Winning Attitude of Dominant Pitchers

The last few posts prior to this have been about dynamic pitching sequences designed to stifle hitters. One thing to keep in mind is that pitching is an attitude. Therefore, it is vital to execute the pitches with this proper mindset. Very simply, KNOWING that you will make each pitch efficiently. If you get beat, you get beat. And the hitter had to beat you when you were at your best. It is what makes competition so addictive. With that said, here are 6 Elements necessary to give you the Winning Attitude of Dominant Pitchers.

 

Winning Attitude of Dominant Pitchers
Preparation 

The Winning Attitude of Dominant Pitchers comes from being prepared both mentally and physically.  

Physically getting in your repetitions is essential. Throwing sessions, flat ground, and in bullpens. Here you work through any doubts or slumps and build your ability execute. Through this trial and error process, you learn how to make the adjustment when necessary.

 – How to make the fastball tail or sink

 – Finding a secondary grip on the Slider when your go to doesn’t feel comfortable that day

 – How to pitch inside

 – How to slow down your delivery and make pitches when you are rushing

The more you discover about yourself, the better you become. It’s that SIMPLE.

 

By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. 
– Benjamin Franklin

 

Mental preparation is the necessary equilibrium to the physical. You need both to advance up the very precious baseball ladder. Mental preparation is simplified down to being able to see each pitch thrown correctly in your mind and then physically execute them in the game. In every situation, you are to execute properly.  When done correctly, this is called…

 

Winning Attitude of Dominant Pitchers
Conviction

You know what is best for you when standing on the mound. Suggestions outside of your convictions are just static, meaningless noise. When you are pitching with conviction, you are committed to each pitch. As the old saying goes:

It is better to throw the wrong pitch with conviction,
then the right pitch with doubt.

 

With conviction, you own the pitch and you own the outcome. There is no second guessing here. Because of this pitching attitude, you are going to throw your pitches with intent to get hitters out. When you are feeling it, go with it!  None of this pansy, hoping it will work nonsense.

 

Winning Attitude of Dominant Pitchers
Confidence

Confidence is real. It is developed from struggling and being knocked down with the courage to get back onto the mound and jump into the fire with both feet. Through experience is how one gets better, even when failure is involved. It makes the success even sweeter. However, there is false confidence. That is called cockiness. Everyone sees right through it. Especially hitters. They get locked in against cocky pitchers. They want to make the cocky ones fail and enjoy the spoils of a shallow minded pitcher’s visible meltdown. Don’t EVER allow them to have an upper hand.

Cockiness is a cover up.

A cover up for not being prepared, for not working hard enough, for not being as good for as they run their mouth. Or for being downright scared.

Whatever the reason my be, the baseball gods have a way of thinning the herd. Stay in the moment and attack the zone with your best stuff.

 

Winning Attitude of Dominant Pitchers
Overcoming Adversity

All of the points mentioned so far prepare you to handle the inevitable adversity monster. Every game has at least one inning of adversity. Whether it be an error or two, a blown call or a seeing eye single to get the opposing rally started, it is your job as a pitcher to right the ship and minimize the damage. When you hear about pitchers who save their strikeouts for when then need them, this is a primary instance being referred to. Bases Loaded, Nobody Out, 2 Strikeouts and a pop up are ideal.

Good managers understand that these innings always happen. It’s why the team has 27 outs to score as many runs a possible. Stick to your game plan of preparation and conviction. One other thing to keep in mind about pitching in adverse situations,

Often times, you are 1 pitch from getting out of the jam.

 

Winning Attitude of Dominant Pitchers
Know Your Personality

Whether you are calm, cool, and collective and don’t allow any distractions to get in your way of making pitches everytime, like Corey Kluber. Or you treat every pitch with the intensity like it is Game 7, a la Max Scherzer, and everything in between. Or vastly outside of the realm of perceived normalcy. Your way of handling this is unique to you and you alone. When you figure this out and settle into to who you are, without trying to be someone else, results immanently increase.

As adjustments are always a part of life, sometimes you have to tone it down a bit in order to maintain control. Others may have to turn up the intensity to reach their desired levels of this great game. Keep in mind, with the high octane, adrenaline filled pitchers, the most important thing is to stay within yourself and make pitches. Don’t get too far ahead of yourself nor let the outcome lessen the focus on the process.

When the emotions overtake the execution, disaster happens.

 

Winning Attitude of Dominant Pitchers
Where Do You Stand?

How competitive you are as a pitcher is what catches the eye of the baseball higher ups. Having the right attitude as a pitcher is what has to be taken to the mound everytime. When you commit to throwing every pitch, you won’t ever beat yourself. Everyone can live with that.

Subsequently, you owe it to yourself to be positioned to get the most out of your ability. Along with a dedicated work ethic and baseball aptitude, you need to continue to develop your skills. This means eliminating what no longer works and adding new weapons. Personal Enhancement is a HUGE part of the process to succeed in this great game.

Have you always wanted to throw the Slider, yet no one seems to know how to help you? Look no further. Download your FREE Copy of the Slider Domination AudioBook, 7 Reasons Why YOU Should Throw A Slider.

 

In just 20 minutes, the whole perspective of your baseball future may become clearer than ever.

 

…and you will never know for sure if you don’t Take ACTION NOW!!!

Winning Attitude of Dominant Pitchers

Keep Dominating!!!