Don't worry, I'm not singing. That 'treat' is reserved for those unfortunate souls who sit near me in church. This afternoon I accepted a gracious invitation to appear as a guest on noted Sports Psychology coach, trainer, speaker & author Jim Meier’s Internet Radio Show “Championship Thinking.” It is quite an honor too, as Jim’s past guests include coaches, players, and Hall of Famers.

Believe it or not, this radio appearance has absolutely nothing to do with my current Civil War work. I'm actually going to be discussing the psychological similarities between chess and baseball and how one mindset improves the other. I have already compiled a plethora of sources on the subject, and I have some wonderful reference material to quote too. 

'You're a chessmaster?" you ask. Let's just say that I like to refer to myself as a “masterfully mediocre chess player who has chosen ‘The game of kings’ as his preferred form of recreational torture - over the game of golf.”

Jim 'found' me from my Pinstripe Press article on Baseball-Almanac titled "Check'mates'" which dealt with the similarities between the two games and their like-origins. His program highlights a myriad of subjects in relation to baseball, sportsmanship, and player development. Chess is an excellent example of cross-over thinking in sports. 

Our talk is tentatively titled "Chess as a Tool for Developing Baseball Intelligence." As one who has studied both chess and baseball, I believe that the benefits (of both) go way beyond mere strategy. Other skill sets such as patience, observation, anticipation of your opponent’s next move, and trend analysis (in regards to pitchers and hitting styles) come from a chess/baseball crossover. Players will ultimately look at a line-up like a move card, or the infield like a chessboard. Not literally of course, but with the same ‘thought process’ of anticipate – react – adjust. Just like chess, it becomes a way of ‘seeing’ things that have yet to happen on the diamond.

Jim Meier has consulted with, coached and trained individuals in their professional, personal and athletic development since 1976. In 1991 he founded The Training and Consulting Connection. Jim’s background and skills include higher education, knowledge and roll-up-your-sleeves experience. He thrives on blending and translating leading research and studies from these key disciplines-sports psychology, philosophy, social learning theory, leadership, change and innovation, free will and accountability. As a sports psychology coach Jim works one-on-one with professionals and amateurs and frequently speaks to groups nationally and internationally in a wide variety of settings such as professional associations, clinics, conferences, conventions, business meetings, on cruise ships and sporting events. For more on Jim, visit his website.

‘Championship Thinking’ is broadcast live every Tuesday from 6:00 to 7:00 PM CST. I’ll announce the actual date once its firmed-up. It will be in October. Stay tuned for details.