The 10 Commandments of Softball

What do the 10 commandments of softball mean to you?

1. Never be outworked. This is pretty basic. If you don’t understand it, read the 10 commandments of softball more than once. Make yourself the hardest worker on your team as it will translate to better grades, more job opportunities and that work ethic can translate into a lifetime of benefits.

2. Don’t focus on your statistics. Focus on getting better and going after the toughest challenges. What are the things you can focus on to make yourself better? Ask and answer yourself that question and then take action. A few examples would be: I lack foot speed. Then, how about running more, jumping on boxes, walking and then running bleachers, etc. Do things that can help you gain speed.

3. Remember that being the biggest or strongest player on the field doesn’t make you a better softball player. Ask yourself and answer the question what your strengths are and how can you work to make those strengths more impressive. Then, work on the drills to improve the skill set.

4. Have a purpose every practice. Never simply go through the motions. Make sure you focus on the areas that will make you better. This is pretty simple … goal setting. Never take a pitch off, make every swing, throw and opportunity count.

5. Stop comparing yourself to other people. Real champions compete against themselves. You can’t control other people, only your energy/effort and attitude. If your workout included 80 of 100 swings that were perfect. Then, make 81 perfect swings tomorrow, 82 the day after, etc. You have control when the choice is to work harder to get better or not.

6. Be thankful for the opportunity to play softball. Remember it’s something that you get to do, not something that you have to do. This is an easy reminder — COVID19 took softball away. What did we tell ourselves when it was gone? A lot of you said I will never take a practice off and I will work harder than ever. I love this game and am appreciative of the opportunity to play.

7. Be patient. Realize that it takes time to make big improvements. You are not your cell phone. There is no AP you can dial up to make yourself better. It’s small, incremental improvements each day that help you reach your goal.

8. Play softball for yourself. Think about all the things YOU love about softball. Play because you love the game. Don’t play because parental units or siblings expect you to play. Play for the love of the game and learn so many applicable life lessons that help you each day for the rest of your life. Remember, it is the little things that add up to the total person.

9. Never quit. If you can’t win, then make the girl tired. If you aren’t the starter, get better each day anyway and change the lineup card. No one ever said “life is fair.” If your name doesn’t make a coaches’ lineup card, then ask what you can do? Start by read the previous eight commandments.

10. Keep things in perspective. Family and Academics come before softball. Your family will love you no matter what. Remember FAMILY OVER EVERYTHING. They will be there when softball is over.

So many positives can be gained through softball participation. Add your own 10 commandments of what you gain from softball.

Use ‘I want, I choose, I can’

This non-on-the-field season we have shared articles about controlling the things we can control, finding silver linings, doing things we can do that set us apart from our opponents and that make us a better teammate and about strengthening our mental toughness.

Here are 10 things to fit in that genre of our goals on the field and in life.

1. Getting involved in the hype. Reading the team rankings or standings. Leave this to the spectators, after the season you can read your articles.

2. Associating with negative people and small-time thinkers. These people will only slow you down. Keep your distance from them, especially during the season.

3. Making any particular game or tournament “special.” Every game and practice is important, but nothing is ever special. Special adds pressure. Treat everything the same. Consistency!

4. Believing ANY team you face is unbeatable. David and Goliath, Marlins over Yankees in the World Series, The Movie “Friday Night Lights”, etc.

5. Focusing on the past or future instead of the present moment. Only focus on the present and how you can do your best at this moment.

6. Under any circumstances using the word CAN’T. Don’t ever say that word!

7. Dwelling on a setback, failure, or loss. Learn the lesson, then move on, period. Just let it go and do it better next time.

8. Focusing exclusively on winning or championships. Compete with yourself each day.

9. Competing not to lose. A coward dies 1,000 deaths before he dies. Always play to win. If you’re already winning: play to dominate.

10. Using extreme self-talk, that puts extra pressure on you: MUST, SHOULD, or NEED TO. Use “I want” and “I choose to” instead.

This is a time to improve mental toughness

Opportunity to improve mental toughness

Third is a series …

One of the mental toughness principles for players is “controlling the controllables.” It’s truly that way in every walk of life.

And as the world moves forward with “soft” openings hoping for a return to normalcy, there is still a high level of stress with such unknowns surrounding everyone in all parts of the globe.

Many people can’t wait to reactivate their lives while others are fearful “too much, too soon” will create a surge of the coronavirus and more “stay at home” time.

