the most important 10-15 seconds in baseball

What if I told you the 10-15 seconds between pitches is more crucial than the pitch itself?

It may sound crazy, but I’m going to show you why it’s true…with an example from one of my favorite baseball movies of all-time:

For Love of the Game

There’s a scene in the movie where the main character, Billy Chapel (played by Kevin Costner) is on the mound in a tight game at Yankee Stadium. 

Between each pitch, fans are heckling him, saying truly awful things.

The deeper into the at-bat, the louder they get.

Instead of folding under the pressure and letting it steal his focus, Billy Chapel falls back on what he calls his “Clear the Mechanism” routine. (you can check it out HERE on YouTube)

Before each pitch, Billy imagines something that brings him peace, uses his breath to slow down, and controls his self-talk, which allows him to continue to dominate the other team — and eventually shut the fans up.

Now, I understand most of you reading this aren’t playing in front of thousands of people…but the lesson still stands.

Developing a pre-pitch routine is essential. This routine should help you take control of your thoughts, your breath, your self-talk, and your focus.

It’s not just about preparing for the next pitch; it's about resetting your mind, regulating your emotions, gaining self-control, blocking out distractions, and maintaining your composure, especially in high-pressure situations.

Competition is chaotic and unpredictable.

The key to succeeding lies in having a system to deal with adversity not if, but when it strikes.

This proactive approach ensures that you're never caught off guard and are always in control, no matter what the game throws at you.

So, as you gear up for this spring, remember: those precious seconds between pitches are where games are won.

Mastering them can be the difference between a good season and a great one.

I look forward to seeing how you use these moments to your advantage.

Talk soon,

-Brandon