What does it take to be pitcher?

My dad volunteered to pitch me when I was 8 years old because our team moved up an age group from coach pitch. I was the chosen one based off of willingness to try it out, and of course, if my dad thought it was a good idea, then, sure, put me in! At that time, I called myself a pitcher. NOW…I wouldn’t have been so quick to pull the trigger on that title knowing the true characteristics of what it takes to label yourself a Pitcher when you’re out there competing. At that time, I was filling a void on the field. I was playing a part like an actress in a play. What I later learned is that being someone who throws pitches to a catcher in an inning or two is different than being a Pitcher.

When I do clinics around the country with The Packaged Deal, the highest number of participants who want to pitch are probably between the ages of 8-12. At this age, the young girls are either trying it out or trying to fill a void on the team. They’re a little naïve, and it seems fun – to be the one who gets to hold the ball every play and be the one with the most physical action on the field. If you are a young player, or young parent getting involved in the sport, the first thing you pay attention to is the physical attributes that make a pitcher and you give most of your attention to the mechanical positioning of the pitch. What takes years to learn/experience and what you can’t see, is all that goes into being a pitcher internally.

The more you are around the sport and the older you get, the quicker you learn being a pitcher is not as glamorous as you once thought it was.

Eventually, either because of unwillingness to practice or lack of confidence, a high percentage get weeded out. I’m sure you’ve seen it – when you were younger you had 6-8 “pitchers” on your team, and then when you get older, you have 3-4 pitchers on your team.

Why does that happen? Because you learn that pitching isn’t just something you do, you learn that it’s a way of life and thought.  Most people don’t quit because of lack of physical attributes…but because of what it takes on the inside. They are lacking the DNA of a pitcher or they are lacking the patience to develop the DNA of a pitcher.

There are 4 different categories you can be placed into along the journey….

  • The Naturals– They’re born with “it.” What this feels like, I don’t know, because I definitely did not fall under this category. This person is born with the physical mentality to be a leader and the confidence to go out and beat anyone at anything they do. They are also born with some amazing athletic traits and can be considered naturally gifted.
  • The Renovators – These are pitchers who are not born with “it”, but given all the tools along the way to apply their knowledge and put it together. They get better with their tools the more experience they get.
  • The Static Ones – I think of a mouse running on one of those spinning wheels. They keep trying and trying. The Mice either aren’t given the correct tools, or are given the correct tools and can’t quite use the tools to put all the pieces together. Sometimes this is a pitcher who doesn’t have big goals as a Pitcher and they lack motivation to put it all together. Sometimes this is a pitcher who keeps trying and trying, but she fights herself so much without trusting, that the tools she knows become inapplicable. This is a pitcher who is not moving forward with her growth for one reason or another.
  • The Transfers – This is that majority who decide to pass on pitching early on. They likely enjoy another position more or they don’t want to spend the mental and physical energy towards pitching. They transfer out of pitching and focus on a different position or maybe even transfer to another sport.

Pitcher DNA Ingredients.

Your pitcher may have some of these, she may have even been born with some of them. Others may be working on all of them or working on some of them. In the end, to be a great pitcher, you have to eventually show that you can perform all of them. Those who are performing all of them on a consistent basis are the ones whose names you hear about on TV or read about in the newspapers. They are the ones somewhere along the way advanced from one of the “supporting actresses” to lead role on Broadway. Thing is – not everyone WANTS that lead role. Some people are ok with always being the supporting actress.

Ingredients when you are cooking all have to be put in the put together in order to make the best tasting dish. If you leave one out, you can still have a dish that might taste ok….but it won’t taste the same as when 100% of them are put in.

#1 – Pays Attention to Detail – To me, this all starts at practice. Pitching is one million small details all mixed together: how often to practice, what to practice on, what you are getting better at, what you need to work on, working on small little mechanics to build a strong foundation, pinpoint detail in hitting location. Think about how many pitches you will throw in a life. If a pitcher does not learn to pay attention to small details, then she will not learn along the way to be very successful. Paying attention to small details about mechanics and how to make small adjustments IS pitching. Learn to do this and you are setting yourself up for success along the way. If you do not have the patience for this, you most likely will hit a point where you are not getting better and other people around you will start to pass you up.

