Mental Discipline

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Jun 7, 2016
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Have been gluttonizing on pitching information to help my DD. In reading all the threads on mechanics and drills etc., one thing I realized I havent seen is discussions regarding the the mental discipline/toughness for pitching a full game (or any endeavor, really). We have a few girls in town who do well at pitching. Girl A is an ice goddess. Nothing phases her, even when her teams' wheels come off. Player B, probably a better athlete and stronger thrower, allows every "bad" call disrupt her play (arms flail up, head shakes, looks to daddy etc). Fortunately my DD recognizes the difference (and is more predisposed) to the "A" style of play. But, like any other aspect of the game, mental "muscle memory" is taught, cultivate and practiced. Do you have drills/practice or other tips to help your players in this area?
 
Jun 12, 2015
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Following this - though for different reasons. My pitcher is like girl A in the circle but she's in her head a lot hitting (well, striking out, which is what she's doing lately). I'm 100% sure it's mental and I have no idea how to fix it.

I love watching different pitchers and how they respond in pressure situations. I think a big part of it is natural disposition - being able to let go of what happened with one batter for the next one.
 
May 20, 2016
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Not sure it is something that can be taught or drilled. At least the mental part of it. Some have it some don't. My DD just started pitching this year, 3 months after the first time she ever even attempted a pitch, she pitched 3 complete games throughout the season and was cold as ice the whole time. Which really surprised me as she is pretty sensitive and shy. Actually can't even believe she is pitching as she has always been a wallflower in the back. Thought the center of attention would be very difficult for her but the opposite has come to be true.
 
Jul 15, 2016
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Joe720, I'm in the exact same situation as you. My DD has always been (and still is) more on the quiet side. When she said she wanted to pitch 10ish months ago I thought sure we'll give it a try but the pressure of the circle will end this quickly. We just finished our 1st TB season and she went from the #3 pitcher to the #1 pitching the vast majority each tournament. I think its great and love every minute of "bucket time" I can get.
 
Jun 19, 2013
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Not sure it is something that can be taught or drilled. At least the mental part of it. Some have it some don't. My DD just started pitching this year, 3 months after the first time she ever even attempted a pitch, she pitched 3 complete games throughout the season and was cold as ice the whole time. Which really surprised me as she is pretty sensitive and shy. Actually can't even believe she is pitching as she has always been a wallflower in the back. Thought the center of attention would be very difficult for her but the opposite has come to be true.

There might be something to this type of kid making good pitchers. Description sounds like my daughter. Basically introverted. Nervous about anything new. Cried pretty much every day of first grade. Put her in the circle and she just gets eyes for the catcher and does her thing. Doesn't phase her to hit a batter. Can come in with bases loaded and go to work. I can sometimes tell certain body language in her shoulders, etc. during the first batter or two that she is dealing with her nerves and then the adrenaline takes over, but I don't think the emotion comes through to the other team, umpire, etc.

Not sure how to teach it mine were born that way - brother was always the opposite - overly dramatic and emotional on the mound but seems to have finally gotten over that (mostly) at the age of 16 now.
 
Jun 7, 2016
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Funny, most response mimic what I found. My DD is generally introverted, highly competent but unwilling to try new things in front of others until she is satisfied with her achievement. Was shocked when she expressed desire to pitch. She had a good year after working to improve and wants to continue. asked her about everybody watching you in circle. Her response was "I make them go away". Reminds me of the Kevin Costner character in "for love of the game".
Anyway, we talk about situations in which focus and mental disciple are important. I think it helps prepare her for when things go badly. Just wondered if anyone else has methods of dealing with that aspect of game. BTW, I do think this is a skill like any other. The military invests heavily in "keeping your head while everyone around you loses theirs". Dont want to send her to BUD/S (yet)!
 
Jun 13, 2012
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It all boils down to concentrating on the "next pitch" my DD is getting ready to start 16u this fall, has been at it now for 5 years and is pumping out some really good games.. I have always emphasized "flush the bad" with her. They must have the ability to stay in the moment on every pitch. Another pitcher on my dd's travel team gets rattled by the other team cheering loud, mine starts doing the cheers with them and smiling. You can't ever tell if she is happy, mad or anything by her facial expressions (except when she gets a girl to bite on a pretty change up, then she laughs)
 

sluggers

Super Moderator
Staff member
May 26, 2008
7,133
113
Dallas, Texas
Do you have drills/practice or other tips to help your players in this area?

(a) You can harass them while they pitch, just like the other team will.

My DD's PC would stand five feet from her and tell her how bad she was. He wouldn't simply say it quietly to her...he would say it so everyone could hear him.

One of his favorite games was a pitching game where two or three pitchers would compete as to how many strikes in a row they could throw. He would increase the level of harassment after each pitch. The harassment could be jokes or it could be insults. The first time my DD cracked after a couple of pitches. After about a year, he could say anything to her he wanted, and it wouldn't phase her.

With my DD#3 (the basketball player), I would stand next to her when she shot free throws and I would tell her that she was terrible and was going to miss the shot. When she missed the shot, I would really let her have it.

This might sound cruel...but, if your kid is "good", she is going to get a lot worse from the fans and the opposing team. (There was one HS game where the fans were yelled" dyke" every time DD#3 shot a free throw.)

(b) Always tell the truth to your DD. Don't make excuses. If she is walking people, don't tell her it was the umpire's fault. If a girl hits a bomb over the left field fence, don't say, "Oh, the batter got lucky." "The truth" does not mean you beat up on her for losing a game. How many times do you tell your DD, "Wow, I wonder if that ball landed yet?"
 
Last edited:

Cannonball

Ex "Expert"
Feb 25, 2009
4,855
113
One of the best things I know to do is to make practices competition. For example, I call pitches in the gym for our pitchers throwing to catchers. I have two or three standing side by side. The catchers call the pitches. They are competing with each other on who hits location with any given pitch. I also do this when they throw to two or three hitters live. For example, I might change pitchers and tell the pitcher that the batter has any given count and what we need to do with that hitter. I then tell the hitter the count so I can work with both. This year this really paid off and my pitchers were begging for me to do this more. In fact one of the pitchers I work with went from her TB #3 to #1 this summer.

BTW, no I don't consider myself a pitching coach but I did coach my dd who had a tremendous career.
 

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