It’s a roller coaster of anxiety. It can drain us physically and emotionally.

Just like softball players and athletes in all sports, we only have so much physical and emotional energy. Though fearful, we can’t waste losing time and energy on things we have no control over and can’t do anything about. We must work hard not to empty our energy tank.

This pandemic gives us an opportunity to learn mental toughness. Like a team, we are in it together and we will get through it together.

We can not control the pandemic and the many unknowns created by it, so lets make the conscious effort to focus on the things we can do something about and have control over.

Not in any particular order, here is a Top 10 list to encourage our Lava Bears to focus on controlling and developing mental toughness:

1. ATTITUDE – Everything starts and ends with attitude and if we get it right, all else will fall in line. A positive, winning attitude helps us succeed and impact those around us. One of my favorite quotes comes to us from Tony DiCicco who said, “Attitude is a choice that can color any situation and it is contagious. You must act as the player you ware to become. Confident players focus on what they can do and don’t worry about what they can’t.”

2. ENERGY (EFFORT) – How hard we work is up to us and no one else. If we give up that control, we are giving away one of the main things that sets us apart from others. Our effort must also be smart and reflected in our work rate in practice and games. We don’t build winning in a single day. It’s sustained energy. It’s a progressive, consistent effort, with a view toward a long-range goal.

3. FOCUS – Focus is relaxed concentration; it becomes especially important in games where outside distractions can keep us from performing at our best. Our focus must be on the here and now, on each play, one at a time. Former NBA coach Phil Jackson said, “The key is seeing and doing. If you’re focusing on anything other than reading the court and doing what needs to be done, the moment will pass you by.”

4. FITNESS – The work we put into our physical conditioning will directly affect our ability to play while making a positive impact for our team. We can be committed to the one thing we can control – our fitness. The benefits are obvious and show up on game day. And for the rest of our lives.

5. PREPARATION – Preparation is paramount. If we prepare properly, we will have greater chances to succeed. Hall of Fame coach Bobby Knight says to anyone who will listen: “The will to win is overrated in athletics, because everyone wants to win. It’s the will to prepare to win that makes the difference. A side benefit of proper preparation is that it also helps you feel more confident.”

6. REST AND NUTRITION – Our performance is directly impacted by our food and hydration choices as well as the amount of rest and sleep we get. Some research on our part will help us make better choices in this area.

7. COACHABILITY – This has to do with our ability to receive, accept, and apply the coaching points from our coaches. The smartest players not only learn from the coach, but also from their teammates.

8. EMOTIONS – We must act our way into Feeling and not feeling a certain way before we act. Former University of North Carolina basketball coach, Dean Smith said: “You can act yourself into a new way of thinking more easily than you can think yourself into a new way of acting.”

9. COMMUNICATION – Positive, assertive, and clear communication is not only something we can control, but will also give us and our team an edge…on and off the softball field.

10. BODY LANGUAGE – While this is a part of communication, it is actually the most visible and easiest thing we can change. If we walk out with confident body language and remain that way under pressure situations, it will send a clear and powerful message to our teammates, our coach, and our opponents.

So we encourage everyone to concentrate on the controllables. It will enable us to reach higher levels in all walks of life, as well as on the softball field.

Difficult times are opportunity for growth, patience

Part two in a series

When times are tough, we need optimism, empathy, gratitude and compassion more than ever. We need to actively give it. We need to openly receive it. We need support. And we need to give support. We all are in this together.

Experts in human behavior say these are times to seek silver linings, learn patience and be grateful.

Sports psychologist Jana Dean works directly with a number of athletic programs — and students — in Washington. She shared recently with Bend High School softball coach Tom Mauldin some things she is doing with student athletes during this difficult time.

She says it is a great time — albeit it difficult — to be patient with ourselves, make plan, learn and grow. Be appreciative of what we have and not focus on what we don’t have.

Dean offers some suggestions for navigating through this unknown time we are facing:

1. Make a plan and utilize this time to stay with it as it will help us get through this time of uncertainty. What are the things that motivate us? What are the things we can do to make us better on and off the field;

2. Keep a journal and write two things in it each day — one for which we are thankful. Then share with our teammates practicing gratitude;

3. Do a Vision Board and share with team … Team Togetherness. She says the Vision Board can focus on team, pictures, comments, etc.

She notes these are just three things (that are not overly-time consuming) that will offer us opportunities to grow, cope and heal.