A Pitcher understands that all the small things add up to big things, and  gives upmost respect and attention to small details every step of the way.

Pay attention to little things throughout the day – take care of your uniform (no wrinkles), tuck in your shirt, hustle every single step instead of cutting it short, run out to your position, do every single rep (even when they may seem meaningless). Train yourself to start paying attention to details OUTSIDE of actual pitching and INSIDE of your bullpens. You will be amazed at how paying attention to small little details will change your game.

#2- Pursuit of Perfection mixed with Understanding Perfection is Unattainable – The biggest pro and con of every pitcher, no matter what age, is they want to be perfect. That pursuit of perfection should motivate a pitcher, but it should not paralyze her. In life, even outside of pitching, there needs to be a constant reminder that it’s ok to not be perfect. That reinforcement will play as a balancing act. Think of it this way- a pitcher might throw 100 pitches in practice with her dad. In an average practice, MAYBE 10 of them she will consider “perfect.” (Maybe you as a parent will consider more, but the pitcher is always going to be harder on herself). That means at that practice, 90 times she was not “perfect.” And not only was she not perfect, but she may have thrown those 90 imperfect pitches in front of her DAD, who she wants to be perfect for. Double whammy. So really it’s a lose-lose situation. We need to practice so we can try to be perfect, but we won’t ever be perfect. So we are just going to keep practicing, striving for perfection which will always be unattainable. A parent’s job is to combat this necessary evil. In just one practice a pitcher can get really down on herself, and then the practice becomes unproductive. If and when a pitcher can learn it’s ok to not be perfect, and move on to the next pitch to give that next pitch it’s best shot at being perfect, that’s when she starts to feel what it’s like to take that leading role.

#3 – Positive Self Talk – The thoughts inside of a pitcher’s head are more threatening than any physical attribute about her. More times than not when a pitcher is not having success in a game, I can almost guarantee it’s because before a pitch she is thinking, “Please don’t hit this”, “Please let this be a strike”, “Don’t throw a ball.” That kind of self-talk is exhausting and feels lonely. With that kind of talk, you are beaten before you even throw the pitch. Practice working on positive pitch thoughts in practice and lessons. Or instead of blank thoughts, turn them into positive thoughts. Maybe it takes having a moment by yourself where you “buy into” yourself. A lot of times it’s not a coach or a parent who can talk you into this. It has to be YOU. Maybe you’re in your backyard playing or in your room before going to sleep and you make the CONSCIOUS decision to have positive self-talk. Will it be there every day? Nope. I hate to tell you this, but no, you won’t feel it EVERY DAY. You have to work on it. But the more you train it, the more it becomes a habit, just like the physical mechanics of pitching. Like muscle memory – train your brain. It helps if you train your brain to do it in things outside of pitching. Even walking down the hall at school, thinking positive about what people might be saying about you, keeping your chin high and not letting negativity creep in. Start thinking consistent positive thoughts and you will be amazed at how you will FEEL and the results that it will lead to. 

#4 – Strong Focus – You have to be locked in and focused before anyone else on your team is. It all starts in the bullpen before the game. Have a soft focus of staying relaxed yet warming up and getting your mind focused on the task at hand. A strong focus once you get into the game will deal with pitch calling – remembering where you are in the lineup, remembering what the hitter did the last AB, thinking about what the count is, thinking about what you pitched the last time, looking at where she is in the box. You will have 100+ pitches in a game – that is 100+ times in a game will you have to focus intently on exactly what you are doing. Being a Pitcher, your mind is NOT on autopilot. You have to manually put yourself into gear every pitch you throw. When your team is hitting, you are thinking about who is coming up to bat the next inning. You are focused while other people on your team may be messing around in the dugout. Your strong focus takes over where you never lose sight of the task at hand. If you are not up for this kind of set focus on the games, pitching is not meant for you. Never just go through the motions. If your body is pitching, it is learning and you should be focused on making your craft better whenever you set the intention and set aside the time to practice. Train your mind to be focused in on the task at hand whenever you are in the circle.

