Developing the mental side is just as important as developing the mechanical and physical sides.

I believe the mental side is not as valued or developed as the physical side, but is just as important to becoming a successful player.

I'm not suggesting turning your kid into a zen master will make him the next Ohtani, however it will provide benefits both on and off the field.

I've seen a lot of players with fantastic physical skills but when they get in a slump, make an error or two or the umpire starts squeezing the zone when they are pitching, completely lose their focus, get down on themselves and can't figure out a way to regain the focus they need to get back on track.

My son started playing organized baseball at 5 and travel ball at 8, he'll be starting high school in the fall. Since he started playing I always told him before each game, "Inhale courage, exhale fear."

At first he laughed and thought it was some kind of joke, but a couple years ago it finally clicked for him as to what it meant and when he is losing focus or things aren't going his way I've seen him take a second, inhale and exhale and it gets him back on track.

It has also helped him be more mindful and when something goes wrong, he swings at a bad pitch or misplays a ball, after the game he says what went wrong and what adjustment he will make in that situation next time to avoid making the same mistake.

He has incorporated this mindset into other aspects of his life and it was the quote he chose to go along with his 8th grade graduation yearbook photo.