Optimizing the Situation

It is easy for a pitcher to get lulled into the flow of the game and lose focus from what he is trying to accomplish on a given pitch. Every pitch has a purpose. If you make a pitch without a purpose, it is one step forward, two steps back. Before you know it, you've gone from a comfortable three-run lead with nobody on to a three-run lead with men on first and second and the top of the order dying to step in and face you.

Here are some tips to prevent from falling into this trap:

1) Know what your stuff is doing that day: If you are throwing 9/10 sliders for strikes and 3/10 fastballs for strikes, I'm not going to tell you to stop throwing fastballs. However, stop throwing first pitch fastballs. Getting ahead 0-1 is pivotal, and you need to do whatever it takes to get there. If you're struggling with fastball command during an outing, work on making adjustments in o-1, 1-2, 0-2 counts. If you figure it out in these counts, you get outs. If you continue to struggle that day, you optimize the situation by only falling to 1-1, 2-2 or 1-2. From these counts, you still have a good chance for positive results.

2) Stick to your strengths and adjust from there: If you've been throwing fastballs by guys all day, don't get fancy on 1-1, 2-1, 3-1. Challenge them. Throw a good fastball down in the zone, and you will be fine. The same goes for the other stuff. If your change-up is your best pitch that day, challenge a hitter with it 1-1, 2-1 and sometimes 3-1. Being 1-2 vs 2-1 or 2-2 vs. 3-1 gives you a far better chance to succeed. When you get to those counts, execute. The only reason I say "sometimes" a change-up on 3-1 is because you need to be willing to double up with it on 3-2. But, hey, if it is your strength, attack them with it.

3) Pitch inside with a purpose: It is one thing to hit a guy because he has been hugging the dish each AB, and it is another thing to hit him on an 0-2 count when you're in a jam during an inning. An 0-2 inside fastball is a great pitch! However, make sure that you intensify your focus and don't let the "slappy" lead-off hitter earn a free pass. You can do this by taking your eyes to the black of the plate and slowly raising them to the mitt. This eliminates the hitter altogether and allows you to focus solely on where you are going with the pitch. And if your command is on point, get it in on his hands, too. If he takes for a ball, you've got him set up for all of your pitches. If he swings, he'll pull it foul/hit a weak grounder. Either way, your pitch had a purpose and your next pitch will be better because of it.

4) Understand what the hitter is trying to accomplish: In chess, one strategy is to stand behind your opponent and look at the board from his view. This allows you to see the board from his perspective. This should also be done as a pitcher. As a new hitter is walking to the plate, understand the situation and his plan. Is it the 2nd inning, or the 7th? What's the score? What has he done well or struggled with previously? Knowing what the hitter is trying to do allows you as a pitcher to try and keep him from succeeding.

Example: 8th inning, runner on 3rd, 1 out and your team is up by one run. One important variable is, who is on deck? From there, you break down how to attack the hitter. We'll say that the 8 hole is hitting, 9 hole on deck. This hitter is looking to get a fastball or a pitch up in the zone that he can drive in the runner with a base hit/sac fly. Keep the pitch down and on the black with the fastball. Throw off-speed in 1-0, 2-1 counts, and you should be fine. If for some reason you get to 3-0/3-1, do not give in! Execute a good pitch down in the zone or even slightly off the plate. If he chases, he hits a weak ball and runner holds. If he takes for ball 4, you get the next guy and have a shot for a DP. If the 9 hole hitter hits a 2-run double, tip your hat; but, don't give in to the situation and allow the hitter to succeed at his plan.

5) Think "excessively" positive: Before every pitch, visualize soft contact, a hitter taking a well placed fastball, or getting that inning ending double play. Former manager of the San Diego Padres Greg Riddoch tells players to avoid using the words "don't" and "can't" when going through what psychologists call "self-talk." Instead of saying to yourself, "I can't walk another guy" or "don't give up a hit here," say to yourself, "I got this", "watch this" or "come on" to pull yourself through a tough situation. When others surrounding you have doubt, be the one who is excessively positive; and, you will be amazed at the jams you are able to get out of.