If you are fortunate enough to play this game for a long time, you will have many firsts. The first time you walk into a clubhouse. The first time you meet your teammates. The first time you take a swing in the cage. The first time you throw a pitch off the mound in a bullpen. These are all firsts that will get the butterfly’s going a little.
What really gets the nerves is that first at bat or that first inning of the season. Like I said, hopefully you get to experience a lot of these. The question is, how do you handle these moments? I personally got to experience many and yes the nerves are always there. There was even some nerves pitching in an alumni game that meant nothing!!
The level I am coaching at this year is where a lot of newly drafted players go to get their first taste of pro ball. All of these young men will experience nerves, and pressure, like they have never experienced before. Some thrive in these situations and some allow the nerves to take over and take them off their game. The ability to slow things down at times like this is a learned ability. Experience is the only way to learn how to “Control The Adrenaline” in these moments.
I have written before on “The Weeding Out Process” and this is another layer. I have seen some players who have this elevated level of adrenaline outing after outing and at bat after at bat. They can’t seem to get a grip on how to handle it and end up never reaching their full potential in the game.
Learn how to handle your nerves/adrenaline in this game and watch yourself thrive.
Founder of Baseball Dudes. Blessed with three beautiful children and an amazing wife. Baseball is my life, after my family, and I love sharing what I have learned from it. Thanks for taking the time to view what we offer here at Baseball Dudes.
I had a parent contact me the other day asking my opinion on how he should handle his 13 year old’s pitching season. His boy is playing on a little league team and a tournament team and is wondering if it could get to the point where he should shut him down as far as pitching goes. This kid is pretty advanced for his age and has a good chance to do something in this game. As we were talking, he brought up the last game he pitched and it came out that he threw 52 pitches in the first inning. I was absolutely floored when I heard this. To be honest, it really upsets me when I think about it. I’m sure it bothers me so much because I have worked with this stud for the last two years and am emotionally attached. But like I said, this kid truly has a chance. 
The name of the game is to throw strikes. A pitchers number one goal should be this. If we throw strikes, we will get contact which is what we want. Many young pitchers think they are suppose to strike out all the hitters. Yes it’s fun, but it shouldn’t be the number one thing on a pitchers mind.
I was fortunate enough to watch Yu Darvish pitch from the 5th inning on during his bid for a perfect game on April 2nd. It was awesome. He mixed his pitches perfectly, no pun intended! When I was in Japan during the 2006-07 seasons, he was a rookie over there dominating as a 20 year old. 
A good coach is a true teacher. Many youth, High School and College coaches will call pitches for the pitchers during a game. Often it is not explained to the pitcher why we called that pitch in that count. What happens is the player becomes a robot and never learns to think for themselves. If a player is talented enough to make it to pro ball, this can be a serious downfall. Pitching is so much more than just throwing pitches. It’s mostly about the mind game. How should I pitch in different game situations? How can I set up the next pitch and the pitches after that? What is my go to pitch to get out of this situation? 
This is way more important than most players, parents and amateur coaches realize. Without good communication between the pitcher and catcher, it can be hard to get in a rhythm. When the pitcher has to consistently shake off the catcher’s signs, it is almost impossible to get in a groove. A pitcher and catcher should meet up before every game and talk about what that pitcher likes to throw in different counts and situations. What is his go-to pitch when he needs to throw a strike? How does the pitcher like the catcher to set up on different pitches? What are his favorite put away pitches? Make things easier on everyone and take a few minutes to see what your pitcher’s plan is.
Pitchers need to take responsibility for the running game. Too often we will see bases stolen and blame it on the catcher. This mind set must be switched. It is our responsibility to give our catcher a chance to throw that guy out. If we are too slow to the plate, it is OUR fault he was allowed to steal the base. If we do not vary our hold times, hold the ball for different periods of time from pitch to pitch, it is OUR fault he was allowed to steal the base. We as pitchers need to all understand that it is our job, and nobody else’s, to keep that runner at the base they are on.