The Mental Keys to Hitting: A Handbook of Strategies for Performance Enhancement [Paperback]

H. A. Dorfman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 16, 2001

Here is the third book in the classic series by H.A. Dorfman, this one outlining the mental discipline and practices needed to be a better hitter.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...helpful to hitters in little leagues or in the big leagues. The information is clear and to the point..." -- Charles Johnson, catcher, Florida Marlins

"...promotes and focuses on a consistent and effective approach to hitting and the game of baseball. Not on the result." -- Merv Rettenmund, hitting coach, Atlanta Braves

"He is to the athletic psyche what Harvey Penick was to the golf swing..." -- Jeremy Schaap, ESPN national correspondent, host of "Classic Sports Reporters" on ESPN Classic

About the Author

Harvey A. Dorfman’s background has been in education: as a teacher, counselor, coach, and consultant. He has a Master’s Degree in Communications/Psychology and is most knowledgeable about baseball and the factors necessary for success in the game. He was employed from 1984 through 1994 with the Florida Marlins. He joined the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the same capacity in 1998. In 1999 Dorfman became a full-time sport psychology consultant for the Scott Boras Corporation. He lectures extensively on sports psychology, management, leadership training, and personal development. He has, as well, been a consultant to the Vancouver Canucks and the New York Islanders of the NHL, and to a number of major universities. In addition, he has experience as a newspaper columnist and freelance journalist, writing for The New York Times, Boston Globe, and Miami Herald, among others. In 1989, his first book, The Mental Game of Baseball: A Guide to Peak Performance, co-authored with Karl Kuehl, was released. Published by Diamond Communications, Inc., this bestselling book is considered to be the classic guide to developing the mental mechanics of the game. In 2000, Dorfman’s The Mental ABC’s of Pitching: A Handbook for Performance Enhancement, was released, also by Diamond Communications, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 115 pages
• Publisher: Taylor Trade Publishing (May 16, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1888698381
• ISBN-13: 978-1888698381
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #31,518 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #10 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Coaching > Baseball
  • #20 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Miscellaneous > Sports Psychology
  • #23 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Miscellaneous > Reference

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Youth Coach's Hitting Manual. SEE THE BALL., June 11, 2001

By 

Hanie E. Cole III "HC3" (Chocowinity, North Carolina United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Mental Keys to Hitting: A Handbook of Strategies for Performance Enhancement (Paperback)

The Mental Keys to Hitting is the Greatest most user friendly baseball coach's book ever. I thought the mental aspects of Seeing the ball were extremely effective. Most readers reading this review might think that every player is seeing the ball properly. Players do not see the ball as well as they should because they have never been taught the proper mind set of seeing the ball.Coaching hitters to see the ball is one of the most important things a coach can teach his players.This is absolutely not coached at any level of youth baseball. Mr. Dorfman does an excellent job of explaning this simple but often overlooked method of batting. I have bought The Mental Game of Baseball, The Mental Game of Pitching, and The Mental Keys to hitting. These three books are the TOP Three baseball coaching books ever written. I highly recommend this book and the other two books by Mr. Dorfman. This book will teach you the coach how to apply these mental princples to help you to effectively coach your youth league baseball team.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Track It and Whack It!, June 2, 2008

By 

S. Regis (Glendora, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Mental Keys to Hitting: A Handbook of Strategies for Performance Enhancement (Paperback)

The first chapter, about seeing the ball, makes this book worthwhile for anybody. The author makes a good point about hitters worrying too much over minor mechanical details when tracking the ball is so important.

Having said that, this book is about the mental aspects of hitting and assumes that you already have decent mechanics. If you are a high school level player or beyond, there will be useful information here.

If you're a coach of youth teams, reading this book will help you better coach your hitters. There arent many specific swing techniques, but the book is full of advice from the mental aspect of the game. Similarly, there arent many detailed practice plans, but rather a good discussion of attitudes and how to approach practice time. You, as the youth coach, should be using these mental techniques to help your young hitters cope and adjust.

Hitting a baseball is one of the most difficult things to do in sports. That requires both physical and mental skills to perform at peak capacity.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Turned My Game Around, August 2, 2006

By 

Robert Zimmerman - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mental Keys to Hitting: A Handbook of Strategies for Performance Enhancement (Paperback)

Until I read this book I was throwing helmets, tossing bats, and swearing after every at-bat. The Mental Keys to Hitting gave me confidence to go to the batter's box with a plan and execute to the best of my ability. A must-read for any player.