Important: Opinions from Pitchers and Coaches

I want your opinion on this:

Why can some pitchers keep their composure during distracting times and others can't? What do you do (secrets) to keep your composure?

Remember that this board is to inform everybody, especially the youngsters, so share your secrets.

And those of you that read this board everyday but seldom post..this is your chance to help others.

 

1) Step off the mound, and take a deep breathe. This always helps you to relax.

2) Something that helped me was to keep my eyes locked in on the catcher's mit and nothing else. When you start looking at things going on around you, it takes your mind off the job you have to get done.

3) A lot of pitchers, when found in a jam, will start to aim instead of just throw. You have to trust your arm in tough situations.

4) Think about what you're going to do before you do it. Know the situation you're in.

You just have to relax and stay focused. Nothing hurts you more than being on the hill a nervous wreck.

 

Great job Seminole; very good advice.

This is a good start...keep them coming

 

I know DBacks20 has some great advice to give in seeing how successful his pitching career has been.

 

Just in life, there are some things you can control but many more that you cannot. Even at a young age, understanding this is possible and will help you through tough situations.

Errors happen behind you. Umps make bad calls. A guy hits a hundred hopper through a vacated hole on a hit and run. Time to focus....

Focus on your strengths. Take advantage of what you do best. Pitch backwards in the count. Work at your pace. Reassure your infielders during a meeting on the mound that everything will be OK.

Do your best. Walk off the mound with your head up after it is finished - good or bad. Be thankful you had the opportunity. Win or lose, you will have gained much from the battle. Be confident the next time around.

 

generate positive vibes with that humbly confident attitude.

 

Have preached to my son from his early days at the Little League level, that everyone behind you is trying their best. They didn't make the error on purpose, just forget about it and go get the next guy. I remind him to think back, about he felt when he would make an error in the field. Just try to remember that thought when things aren't going your way. Don't "EVER" show your emotions!

 

Take a deep breathe and just play.

Remember if the pitcher looks confident,,,,,,, the batter won't be so confident...

If the pitcher don't look confident,,,,,,, the batter will be one with the confidence.

 

IMHO-The difference between an average pitcher and a good or even great pitcher is the mental game. A pitcher has to be able to find the zone, to be able to put everything else out of his mind except for the catcher's glove and hitting his spot. A pitcher must thrive on the challenge of being behind in the count or facing the cleanup batter. Pitchers have to be self motivated. Pitchers have to possess the killer instinct. Above all else, pitchers must have the respect of their coaches and teammates and must play for the name on the front of their jersey and not for the name on the back!

 

Put yourself in the moment

The best way to learn how to thrive in game situations is to put yourself in game situations everyday. When your throwing a pen , focus just like it is a game situation. Put yourself in counts 2-1 throwing a change got to have a strike. etc etc. When your throwing live bp do the same thing. Put yourself in a game situation in your mind and focus on making the pitches just like it was the state championship game. If the only time you are really really focusing is in actual game situations then your practice time on the hill is worthless in game situations. You have to focus! Block out everything but doing your job. To me just like a hitter , a pitcher should have the same focus when he is up 7-0 in the 6th as he does when the game is tied in the bottom of the 7th. There should be no difference in his focus and approach to the game.