Slumps

The S word. I'm going to get right into it, mainly because I can't think of a good way to introduce the topic.

It happens to everyone. Can't buy a hit, they just ain't falling. Before I go over some ways to get out of it, I want to introduce an idea, but before I do, I want to say that I would need serious tape or film to prove anything.

We all know the famous claims about Arod. He can't hit in October. His batting average folds in half and doesn't come through in the clutch. But what about this - what if, for those few at bats one gets in the playoffs, he didn't get his pitch. I know it's crazy, but could it be that they tried to pitch around him and he stretched the strikezone a bit, just trying to hit too much?

Lets bring the example to a smaller scale. Someone goes 0-10, they are in a bit of a slump. I say that first what should be analyzed is swings made. I say this because before you know it, everyone advocates a change in the swing, be it in the stride, hand position, etc.

I think the big problem with changing the swing, is that it gets the player thinking too much. Now he's got to go take BP and work on keeping his hands here, his toe pointed this way, his knee bent, instead of doing what is natural and keeping a clean head. Now, at some points, there must be a time for this, and I'm the last guy to challenge a major league hitting coach, so lets pretend I'm talking about the amateur level here.

In the book, The Mental Game of Baseball, they bring a quote from someone who gives his routine when it comes to breaking the bad streak. I forget who it was, but he says that when he slumps, he'll try this way, that way, and after a week or so, he'll just go back to what he used to do and it'll usually work. The authors' point was to stop making all these adjustments and go to what is natural - just clear your mind and release what has happened.

If you want to have a good luck charm, fine. I never saw the point, because you'll never be perfect and if it was a good luck charm, wouldn't you bat 1.000? Anyway, just take it easy during the hard times, try not to think too much. Stick to your one pitch to hit. If your batting average slips, that's OK, it happens. But don't help the pitcher out by trying too hard.