“Seems like a silver lining. I like the journal,” said coach Mauldin. “Writing is healthy for me, and yes, this is a difficult time for all of us.

“The vision board is a good idea as well. We just completed a team poster and it has been sent to the printer. I called it my vision board and awesome is how I would describe it,” said Mauldin.

Keep reading

Author Al Steine says there are very few things we can control and understanding that can help us grow so very much. He talks about the “controllables” we have. And again, there are very few.

That’s one of the wonderful things about sports teams and competitive athletics. They help us to learn to control what we CAN control.

Yes, more of controlling the controllables. They are much easier to experience and coach on a diamond where you run the bases with left turns.

Steine notes that we can only control our ATTITUDE and our EFFORT. These are the two things that enable us to improve our passions be they sports, painting, writing, constructing, etc.

And in this time filled with unknown consequences, we need all the best attitude and effort we can muster. It is anything but a time of being a couch potato or vegging.

We can dictate our mindset, enthusiasm, and preparation (vital ingredients in performance), but they are simply another form of effort/energy and attitude.

Steine adds, spending our time, focus, and energy on things outside of our control is simply a poor use of resources. You literally have zero control over your teacher, coach, classmates, teammates or friends. Zero.

In summary, why would we waste our mental, emotional, and physical currency on something we have zero control over, instead of investing into the two things we CAN control?

“You can absolutely impact and influence many of the events and people in your life, but you do not control their behavior, their decisions, or the outcome,” said Steine.

“We don’t control what other people do or say, but we do control how we respond and react to what they do or say.”

Learning how to control the controllables is imperative to maximizing performance regardless of our passions. This isn’t about softball, but about life … being a teammate whether it be a work place, a classroom or as a teammate.

One of the primary separators between a good softball player and a great softball player is this ability to focus on their own effort and attitude.

Steine says “average players worry about what their coach is doing, what their teammates are doing, what their opponent is doing, even what the umpire is doing. Great players process feedback from each of those domains, but focus solely on giving their best effort and having a productive and empowering attitude during every play.

“It’s a ‘NEXT PITCH’ belief,” said Mauldin. “We get to the next pitch because we control our attitude, emotions, energy, effort …etc. We can not dwell on what happened — it’s over. Grow from it … prepare for the next opportunity. And find those silver linings.”

Enjoy, learn and grow. And watch your performance improve on and off the field.

Controlling the controllables

Part one of a series …

There is one thing that every softball has to master throughout her career – focusing on what is in her own control instead of what is not. We call this controlling the controllable and it is a lesson of mental toughness we can learn.

Every softball player will have to face situations in which there are factors that are not ideal and are out of her control. However, it is how a softball player overcomes these hurdles by focusing on what she can control that separates a good softball player from a great softball player.

It’s one of the many things softball competition teaches us be it game day, team practice or individual practice. These are things we will be able to apply in our daily lives.

Controlling the controllable is not easy because sports involves so many things that are beyond our control. Weather, health, umpires, field playing conditions, the opposing team, the crowd are examples of things we can not control.

We have zero control over what happens in life, but we have 100 percent control in how we respond.

But we can control some things.

We can control the amount of practice that we have put in to our sport in preparation for this very moment. We can control how we readied ourselves to perform. Our pride and passion are things we can control.

And most importantly, we can control our attitude and mentality in the moment. We can control what we can produce, which is our best effort.

If you’re a pitcher, you can’t control when an umpire tells you that the drop ball that you placed perfectly at the batters’ knees is ball four. But you can control how you react and what your attitude towards the next batter is going to be.

You can control your attitude and effort on the NEXT PITCH. Your focus will enable you to be prepared.

If you’re being interviewed for a job, you can’t control the interviewer’s questions. But you can control how you present yourself and the first impression that you give the interviewer.

We can’t control what other people do or say, but we do control how we respond and react.

Learning how to control the controllables is imperative to maximizing performance. Therefore, choose responses that empower you, move you forward, and improve your situation.

It’s worth repeating — every softball player will have to face situations in which there are factors that are out of her control. However, it is how a softball player overcomes these hurdles by focusing on what she can control that separates a good softball player from a great softball player.

TIPS on Building Confidence …

1. Make a list of all the times you have succeeded at a game (i.e. best wins, practices, etc.). Confidence is all about what you focus on, so start focusing on all your successes. Athletes are often critical of themselves, but it’s really important to focus on their success lists. The physical list will help you recognize all the times you’ve succeeded, hit new milestones, or exceeded expectations. It will help you remember that you are a talented athlete, especially during uncertain or unfamiliar situations.