#5 – Determination/Resilience/ResponseThese three ingredients go hand in hand with each other. Anything that is worth anything in life is going to have its down moments, even moments where you may want to quit. The best Pitchers you hear about on TV or in the paper, you read their names and see all the glory next it, but it fails to mention the times those players who are even considered “the best” wanted to quit.  I am going to tell you right now there are going to be multiple times as a pitcher you want to give up, but if you love it, you will keep coming back to it. There are going to be times you are injured…almost everyone will get injured as one point or another – it’s just a part of sports. Don’t feel sorry for yourself – find a way to get better and get healthy. The resilient ones will work hard to get back to the form they were in pre-injury. If you’re THAT determined and THAT resilient, you will see it in a game where you don’t have your best stuff. Not every day you are going to FEEL your best as a pitcher, but if you are determined to find a way to go out and compete and give it your all, that’s all anyone would ever ask. When you come upon adversity (we ALL will) go at it full force! Whether it be inside a game where you are getting hit really hard or you come upon an injury, always remember it is NOT that moment that defines you – it is how you RESPOND. Your response defines you as a pitcher, as a leader, and it defines your character. Be resilient. You are so much stronger than you think. If you love to do something…if you truly LOVE to do it, even through the toughest moments. If you feel it in your heart, DO IT.  

#6 – A) Will to WIN – You better believe that determination and resilience tie in with a will to win. I am not talking about those players who just sit there and say, “Yeah, I want to win.”

I am talking about those players who will do ANYTHING it takes to win every single pitch. You see them fighting. Why? Because they have a reason to fight. That reason? Simple. To win.

To be a successful pitcher, you HAVE to want to WIN. If you don’t have that internal drive to will your body to win, then you don’t have much chance of being a successful pitcher at a high level. A team plays harder behind a pitcher who possesses the will to WIN. If you don’t want to WIN, then you are probably just playing for a hobby. It goes back to the difference between someone who is just filling the role of throwing pitches to a catcher versus a pitcher who is throwing pitches to a catcher with the intent figure out a way to WIN. Those pitchers with the will to win you see their name more often. Their team fights harder behind them because the team knows every single pitch that pitcher is fighting for them. It works both ways. You either want to win, or you are just out there going through the motions just to get the game over with. Compete with yourself at practice, compete against your coach, and compete with your teammates.  Compete in healthy ways, but train yourself and your mind that you want to compete to be the best. Nothing will be given to you – not an out, not an inning, not a starting spot. You HAVE to have the will to win and the will to compete if you want to be successful. 

B) Know How To Win– Ok, so you WANT to win, but do you know how to win? There is a difference. First, you have to have the will. Then, you have to know what it takes to win – the way it feels to give your all every single pitch and come away with the W. Some pitchers may be great for the first 2 innings, but then maybe they lose their focus or the other team catches on to them, and they lose the game in the last 1-2 innings. Being good for the first couple of innings doesn’t count as a W.

You have to know how to win a complete game.

A complete game may feel like a marathon, but a Pitcher will be able to figure out how to beat an opposing team for an entire game, not just a few innings. First, you have to have the physical endurance – it will help with hitting consistent locations to last an entire game. You also have to be able to mix speeds to last an entire time- can’t just throw one. And finally, you have to be able to work BOTH sides of the plate – you can’t just live on one (it makes it too easy for a hitter to adjust to). When you have experiences to draw on where you mixed together the WILL to win and figuring out HOW to win, then you can go up against almost anybody and know you have a chance.

#7 – Want the Ball – Finally, the greatest pitchers I have ever witnessed want the ball. What does that mean? It means when the coach asks who wants to pitch the championship game, that player has her hand out waiting for the game ball to be put into it. The average pitcher won’t feel this. It takes courage and guts to be the one who puts her hand out. The average player doesn’t want the ball because they are scared to make a mistake and are scared to lose. In this game, you can’t pitch scared to lose. You can’t pitch scared to make a mistake. Every inning, every game, you have to be the one who wants the ball. You have to know what wanting the ball entails.

Wanting the ball does NOT mean you are going to be perfect.

