What do the best pitchers have in common?

obbay said:

Interesting. would you say that applies to all positions or more specifically to pitchers? I'm just thinking that if DD can't pitch she still wants to play, Anywhere. And I think that's because she loves the game. she loves to play sports because she loves to compete.

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It probably applies to most players but it is more critical for a pitcher. They are the only ones that go up directly against every hitter. Every pitch is a battle for the hitter and the pitcher.

Hard work will beat talent when talent hardly works.

Top_Notch said:

Hard work will beat talent when talent hardly works.

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That's what I tell my DDs. However, they're riding their talent and, usually, beat the hard workers.

RetiredCoach said:

That's what I tell my DDs. However, they're riding their talent and, usually, beat the hard workers.

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That worked for my DD until she decided that she wanted to pitch in the SEC. Since then she has been working her butt off and the difference is amazing.

With the possible exception of the catcher, the pitcher is the strangest animal on the field.

There is SOMETHING besides hard work, competitiveness, and athletic ability.

DD #3's PC says that the brain is the most important part of pitching. Even that can be broken down. It is the desire to win the game. The desire to beat the next batter. The ability to learn QUICKLY from one's mistakes (such as, from one pitch to the next). The ability to stand out there and take a beating without getting flustered, so she gets the practice to go out there another time and take less of a beating, and finally GIVE the beating.

I have no idea if DD #3 has what it takes, mentally or physically, to be a great pitcher. She is still 12U, and time will tell.

riseball said:

That worked for my DD until she decided that she wanted to pitch in the SEC. Since then she has been working her butt off and the difference is amazing.

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I know that your DD is an amazing pitcher!

For my DDs, we'll have to see what happens. My 16 year old who pitched a shutout for her JV team this week, is going thru the thinking process about whether or not she wants to play in college. She's not sure if she wants to work that hard and it may not be for her. My 14 year old, who pitched shutouts in her first two games for the freshman team, doesn't seem ready to consider the decision. It'll be interesting to see what happens. But in the meantime it is fun to watch that talent go to work!

Out in Left Field said:

It is nice to have ideals, but in reality, many of the pitchers are volunteers who do it for the team. At the last three games in HS, that is what we have seen. Number ones going down will illness or injury. Coaches not preparing a back up, and telling the volunteer to chuck it down the middle. Too many pitches down the middle and someone is going to get hurt worse....Most HRs this year than ever.

These are Shelby Pendley types (from TB nd athletic), but without the pitching practice....I would put Brave in there, and Team Leader/Captain/Hero.

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This thread is about the best pitchers and the common traits they have not reluctant pitchers in high school.....