11/8 : Helping Pitchers Deal with Slumps and Failure

About Our Staff:

Questions Covered in this Post:

Q1. How do you help pitchers who are overthinkers but have a ton of talent? How do you get them to get out of their own way during a game?

Q2. What tips do you have for coaches that have players who are slumping? What can you do to help them reset?

Question 1.

How do you help pitchers who are overthinkers but have a ton of talent?How do you get them to get out of their own way during a game?

Ricky Meinhold:

A common theme in coaching is meeting players where they are. By building a daily routine, you put them in a position to succeed when their name is called. Rarely, if ever, is the conversation focused on results with players like this. Instead, it’s about the process — “the how” — which is an intentional conversation. Even the best bike riders in the world likely learned with training wheels at first. Breaking down the task to emphasize the end goal is a process. How we narrow that focus determines how we conquer the small steps that allow talent to shine through. Focus on the process and on making the right choices each day to develop the feel and confidence to succeed.

Mike Castellani:

To add to what Ricky has already said, I think it comes down to one word for me: Focus. Where/what is the athlete focusing on when he is pitching?
Example 1: Self-Talk
- How does the athlete talk to themselves? “I hope I throw a strike” versus “I know I’m going to get this guy out.” Step 1 for me is to uncover the internal thoughts each pitcher is having and help them realize that the mind manifests results. There’s nothing wrong with stepping off the rubber, taking a deep breath, and telling yourself something positive. Often, when I see talented players struggling on game day, it’s because they don’t have a reset routine. They just go pitch to pitch, hoping things will get better.
Example 2: Execution > Results
- The second thing I find useful is reminding pitchers to focus solely on the execution of the pitch. “Just focus on executing the pitch the catcher puts down. After that, it’s out of your control.” Keep them locked in on the task at hand so they’re not worrying about what might happen if they mess up. Most hits and walks are given up because pitchers are afraid of failure, which leads to a lack of focus and, ultimately, mistakes. Focus on the execution. What the hitter does with it is out of your control.

Charlie Barnes:

My biggest piece of advice for overthinkers is to find a mental cue that allows you to refocus on the present moment. Mine is “Next Pitch.” Regardless of what happens, good or bad, you have to be able to move on to that next pitch. There’s so much you can’t control as a pitcher, so what you have to focus on is what you can control.
I also try to avoid thinking too much about mechanics during a game because it can lead to further overthinking and trying to aim rather than trusting yourself and throwing with conviction. Find a mental or physical routine that works for you between pitches, trust your stuff, and focus on executing your pitch. That should keep you in a good headspace.

Question 2.

What tips do you have for coaches that have players who are slumping? What can you do to help them reset?

Ricky Meinhold:

As a coach, you’re not only defined by the performance success of your players, but also by how quickly you can help them recover from failure or a slump. Many players tie their identity to every hit they get or how many guys they strike out — but in a game full of failure, that’s a fleeting feeling that can cause emotional rollercoasters. There is joy in the chaos, but that joy comes from the work. Knowing what your player needs, and when they need it, is a coach’s most valuable tool. It’s about recognizing when to switch up a routine if it’s become more superstitious than productive, and knowing when to stay the course by emphasizing the small fundamentals that make them great. Don’t be afraid to change things up; the more you know your player, the clearer these decisions become. Be honest, and guide them back to performing at a high level.

Mike Castellani:

I’ll add that pitchers often respond very positively if you act fired up to help them solve their problems. Something as simple as pulling them aside before practice and saying, “Man, I can’t wait to get to work today. I have some ideas on how we can get you back on track,” can make a huge difference in how the athlete views their state of failure. It transforms their mindset, turning what feels like a roadblock into a challenge to overcome.
But again, it comes down to shifting the athlete’s perspective. Help them realize that the beauty of the game is in overcoming adversity, not avoiding it. Toughness, both in baseball and in life, comes from meeting challenges head-on without excuses and fighting for what you want. Having a coach in your corner who’s excited about the challenge and ready to put in the work with them is invaluable.

Charlie Barnes:

I try to take a step back and objectively determine what my biggest issue is. Why exactly am I struggling? Is it a mechanical issue or pitch shape problem? Is it an execution or location problem? Is it related to my sequences?
Once you take a step back and assess what’s going wrong, it allows you to create a plan to get back on track. Then, stick with that plan. Sometimes you just have to focus on the process rather than the results when you’re struggling. Keep your head down, keep working, and things will usually turn around.
The hardest part for young players is sticking with their routine when things aren’t going well. You have to fully trust and believe that the hard work you’re putting in today will pay off tomorrow. Self-doubt can be paralyzing. Get back up, get back out there, and keep fighting.