Hey there,

I’ve got a quick story for you.

Last weekend, I was coaching a 13U game. One of the teams in the tournament had some seriously talented kids. Big arms, good swings, looked the part. But every time something didn’t go their way; a borderline call, a bloop single, a teammate making an error, you could see them check out. Heads dropped. Body language went south. Communication stopped. Focus vanished.

And like clockwork… things unraveled.

It reminded me of something I see all the time at the youth level:
Most kids (and let’s be honest, a lot of adults too) don’t realize how much focus and mental toughness in youth baseball the game actually demands.

Not just in the “I’m paying attention” kind of way…
But in the every pitch, every play, every moment kind of way.

The Problem: Too Many Kids Are Zoning Out

Let’s call it what it is.

Most young players lose focus way too easily.
And it’s costing them more than just a play or two.

In baseball, we only have a handful of opportunities in a game.
If your head isn’t in it for one of those chances…
That could be your only shot to make an impact.

Think about it:
You might get three at-bats in a game.
You might get two or three balls hit your way.
You might make four or five throws.

Now here’s where it gets real:

Kids today are growing up in a world that’s conditioning them for distraction.

Smartphones.
Tablets.
Endless YouTube rabbit holes.
Quick-hit dopamine from TikTok and Snapchat.

It’s been my experience that the average attention span in kids has been steadily declining. In fact, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA Pediatrics) supports that. JAMA found that children who spent more time on digital media were significantly more likely to develop symptoms of attention disorders like ADHD. Another study from Microsoft found that the average human attention span dropped from 12 seconds in 2000 to just 8 seconds by 2015. That’s shorter than a goldfish!

Why It Matters

Baseball is different from other sports.
It’s slower… but it’s also way harder to stay locked in.

There’s time between pitches.
There’s time between plays.
There’s even time between innings.

That “downtime” is where focus goes to die.

And when you lose focus:

• You miss signs

• You make mental mistakes

• You hesitate on balls you should’ve attacked

• You fall behind in counts

• You give away at-bats

At the youth level, I’ve seen more games lost because of mental sloppiness than because of talent.

The Fix: 3 Ways to Train Focus Like a Skill

Here’s the good news: focus is a skill. Just like hitting, throwing, or blocking a ball in the dirt, it can be trained. Here’s how:

Many coaches and organizations, like the Positive Coaching Alliance, emphasize the importance of building mental toughness through positive and intentional coaching.

1. Have a Between-Pitch Routine

Every good player has one. And no, it doesn’t need to be complicated.

In the field, it might look like:

• Adjust your hat

• Step into your ready position

• Take a breath

• Tell yourself what you’ll do if the ball is hit to you (pre pitch preparation)

At the plate, it might be:

• Step out

• Deep breath

• Glance at the third-base coach

• One swing thought (like “get a good pitch and put a good swing on it”)

These little habits keep your brain engaged pitch-to-pitch. They also reset your mind after a mistake.

2. Watch the Game When You’re Not in It

You want to know one of the easiest ways to get better? Pay attention when you’re not playing.

If you’re on the bench, watch:

• Pitch location

• The umpire’s strike zone

• If the pitcher’s tipping pitches

• How hitters are approaching certain counts

This isn’t just baseball nerd stuff.
It’s how players go from average to savvy.

Savvy wins games!

3. Treat Practice Like a Game

I know, I know. Everyone says this.
But here’s what it really means:

When you’re doing a drill; lock in!
Pretend you only get one rep. Because in the game… you probably do.

If you’re shagging in BP, actually read balls off the bat like it’s a game.
If you’re running through cuts and relays, talk like it’s the 7th inning.

Bring intention to the small stuff, and the big moments get easier.

Why This Matters

Learning how to stay locked in — and building focus and mental toughness in youth baseball — is a true separator.

It’s what makes a good player great, and a great player consistent.

It’s how you stand out to coaches.
It’s how you earn more reps, more trust, and more opportunity.

I’ve coached a lot of teams, trained a lot of athletes, and seen a ton of games. The players who “get it” mentally; not just with knowledge, but with focus, are the ones who level up faster than anyone else.

They make fewer mistakes.

They bounce back quicker.
They show up when it matters.

Joey Wolfe
Owner, Paradigm Sport

That’s what I want for you.

Talk soon,

PS: Want to work on your focus, compete, and train with intention in a high-energy, athlete-driven environment?

We’re offering 1 FREE week of unlimited Performance Training so you can see what it’s all about.

Come sweat, compete, and grow with us.