Dr. Curt Ickes

About the Author

Dr. Curt Ickes is a bestselling sport psychologist whose books have sold over 50,000 copies and helped thousands of young athletes build mental toughness. As Professor Emeritus at Ashland University, he taught psychology for over 30 years and has worked with baseball and softball players at every level—from youth leagues to professional teams.

Professional Experience

Dr. Ickes has spent over 20 years helping college and professional baseball players, youth athletes, and coaches improve their mental game. He worked with teams at Ashland University, the College of Wooster, and Hillsdale High School, and served as Player Development Specialist for the Lake Erie Crushers professional baseball team. Coaches nationwide seek his expertise to help their teams perform better under pressure.

Popular Book Series

The "Play Like Champions!" Series:

Win the Next Pitch! (Book 1 of 5)

Pitch by Pitch! (Book 2 of 5)

You Got This! (Book 3 of 5)

You Got This 2! (Book 4 of 5)

Softball Secrets! (Book 5 of 5)

Oliver's Baseball Adventures Series: This latest series encourages young baseball players to read while teaching valuable life lessons such as confidence, resilience, and teamwork.

Lost Bat, Lost Confidence

Who's Our Shortstop?

Other Popular Books:

Mental Toughness: Getting the Edge (Baseball Edition)

Beat the Course, Not Yourself!: One Golfer's Path to a Winning Mental Game (co-authored with Gary Christian)

What Makes His Books Special

Dr. Ickes creates engaging stories that make sport psychology accessible to young athletes (ages 8-14). His books teach mental strategies through exciting, relatable stories that help players stay calm under pressure, bounce back from mistakes, and maintain focus during crucial moments. Young players learn advanced mental game techniques usually reserved for older athletes, presented in simple language they can understand and apply immediately.

Proven Results

Thousands of baseball and softball teams use Dr. Ickes' books for mental game training. With discussion questions, review sections, and practice drills, these books create a "common language" that helps players support each other and coaches reinforce mental skills during practice and games.

Dr. Ickes believes it's never too early for young athletes to develop the mental tools they need to succeed both on and off the field.