Pressure

Great question.

I think it's "A", because of the expectations.

I'd say B. Player A can have a bad day or even an on-field meltdown and still get drafted or play at a high-D1. Player B has little or no room for error and has to market/showcase himself optimally to stand-out.

I'm not sure there is a correct answer for this.  Pressure depends on the player and his mental make-up.  I can tell you that since my son was 11, I have always drilled the following Q&A into his head:

Q:  What is pressure?

A:  Something you put on yourself.

It has become a mantra for him.  Anytime he's in a tough spot, he falls back on that mindset.  Things are going to happen, both good and bad.  How you handle them is the separating factor....whether you fit into category A or B.

I have been around both and it all depends on the person themselves and what truly worries them.

Different pressure for different situations. Scenario A is the pressure to not "slip up" and make your stock drop. He has everything it takes at the moment, just waiting on time. Scenario B is pressure of trying to gain maybe just half the attention that scenario A player is receiving. I wouldn't consider B pressure in that sense. Maybe more accepting reality that days may be numbered? D1 player is no slouch. Ultimately it could benefit him if he simply gets that one shot and shows exactly what he's capable of doing? It's all about the opportunity.

I coached some kids that didn't show any pressure. Regardless of the situation it just didn't seem to bother them. I coached some that if you told them the local JUCO assistant coach was coming to the game they broke out in hives. And I coached some that the bigger the situation the better they were. They thrived on it.

Every game a "Known" HS player plays in he is targeted. Hey that's the kid that's going to UNC. He ain't that good. He struck out. He should have made that play. He will have to make that play in college. He blah blah blah. When he hits a jack "Well he is going to UNC." Well that was off a Jr in HS lets see what he does in college. The fans jeer him. The opposing team tries to validate their ability by beating him and it goes on and on. The player must be able to just play his game. Not allow that stuff to bother him. Some use it as fuel. Some it just doesn't bother. And some let it get to them.

I have had a couple over the years that had GM's come to see them play. Thirty plus scouts in the stands watching every move. Before the game. Of course in the game and after the game. At practices. Every single move is watched. There is only pressure if you allow yourself to feel it. If your focused on just playing the game your fine. So my answer is there is just as much pressure on the kid moved up from JV for a Varsity start in a game with nothing on the line as there is on a kid trying to impress a GM and get a big signing bonus. It just depends on the player and how he handles it.

Thats my son.  Came home from his HS Soph exit session with the coach and the coach commented that his ability to not feel the pressure is extraordinary and that will be a great asset to him over the next few years.  I would put him squarely in category B but no matter who is at the game or what is going on on the field or off of it, he just wants to play the game and have fun.  

Some people actually love pressure.  

Down by one run with 2 outs in the last inning, runners at 2b and 3b.  Your team's top hitter is at the plate, you are in the on deck circle.  What is going through your mind?  

A. They're going to walk him and load the bases... Oh Shit!

B. If they walk him I will be the last out!

C. Why Me!

D. Walk him and you're going to lose, I live for these situations.

This is an example of why makeup can be just as important as talent. Pressure is a problem for some and an opportunity for others.

Besides, Baseball pressure is not real pressure.  It's not fox hole type pressure or being in the top story of a building that's on fire pressure.  That said, I will always choose those that answer the question above with D as my fox hole partner.

PGStaff,

right on

Son was in that spot last night in conference semi's (see HS Spring 205 thread today).

Gets intentionally walked and pitched around often.

Surprise, other team pitches to him bottom 13th inning up 1, possible last HS game ever.

They throw all curves, rips one outside to RF for a 2 run walk-off line drive with runners on 2nd & 3rd with 1 out, both score..

Handled pressure great and came up big.

Opposing teams parents calling their coach out for pitching to our best hitter with 1st open

That said, understand those that find pressure tough to deal with..

I do not think I would handle it as well back at 17 years old.

Pressure is when you play for five  dollars a hole with only two in your pocket.
Lee Trevino

I think money or the prospect of life changing dollars can create pressure if you allow it to especially if the family is not wealthy.  Having seen a few 1st rounders in HS in both baseball and basketball as a general rule they are so vastly superior to their competition they can be off their game an still crush whoever they are up against in normal HS competition. 

AAU Basketball or Showcasing..different story.  There you'd expect a more level physical matchup and for competitiveness to drive a level of focus to block all that out. 

Its too bad you can't measure pressure or heart.  I'd take 9 guys that can handle pressure but don't necessarily have top talent over 9 flat out studs who wilt.  

There are those that perform with the lights on and those that can't.

For some reason my kid can handle the pressure and usually performs.  He may not have the highest batting average but usually leads the team in RBI's every year.  

I think guys that handle the pressure know the situation they are in and just make something happen.

Not trying to be off-color but when I was a sophomore in high school, playing poker with a senior, I remember him saying

"Pressure is when your GF misses that time of the month"

Redfish, that might be more pressure on the dad.....