Using personal athletic experiences to bring on-field expertise and off-field support.
“One pitch at a time.”
It’s one of baseball’s most common phrases. Both for fans hoping a clutch hit into existence, and players trying to find their zone before an at-bat.
For Stephanie Hale-Burkhart, the Mariners’ mental performance coordinator, these words are used constantly, but have a much deeper and complex meaning.
Hale-Burkhart works as part of the mental skills team to help both coaches and players stay focused on the right thing at the right time. By encouraging players to have confidence in who they are and what they’re doing, she motivates them to trust in themselves and their abilities. “Instead of figuring out how to have the right thought, we are trying to have players eliminate thought,” Hale-Burkhart said. Her goal is for players to let their preparation show up, and to stay out of their own way.
Through various intentional breathing exercises, visualization, mindfulness techniques, journaling, and reflection, Hale-Burkhart seeks different strategies in order to personalize a plan for each player. “For example, if a player says ‘I have to be on time for the fastball,’ this can be an indicator that they are not prepared, and I might present a technique or strategy to get them into a more confident headspace,” she said.
Growing up involved in many different youth sports, Hale-Burkhart knew the mental side of the game was very relevant as an athlete, but didn’t always know how to apply or access it. “I knew I had the physical ability, but there were certain points where I would catch myself, and the game would speed up on me or it’d be hard to move past certain difficulties,” she explained. She knew from those moments that she wanted to pursue a career in the field of mental performance.
“I wanted to be someone who would’ve added the most value to me when I was competing.”
She completed various schooling that allowed for hands-on integration into athletics, working with different age groups and different sports to implement mental performance skills and strategies. Both on the field at practices and games, and off the field in classroom settings, the goals of her programs were to break down concepts and connect with different individuals. “I got lots of experience working with all of the sports teams. First observing and then getting integrated into practices and applying what I learned while receiving feedback, “ Hale-Burkhart said. After grad school, she spent two years at IMG Academy on their summer staff before being brought back full-time, where she continued getting exposure and learning how to best help her athletes.
In her current role with the Mariners, Hale-Burkhart primarily works with players who are coming through the minor league system. She collaborates with coaches who work full time with the major league team to figure out how to best support each player as they make the transition to the big leagues. Seeing players come through the whole system and finally make their debut is her favorite part of the job.
Most recently, she has worked with the likes of Bryan Woo, Troy Taylor, and Leo Rivas, and has been excited to watch their success. “Seeing players achieve the goals they’ve set out for themselves is amazing,” she said. “It’s the peak of my experience to help them get to that point.”
Hale-Burkhart never envisioned herself working in baseball because she didn’t think she would have the opportunity. Prior to her hiring, she wondered how she’d be received by the team and if they’d trust her. She dealt with many transitions in her first few months, and made sure to note which clubhouses had more ideal privacy and changing setups when traveling. Her main goal was simply to come into a new space and figure out how she would add value to the team. And with a team full of professionals, the players and coaches trusted Hale-Burkhart right away because they knew she was there to bring her expertise. “The organization has always done everything they can do to support me and help make things happen,” she said. “The way they’ve created space for me has been truly an incredible experience.”
Hale-Burkhart is one of few women in her role within baseball, yet has already made her mark within the industry, and especially within the Mariners organization. “At the end of the day, I feel honored and privileged to be with the Mariners,” she said. “The support I’ve felt navigating this space as a woman has surpassed expectations.” As a uniformed woman coach, which Hale-Burkhart noted there were very few upon her hiring, she continues to set the standard for what is possible for women in the sport.
