MLM+: The blueprint to unlock yourself
It's that time of year again. The air is getting warmer, fields are coming alive, and baseball and softball players across the country are either kicking off their spring season or grinding through tryouts.
You've put in the work during the off-season - the countless hours in the batting cage, the bullpen sessions, the strength training. But now, as they say, the rubber meets the road. This is where all that preparation is put to the test, where you'll face stressful situations and inevitable setbacks.
The Mental Game Takes Center Stage
The pressure is real. You want to perform your best, make the team, secure that starting spot, or achieve whatever goals you've set for yourself. It's natural to feel butterflies, anxiety, and pressure.
But here's what I learned during my 15-year professional baseball career, including my time with the Rays, Indians, and that unforgettable 2016 World Series run: Baseball and softball are are AT LEAST 90% mental.
That means your mindset is just as crucial as your physical abilities. Actually, it's more important. This is where the mental tools and concepts you've been developing come into play.
Your Mental Toolbox for the Season
Let's review some key tools that can make all the difference during this critical time:
1. OMMS: Obstacles Make Me Stronger
When you face an obstacle—like not getting the position you wanted, striking out in a key situation, or even dealing with an injury—remember to approach it with a positive attitude.
Each challenge is an opportunity to grow stronger. I wasn't always "La Piñata" (the MLB record holder for hit-by-pitches per plate appearance). I had to develop the mental toughness to stand in there when pitches came inside. Every bruise made me stronger, both literally and mentally.
2. Don't Expect Perfection
Perfectionism can be your worst enemy. Understand that mistakes are part of the game. The key is preventing one mistake from turning into a disastrous snowball effect.
Don't dwell on errors; instead, accept what happened and refocus on the present moment by asking yourself "What's Important Now?" This simple question can reset your mind and get you back in the game.
3. Time to Trust and Execute
Trust your process. You've earned the right to believe in yourself through your preparation. This isn't blind faith—it's confidence built on consistent work.
Use big, powerful body language. How you carry yourself affects how you feel and perform. Stand tall, move with purpose, and project confidence even when you don't feel it.
Control the controllables. Energy spent on things outside your control is wasted energy. Focus only on what you can influence: your attitude, effort, and response to situations.
Follow your routines. Your pre-game, in-game, and post-game routines aren't just habits—they're psychological anchors that keep you grounded under pressure. When I was playing in the majors, my routines were non-negotiable.
Take a Big League Breath. One deep, controlled breath can reset your nervous system and bring you back to the present moment. I used this technique before every at-bat in the World Series.
4. Champion Journaling
One practice that's transformed the performance of hundreds of players in our MLM+ community is Champion Journaling. Before each game, write down:
"I am..." (identity statements)
"I will..." (action commitments)
3 keys to execute
Gratitudes
After the game, reflect using:
What went WELL
What could be BETTER
ADJUSTMENTS for next time
This simple practice helps you leave success notes for your future self and cultivates a "WIN or LEARN" mindset rather than a "win or lose" perspective.
5. The Power of Positive Self-Talk
What you say to yourself matters. Replace negative thoughts like "Don't strike out" with positive statements like "I am a confident hitter" or "I will see the ball clearly and make solid contact."
Every day, players in our MLM+ community practice positive self-talk as part of their daily mental training. They're retraining their brains to focus on what they want to happen, not what they fear might happen.
A Daily Practice Makes the Difference
Having coached thousands of players at all levels—from youth leagues to the University of Virginia Baseball Team to MLB organizations like the Dodgers—I've noticed one consistent pattern:
The players who treat mental training as a daily practice, just like physical training, are the ones who perform most consistently under pressure.
That's why the MLM+ app delivers daily mental training directly to hundreds of players each morning. These aren't generic motivational quotes—they're specific mental tools and concepts designed to build what I call "Antifragile Confidence"—the kind that gets stronger under stress, not weaker.
Many of these daily messages mirror exactly what I would focus on during spring training and throughout the season when I was playing professionally. Without this consistent mental practice, I'm certain I would not have had the success and ability to overcome challenges that defined my career.
Remember: You're Not Alone
As you navigate this spring season or tryout period, remember that you're not alone in feeling the pressure. Every player faces these moments. The difference is in how you respond to them.
The MLM+ community is filled with players, parents, and coaches who are working through the same challenges you are. They're sharing their successes, learning from setbacks, and growing stronger together.
Whether you're already part of our community or considering joining us, know that the mental game is what separates good players from great ones—and great players from elite ones.
Trust your training. Execute your process. And remember that the obstacles you face this season aren't there to stop you—they're there to make you stronger.
Play hard and trust yourself.
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