4 Keys for Pitching Success
The start of spring training signifies the beginning of a new baseball season is upon us. Pitchers and catchers of all ages, and levels, are starting to “dust off the cobwebs” so to speak, from months of not competing. As a result, the mental part of preparing for the season can lag behind the physical and fundamental areas of preparation. So, as pitchers begin to mentally prepare for the upcoming season I have four key reminders for pitchers to remember as they begin to prepare for another season.
1.Pitchers forget that hitting is hard!
- Watch any pre-game batting practice and count how many of the balls the hitter puts in play, which would be hits as compared to how many would be outs. You would be surprised.
- Hitters are all alone in the box- the pitcher has 7 guys behind them and one in front of them to field the ball, if it should be put into play.
- Ideally, hitters don’t know what pitch is coming or what location it is going to be in.
2.The little things are not so little
- Every time you throw a baseball you should do so on purpose, with purpose
- Work to perfect your mechanics-
- Develop command versus control
- Understand hitter tendencies-
- Know game situations
- Hold runners-
- Field your position-
- Change your language: Pitchers “throw” on the side and PITCH in a game. Pitchers should understand this difference.
3.Expect to be challenged
- Since 1959, there have been just 30 perfect games pitched in Division I college baseball, though 12 of those came in seven-inning games, and one came in a five-inning game. You should expect you will (likely) have baserunners
- Pitchers should expect an umpire to miss a call, a play in the field to not be made, making a good pitch and having it get hit…. etc.
How to overcome those challenges
- Be prepared in advance: When you expect these things may happen in advance of the game, I think you are more likely to overcome it. Instead of being surprised or putting too much focus on something you can’t control.
- Identify 3 situations: As a starting pitcher I expected there would be 3 situations in a game in which I would be challenged. Situations where I had to make a pitch to get out of the inning or prevent a big inning from happening. For example, having the bases loaded and 1 out, or having to pitch around an error or missed call.
- Number the situations: I found out was by numbering them situation #1, situation #2 etc. I was able to approach the situation from a different perspective, that as a challenge versus that as a threat……
4.Remember the Ultimate task –
- The ultimate task of a pitcher- throw this pitch the best you can regardless of inning, count, score, situation, significance of the game, location of the game or conditions of the game.
- Be present- (eliminate internal and external distractions)
- breathe
- Focus on task-this pitch
- Repeat pitch and location to yourself before you make the pitch
I.e. “Fastball down and away”
As you prepare for another season I hope these tips will be of help to you as you dust off some cobwebs related to your mental game. As my former AA pitching coach, legendary Hall of Fame knuckleballer, Hoyt Wilhelm used to say, “Keep turn’n em to the right.” {what he was referring to was when a hitter gets to first base and turns right, that meant you got him out!}