Covering everything from the mental game, pitch calling, picking a college and current baseball hot topics.
The Mental Sandlot Blog
Step 1: Build a Hierarchy
Organize the 15 pitchers into groups based on performance, ability, and role:
1. **Weekend Starters**: 3 pitchers who will take the ball for your team’s most important series.
2. **Mid-Week Starter**: 1 pitcher who can handle mid-week games.
3. **Relievers**: Rank the remaining 11 pitchers from top to bottom:
- **High-Leverage Relievers**: The best arms for tight games and critical situations. These pitchers must have good stuff, command, and the ability to hold runners and field their position.
- **Low-Leverage Relievers**: Pitchers who can handle less stressful situations, such as games with large score differentials.
This hierarchy isn’t static—it evolves as the season progresses. But establishing roles early gives clarity to pitchers and helps the coaching staff make better decisions.
Step 2: Spread the Workload
The key to long-term success is **spreading the workload across the entire pitching staff**. Far too often, coaches rely on the same 3-4 relievers for every critical situation, leaving others on the roster with little to no game experience. This creates two major problems:
1. **Burnout**: Overused pitchers wear down physically and mentally, increasing the risk of injury and diminishing performance.
2. **Underdevelopment**: Underutilized pitchers don’t gain the game experience they need to improve, leaving the team without reliable depth when it’s needed most.
The Arm Injury Epidemic in Baseball:
A Call for Smarter Pitching Staff Management
By strategically using all 15 pitchers in situations where they can succeed, you not only protect your top arms but also develop the entire staff. For example:
- Use low-leverage relievers in games with large score differentials to build their confidence and get them valuable reps.
- Rotate high-leverage situations among several pitchers to keep everyone fresh.
- Give mid-level relievers opportunities to work in tight games as they prove themselves.
This approach requires constant communication between the head coach and pitching coach. It also demands a willingness to trust the plan and resist the urge to overuse your best arms.
Step 3: The Payoff
When you manage your staff with a long-term vision, the benefits are undeniable:
1. **Better Arm Health**: By avoiding overuse, you reduce the risk of injuries and keep your pitchers strong throughout the season.
2. **Improved Development**: Pitchers at the bottom of the hierarchy gain confidence and experience, making them more reliable options later in the season.
3. **Postseason Success**: When conference tournaments and NCAA postseason games roll around, your top arms are fresh, and your staff has depth. You’re no longer forced to rely on a pitcher who’s thrown only 5-10 innings all year in a do-or-die game.
This system creates a team-wide culture of preparation and accountability. Every pitcher knows they have a role to play, which increases buy-in and keeps the entire staff engaged.
As a former Division I pitching coach and head coach, I’ve watched the baseball landscape evolve over the years. One thing, however, has remained disturbingly consistent: the epidemic of arm injuries among pitchers. It’s a topic that sparks heated debates and countless theories, but one aspect I see as a major contributor is how pitching staffs are managed, particularly at the college level.
Coaches are under immense pressure to win games and keep their jobs, and this pressure can unintentionally lead to short-sighted decisions that jeopardize the health of pitchers. When winning today takes priority over developing a sustainable plan for the season, pitchers are often thrown into high-stress situations without adequate rest. This not only increases the risk of injury but also weakens the team’s long-term effectiveness.
Let’s take a closer look at the problem and explore a smarter, big-picture approach to pitching staff management that protects arms, develops talent, and positions teams for sustained success.
A Smarter Approach: The Hierarchy System
Here’s the core of my philosophy: successful pitching staff management starts with intentional planning and organization. If you have a staff of 20 pitchers, it’s reasonable to assume that 5 are either injured or not ready to perform at the necessary level, leaving you with 15 pitchers to work with.
The Reality: Pitching Coach vs. Head Coach
It’s important to note that pitching coaches might fully understand and want to implement this big-picture approach, but in many cases, the head coach has the final say—and the two may not always see eye to eye.
The head coach’s perspective is often shaped by their own background and priorities, which may not include an in-depth understanding of what it’s like to pitch. They may not fully grasp the physical toll pitching takes, how much rest is required in different situations, or how overuse can lead to injuries and diminished effectiveness.
