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(Remember, pitchers throw more pitches from the stretch than they do the windup.)
Bob Tewksbury, Ed.M., CC-AASP is a mental performance coach with the San Francisco Giants Baseball Organization. He won 110 major league games over a 13 year career pitching for the Yankees, Cubs, Cardinals, Rangers, Padres and Twins. His best season was in 1992 when he compiled a 16-5 record and was named to the National League All-Star team. Prior to joining the Giants, he worked as a mental skills coach with the Boston Red Sox from 2004-2013 and 2015-16. He obtained his masters in sport psychology and counseling from Boston University (2004) and completed his B.S in Physical Education from St. Leo University (2000). He has provided mental skills training to numerous college teams and athletes in a variety of sports including Division 1 baseball and basketball, Division 3 baseball, men’s hockey and women’s lacrosse
I would have the catcher set up to my glove side (3-4) pitches, arm side (3-4) pitches (I always made sure the catcher’s body split the middle of the corner of the plate. This made me really focus on getting the pitch to the location I wanted.)
I would then go back to glove side up and in (2), arm side up and in (2).
Next I would go to my change-up, working in the middle of the plate and down (3-4).
Then I would go to the curveball; once again having the catcher set up right down the middle of the plate. My main goal here is to just get a feel for spinning the baseball. I would try to just drop in a curveball for a strike (3-4).
Finally, I would go “around the world” working to locate my fastball to key areas; glove side down, glove side up, middle up, arm side down, arm side up, then middle low. I would then go to the windup and repeat the same routine.
It would be about 40-45 pitch side with a purpose of emphasizing fastball location from both the stretch and the windup.
I repeated this same routine on two days later on game day.
I really believe the consistency of this routine helped me establish fastball command, which was imperative to my success. I found there is a big difference between throwing and pitching. How pitchers use those words is one of my pitching pet peeves. Here’s what I mean. If I ask a pitcher when he last pitched a common reply is, “I threw three innings yesterday,” or “I am throwing tomorrow” …. To which I reply, “When the game comes are you going to throw or pitch in the game?” They pause and say, “Ah, pitch.” There is a difference. Throwers don’t pitch, they throw. Pitchers throw on the side, they pitch in a game. Paying attention to how you throw, even when playing catch is important. What is your focus? Are you using good mechanics or are you just “throwing?” Anytime you pick up a baseball and throw it you should be replicating the act of pitching. It’s a routine worth repeating.
Mental Game Tip:
Don't shake your head "no".
Even body movements can affect mental states. Think about what is happening when you are shaking your head - you are saying "no". You are analyzing and thinking failure vs. being in a state of “yes” and thinking success. Shaking your head is a judgment and not a good one.
Instead nod your head up and down for "yes." Bad strike call as a batter? - Nod and say "Yeah, I got this".