Pitching Mental Side

By Geoff Zahn, former MLB pitcher

The mental aspect of pitching may be the most important discipline that a pitcher can go through to assure success. Many pitchers have a good enough arm to pitch in high school, college, or even the big leagues, but not all are successful. It's up to you to bridge the gap between physical ability and the mental aspects of pitching success. I'm going to show you how to do it.

Below are some objectives to help you with your mental preparation overall, as well as your mental preparation for games and practices. These ideas are what you should think and say. These will make you one tough pitcher to face. Go ahead: Say them out loud!

The mental aspects of peak pitching performance

I know "this game is mine." Every time I walk on the mound, I control the game or batting practice or throwing on the side. Nothing can happen until I release the ball. I am in charge.

I know the purpose of every pitch, and I can see myself succeeding. (The purpose is to get the hitter to hit the ball.) Visualization can be very beneficial.

Every pitch I throw is one that's designed to get the hitter out. I WILL NOT WASTE PITCHES. I will get ahead in the count and stay ahead in the count.

Every hitter must prove that he can hit my power pitch. My other pitches will compliment and set up my power pitch. (Note: Your power pitch is the one that you can throw for strikes in any count. Many pitchers have two or three! What's yours?)

I will develop an off speed pitch that I can throw for a strike when I am faced with a fastball count: 2-0, 3-0, 3-1, 2-1, and 1-0.

I will know my strike zone and will throw "pitchers strikes." I will never throw "hitters strikes." This means developing my power pitch on and off the plate, and pitching to both sides of the plate.

I will pitch inside. I will pitch inside. I will pitch inside.

I will develop a plan for each hitter. How? I will develop the attitude that every time I see a hitter swing or take a pitch I will learn about him. To do this I will be in the game on every pitch – on the mound or in the dugout or bullpen.

 

What to think about in games

Win the game throwing the fewest pitches I can. I want them to hit the ball.

Get ahead of each hitter.

I will get the first hitter out each inning.

I will get three outs before they score, (i.e., I will adjust to each situation as it develops and pitch accordingly to stop the other team from scoring.)

I will stop the running game.

I will stop the big inning, especially early in the game.

 

What to think about in practices

Every time I pick up a ball to throw it I will practice throwing it to the exact spot on which I fine center.

I will always practice controlling the ball with all of my pitches. (I will learn to adjust through concentration and compensation.

I will work to be able to change speeds on all my pitches.

I will put pressure on myself to execute through simulated situations.

I will practice varying my delivery to hold runners on.

I will develop my move to hold runners on and not necessarily to pick runners off.

I will learn to work better with my catcher, to get us thinking on the same page.

Geoff Zahn, of the Master Pitching Institute, pitched 12 years in the major leagues. He also is a former head baseball coach at the University of Michigan.