Pro Blogs | Dojo MindsetTHE LATE INNINGS

Bottom of the seventh. Two outs. Runner on second. Your legs feel heavy, your mind is racing, and everything feels different than the first inning.

Welcome to late-inning baseball—where mental toughness separates champions from everyone else. In my time in baseball I learned this truth: the late innings don’t change the game—they reveal who you really are.

The Late-Inning Mind Trap

Most players think the stakes have changed, so they need to change their approach. This is exactly backwards.

The amateur mindset says:

• “This at-bat is bigger than the others”
• “I need to do something special here”
• “I can’t fail in this situation”

The Dojo mindset understands:

• “This is the same game I’ve been playing for seven innings”
• “My approach that got me here is what I trust now”
• “I can only control this one pitch”

The truth? The strike zone didn’t get smaller. The bat didn’t get heavier. The only thing that changed is what’s happening in your head.

The Late-Inning Reset Protocol

When pressure mounts, you need a systematic approach:

Step 1: Physical Reset (30 seconds)

• Four counts in through nose, hold for two, six counts out through mouth
• Body scan from feet to head, releasing tension
• Drop shoulders, soften grip, establish athletic position

Step 2: Mental Refocus (15 seconds)

• Zoom focus down to this one pitch
• Set clear intent: What pitch? Where in the zone?
• Trust statement: “I’ve done this thousands of times. I belong here.”

Step 3: Competitive Engagement (5 seconds)

• Flip from “don’t fail” to “let’s compete”
• Present moment: This pitch is the only one that matters

The Champion’s Mindset

The best late-inning performers I played with or coached treated pressure like fuel instead of burden. They understood that adrenaline gives you superpowers—if you know how to channel it.

Most importantly, they remembered: You don’t get to this moment by accident. You’ve earned the right to be here.

Every practice swing, every mental rep has prepared you for this exact situation. Trust that preparation.

The Dojo Truth

Late-inning performance isn’t about talent—it’s about training your mind to stay present, stay process-focused, and stay competitive when everything around you is telling you to panic.

The game doesn’t change in the late innings, however our perception does due to the stakes. Remember this is your opportunity to show you’re ability to control your thoughts, focus, and execute.

When the game gets real, make sure your mindset is ready. Train with stakes. Train with pressure….and relish in it.