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

by H.A. Dorfman

This is the third book in the popular series by H.A. Dorfman. It outlines the mental discipline and practices necessary to become a better hitter.

Genres: Sports, Baseball

129 pages, Paperback

First published May 16, 2001

About the author

Harvey A. Dorfman (May 21, 1935 – February 28, 2011) was best known as an mental skills/sports psychology coach who worked in education and psychology as a teacher, counselor, coach, and consultant. Prior to starting a business as a mental skills coach, he lived in Manchester, Vermont. He also wrote for a local paper, taught English, and coached basketball at Burr and Burton Semi­nary (now Academy). He earned World Series Championship rings by serving as a mental skills coach for the 1989 Oakland A's and the 1997 Florida Marlins. In 1999, Dorfman became a full-time consultant teaching the skills of sport psychology and staff development for the Scott Boras Corporation, an agency that represents professional baseball players. He also worked as a freelance journalist and lectured at major universities and corporations on psychlogy, self-enhancement, management strategies, and leadership training. Through his books and his teaching experience, he helped thousands of people get more of what they wanted from life through his tough love and clear insight. Some baseball greats give him credit for their success in life as well as in baseball. He died on February 28, 2011

Reviews

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only reason this book isn't a "Five Star" is that Dorfman's previous work "The Mental Game" is more complete.

This book is about so much more than baseball. The subtitle is "A Handbook of Strategies for Performance Enhancement" and these lessons are applicable anywhere. Recommended for high school and up.

[Robert Arcaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight

No I do not want to write a review
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[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent guidance.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book with lots of good tips that apply not only to hitting but life in general. Planning to employ some of Harvey’s tips in my hitting approach, will see how I go. See the ball; be easy!

[Aaron Barnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet. Some great takeaways about focus, pressure, and performance that apply to more than hitting and more to baseball in general

[William Dury · Rating 3 out of 5]

Handy little guide to the mental aspects of sports performance. The idea that caught my attention was his maxim to think “process” not “results.” He explains that major league hitters have to have the discipline, trust and self confidence to remain composed when hitting in bad luck, i.e., line drives at defenders. Stay disciplined, relax, keep hitting the ball hard and and things will work out. As a golfer I know you can hit good putts and sometimes they just don’t go in. Just relax, hit good putts and eventually they go in. Really.

Mr. Dorfman quotes some unlikely sources for a sports book, including Ruskin, Disraeli and Andre Gide. My favorite comes from Walt Weiss: “If you want a guarantee, go buy a toaster.”

Very good book.

[Johnny Stafford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, quick read. The advice extends well beyond baseball.

[Bryce Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dorfman offers a strategically exampled book of the mental approach to hitting. With all the statistics of players throughout baseball's history, he compares his points and is able to back it up with the results of many different players.

[Matthew Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a good book. It teaches you techniques to become a better hitter. Each chapter takes you through a step of hitting. If you play baseball this book could help you.