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

by H.A. Dorfman

A must-have book by acclaimed author and expert H.A. Dorfman that highlights the crucial mental components involved in hitting a baseball and playing the game, components that are as important, if not more so, than the intense physical regimen of an athlete."...helpful to hitters in little leagues or in the big leagues. The information is clear and to the point..." -- Charles Johnson, former catcher, Florida Marlins

Genres: Baseball

128 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2016

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

[Alyssa Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned a lot about the ways of hitting through this book. The author did I awesome job of describing all the steps needed. I will forever remember these steps when I'm up to bat and do my best to apply these steps when I'm in my game. I recommend this book to anyone who plays sports, mainly baseball and softball.

[Luke Bass · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a short, easy read that condensed many great hitting tips into lists that are easy to remember. I liked all of the stories that Dorfman used to apply his lessons to real-life situations. I would definitely recommend to other baseball players.

[Jason Orthman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy, quick read with some good practical advise around baseball batting. Some key lessons to apply for cricket batting too.

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! I read The Mental Game of Baseball: A Guide to Peak Performance a while back, and while looking into the author I discovered this book. Although The Mental Keys to Hitting has similarities (such as chapters on preparation and confidence), everything is presented in a fresh and novel way. Along with new material, Dorfman also provides ample anecdotes from his personal experience in mental coaching as well as evidence from interviews and quotes from countless MLB players.

Keep in mind that The Mental Game provides more theory and comprehensive information (337 pages) while this book, The Mental Keys to Hitting, is more focused, like a "handbook" (115 pages). I wholeheartedly recommend both.


My favorite chapters were Aggressiveness under Control:

They have the aggressiveness to go after it as soon as they see it. They have the control to wait until they see what they want...

and Approach, Result, Response:

"Approach, result, response: Approach, result, response. If you have a good approach and you get a bad result and you have a good response, what will you next approach be like?" I ask. Answer: good.
"If you have a good approach, get a bad result, and have a bad response - what happens to your next approach?" Most likely answer: bad.
...
The desired focus should be on the very things you can control, rather on than those things you cannot. It is your choice.

The only downside is that despite the new printing in 2016, the book appears to be unchanged (except for the forward) from when it was originally published in 2001. This means all players that are referenced come from 2001 and prior. Although this doesn't take away from the message, I've always wondered what it would be like hearing about the players I grew up with. This would make me rate this 4.5 stars, which rounds to 5.

Though I no longer play baseball, this book "can also be applied to one's life out of a baseball uniform" .

For those looking for more reviews of this book, check the web page for the 2001 edition: Here

[Huxley B.Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped me a lot with my mental game and my skills. I learned about what your mental approach should be and how you can get better. This book is a 9 out of 10 because I learned a ton and now my mental game is better, but I don’t give it a ten because some parts can be boring. Overall, I recommend this book if you want to get better at baseball and if you have a weak mental game.