The Mental Game

Mental Game Reminders for Pitchers
I recently revised a mental checklist for one of my pitchers and thought it might be helpful to share. These reminders are meant to sharpen focus, fuel confidence, and elevate game-day performance. Feel free to pass along more—I’m always adding!

Know Your Opponent
Scout hitters in advance—check GameChanger, Instagram, Facebook, or stat sheets. Know who the real threats are: base stealers, top batting averages, home run leaders.

Have a Pitch-By-Pitch Routine
Consistency builds confidence. Between each pitch:

• Touch the dirt to reset and ground yourself
  
• Use aggressive self-talk (“She’s lucky to be in the box with me” / “This girl’s going down” / “I’m the baddest pitcher on this field”)
  
• Take a deep breath—long exhale
  
• Visualize the pitch path before you deliver
  

Prepare to Win, Pitch by Pitch

• Do whatever it takes to get in rhythm—even if it means fixing the mound before every pitch.
  
• Go into each at-bat with 3–4 possible pitch sequences in mind.
  
• Set a goal: Get off the field in 15 pitches or fewer. Less time out there = fewer chances for mistakes (and your defense stays sharp).
  

Strategic Insights

• On contact, spin usually reverses—this is why riseballs and backhand changes generate pop-ups.
  
• Throw low to bunters who drop the barrel—creates foul balls.
  
• Throw high to slappers—but read their hands. High hands = potential chop. In that case, a drop ball may intersect the bat plane better.
  
• Be mindful of using drops and changeups with runners on—especially with two strikes.
  

Smart Pitching Tactics

• Mix it up: high/low, in/out, fast/slow. When in doubt, avoid the middle.
  
• When uncertain, throw your strength—not theirs.
  
• “Fat part of the ball meets fat part of the bat” = danger. Stay away from the heart of the plate.
  
• Trust your catcher. Don’t pitch to her abilities—pitch to your plan.
  
• A tight setup behind the plate helps frame borderline pitches into strikes.
  
• Hitting your spots often beats speed or movement.
  
• Perception matters. Always look in control, even if you’re not.
  

Be the Total Threat

• Know what each hitter did last time up.
  
• Watch hitters during warm-ups—see what they’re prepping for.
  
• Aim to strike out at least 1.5 batters per inning.
  
• Be a two-way player. Pitchers who can swing are a game-changer.
  

Mental Toughness Wins Games

• Bad things happen. Let the hit batter, walk, or home run go—it’s dead to you. Reset, refocus, and attack the next batter harder.
  
• Be the one who stops the rally cold.
  
• Pitch for the shutout. If the other team doesn’t score, they can’t win.
  
• Throw every pitch fearlessly. If you hesitate, you’ve already lost control.
  

Monster Mindset
Be the big, bad nightmare no one wants to face. You’re Freddy Krueger on the mound—they might stab you with a homer or shoot you with a line drive, but you never stay down. You come back. Stronger. Scarier. Still standing. Every pitch. Every inning. Every game.