Three umpires stand talking at home plate, waiting for the home team to take the field. The topic is calling balls and strikes.

"I may be a new umpire," the first one says, "but it just isn’t that hard. I call them as they are."

The second umpire smiles and shakes his head knowingly, for as a more experienced umpire he knows that isn’t really the case. "I used to think I called them as they were, but now I know better. I call them as I see them."

The third umpire, the most experienced and wisest of the three, smiles and shakes his head knowingly. "I used to think I called them as there are, and then I realized I simply called them the way I saw them. But now I know they ain’t nuthin’ until I call ‘em."

This story exemplifies the progress of a player, his mindset, and his mental training.


The first umpire thinks he is dealing in facts -- that the thoughts in his head are the Truth. Players make judgment "calls" about themselves all the time: "I can’t pitch,"

"I’m no good," "I’m in a slump" and think those calls are facts. They then play consistent with their thoughts.

These players are powerless victims to the random events both on the field and in their heads.


The second umpire realizes he makes judgments about what he saw, that he doesn’t deal in facts. Players at this stage realize that their perspectives and attitudes have a big influence on how they play and are open to looking for the power  they see in mentally tougher players.


The third umpire knows he has the power to choose his perspective and that his choice is what determines "reality" for him.

A player at this stage realizes that not only does his attitude affect his performance, but that he can choose his attitude. This player will play consistently at or near his best regardless of circumstances because he sees himself as the source of his performance.

He’s not a victim of his circumstances, but takes responsibility for his own mental game every day.

I don’t know about you, but that’s the guy I want on my team.  That's the guy that will play with confidence.

Which umpire are you? Which player are you?