Rob Cleavinger

[Pitching Coach "U" @PitchingCoachU]

1. Learn to handle failure

Every player faces adversity at some point.

The only question is what will your response be?

A mature player thinks logically, not emotionally.

A mature player looks for areas to improve, not excuses for why they’re struggling.

2. Learn to handle success

Are you satisfied when you have success?

Does your work ethic diminish?

A mentally strong player is consistent with their process and work regardless of success.

3. Be disciplined in the classroom

You might not think the classroom has anything to do with baseball, but it does.

The classroom is where you practice discipline.

Are you going to procrastinate on that assignment?

Are you going to give half the effort your teacher expects?

Are you showing up late to class?

There are things in baseball, school and life that you don’t always feel motivated to do.

But they still need to be done. And done well.

4. Overcome limbic friction

What this is, is doing things you don’t always feel like doing.

The more you do this, the more disciplined you become at doing hard things.

I promise you, there are many things even in baseball you won’t always want to do.

Your drive needs to be greater than your motivation.

5. Learn from others

There are books, podcasts, and videos are great resources for developing skills on the mental game.

2 of my favorite books are:

1. The Mental ABC’s of Pitching

2. Mental Toughness: Baseball’s Winning Edge

David Goggins is another great resource for learning about mental toughness.

RECAP

5 keys to improving your mental game:

1. Learn to handle failure
2. Learn to handle success
3. Be disciplined in the classroom
4. Overcome limbic friction
5. Learn from others

Mental toughness is built by your everyday decisions.

[Jack Barry @jacthlete]

The hunter spends his time preparing mentally, physically and spiritually to conquer his prey.

Cam Hanes talks about how everything he does is in the support of being the best bow hunter in the world, and it’s the same in the animal kingdom.

[Durham Bulls @DurhamBulls]

Happy Birthday to the great Kevin Costner!

When we speak of him, we speak well

[Greg Berge @GregBerge]

Why do some sports parents sit alone?

- No Drama
- No Complaining
- They do not like Hearing Ignorance.
- No Badmouthing Coaches & Officials.
- They often just want to relax & Enjoy the Game!

Be a part of the solution.

Not the problem.

[Amy Cleavinger @amynoelle222]

Blessed with this amazing human 29 years ago today 💙 We love you kid!! Happy Birthday!!! 🥳 @Cleavinger14

[Amy Cleavinger @amynoelle222]

“Baseball may be a religion full of magic, cosmic truth, and the fundamental ontological riddles of our time, but it’s also a job.” - Annie Savoy, “Bull Durham” ⚾️

Back to work, kid!! Happy Opening Day! We 💙 you so much!!

[The Builders, a chapter of the AGC @BuildersAssocKC]

Today marks National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. We forever honor the sacrifices made.
#PearlHarbor #PearlHarbor81

[Ty Hudson @TyHudson83]

Every kid in across this nation of ours needs to hear to this

[Reformed Sports Project @ReformedSptProj]

When you see a sports parent sitting by themselves (away from everyone else) at one of their kid’s games it’s usually not because they’re being antisocial. It’s usually because they’re trying to stay away from knucklehead parents that are being obnoxious driving everyone nuts!

[Jon Gordon @JonGordon11]

You have a choice today. You can complain about things you can't control or you can control what you can control and let go of what you can't. You can focus on your problems or focus on getting better. You can look for an excuse or you can look within and find your best.

[Raymond @RaysRaymond]

look at this group of playoff-bound beauties😮‍💨🫡

[BaseballHistoryNut @nut_history]

How efficient was Greg Maddux? He threw 3.3 pitches per plate appearance over the course of his career.

[Jay Uhlman @jezk1010]

Magical day….#RollWave

[Rob Cleavinger @Lions87]

@willybeamish81 @CrinkleCuck @BlakeHarrisTBLA Believe me I understand more than you know.

[Rob Cleavinger @Lions87]

@BreMoran1 Very cool. Grow up

[Rob Cleavinger @Lions87]

@xWolfSzn @juanctoribio Very cool. I hope your kids are successful.

[Rob Cleavinger @Lions87]

@willybeamish81 @x4viertroll Threat are not cool. Grow up.

[Rob Cleavinger @Lions87]

@xWolfSzn @juanctoribio Will do. You ever play anything but, PlayStation. Doubt it. Grow up loser.

[Rob Cleavinger @Lions87]

@willybeamish81 @CrinkleCuck @BlakeHarrisTBLA I try to respect people for what they do and not judge. I know this is Twitter but, I love how so many people talk about things they never accomplished and rail on people for doing and trying to do things they were never good enough to do. No I do not have soft feelings.

[Rob Cleavinger @Lions87]

@dzclark98 Maybe we should call you up.