Mindset for pitching success?

I would like to discuss this topic. We here in DFP have beat the pitching mechanics to death and I think there is some good discussion left on the mental side of being a successful pitcher.

Watching college softball on tv I used to be fanatical on identifying peculiar nuances in pitchers motions. Now I try to categorize and conclude on different pitchers midsets.

Variables I like to identify are things like:

1. Quick-pitching vs delayed pitching
2. Pitchers that appear to NEED some sort of rythm-bounce pre-pitch. (Winter from Notre Dame is a great example here)
3. Pitchers that appear to NEED personal antics (like excessive smiling or excessive frowning) to I assume lighten their moods. (Waldrop on FL St is an example of smiling and maybe Sara Driesenga from Michigan on the frown)

I would like to get a characterization of the "mind-set" of successful pitchers out there. (and there may be multiple models)

Thoughts?

great topic. The Waldrop smiling is something I noticed. It really looks painted on like she is saying "stay positive, stay positive, stay positive" over and over in her head. It really does not seem like she should smile when she starts getting rocked, it just looked unnatural to see a hitter give up some successive hits, have some runs score and be smiling in the circle.

The pitchers I like have more of an assassins face. They have a coldness in their look that is all business (Cat is like this). They may smile occasionally or have a little negative frown occasionally but by and large they are out there working and not being overly emotional one way or the other.

This is the most important part of a pitchers presence IMO. Mechanical peculiarities take away from this presence. The extra bouncing or other unnecessary moves give the impression of a crutch and appear weaker than the girls that have economy of motion and a look that says they are focused and determined, not happy or mad.

Along with Winter, Fernandez had a high energy routine. Abbott had/has a very set routine. As a kid, I couldn't wait to see The Bird's next game to see what he'd do next (Mark Fidrych.)

I like Traina's swagger and confidence. Abbott would be tough to face. I think Rickett's could be nominated for best game face. Lawrie might also be a candidate for that category.

My daughter shows no emotions when I pitch her. It's scary

Good inputs so far.

I would agree that it might be ideal to have the Cat approach where it is all determined dominance that is seen on a face and within a potential mindset.

But do all "top" pitchers need to employ this or can other mindsets be used to be just effective?

What I would like to have you guys help answer here is - "What are the actual thoughts going on inside the head of each of these mindset types?"

Cat - "I am going to destroy you"
Winter - "This is a great bounce,this is a great bounce,this is a great bounce,......." (basically diverts the brain away from thinking too much about your pitching)
Waldrop - "This is just a sport, it is a game,....games should make me happy, if I am happy I would be smiling,....everyone - here's my smile!!" (basically deemphasizing the anxiety of the moment maybe...??)

My 10 yr old DD is an easy going fun loving kid who loves Softball, but when she is in the circle she is all business, there is no emotion. I don't coach her TB team so haven't talked to her in the circle during games until this summer. She also played LL this year, I coached that team, we where at a state All Star semi final game and I visited her in the circle for the first time that season. She had sun glasses on and a face mask and just stared at me without any emotion only said "ok" or "I got". I walked back to the dug out thinking who's kid was that I just visited, I don't think she was nervous or worried but I do know I will never forget that visit. If I had to guess at what her actual thoughts are I would say she is thinking " I'm here to do what I do I am a pitcher!!!!"

Every pitcher is different, they all have various mental battles to fight when trying to stay in the zone where they are most successful. My two DDs a re both A level pitchers but when it comes to mentally preparing to get the job done their pre performance mental work are polar opposites and are nothing alike. The older DD approaches her entrance to the circle like she is about get into a knife fight in a dark ally. she literally goes at the batters with a borderline hatred. with her, she needs to concentrate on being relaxed and allowing her whip to keep her in control and not overpitch which has been her demon since 10u.she naturally throws very hard and 90% of her mental effort has to go to staying loose and not be on the medieval attack. when she does this she becomes very dominant. when the attack mode gets out of control she losses the strike zone and fall behind early. stiff arm slows speed and movement. adrenaline is her mortal enemy.
Younger DD pitches in a sort of Zen type fog that she naturally goes to. ASA state, international tie breaker, tense moment but after receiving the ball she stops and begins to look up and admire a bird flying around the infield. Blue, the coaches, the catcher all stand up and look up.the coach has to shout out hey! there's a game going on here. everyone chuckle's. This kid never loses the strike zone and feels the ball off her finger pads better than any 12 year old I've ever seen. Her issue is getting too relaxed and not attacking enough. her biggest issue is not falling behind but going up 0-2 and throw another strike and occasionally giving up a hit. She needs some of that knife fight mentality and she works solely on attack mode in warm ups and be as aggressive as she can be. grunting a little and driving hard. when she does that well she is very dominant.
So I guess is you can look at the top pitchers but whatever you come up with has to be custom for the pitcher you are dealing with.they are all wired very different and what works really well for one personality will dial out another. good luck.

bucket pinata said:

So I guess is you can look at the top pitchers but whatever you come up with has to be custom for the pitcher you are dealing with.they are all wired very different and what works really well for one personality will dial out another. good luck.

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Ya I think I believe this too. It's just that I wish there were a "quick-reference-guide" that could match up a specific mindset tactic for best performance based on a certain easy assessment of a pitchers personality traits. Something that might help them get to the mental maturity in the art of pitching faster.....

successfully analyzing adolescent girls mentality is a little like herding cats but its always been my favorite part of sport in general. Mechanics is more or less pretty black and white. but if you want to get an athlete to really see his or her full potential you have to teach them how to work on the mental game , how to respect it and get them to realize and believe in how important it is. If you want to check out a book that you might be interested in go to winningstate.com and look at their short advertising videos in the softball section. you might find it interesting

My DD does not show any emotion except when her change up's goes way high. that elicits a smile. wet ball! otherwise, you won't know if their team is winning or losing.