March 2025 | Issue 01
Welcome to the First Edition!
Dear Coaches, Players, and Parents,
Welcome to the inaugural issue of Catching Up with Rob Crews -the Newsletter! I'm excited to launch this monthly resource designed specifically for our community of softball and baseball enthusiasts who are committed to overall development not just better swings.
As many of you know, my coaching philosophy centers around the idea that we spend too much time on the technical aspects (the 20%) and not enough on the mental approach (the 80%). This newsletter aims to balance that equation by providing valuable insights for all aspects of player development.
In this first issue, we're highlighting our newest offer—the 80-20 Club—plus sharing some mental game tips, upcoming events, and a spotlight on one of our successful athletes.
Let's make 2025 the year we get our minds right!
Rob Crews
FEATURED PROGRAM: The 80-20 Club
"We tend to spend most of our time working on the 20% (the swing) and never enough time on the 80% (mental approach)."
Are you struggling with your mental game? Do you really believe more reps will solve your problems?
The 80-20 Club is a twice-monthly master class designed specifically for competitive travel and collegiate-level hitters who want to elevate the mental side of their game. Each 75-minute session covers critical topics like:
- Mindset and mentality development
- In-game approach strategies
- Pitch selection and plate discipline
- Handling change-ups effectively
- Building unshakeable confidence
- Maintaining focus under pressure
Meeting Schedule: Every 1st & 3rd Monday, 8:00-9:15 PM EST
Location: Live video call through Hitaverse App or desktop
Investment: $99/month (cancel anytime)
→ JOIN NOW to get your mind right!
CG Pro Batting Gloves are in!
Rob has designed and manufactured his own batting gloves now available at the CG Shop.
ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT: Success Through Mental Preparation
"When it comes to my mental preparation, a big piece of my mental game is my confidence. My confidence has always been rooted in my sense of preparation. So on the physical side, I am consistent with getting my cuts in outside of practice, being intentional with my swings, reviewing film from the previous weekend, and scouting the pitching I will be facing in the coming weekend. Another really important aspect of my mental preparation is my breathing—I prioritize taking at least 5 minutes out of my day to focus on my breathing, being fully present. Come game time, this helps me to find calm and presence, in the on deck circle and between pitches, regardless of the pressure of the situation. Lastly, visualization has been the most recent practice I have worked to implement into my mental preparation. Before I go to bed, I take myself to memories of when softball and hitting felt “easy,” sometimes that brings me to little league, high school, or just the previous weekend—just anytime I felt unstoppable. Once I truly see and feel myself as that unbeatable hitter, I envision my present self with that same energy stepping up to the plate in the present and killing it!"
-Ella Carter, Sophomore, Miami-Ohio University
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| @elboogiedown on Tiktok |
→ Have a success story to share? Email us to be featured in next month's spotlight! If you currently train with Rob Crews or any CG Certified Hitting Coach email [email protected].
COACHING CORNER: Perception-Action Training
Many coaches still rely heavily on traditional batting practice where hitters know exactly what's coming. While this builds mechanical consistency, it fails to prepare athletes for the reality of game situations.
Try This Instead: Implement constraint-based training where hitters must react to different stimuli before deciding to swing. For example:
- Color Recognition Drill: Pitcher holds different colored balls and only calls the color as they release the pitch, forcing hitters to quickly process information
- Zone Hitting: Designate specific zones where hitters can swing, changing the zones between pitches
- Decision Training: Place numbered targets in the field and call out a number just as the pitcher begins their motion—hitters must try to hit to that location
These drills create an environment where athletes explore possibilities within constraints, leading to true skill transfer from practice to games.
→ Want more perception-action drills? Check out our CG PLUS+ membership for complete drill packages.
PARENT RESOURCES: Supporting Mental Development
Parents often ask how they can help their athletes develop mentally without overstepping bounds. Here are three effective approaches:
- Ask Better Questions: After games, avoid technical feedback. Instead ask: "What were you thinking in that situation?" or "How did you feel in the box today?"
- Create Pressure Scenarios: Help athletes practice managing emotions by creating small challenges with consequences (positive only) during home practice.
- Model Resilience: Demonstrate healthy responses to setbacks in your own life. Athletes learn mental toughness by watching how adults handle adversity.
Remember that development isn't linear. Mental growth often comes in bursts following periods of challenge and reflection.
TRAINING TIP OF THE MONTH: Pre-Game Eye Drills
Visual perception is the foundation of hitting but remains one of the most undertrained skills. These quick eye drills can be done before games or practice:
Near-Far Focus Drill:
- Hold your thumb 12 inches from your face
- Focus on your thumbnail for 3 seconds
- Shift focus to a distant target for 3 seconds
- Repeat 10 times
This simple exercise trains the ocular muscles responsible for the rapid focus adjustments needed to track pitches effectively.
→ Pro Tip: Do this drill twice daily for general visual fitness.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Virginia (March 2025) LINK
- Colorado (July 2025)
- ATL (July 2025)
- SoCal (July 2025)
- Live Hitting Sessions:
- Tuesdays in The Bronx, NY
- Wednesdays in Cherry Hill, NJ
- New Rake Sessions published March 15th
- 80-20 Club Meetings:
- Monday, March 3rd, 8:00-9:15 PM EST (Special Guest)
- Monday, March 17th, 8:00-9:15 PM EST
- CG Hitting Certification:
- Accepting new coaches starting April 2025 (schedule a call)
- Limited spots available - contact us to secure your place
- Contact us to find a CG Certified Hitting Coach near you [email protected]
Want Rob to come work with your team? Complete the Team Training request form on our website!
Q&A WITH ROB
Q: What's the biggest mistake you see hitters make with their approach?
A: Most hitters step into the box with a mechanical thought rather than a strategic one. They're thinking about keeping their hands back or their front shoulder in—mechanical cues that actually interfere with natural movement. Elite hitters step in with a clear plan based on the situation, the pitcher's tendencies, and their own strengths. They're thinking "middle-away, drive it to the gap" not "don't drop my hands." This strategic approach activates the brain's performance centers rather than its analytical ones.
CONNECT WITH COMPLETE GAME
- Website: https://complete.game
- Instagram: @completegame
- Email: [email protected]
- CG PLUS+ Membership: Exclusive content for players, coaches & parents. New content added monthly - $199/Yr
- The official App is now available for Apple and Android users. Get exclusive updates, early registration, live webinars and more thru our free app.
Forward this newsletter to a coach, parent, or athlete who might benefit from our approach to COMPLETE their GAME!
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