Trouble With...The Fastball

Robert Fettgather, Ph.D. is a counselor, educator, writer and activist residing in Grass Valley, California.  He holds a doctorate in psychology and master degrees in both psychology and education and teaches at Mission College. In his spare time, Robert Fettgather enjoys Major League Baseball.

In the domain of athletics, few trials rival the formidable feat of hitting a fastball in baseball. The resounding crack as bat meets ball, the instantaneous timing, and the sheer velocity of the pitch forge a a split second moment demanding skill and nerve from batters. Think of it! Facing a fastball necessitates more than mere physical prowess; it necessitates mental sharpness and psychological toughness. Batters must sustain acute focus, following the ball's trajectory from the pitcher's hand to the strike zone, and making instantaneous judgments regarding whether to swing or hold back. The pressure to react with immediacy against blistering speed can be overwhelming, pushing the boundaries of composure. A batter must maintain his cool.

Despite its daunting nature, hitting a fastball embodies as much artistry as it does science. And remember that there is a four seem fastball and a two seem fastball. And the cutter and split-finger. It necessitates a delicate blend of technique, instinct, and intuition honed through hours in the batting cage. Accomplished hitters harbor a profound understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses, as well as those of their adversaries, enabling them to anticipate pitch sequences and guess at the next pitch.

For batters, mastering the art of hitting a fastball constitutes an experience punctuated by victories and setbacks (7 outs in 10 at bats is very good hitting). It demands an unwavering dedication to improvement, a readiness to glean wisdom from defeat, and an unshakeable confidence in one's abilities. Every at-bat presents an opportunity to improve as hitters try to unravel the mysteries of timing, pitch recognition, and plate discipline that differentiate the elite player from the ordinary.

While triumph may prove elusive and the odds may appear formidable, the pursuit of laying solid wood on a fastball is as good as it gets!

Psychology Class And A Little Bio

All students come to a first class with there own ideas addressing the answer to that question-some accurate; some not. Here is a formal definition: psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Mental processes include thoughts, emotions and related phenomena. The subfields of psychology are the focus of this introductory class: biology and behavior; sensation and perception; consciousness; learning; memory; cognition; human development; personality; social psychology health psychology; and clinical psychology. Here is a brief summary of my background: 

I was born in Seattle, love the Pacific Northwest and visit often.  My family came to California when I was in elementary school and I've lived in the Golden State ever since.  I enjoy nature and the outdoors, sports and working out, the arts, and boating-I own a little houseboat birthed at the Freeport Marina on the Sacramento River.  I read a lot- professional literature of course but with large gobs of fiction and an occasional biography.

Teaching is one of several career passions for me. I started as a special education teacher in an institutional setting where I worked with people with intellectual disability, autism and cerebral palsy.  There, I developed a great appreciation for people with disabilities and deep concern for failures of care in institutional settings including neglect and abuse. I continued my education, studying clinical psychology and launched a second career as a clinical psychologist and adjunct professor in psychology.  I've taught courses in psychology and education at San Jose State University, National University and, primarily, at Mission College.  Later I went on to develop a small virtual life coaching practice and devote time to volunteering and meditation practice.

I was taught meditation at the San Francisco Zen Center as an undergraduate. Along the way I helped co-found The Tashi Lhunpo Sangha.

I like to write and have done so across all these careers including "Guardianship of the Infantilized Elder: A Pipeline to the Institution Industrial Complex?". Google Scholar lists other publications. My blog holds additional writing on a variety of topics.

Doyoubuzz

Behance

Padlet

Boys Of Summer

Robert Fettgather's writings have been published in the Transactional Analysis Journal (Translated to French per the Centre Pour La Formationet L'intervention Psycho-Sociologiques), Voices: The Art and Science of Psychotherapy, and Lifelong Learning. He is a adjunct professor of psychology at Mission College. Robert Fettgather is also a baseball fan.

It is baseball season again!

In the lexicon of American sports, few phrases evoke nostalgia and reverence quite like "the boys of summer." Coined by the legendary baseball writer Roger Kahn in his book (a worthwhile read) of the same name, this phrase encapsulates the timeless allure of baseball and the enduring legacy of the players who graced the diamond during the golden era of the sport. In this essay, we will explore the significance of "the boys of summer," their impact on the cultural landscape, and the lasting memories they have left behind.

"The boys of summer" refer to the baseball players who competed in the Major Leagues during the 1940s, 1950s, and early 1960s. This period is often romanticized as the golden era of baseball, characterized by iconic players, fierce rivalries, and a sense of innocence that permeated the game. Stars like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Jackie Robinson, and Ted Williams became household names, captivating the nation with their athleticism, skill, and unmatched charisma.

As the years pass and the game evolves, the legacy of "the boys of summer" endures, cherished by fans young and old who revel in the nostalgia of bygone days. Their feats on the field and their larger-than-life personas continue to captivate the imagination, serving as a reminder of the timeless allure of baseball and the enduring power of sport to unite, inspire, and transcend.

"The boys of summer" occupy a very special place in the annals of American sports history, their legacy immortalized in the hearts/minds of fans around the world. As we celebrate their achievements and honor their memory, we pay tribute to the enduring spirit of baseball and the enduring legacy of the players who graced the diamond during its golden era.

Memory In Life And Law

Robert Fettgather has taught at San Jose State University, National University and Mission College in Santa Clara.  He has addressed State and National Conferences on a variety of topics. The Institute for Personality and Ability Testing has certified Robert Fettgather as a Stress Management Trainer, and Medical Hypnosis Seminars of the Los Gatos Institute has certified him in Clinical Hypnotherapy

Remember that hike down a beautiful trail. Sure you do. But how exact is that recollection?

Memory serves as a fundamental component of human cognition, influencing various aspects of our lives, including legal proceedings. Memory-based reports, or eyewitness testimonies, often play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of legal cases. However, the reliability of such reports has been a subject of considerable debate within the legal community. If you think of your memory as some kind of flawless recoding device read on!

Memory is inherently fallible and subject to distortion. It is not a perfect recording of events but rather a reconstructive process influenced by various factors, including perception, attention, emotions, and post-event information. Human memory operates in a dynamic fashion, with memories being continuously shaped and modified over time. Some argue that each time we recall an event, we affect and even alter that particular memory.

Let's turn to legal considerations again. Recognizing the limitations of eyewitness testimony, the legal system has implemented various safeguards to mitigate the risks of wrongful convictions. These include jury instructions on assessing eyewitness credibility, expert testimony on the fallibility of memory, pre-trial identification procedures such as lineup administration, and the admissibility of corroborating evidence.

Advancements in forensic science, such as DNA analysis, have revolutionized the investigation and adjudication of criminal cases. DNA evidence can provide an objective means of identifying perpetrators and exonerating the wrongly accused, thereby reducing reliance on potentially unreliable eyewitness testimony.

By incorporating scientific research and employing appropriate legal safeguards, the legal system can strive to enhance the reliability and validity of memory-based reports while minimizing the risk of wrongful convictions. Ultimately, fostering a nuanced understanding of memory within the legal community is essential for upholding the principles of justice and safeguarding individual rights.