If you put those two hand in hand, you are greatly wrong. Wanting the ball means you are going to give your all on every single pitch. It means you are committing to be locked in. It means you have a belief in yourself that you are going to be able to make adjustments when necessary. Wanting the ball means even if something does not go your way, you aren’t going to give in. And wanting the ball means you are determined and resilient with a passion to do what it takes to win. A pitcher who wants the ball may even call a meeting with her coach and be brave enough to say, “I want a chance to pitch in the championship game” or “I want a chance to pitch in the bracket game.” She doesn’t want this because her PARENTS want it, she wants it because it’s a feeling inside of her that she knows she can do it and succeed.  It says a lot about a pitcher who will meet with her coach and say aloud that she wants to be The One in the circle.

Always remember that you may have all these qualities as a pitcher, yet some days that means you last in a 11-10 game, and your team still wins. Some days that means that you fall on the other end of an 11-10 game. Other days you may win the 1-0 game. No two games are going to be exactly alike, but you can always strive to show the above ingredients and build the confidence inside of yourself to be the Pitcher who wants the ball. The biggest thing I know is that #1-6 do not matter if you don’t have #7.



About author View all posts

Amanda Scarborough

Big 12 Freshman of the Year (2005)
Big 12 Player of the Year (2005)
Texas A&M Softball All American ('05 & '07)
Big 12 Pitcher of the Year (2007)
WCWS Appearances ('07 & '08)
Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee (2014)
ESPN Softball Analyst
The Packaged Deal co-founder

57 CommentsLeave a comment

  • My granddaughter Addisyn Linton has the DNA of a pitcher (at least I believe she does).

  • Amanda
    Great article. As a club coach in AZ for the last 6 years and a dad of a 14U pitcher I agree with your assessment. It’s the “Heart” of the athlete/pitcher that your cant measure. The girl, even when her stuff isn’t working, wants to be in the circle. Coaches can identify this, but it’s impossible to teach. Lauren haeger, Bre Macha, Dalls McBride, Tamara Statman in AZ the last few years all possess the “IT” factor and just have that drive and eye of the tiger….
    Hope to see you in AZ soon…

    • Right on point coach. And yes your pitchers have that desire. It’s a pleasure competing against teams like yours, best against best. True desire, heart, ability, great job coach.

  • I love that you spell out the nitty gritty of pitching, not just for the pitcher, but for the parents as well. Thank you for for your inspiration and honestly you lay out for these young girls. I have learned a lot about myself, as a mom of a pitcher, from your articles and posts.

    My daughter has talented but lacks the drive or as you put it the will to WIN. She has worked really hard the last couple of years, with a lot of pushing from my husband and I, to get better. And believe me she really has gotten quite good, but she really seems content with where she is at in her pitching. I have thought many many times, “I wish it was enough for me to want IT for her”. I hope with me and my husband “laying off” her that maybe she’ll find the drive she is lacking, If not I/we will enjoy watching her now. Thank you again so much!

  • Awesome article! As the mom of a pitcher this article is dead on! Great read!

  • I met Amanda when she was hosting The Packaged Deal in NKY, and she was so sweet and helped me with my drop ball. I look up to her so much!

  • Amanda,
    I played softball as a college athlete. I was also a pitcher. Being a pitcher was the most defining thing about my life from the time I was nine. I was created and put on this earth for that role. I was the live, breathe and eat the strike zone kind of player. After having an Ulnar Nerve injury during my 2nd year of college ball, having surgery and then trying to compete my 3rd year, the doctors shut me down. I went through this past year losing my last year of eligibility. Softball was my life until Easter weekend of my junior year of college when I learned I no longer had control of feeling and function in my right hand (pinky, Palm and ring finger mostly)! After that knews I went through a phase of depression. I have not been able to compete in that environment since. I crave that competitiveness I once got on a daily account. Is there anything you can share that would enlighten me on how to handle this sadness, this empty void in my soul? It sounds cliche but is soooo true.

    Thank you for any insight you can share with me and the rest of your followers!

