Inside The Dugout with The Pack
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Inside The Dugout with The Pack
Why Players Struggle in Games vs Practice — Baseball Coaching Q&A
Why does a team crush batting practice but struggle at the plate when the lights come on?
Why do players lose focus in the final innings after battling so hard early?
In this Q&A kickoff episode of Inside the Dugout with Pack, Coach Jason Taylor (JT), Larry Martinez, and moderator Campbell Taylor tackle the questions coaches and parents face every season. From building swagger to handling distractions, they reveal the mental and cultural keys that separate contenders from pretenders.
Timestamps
[00:00–00:30] Intro — Coach JT welcomes listeners, explains Q&A purpose, and stresses community value
[01:37] Campbell introduces the first question
[01:55] Q1: Why does my team hit well in practice but struggle in games?
[03:45] Confidence, swagger, and mental approach at the plate
[06:17] Swagger drill: building confidence through mirrors and body language
[07:53] Creating trust, fun, and family culture inside the Pack
[11:47] Uniform pride and how it fuels swagger and intimidation
[12:21] Campbell on connecting personally with players to strengthen team culture
[13:22] Q2: Why does my team lose focus late in games?
[14:43] The phone problem: attention spans, TikTok, and retraining focus
[17:27] Handling distractions: homecoming, fantasy football, and school stress
[20:53] Reset drill: leaving personal problems outside the dugout line
[22:09] Crossing the line: shifting fully into athlete mindset
[23:04] Campbell on club teams, focus, and attendance challenges
[24:34] Player contracts, team goals, and accountability as culture builders
[27:13] Campbell delivers a live motivational huddle speech demo
[29:09] Coaches react: hitting the heartstrings and building buy-in
Quotes:
- “Practice like you play. Muscle memory only works if practice looks like the game.”
- “Swagger isn’t cocky—it’s belief in yourself and your teammates.”
- “If kids scroll TikTok for 9 hours, their focus span is 30 seconds. Coaches must retrain it for 7 innings.”
- “Crossing the line means leaving school, phones, and stress behind—on the field, it’s only baseball or softball.”
- “Accountability starts with buy-in. When the team commits to the same goal, distractions fade.”
Key Takeaways
• Simulate game-like pressure in practice to improve performance under lights.
• Build confidence and swagger with rituals, appearance, and trust-building drills.
• Combat late-game collapses by addressing focus habits and distractions.
• Use player contracts and clear goals to create accountability and commitment.
• Foster a family-like culture where players support and believe in one another.