Category: September 2019

How Sleep Impacts Performance

There is a lot on your plate and we get it. 

Most people understand that sleep plays a powerful role in their overall well-being, but few give it it’s due when it comes to being ready to play your best on game day. In fact, studies have shown that sleep is equally important to hydration, mental toughness, physical conditioning, and nutrition. Here are a few areas of your baseball/softball performance that are impacted by sleep:

Accuracy

Accuracy is vital to all sports, including baseball and softball, and it may come as no surprise that accuracy is affected by sleep. A recent study of Stanford University basketball players took accuracy results both after regular sleep schedules and then with 10 hours of sleep per night. Athletes saw noticeable improvements in accuracy and speed with 10 hours of sleep.

Injury

Injuries increase when less sleep is involved, and a study by the University of California confirmed this. They showed that risk of injury increased if the athlete got less than 6 hours of sleep at night, plus less sleep means less time for your body to use sleep for regeneration and healing. Sleeplessness also contributes to a weakened immune system, which impacts play as well.

Problem Solving

Try making a decision with a little sleep deprivation involved and it’s hard. Reaction times are slower and the cognitive processes are too. Getting ample sleep means a sharper mind come gameday.

Shorter Career

Not many of our athletes are going to make a career in baseball or softball, but a study of major league baseball players found that not getting enough sleep was directly correlated to shorter careers in the MLB. Just another indicator that you’re not your best when you’re fatigued, and a marker athletes at all levels should pay attention to.

At D-BAT, we care about developing the whole player. Come see us to learn more about how to be play your best on gameday at one of our ongoing clinics (clinic specifics vary by location). It’s just one of the ways we strive to be the best baseball and softball training facility in the country! Find the location nearest you HERE!

Mistakes Batter’s Make When Up Against a 2-Strike Count

Batting with a 2-strike count can be unnerving. At D-BAT, we get it. We know the pressure you feel when you’re in the box, and we want to help your mental toughness to get over the hump and be more successful when the 2-strike count is upon you.

We’ve coached a lot of players over the years, and here are 4 common mistakes we see players make over and over:

Mistake #1: Not Swinging

With 2 strikes, you’ve got to swing! Swing hard and aggressively at anything that’s close, and if it goes foul, it’s no big deal. A foul ball keeps you in the count and gives you the opportunity to nail the perfect pitch.

Mistake #2: Swinging Too Softly

As we said earlier, you’ve got to swing hard every time! Hitting it too softly could result in a weak grounder that is easily fielded. Also, don’t forget to swing through as you make contact.

Mistake #3: Getting Down on Yourself Because you Struck Out

We must rethink the way we think about strikeouts. Cade Griffis – founder of D-BAT and former scout for the Chicago White Sox/former player for the Kansas City Royals – says the following about strikeouts: “I don’t judge a kid (any worse) who goes 1-for-3 and strikes out twice. It’s the same thing if he goes 1-for-3 and hits two weak ground balls to the pitcher. An out is an out. I think we create outs because we put too much emphasis on the strikeout, and we get them out of their comfort zone.”

Mistake #4: Ignoring Cues Around You

When you’re batting, let all your senses in on the action because you might be surprised what you can hear or see that will tip you off. Listen for cues from the coach and watch the wind-up of the pitcher. If a coach yells, “be smart!” then the pitcher might be playing it safe with his pitch.

Want to run batting practice with the best? Schedule private batting lessons at D-BAT – the best baseball training facility in the country. Find the location closest to you HERE!