I’m going to be away from the computer all day, hopefully back for game time tonight. I say hopefully, but the way they are playing I’m not sure that’s the right word.
So let’s have an open thread to pass the day away. Normal rules, can talk on anything Jays related or not Jays related.
We could talk about slumps, but I have no idea why they happen. I don’t know how you get out of them. I’ve played enough sports, not at that level of course, but I know what it is like to suddenly not be able to play at the level you expect.
My usual thing is to repeat the line from Bull Durham, “Don’t think, it hurts the team”.
If it is tennis, and I’m not playing well, it is usually because I leave my game and start aiming. Others can drop those shot right where they want to, why not me? When I catch on that’s what I’m doing, I start with the ‘don’t think, hit the ball down the middle’. I aim for the middle of the court.
The nice pro who gives me a lesson every two or three months, tells me my game is to hit the ball back. That’s my game. Hit the ball back one more time, than the other person does. He says I move well, and hit the ball in the middle of the racket more than most.
The other thing the pro had me do, which I have trouble with, is not being to hard on myself for a bad shot. I get fifteen seconds to scold myself over a bad shot and then I have to let it go. The point is not to tell yourself you are bad, that there are two parts to your brain, one side says ‘that was a bad shot’, the other said takes that and says that is because you are a bad player, and that’s a bad cycle.
I think the guys are thinking to much at the plate. I think you have to clear your mind.
But I’m sure the coaches know more than I do. And it is, of course, more complicated that I think it is. Major league baseball is somewhat different than club level tennis.
Anyway, use the thread to discuss what ever you would like. Maybe the Belgium win over the US yesterday. I’m going to be sad when the World Cup is over.
Or maybe you want to wish Ringo Starr a happy 86th anniversary. He looks amazing for his age, though I think the black black hair is a little much, but that’s up to him. Anyway, Happy Birthday Ringo, Peace and Love.