This disconnect can create tension, and it’s a battle the pitching coach will almost always lose. At the end of the day, the head coach makes the decisions, and the pitching coach has to adapt.
That’s a separate discussion for another time, but it’s worth acknowledging that this dynamic exists. For pitching coaches, the key is to educate and advocate while understanding the constraints of their role. Building trust and communicating the long-term benefits of a balanced approach can help bridge the gap, but it’s not always an easy road.
Let’s Change the Narrative
The arm injury epidemic in baseball won’t be solved overnight, but it starts with smarter decisions at every level of the game. Coaches, let’s prioritize the health and development of our players. Let’s build systems that set them—and our teams—up for long-term success.
Pitching is an art, and managing a staff is no different. It’s time to think big picture, protect arms, and win the right way.
Understanding the Difference Between Pain, Soreness, and Fatigue
for College Baseball Players
Learning to differentiate between pain, soreness, and fatigue is a crucial skill for college baseball players, especially freshman pitchers adjusting to the demands of higher throwing volumes. This blog explores how to recognize these sensations, why proper recovery (including sleep!) is essential, and the importance of open communication with coaches and trainers. With practical tips to manage soreness and fatigue—and advice on when to seek help—this guide helps players stay healthy, perform at their best, and avoid injuries that could jeopardize their careers.
From the Brink of Quitting to the Arizona Fall League:
How Shifting My Mindset Changed Everything
I was on the verge of giving up. My career felt stuck, and I was one step away from being released. But everything changed when I shifted my mindset and the way I viewed my struggles. In this video, I share my personal story of how I went from nearly walking away from baseball to pitching in the Arizona Fall League in the same season. If you're feeling stuck in your career, this story might be exactly what you need to hear. It's not just about talent—it's about perspective.
The fact is that winners and losers do have the same goals. Everyone that plays the game wants to enjoy success. The difference in many cases is those that consistently win are willing to put in the work and make a plan that will get them there. Below is an example using the goal of wanting to improve a pitcher's strike percentage and the things they can do to get there.
The Journey to Reaching Your Goals
Achieving your goals in baseball is not easy. It requires hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance. The process is often:
Frustrating: Progress can feel slow and discouraging at times.
Scary: Pushing past your comfort zone can be intimidating.
Uncomfortable: Growth happens when you embrace the challenges that come with improvement.
But the rewards are worth it:
Confidence: Each step forward builds self-belief.
Improvement: Small victories lead to big changes.
Fulfillment: Reaching your goals is a stepping stone to ultimate success.
Stay focused on the process, not just the outcome. Embrace the challenges, and trust that the hard work will pay off.
The 30 Second Conversation
As a pitcher, your ability to communicate with your catcher can make or break your game. In the heat of competition, you might only have 30 seconds to explain your approach. Whether it's during spring training or in a high-stakes game, clarity is key.
Your career is in your hands, not your catcher’s. The catcher’s job is to help you execute, but they can only do so if they fully understand your strengths and strategy. Here's an example of a concise and effective conversation:
“I throw my 4-seam glove side, 2-seam arm side. Use my cutter as my control-breaking ball, always glove side third. My curveball is an out pitch or early in the count. My changeup works best arm side third. With two strikes, I like to go in or up with my 4-seam or bury my curveball in the dirt.”
This level of detail allows your catcher to make informed decisions and call a game that complements your strengths. Practice articulating your approach so you can deliver this information quickly and clearly. Knowing yourself as a pitcher and being able to communicate your plan is essential to your success on the mound.
HOW TO EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR CATCHER
Playing To Win vs Playing Not To Lose
This article explores the critical mindset shift between playing to win and playing not to lose. It dives into how fear, risk-taking, and proactive thinking shape our approach to challenges, whether in sports or life. When playing to win, you embrace mistakes, take calculated risks, and focus on the rewards, allowing you to perform fearlessly and confidently. In contrast, playing not to lose stems from fear, making you cautious, reactive, and overly focused on avoiding failure. The article highlights the importance of trusting yourself, staying proactive, and enjoying the process, emphasizing that self-worth is never defined by outcomes. Perfect for athletes, coaches, or anyone striving for growth and success, this piece is a motivational guide to adopting a winning mindset.
