The Hardest Skill to Teach—And Why It Matters Most

When most people think of baseball, they think of mechanics—bat speed, footwork, release angles. And those matter. But after years of playing and coaching, I can tell you this: the hardest skill to teach isn’t any of those.

It’s mental toughness.

And it’s also the most important.

Here’s why.

I was at the plate in a high-stakes moment—bases loaded, the kind of situation you dream about as a kid. I got the pitch I wanted and crushed it. The ball sailed deep, cleared the fence easily. Four runs. The crowd erupted.

Then the umpire’s hands went up. Foul ball. Just like that, what should have been a grand slam was erased.

In that moment, I had two choices:

1. Let frustration take over, replaying the call in my head.

2. Take a deep breath, block it out, and get back to work.

I chose the second. I reset my focus, stepped back into the box, and drove the next pitch into the gap for a bases-clearing triple.

That moment didn’t come from raw talent—it came from preparation, discipline, and a decision I had made long before that game: no matter what happens, I will not lose my composure.

That’s what mental toughness looks like. It’s not about pretending bad calls or bad breaks don’t sting. They do. But it’s about recovering in seconds, not innings. It’s the ability to stay level when the game, the crowd, and even your own emotions are trying to pull you out of rhythm.

It’s why I work with my athletes on more than just swings and throws. We train responses. We talk about body language. We practice breathing. We prepare for adversity before it happens, so when it does, they already know how they’ll respond.

Because in baseball—and in life—you can’t control every call, every bounce, or every break. But you can control your reaction. And the players who master that? They’re the ones who rise when the pressure’s highest.