    • My softball career ended with an injury too. I didn’t know the last game I played in when I got injured would be my last game! As hard as it is, gotta let go of what happened in the past and move forward with a happy spirit! I think coaching absolutely helps because you can find your NEW passion. Whatever that passion is, even if it doesn’t involve softball, do it with all of your heart and know that you are exactly where you are supposed to be, even if you took a crazy route to get there!

    • Use your love of softball/sport to make a living.. don’t look back 20 years from now and have regret. If you love the game become a Coach, etc.
      Use that passion to inspire others.

    • Hmmm not sure why, it’s been shared over 4K times…..maybe try copying and pasting the link? sorry about that!

  • Everyone seems to want to win, but the great ones hate to loose. Think about it. You win a game and the feeling goes away in a couple hours. You LOOSE a game and that sick feeling sticks with you until the next contest. Real winners will do anything not to lose, but their focus is on winning. The ability to focus on the task at hand and not the situation is key, as Amanda said.

  • Very interesting and insightful perspective! We’re looking forward to seeing you in Madison AL on Jun 16th. I’ll be sharing this article with my daughter, Eleanor, who will be at the pitching and fielding sessions…she loves reading your columns!

  • My daughter is a 13 year old pithcher with great potential. Look forward to sharing this article with her. Very well written!

    John

  • Love this! Article is great.., picture looks like one I took just over a month ago of My SD! My little catcher who just so happens to be a true pitcher! So mine was a “natural” who even though she showed up to catch couldn’t hide her inner pitcher, and then what I would call a reverse transfer. She loved catching and just never got a lot of opportunity to do it. She was so small most didn’t give her a clean tryout. But anytime someone would put her behind the plate and give her half a shot she would prove she is a beast and won’t let anything get by her. She is almost 11 and had been moved up because of a coaches recommendation. But as I said she is a reverse transfer, meaning that she did great catching great at right field and loved both…but she naturally transferred into a pitcher because she was just born with that ability. She walks onto a field as a crazy happy go lucky kid. She wants to have fun and gets everyone riled up, even if it means making fun of herself. But all the while she is watching everyone, watching strengths and weaknesses, learning what she can do and help them do to pull together and become this well oiled machine! I love this game and love watching great players play. However watching this little girl and seeing what she has to unleash…just keeps me in awe and on the edge of my seat! Ready for the next battle!

  • Amanda, thank you for taking the time to put this out there. I have printed and will let my daughter read it. She is 12yrs and absolutely loves the game. She pitches and plays 1st base. I love the early morning drives to the games. The looks she has one her face when she knows she is heading to a game is priceless. There are times she can be so hard on herself and I tried to encourage her to just do your best. She battles seizures and her condition has caused some challenges. I am always looking for other athletes that battle against seizures and continues to play their sports. I would love for her to chat with someone else who can keep her encouraged has she battle those days she can’t be on the field with her team.

  • I was also a college pitcher who had an injury that changed my life. I saw it for the better but I’m sure my Mother and Coach disagree. I am also smaller than your average pitcher standing at 5’7″ and throw in the upper 60’s hitting 70mph on a good day. I use a similar drive but mine is more outward than upward because when I was driving upward my “drag leg” would leave the ground. I’m happy to read about someone else’s techniques who wasn’t born with the optimal 6 foot figure.

  • After so many years of coaching pitching possibility the best synopsis I ever read..

  • I have worked on being a pitcher and I am just scared to step on the mound BC if I walk 4 a coach has to pitch and I feel like I would let my team down even though I can throw strikes I just get nervous. U have inspired me to now step on the mound no matter what.
    Thanks whit. 10 u

    • yes do it! it’s ok if the coach has to come in and pitch! you won’t be perfect, and that’s ok! and if the WORST thing that has to happen to you that a coach has to come in and pitch, then that’s ok! just try your hardest always!

  • My daughter is a 10 year old pitcher. Thank you so much for writing this article because I notice our daughter listens more to other senior players more than dear ole’ mom and dad. I’ve also heard many other parents say this. Any recommendations about how to get children to realize the importance of mom and dad’s contributions to the process? Is this realized later as they mature? She is finally starting to realize how critical practicing “positively” with her dad is and how that translates into success on the field, but it was a long journey and I’m not sure we are completely there just yet.

