The Mental Game

I was revising mental game reminders for one of my students this week and I thought I would share it here. There are more I could add, so don't hesitate to pass them along to me!
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• Know your opponent. Creep them on game changer, IG, or facebook. Know who the threats are on base, highest batting averages, and home run leaders. 
  
• Always have a routine between each pitch; touch the dirt to get a good medium to throw with and take yourself out of the game pressure (even for a moment), then say something aggressive to yourself about the batter (self-talk such as, She is just lucky to play on the same ball field as me, or She is going down as strikeout, or I am the best pitcher out here), then take a deep breath and breathe out longer than you breathe in and visualize the path of the next pitch.  
  
• Do whatever it takes to set yourself up for success. Even if it means filling in the ditch in front of the mound EVERY pitch. 
  
• In facing a batter, have 3 or 4 pitch sequences in mind before you throw  the first pitch. 
  
• Have a goal to get your girls off the field inside of 15 pitches. The longer the girls are out on the field the more room for error (plus youngsters get board easily). 
  
• When the batter hits the ball, the pitch spin usually reverses. Keep that in mind for strategy (that is why a back hand change and rise usually generate pop-ups.  
  
• Throwing low to bunters who drop the bat head can generate foul balls.
  
• Throwing high to slappers can generate easy pop-ups. If they pop the ball up, it does not matter how  fast they are. Be careful, if their hands are held high they are trying to chop at the ball and will easily hit the high/rise ball. However, a drop ball intersects the plane of the bat when a slapper holds her hands high.
  
• Be careful using the change-up with runners on base.
  
• Pitch change-ups anywhere in the count. Don't save them for the 3rd strike.
  
• Be careful using the drop with runners on base.
  
• Be careful using the drop as a 3rd strike. Drop balls are more frequently in the dirt than other pitches.
  
• Know what the batter did the last time at bat.
  
• Get the first out of the inning yourself.Try to average 1 and a half strikeouts per inning.
  
• Watch hitters practice their swings.
  
• When in doubt, pitch opposites; high/low, inside/outside, fast/slow. Nothing down the middle.
  
• When in doubt, throw the pitcher’s strength (favorite pitch she does best). 
  
• Keep the fat part of the ball away from the fat part of the bat. Nothing down dead red!
  
• Trust your catcher's abilities. Don't pitch to her based upon her skills.
  
• Make sure your catcher is close to the plate to help filter balls into the zone for you.
  
• Hitting your spots is usually more important than the amount of speed and movement. 
  
• Perception is everything.
  
• Know when to walk a batter.
  
• Be a good batter. A pitcher who hurts the opponent on offense and defense is a formidable player.
  
• Bad things will happen so don’t let them ruin your game. After the hit batter, walk, or homerun (etc.) that play is dead to you. Move on and face the next batter with more intensity than ever. Be the force that can stop a rally! 
  
• Always go for the shutout, because if you pitch a shutout... You can’t lose!
  
• Pitch Fearlessly. The slightest hesitation means you are not 100% behind the pitch which will result in less speed and control. That is when problems arise!
  
• Be the BIG BAD MONSTER that nobody wants to face. You are Freddie Kruger, you never die. No one takes you down, someone will stab you with a homerun over the fence, or shoot you with a bullet liner, but no matter what, YOU NEVER LAY DOWN AND DIE! You keep coming at them like you are their Nightmare!