How to help your pitcher through a tough inning

Before you say anything, check what you’re doing. Are you dropping your head after every miss? Throwing the ball back harder because you’re annoyed? Turn your attention to getting ready for the next pitch.

You can be frustrated too. Take a breath, return the ball with a throw your pitcher can handle, and get set. Show that you’re still there to catch the next one.

If a ball gets past you, finish the play first. Once play has stopped, own your part without a long explanation: “I should’ve kept that one in front. I’m ready for the next one.”

Some teammates like a few encouraging words. Others want less talking. Ask during practice, when there’s no rush: “When you’re having a tough inning, what helps you?”

In an ABCA article on pitcher-catcher communication, coach John M. Cissik explains that pitchers differ in how much conversation they want during warmups. Use that time to get comfortable together.

Don’t assume the same line works for everyone. Listen to the answer. If your pitcher wants one short reminder, agree on it with your coach before the game.

“Come on, throw strikes” doesn’t give your teammate much to work with. Keep your words tied to something you can do together.

Here are a few simple examples:

• “What do you need from me?”
• “Let’s get ready for this pitch.”
• “We’ve got one out. Let’s work on the next one.”

Use the words that fit the moment. Say them normally, without sarcasm or a lecture. If you ask a question, give your pitcher a chance to answer.

Keep any conversation between plays brief. For a visit, work with your coach and follow your league’s rules. A tough inning doesn’t mean you can call time or walk out whenever you want.

Encouragement matters, and you still have a game to catch. Check the count, the outs, and the runners. Know your team’s plan if the ball is hit or gets away.

Little League’s catcher guide emphasizes knowing the runners, the count, and where the defense is set up. Keep checking as the situation changes.

With a runner on third, for example, think through your job on a pitch in the dirt. Don’t let worrying about the last walk take your attention away from the ball that’s coming.

Stay with the pitch plan you and your coach have agreed on. Ask if you’re unsure.

You don’t need to figure everything out yourself. Share what you’ve noticed with your coach when you have a chance. “The last few pitches have been high” is more useful than “Nothing’s working.”

Leave a list of throwing corrections for the coach. Your teammate doesn’t need three people changing the plan at once.

If your pitcher says something hurts, tell your coach right away. Encouragement should never mean asking someone to hide pain or keep throwing through it.

At your next practice, take a minute with a teammate and your coach. You don’t need extra pitches for this.

1. Pick a situation: two walks, one out, runners on.
2. Say one short, helpful sentence.
3. Ask your teammate if it helped or felt like pressure.
4. Switch roles and try again.

You’re learning how to talk to each other before a game gets difficult. Keep the words that help, and change the ones that don’t.