    • Sorry this is so late. I had the same problem with my parents when I was younger. I never listened to what they had to say and never took their advice. But, now that I’m older (15) I’m listening more and realizing that they said things I didn’t want to hear like “you have to work harder” because they wanted to help me. For me, this was something that came with maturity, but maybe because your daughter has seen that listening to her parents helped her play better she will start listening to you more.

  • She has natural talent and the will, her heart is in it. She gets upset because she has no backup from her teammates when playing tournaments or games. She keeps on going even without them in every game. Pitching her heart out and holding back the hurt. Afterthe games people praise her and congradulate her on pitching a great game even though it was another loss due to no backup and support. She smiles and starts getting ready for the next one. But in her heart…I know it hurts to lose.

  • Great job ! You are helping and inspiring many young pitchers out there! Keep it up! Thanks

  • I have a 10 yr old daughter. She has me out almost everyday working on her pitching. My concern is her height. She is one of the smallest girls on her team and neither I nor her mom are tall. She is Left handed I was wondering if jer height could hold her back?

    • It will hold her back only if YOU make it a big deal. Teach her to outwork everyone because of her size and to be a “crafty” lefty – relying on spin and changing speeds! Get the most out of her speed, but don’t rely on speed.

  • every player needs to read this. My daughter is a catcher. Her and her pitcher can’t get down the matter what the score is. No mater how many errors made on the field. If the rest of the team can feed into this mind set. You have a awesome team. But I agree the pitcher keeping her composer can lead the team.

  • Great article. I have a daughter that pitches in 10U and will be moving up to 12U, I will share this with her.

  • I have been so worried about my daughter. She is a softball pitcher, age 12. Her life is softball. At age 10 her (12 u) travel team made her a ‘designated pitcher’ bringing her in as a closer. The team was a tight group of girls, my daughter a newcomer from rec. after that she was asked to join another “A” ball team. Again an outsider with unique skill. It was ridiculous but she was not given the chance to play any other position because she was so good under pressure that the team needed her there. Again we moved on after one season. Trying again with another team now. Fingers crossed. In every other aspect of her life she doesn’t fit in. She seems lost socially, and even struggles socializing with her team mates. Not autistic spectrum, but shy and not interestedin the superficial. She is very serious, quiet and focused. She is in her glory in the circle: happy, engaged, fulfilled, powerful. Sadly softball pitching seems like the only place she finds her glory. Yes, these “DNA” traits seem to describe her. Not a girl to run around hugging, screaming & giggling like pretty much all the girls her age seem to do. She is a very good student and interacts well with adults. This article helped me as a mother tremendously. I am really struggling to fill the rest of her life with meaning and to help her find balance but this writing gets me to also see the unique gift my daughters has. Thanks.

    • Just read your comments on Amanda’s softball website…..DNA of a pitcher. They hit home. Your child is not alone. I am not sure who it is more difficult for…the child or the parent. My daughter loves to pitch but constantly needs reassurance and coaxing. She is losing interest…or confidence in the game and I am struggling to know what to do…keep encouraging or let it run its course. It seems you understand my situation most. ..this isnt like other giddy teens.

      • Thanks Jennifer, the words “your child is not alone” touched me. Sometimes a few simple words of understanding can make a huge difference in someone else’s life! Your response as well as the article Ms. Scarborough wrote made a difference for me. I guess as mothers, the best thing we can do is give our daughters unconditional love and encouragement. I am trying to balance being a mother with being a friend for my daughter. It is tricky but she needs a friend… I’m hoping as she moves through the world she will find someone who appreciates her qualities. Regarding softball; is your girl losing interest in the game or just frustrated with teammates/coach? A suggestion might be to seek out a one on one pitching coach ( preferably a female who played college softball, ie someone like ms Scarborough who no longer plays but is giving back for love of the game and to encourage young women…) this could help her recognize her talent in context to the future. What developing natural talent can do in terms of opening her world to opportunity….

