Pinch Hit Friday #24 - Ryan Conroy on Between-Pitch Routines
Mar 14, 2025
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Ryan Conroy, a pitching coach at Cressey Sports Performance in Florida, shares valuable insights into the game. He highlights the critical role of a solid between-pitch routine for young pitchers, emphasizing the blend of mental resilience and physical skills. Conroy discusses the importance of personalized routines, urging players to adapt practices that align with their style. He provides practical strategies that can help pitchers enhance their performance under pressure and ultimately improve their overall game experience.
A consistent between-pitch routine acts as a mental anchor for young pitchers, helping them manage focus and nerves effectively.
Customizing pitch routines to individual psychological needs is essential for maximizing performance and maintaining consistency under pressure.
Deep dives
The Importance of Pitch-to-Pitch Routines
Developing a consistent pitch-to-pitch routine is crucial for young pitchers, as it helps them execute their skills effectively under pressure. These routines provide a mental anchor, allowing pitchers to manage their focus and calm their nerves, thus enhancing their performance on the mound. For example, pitchers like Corey Kluber utilize specific actions, such as stepping back on the mound and wiping off the rubber, which are integral to their success. Such routines not only distinguish high-performing athletes but also serve as a means for less flashy pitchers to compete more effectively against stronger opponents.
Personalizing Your Routine
Creating a personalized pitch routine is essential, as each pitcher has unique psychological needs and performance styles. Some pitchers may require routines that help them center themselves before delivering a pitch, while others might need to energize and hype themselves up. Observing one's own performance nuances or seeking feedback from teammates can help identify the ideal elements to include in a routine. Ultimately, the goal is to establish a practice that is quick, simple, and meaningful, which can be consistently applied regardless of the game's circumstances.
In this episode, Cressey Sports Performance - Florida pitching coach Ryan Conroy speaks to the importance of having a solid between-pitch routine and offers insights on how pitchers can go about establishing this crucial process for themselves.