The following is something I came up with for my Legion players so they could see just how much mental errors make a difference in a game.

I have it on a clipboard and I put it up in the dugout by the gate so they will see it as they will go out on the field. Believe it or not, it has worked extremely well. They see this and become more focused the second they walk out on the field.

Mental errors are more expensive than you think.

  1. Mental errors can cause you lack of concentration.
  2. Mental errors can cause your teammates lack of concentration.
  3. Mental errors can cost your team a run.
  4. Mental errors will cost your team the game.
  5. Mental errors can lose a run for your team.
  6. Mental errors can cause lack of trust from your teammates.
  7. Mental errors will cost your team the game.
  8. Mental errors can cause lack of trust from your coaches.
  9. Mental errors can cost you playing time.
  10. Mental errors will cost your team the game.
  11. Mental errors sometimes never go away.
  12. Mental errors will not go away if you continue to think about them.
  13. Mental errors will cost your team the game.
  14. Mental errors will make you look funny.
  15. Mental errors will make the other team laugh at you.
  16. Mental errors will make the other team think you are a push-over.
  17. Mental errors will cost your team the game.
  18. Mental errors do not have to be made.
  19. Mental errors can be avoided with proper pre-game preparation.
  20. Mental errors will cost your team the game.
  21. Mental errors will be punished.
  22. Mental errors will cost your team the game.
  23. Do not be the victim of a mental error!!!!

Chad McFarland is an assistant baseball coach at Riley County High School and has been the head coach of the Dick Edwards 18-and-under American Legion team in Manhattan, Kansas. McFarland, who played Legion ball in his hometown of Winfield, graduated from Kansas State University.