PRESUMPTIONS OF THE SYSTEMS FRAMEWORK
1. The mental skills, life skills, and mental health professionals who are hired to
function in the sports organization need to be involved in a thorough vetting
process. At a minimum, these individuals must possess knowledge bases and
skill sets---especially graduate education--- that relate to fostering the
mental and emotional development and performance of players. Most
important, these employees or contacted consultants are expected to
function within the bounds of their professional competence.
2. There is a desire on the part of the sports organization and its leadership to
address the mental and emotional needs of the player, on and off the
baseball diamond, particularly in relation to baseball performance, and in a
way that has value for each particular team or organization.
3. Collaboration among mental skills coaches, life skills specialists, and mental
health professionals will be enhanced by policies, procedures, and programs
that are clear, evidence-based, and practical; that adhere to all relevant
ethical and legal standards; and include referral guidelines and ways to
foster collaborative intervention programming.
4. Policies and procedures pertaining to confidentiality are recommended that
are in accord with the AASP Ethical Standards and Principles and the Ethical
Principles and code of Conduct of the American Psychological Association.
DIMENSIONS OF THE SYSTEMS FRAMEWORK
The purpose of the systems framework is to provide a means for baseball coaches and administrative leadership to consider how they may want to organize and deliver programs and services that have to do with the mental and emotional development and performance of players--- on and off the field.
Toward a realization of this purpose, the systems framework encompasses three separate, yet interrelated dimensions (see Figure 1 next page):
1. Mental Skills — addressing the mental and emotional needs of the player,
on the field
2. Life Skills — addressing the mental and emotional needs of the player, off
the field.
3. Mental Health — addressing the player’s overall mental and emotional
well-being.
45