Pre Game Rituals

[tyberesk]

What do you guys usually do to pass time on a game day. Sometimes the day just takes forever.

I usually get nervous before a big game...nap usually does the trick. Id like to know what some of you guys do as pre game rituals too.

[Riverdog]

Rule #1 - don't watch another game. I learned this from a sports psychologist. He says that if you watch a game you will burn energy because your body will subconsciously try to make some of the moves.
Big games will always make you nervous. Everybody treats it differently. I played with alot of different guys and they all had their own thing. Some sleep, some wander, some read, and some play cards.
I was a pitcher so I spent some of my time thinking about the other hitters. Some times I would watch a movie.
The big thing I found for most guys was that about 2 hours before the game, the focus became about the game. At that time we became a group and started working towards being game ready.

[tadlock11]

Good topic, hopefully we can get our pro player Hidden Gem to weigh in on this one as I'd be curious about what they do at the MLB level (besides BP).
I'm sure that there would be a huge variation at different levels. As a LL coach, we have the players show up to the game about 30 minutes early to loosen up, then since we don't have a chance for a full BP we go to the outfield and hit pickleballs.

[Sultan_1895-1948]

Good topic, hopefully we can get our pro player Hidden Gem to weigh in on this one as I'd be curious about what they do at the MLB level (besides BP).

I'm guessing about 2 hours before game time, he pushes pause on the MVP 2005 Xbox game, goes and hits a round in the batting cage, comes back and and plays some more Xbox if nobody else has grabbed the controller. If they have, he probably just grabs a beer and heads for the ping pong table. :D jk HG

[Big_Mac]

Personally, I just relax, hang out with some buddies or teammates and play cards or something and try not to think about the game too much. I believe you play better if you are relaxed and if your just having fun. Obviusly once you step in the plate or your on the mound, things become very serious but I just relax and treat it likeny other day. Our team usually will show up 1 1/2 before the game for warm-up and even during BP or streching we joke around and try to stay loose. Maybe this isn't the best way to approach things though.

[Gashouse6]

I like to listen to music and relax before my games. We come to the field about an hour before the game, and I get serious then. After I warm up and everything, I sit on the bench and get focused for the game.

[XFactor]

I (if I'm pitching that day) think about what my plan is going to be. What do I want to throw, give myself a little pep talk (ex. We can do this, lets kick butt, etc...), inject a few steroids, and a way I go! Sure I'll get somewhat nervous, but by the time I get to the ball park it's game time. The nervousness turns to excitement, the steroids build the rage, it's so fun.

Now when I'm not pitching, I just pretty much treat it like any other day, I don't really think toooo much about the game, not until maybe a few hours, then I'll start to focus, again inject steroids, get a little nervous, but by the time I get to the park I'm usually excited and ready to go :)

[Gashouse6]

I (if I'm pitching that day) think about what my plan is going to be. What do I want to throw, give myself a little pep talk (ex. We can do this, lets kick butt, etc...), inject a few steroids, and a way I go! Sure I'll get somewhat nervous, but by the time I get to the ball park it's game time. The nervousness turns to excitement, the steroids build the rage, it's so fun.

Now when I'm not pitching, I just pretty much treat it like any other day, I don't really think toooo much about the game, not until maybe a few hours, then I'll start to focus, again inject steroids, get a little nervous, but by the time I get to the park I'm usually excited and ready to go :)

Wait, wait, wait. Steroids or arthritis cream?

[XFactor]

Ahh yeah, I'm sorry... it's arthritis cream.. oh and some of those red pills too.

[tyberesk]

Gotta love the ibuprofen. Those little red pills can sure come in handy.

[Trot2millah]

Hmm.... I'd say just envision success. Put any negative thoughts out of your mind, just think "I own this game. I can hit anything, strike out anyone, and field any ball. I am ready." If you think you can do it, you can. But that also has to go along with hard work and practice. If you are ready physically, you are ready to be ready mentally too.