Controlling Pitchers Emotions.

SoAZDad said:

When my DD said she wanted to pitch I immediately got her lessons from an IR pro. She quickly showed progress, and her passion to pitch and play grew concurrently. So I caught her (and still do) regularly, sometimes reminding her what her PC said to work on.

But from Day 1, I began talking to her about composure in the circle. Don't let the other team know when you are rattled, or you're done for the day. It's a lot easier just NOT to get rattled. Focus your thoughts on your next task: the next pitch.

Here we are 4 years later. I guess I said the right words because she has great composure, whether she is doing great or getting rocked. The other day after a game I asked her if a routine play error by her 2B, that put the team in a bind, upset her. She told me she was totally pissed. I was so happy and I told her I couldn't tell. I told her I know her better than any of her teammates and any of her opponents, and if I couldn't tell she was pissed, neither could they. Fantastic composure.

So keep trying to find the right words that click with your DD. So important. I guess I got lucky.

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That is exactly how I want my girl, even if you are upset never show it, and use it as motivation. Like someone else said a rattled pticher is like blood in a pool full of sharks for hitters.

What is a IR pro? If you have to always try to control your emotions. Then quit pitching now. Just like getting pissed at your team mates because of a error. You don't belong in the circle. It is a team sport, SoAZDad if your dd gets pissed because of a team mates error then your dd doesn't belong out there. How many hits, walks or HB as your dd given up. She needs to get a grip if she gets pissed at her team mates.

nanotech14 said:

What is a IR pro? If you have to always try to control your emotions. Then quit pitching now. Just like getting pissed at your team mates because of a error. You don't belong in the circle. It is a team sport, SoAZDad if your dd gets pissed because of a team mates error then your dd doesn't belong out there. How many hits, walks or HB as your dd given up. She needs to get a grip if she gets pissed at her team mates.

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The OP's DD is 9. I think, for some, controlling your emotions is a developed skill that can be practiced and refined. There are many reasons why teammates may get mad at each other, lack of hustle or effort comes to mind. Learning how to express or control your response for some of us is a life long process.

nanotech14 said:

What is a IR pro? If you have to always try to control your emotions. Then quit pitching now. Just like getting pissed at your team mates because of a error. You don't belong in the circle. It is a team sport, SoAZDad if your dd gets pissed because of a team mates error then your dd doesn't belong out there. How many hits, walks or HB as your dd given up. She needs to get a grip if she gets pissed at her team mates.

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I think it is more of being mad at the situation not her teammate. Im sure she didnt give the player a dirty look or say anything, I think the point he was making is she did not let the error rattle her, she kept her composure. A pitcher going after a player over an error would not be tolerated on my team, lose together win together.

nanotech14 said:

What is a IR pro? If you have to always try to control your emotions. Then quit pitching now. Just like getting pissed at your team mates because of a error. You don't belong in the circle. It is a team sport, SoAZDad if your dd gets pissed because of a team mates error then your dd doesn't belong out there. How many hits, walks or HB as your dd given up. She needs to get a grip if she gets pissed at her team mates.

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She's 9.

cuzmail said:

Wow! My DD was 44 max back in 10U and she was considered one of the faster pitchers!

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quincy said:

Is she playing 10U? She sounds like she would be pretty dominate.

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Want to hear something even more amazing? She isn't the only pitcher on her team that throws that hard!

My DD is one of the catchers on the team with Syndre's DD.

quincy said:

When the other players catch up to her it should settle down a little bit or she might just imploded in the circle one day.

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Syndre's DD is easily the best overall player on our 10U team, but she isn't WAY better than everyone else. We are very fortunate to be very deep in pitching, hitting, and fielding talent. That said, Syndre's DD is the youngest player on the team, and is a fantastic talent.

As for the emotional issues, my DD, the other starting pitcher, and a couple of others all have similar reactions to "failure". One thing they all have in common is that they are all driven competitors who work very hard at their game, and expect excellence from themselves. In my observation, the pressure they put on themselves is WAY greater than anything their getting from their parents or coaches. While we try hard to get them to learn how to control themselves on the field, it's largely an emotional maturity issue.

My DD has played with Syndre's DD on 5 different teams (so far). I have NEVER seen her get mad - or even irritated - at a teammate for making a mistake.

To the OP: How do her coaches handle these moments of attitude? Have they considered pulling her out of the circle when she shows out? If you think this might be something she won't mature out of, and she can't/won't understand the importance of the pitcher's composure as leadership for the team, perhaps you should help her find another position. Not trying to be harsh, but a pitcher's mind is more important than physical skills. She has to learn to stay cool and in the moment, or will her success will be limited. If her emotions are in control, she is not.

Jojo said:

She's 9.

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I guess because my dd shows no emotion ever, even at 9, I forget that some kids do. I really mean it my dd still doesn't at 16yo at pitching or batting. She doesn't do the cheer thing and doesn't really talk at all playing softball. She is void of emotion, the quiet one. So no don't quit pitching,( Not that you would listen to a guy online anyways).

jacman said:

To the OP: How do her coaches handle these moments of attitude? Have they considered pulling her out of the circle when she shows out? If you think this might be something she won't mature out of, and she can't/won't understand the importance of the pitcher's composure as leadership for the team, perhaps you should help her find another position. Not trying to be harsh, but a pitcher's mind is more important than physical skills. She has to learn to stay cool and in the moment, or will her success will be limited. If her emotions are in control, she is not.

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I know this may not be very popular, but I had issues with my DD at 12u with her "attitude" toward umpires and bad calls.
During Nationals I gave her warning and the next time she did it, I pulled her.
I had parents upset that this wasn't the time for disciplining, but I felt it was the perfect time.

SyndreSoftball said:

I think it is more of being mad at the situation not her teammate. Im sure she didnt give the player a dirty look or say anything, I think the point he was making is she did not let the error rattle her, she kept her composure. A pitcher going after a player over an error would not be tolerated on my team, lose together win together.

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that wasn't the point, she doesn't have the right to get pissed at a team mate.