Helping Your Son Choose the Right College: A Playbook for Parents
Let’s be honest—getting your teenage baseball player to have a serious conversation about their future can feel like stepping into the batter’s box against a flamethrower: intimidating, unpredictable, and full of one-word answers like “fine” or “whatever.” But hey, this is an important decision, and with the right strategy, you can turn those short responses into meaningful dialogue about college selection.
Choosing the right program isn’t just about playing time or facilities—this is about finding the best fit for your young athlete academically, athletically, and personally. Here’s how to make it happen in four actionable steps.
**Step 1: The Family Huddle**
Start with a family meeting (yes, phones down for this one). Think of it as a pre-game strategy session where you all decide what’s most important in choosing a college. We’ve put together a checklist to help guide the discussion, covering everything from cost and distance to academic programs and athletic resources.
Here’s the key: This conversation isn’t just about your son’s needs—it’s a team effort. What does he want out of the experience? What do you, as parents, value? Agreeing on priorities now will make the process smoother later. And if you want to coax more than a few words out of him, ordering pizza for the meeting might not hurt.
**Step 2: The Scouting Report**
Once you’ve nailed down your priorities, it’s time to identify schools that match them. Keep an open mind and cast a wide net—consider programs at every level, from D1 and D2 to D3 and Junior Colleges.
Look for schools that check your family’s boxes. Want a smaller school with a strong academic support system? Or maybe a program with cutting-edge training technology? This is where you create your shortlist, so don’t be afraid to dig deep. Remember, the more options you explore, the better chance you’ll have of finding a great fit.
**Step 3: The Advanced Stats (Plus Some Social Media Sleuthing)**
Now it’s time to dive into the details. Pull up last year’s roster for each program on your list and take a closer look. How many freshmen got playing time? Who’s graduating soon, and what does the team’s depth chart look like? Analyzing stats can give you a sense of where your son might fit in.
But don’t stop there. Social media is your secret weapon. Encourage your son to reach out to current players via direct messages (DMs). These conversations can provide invaluable insight into the program that you won’t find on the school’s website.
For example, ask a freshman about their experience adjusting to college baseball, or a player with limited playing time if they feel the coaches are fair and supportive. These honest, player-to-player conversations can reveal a lot about the culture of the program. Plus, it’s a great way for your son to start building connections with potential future teammates.
**Step 4: Making Contact with Coaches**
While doing all this homework, your son should also be reaching out to the head coach, recruiting coordinator, or assistant coaches at programs on his shortlist. A well-written email or direct message expressing interest in the program can go a long way.
Encourage him to ask about visiting the campus, touring the facilities, and even scheduling a brief meeting with the coaching staff. Coaches love proactive players, and this step shows that your son is serious about joining their program.
**The Secret Weapon: Player Intel**
One of the most effective ways to learn about a program is by hearing directly from the players themselves. Whether through social media DMs or in-person conversations during campus visits, these are the people who can give the real scoop on what it’s like to be part of the team.
Here’s a tip: Tailor your questions based on who you’re talking to. Ask a freshman about the challenges of their first year, a part-time player about their development, and a star player about the program’s strengths.
Sample questions could include:
- How are the academics? Are there enough support systems in place?
- Are freshmen given a fair shot at playing time if they outperform upperclassmen?
- How do the coaches use technology like Trackman or Synergy to help players improve?
These conversations not only provide valuable insights but also help your son start building rapport with potential teammates. And don’t forget—always thank players for their time and advice. It leaves a great impression and shows maturity.
**Final Thoughts**
This process is a lot like baseball itself—it’s about strategy, preparation, and patience. The goal isn’t to rush into a decision but to evaluate every option carefully. By following these steps, you’ll help your son make an informed choice about his future both on and off the field.
And if you need extra help guiding your athlete through this process, our mental performance coaching team is here to assist. From improving focus to handling the pressures of recruiting, we’ve got you covered.
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