People can’t know for certain what you’re thinking. Your internal world is your own, unless you choose to share it. Sometimes, however, it’s shared without the intention without a word being spoken. Your body often gives pretty clear hints of what is going on inside your head. A hitter would never think of revealing his frustration, confusion, or lack of confidence by speaking of it to an opponent. But his body can send the message without a word being said. We all recognize body signals. So even if you feel vulnerable, act invulnerable. It’s a tough act, to be sure. But the more you’re aware of the messages you give off when you shake your head after a bad call by the umpire, or drop your shoulders after a swing and a miss, or rage after an inside pitch knocks you off or the plate-or drag a defeated-looking hitter up to the plate, the better chance you have of fixing that tendency -and acting like an effective competitor.
Says Clint Hurdle, Colorado Rockies hitting coach, “I firmly to believe that a lot of at-bats are determined before you get in the box. I firmly believe you can empower a pitcher at times by your body language and how you react to certain situations …Don’t to let them see you sweat. Don’t let them think you’re bothered…”