Alright, here's one that I could use some input on. My son pitches for a D2 college. He's done well overall this season, but during the season, he's had some mechanical things to work on. We've talked about it and he's made good progress working on them. He's told me that when he's doing bullpens and when he's throwing warm up pitches in a game, he feels fine. As soon as a batter steps into the box, he can feel that things aren't right. I saw it happen this weekend. Bullpen and warm up pitches, he looked real good. As soon as he started pitching in the game, I could tell it was a different motion. Almost looked like everything slowed down, like he's aiming the ball or wanting to be too perfect. He swears he's not consciously thinking any different and is confident with his stuff, but he knows things are not right.
I've suggested that subconsciously, he's trying too hard to place the ball and not make a mistake. I've suggested that he focus on a small part inside the catcher's mitt and not think about anything else, but just throwing the ball, focusing on that spot. I've suggested that when doing a bullpen, he get a batter to stand in and visualize that he's in a game situation and work on the above. Not sure what else to do. He's frustrated as well.
Anyone ever deal with this before? Any good suggestions I can make to my son?