2. Make a list of elite players who do the same technique as you. If you’re favorite elite athlete approaches, throws or aims like you, then you know you’re doing it the right way. You won’t doubt your techniques if you recognize it’s the right way to execute your skills.

3. Improve your body language before games and practices. Find out what confidence looks like to you (everyone is different) and use that body language before/during practices and meets. Keep your head held high with a focused look on your face and, as a result, you will look more confident while feeling more confident.

4. Create a Confidence Anchor. This is more a psychological tip to help you feel more confident. When you feel confident or are performing well, do some physical gesture (i.e. hand clap, pump fist, etc.). Then, before your event, do your gesture to act like a prompt and remind you of all the times you’ve succeeded. This good old fashioned classical conditioning will help you feel more confident.

5. Visualize yourself succeeding. Try creating a vivid image in your head by using all 5 senses and lots of details. Don’t just visualize winning – visualize the whole process of your event like getting set, approaching the line, aiming and releasing the ball.

6. Make a list of your best qualities. This list should include all your best qualities while competing, from school, and life in general. Seeing all your best qualities and positive contributions will help you realize your worth as an athlete, student, and person.

7. Make a small goal every day that you can accomplish. Make an attainable goal every day and put all your efforts into achieving that goal. When you consistently achieve your smaller goals, you will feel more confident setting and accomplishing a larger, long-term goal in the future. As many elite athletes have stated, “The game has taught me that if you work really, really hard at perfecting the little things in your life, the big picture will come together.”

8. Create a highlight tape of yourself. Use this video and include all your best moments during your competition, practice, etc. When you watch the highlight video back, you’ll realize how talented you are and you’ll feel more confident in your abilities. You’ll be able to see yourself executing the correct techniques and dominating games.

9. Do something better than anyone you will compete against. Try to do one thing – like a small skill or technique – better than anyone else you compete with. Put all your effort into mastering this skill and you’ll definitely feel more confident in this skill in particular. Overall, you’ll feel more confident because you’ll have an “edge” on everyone else.

10. Do something other people aren’t doing. Whether it’s running, starting a nutrition program, going to bed early every night, daily mindset training, etc. When you are doing things that others aren’t willing to do consistently you will undoubtedly build confidence.

Tips for “breaking in” your glove

There are a lot of methods for breaking in your glove as well as many myths. And many of those methods are wrong, some irreversibly wrong.

The way we’ve done it over the years — with a lot of success — is to use leather oil on a leather glove. Not everyone is comfortable putting their glove in the oven … however, we are, but make sure you turn the oven off before putting your glove in it and for only 15 minutes!

We would suggest true leather oil, such as Neatsfoot oil.

Here you go:

Oil your glove. Use a small amount of glove oil applied with a sponge or cloth rag. Never put glove oil directly on the glove. It can be too concentrated at the point of application and can leave that spot soaked and heavier than you may want.

Note – you can also pour a small amount of hot water (170-180 degrees Fahrenheit) over any area of your new glove you want to make softer. We feel oil works MUCH better.

Put a softball partially in the pocket and web (tucked in tightly), fold the glove so the outside little finger folds slightly inside the thumb. And hold it together with a rubber band. Or two or three.

Do not be afraid to pound your glove to soften some of the harder leather areas. Pound the web as well to create a pocket where you want your glove to break. If you don’t have a mallet throw a ball into the pocket 40-50 or so times before the glove dries. Pounding the pocket also helps the glove conform to your hand for that perfect feel.

Heat your oven to 350 degrees. As soon as it hits 350, TURN IT OFF (this is a must).

Put your glove in the oven for 15 MINUTES ONLY (after it has been turned off). Then remove it from the oven. Leave the ball in the glove for several hours and let it cool, of course. Sometimes the rubber bands will break and you will need to put more around your glove to help if form.

Sometimes, it takes back-to-back days of preparation - depends on on how dry the glove is. In other words, you may have to do this process twice … 24 hours apart.

And, of course, play catch, play catch, play catch.

Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Use your glove a lot!

• Keep a ball wrapped in your glove at all times

• Only use oils and conditioners approved by the manufacturer

• Other than some form of leather oil, never use foreign substances on your glove (no vaseline, no olive oil)

• Never put your glove in the microwave

• Never leave your glove in the car

• Oil it at least once a season (once in spring, once in summer)