseball safely is another important skill in baseball.

If a ball is coming at high speed, turn your back and bend down placing the bat on the ground.The ball will hit your back or buttocks and this position will protect your chest, groin, face, hand, and arms.

The mindset of a player plays an important role in baseball. Don’t focus on what you want to avoid (For example: faster/swing deliveries).

Don’t focus on getting hit by a ball that you don’t want to happen while batting. Instead, focus on swinging the ball in proper timing as how you practiced during practice sessions.

Step in the box with the mindset of I am the best player and I can hit any balls he throws. Because having a good positive mindset can signal your arm movements, shoulders, and leg stances and helps you perform better.

How to hit inside pitches?

Intelligent pitch is one of the intelligent tactics used by most baseball pitchers.

Additionally, Inside pitches with high speed are a nightmare to baseball batters and was very hard to hit. To overcome the fear of fast incoming pitches follows these simple hitting mechanics.

1. Hit the ball early.
2. Proper plate positioning.
3. Hands inside the ball.
4. Stay square.

How to catch baseball without fear?

The best way to overcome fear is to face it. When you avoid fear it makes you scarier. Instead, when you bravely face it, then it will eventually fade away.

If you get scared when you catch a ball, then it indicates that you need practice. You can overcome this fear by practicing catching the ball.

If you are scared of hard baseball, use a tennis ball or softball, or wiffle ball.

1. The first step is start throwing the tennis ball in air and catch it with both hands without a glove.
2. The second step is juggling. Juggling the ball makes you a better catcher. If you are a beginner, start juggling with a single ball by throwing it up and catching it with a single hand. Do this ten times each on both hands.
3. If you are comfortable juggling with one ball then practice juggling with two balls and repeat the same. Doing this improves your hand-eye co-ordination.
4. There are three types of catches in baseball.
   1. Normal Routine catch
   2. Running Catch.
   3. Diving catch.

Normal Routine catch

Normal Catch is an easy chance to reach the ball. Always catch with two hands. Even during the practice sessions catch the ball with two hands.

Catching with two hands secures the ball in a glove and also makes it quick easy transfer to your throwing hand from your glove.

If the ball coming for a catch is above your belly button then catch the ball with your thumbs together that is your throwing hand thumb and glove thumb.

If the ball or throw is below your belly button area then catch the ball with your little fingers together that is your glove hand and throwing hand litter fingers.

Running Catch

Running catch means catching the ball on run. The most important thing for a running catch is communication.

If the ball is in a middle of you and another player, Chances are that you may collide while going for a catch. In these situations make sure to shout out loud saying that the catch is mine.

While running for a catch, always run with glove tucked and both arms pumping.

Never run with your glove in the air because it will slow you down. So, while running for a catch always run with both arms pumping close to the shoulder.

When it’s time to catch the ball, stick your glove out and catch the ball at the last second.

Diving Catches

It is very important to avoid injuries while taking diving catches. There is a proper technique to take diving catches.

When you dive, land squarely on your chest and stomach area with arms out in front and your head up.

Diving catches requires lot of practice and can cause severe shoulder and wrist injuries. So, it is better to practice diving catches with your knees before trying them in a game.

How to not get nervous during baseball game?

Being nervous before the game is a normal thing and happens to all level players. However, a lot of nerves and anxiety can paralyze you and affects your game. The proven tips to overcome nervousness are

• Considering you are having an exam and you studied well, Will you be nervous now? No. Similarly, if you haven’t prepared well then you may feel nervousness about getting poor marks. If you prepared well for the competition and practiced well then you won’t get nervous. The first and foremost thing to overcome nervousness is to practice well before the start of the game.
• During practices, work on your weakness, take batting practice, and take ground balls when you do more practice, you will develop more muscle memory and these actions will help you beat nervousness and anxiety.
• Stay away from distractions and watch motivational videos and quotes before the start of the game. Stop thinking about previous failures and previous game performances. Instead, focus on the future and stay away from negative thoughts and distractions.
• Think about whom you’re playing and practice visualization playing against the opponents.
• Take a deep breath. Breathe slowly and deeply in-between the pitches. It helps to calm your nerves and maintain a state of calmness.