The paper presents a strong analysis of Bull Durham through multiple classic sport psychology frameworks: self-perception, burnout, leadership, anxiety and coping, achievement goals, and self-determination theory. The writing is clear, theoretically grounded, and attentive to details of specific scenes. The way theory reflects in concrete episodes demonstrates conceptual understanding and the ability to apply abstract models to lived situations (Horn & Smith, 2019).

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From the perspective of ACT, mindfulness, CBT, and IPNB, the paper already contains many implicit elements, but these mechanisms are not named or integrated explicitly (Prochaska & Norcross, 2018). Ebby’s self-discrepancy, ego-involving climate, and fixed mindset, and Crash’s burnout, identity threat, and career transition, align naturally with ACT processes, but ACT is not explicitly referenced.

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Crash’s burnout and emotional volatility can be read as his avoidance of experiencing grief, loss of status, and vulnerability. ACT would frame much of his “stuckness” as difficulty making space for painful feelings about aging and career ending. Ebby’s ego-driven self-talk shows strong fusion with thoughts about status and external symbols. Crash’s love of the game and his eventual return as a mentor are strong values-consistent actions in the midst of loss and disappointment.

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Mindfulness is only implicitly noted in the discussion of attentional control, self-talk, and arousal regulation. Crash’s brief, intentional phrases during at-bats resemble micro-mindfulness interventions—anchoring to the present moment and letting go of rumination (Kaufman, Glass, & Pineau, 2018). Ebby’s growing awareness of arrogance, fear, and shame can be framed as emerging mindfulness—observing internal experiences rather than reacting automatically.

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The paper is already a strong, theory-rich film analysis. Incorporating ACT (acceptance, defusion, values), mindfulness (present-moment awareness), CBT (cognitive mechanisms), and IPNB (integration, window of tolerance, relational attunement) would deepen the conceptual coherence and align the paper more closely with contemporary performance psychology.