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.

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.

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.