  • I am a pitcher and this helped, I’ve grown to not love it as much because for my school ball team I was one of three pitchers and then one of the others got injured and the last got removed from the team for grades, all before the first game. I ended up pitching every game, the entire game. I also had a coach who I swear was on the bipolar side and one minute she would tell me “this all rides on you, don’t mess up” and the next moment she would say to the rest of the team “Andie’s doing her job, you need to pick it up”. This did not help. On top of that my shoulder and knee were bothering me as well as an ankle I was on crutches for only weeks before. I loved it but I had no break, my coach even told me “if you decide to quit pitching or need a break for a game we have to forfeit the season” even though there were girls willing to try pitching to give ma a break a few innings if my ankle really hurt.

    • Things like this will only make you stronger in the end! You may bend, but don’t break.

  • Thank you for the great article! As a mom of a 1st year softball player who wants to pitch this great info! However…. I’m forwarding this to our coach and a couple of pitchers com’s on my sons AA hardball team….EVERYTHING you said applies to our boys too!! There are so many things to be learned from your words! The boys struggle because they let the other team on base, or score and they take it to heart… knowing that its OK to have a bad inning or game is great news to share. Thank you!!!

  • hi, I started pitching when I was 8 years old. Of course, I had my rough patches but I am now 15, and the love for pitching has never eased. I’m a natural pitcher, and I pitch very well now approximately high 50’s- low 60’s. Although my coaches don’t see potential in me but everywhere else does. But nobody will get in the way of my love for the game.

  • Amanda, I would like to have my daughter attend one of your clinics where can I find a schedule or can you tell me when you will be in Northern or Southern California?

    • Hi Willie! All of my clinic are done through The Packaged Deal. We plan on going to both SoCal and northern in 2016. The best way to stay updated and know WHEN is by following our newsletter. Please go to http://www.packageddeal.com and sign up for our newsletter!

  • Hey Amanda Iam good friends with uncle timmy P.
    He was just at my house few weeks ago…
    Salvatore Cantalupo

  • I am a pitcher, and this article helped a lot in my mental state of what to think when I am pitching. Thanks for the such helpful advice!

  • Thank you for your encouraging website. It is full of great advice and powerful words that can only inspire and lift up anyone who reads it. My daughter Kelsea has been pitching since age 10 and in some fashion I have been her and her younger sister,
    Megan’s coach all along the way, the last 3 years as their varsity coach. Both of my girls are great athletes, Megan played short stop at the varsity level as a freshman last year with one error the entire 15 games at the spot. Cannon for an arm and the ability to knock down anything hit her way. I share that about Megan for others to know that even with her talents she has tried hard but could never be a pitcher. One of your articles talked about DNA. And it’s so true. Missing just one ingredient is enough atleast in Megan’s case, but being encouraging and supportive has helped her focus on excelling at another position. I just want everyone reading your articles here to know that everything I read is spot on and I wish I would of had this site as another coaching tool along the way. It would of been so helpful to not have to hit every bump in the road along this journey. But in the end it will make it all worth it. Kelsea has been the starting varsity pitcher since 9th grade, strikes out more than 12 each game and from the plate is a threat to score every at bat with wheels that remind you of watching the roadrunner running away from the coyote . She is now in her junior year with so much confidence and determination this year from the mound compared to the other two years at this level. The reason for this is she now BELIEVES … Everyone around her always has and that helped, but it’s different when you see it come from inside her and it’s genuine. As a said before, my girls and I learned a lot of what is in your articles for ourselves without having a “guide” like your website to follow. Your fans and followers are so lucky to have you, keep up the good work.

  • I’m an entirely self-taught pitcher almost everything and anything I know about pitching is because of your pitching videos. Just now my coach discovered that I know how to pitch and he says I’m a natural. He wants to work me over the summer so that I can pitch next season in 14u ball!! I own it all to you!

    • That’s so awesome, Gracie!!!!! Best of luck to you, I am so excited for you! Hope you follow my Facebook Page and also The Packaged Deal for more tips and drills!

  • Thank you for this. I know a few girls who have the heart of a pitcher, I will share this article with them to help inspire those who want to continue will maybe understand their inner feelings and decide well. In Kuwait and Dubai we are lucky enough to have great inspiring coaches that help the girls along, including my 14U pitcher!

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