20 Things Every Baseball Pitcher Should Accomplish Every Time They Pitch

I'm big on setting goals. If you lay out your game plan and goals, you have a better chance to accomplish them. Here's 20 to get you started. What pitching goals would you add to this list?

1. Develop quality pitching mechanics.
2. Throw first pitch strikes.
3. Display the mental discipline to handle tough situations.
4. Throw effective pitches while your ahead in the count.
5. Use positive self talk after difficulty.
6. Finish batters off quickly.
7. Work with a quick rhythm/tempo.
8. Aim for a strike-to-ball ratio of 67% to 33% respectively.
9. Take deep breaths to relax.
10. Get outs before the 3 ball count.
11. Focus on the target with your next pitch, concentrate.
12. Control the inner half of the plate ... own it!
13. Commit to pitching with good preparation: exercise properly, eat well.
14. Field your position well.
15. Be positive: support teammates, even after errors and let the ump call his game. (Be the first one to congratulate your teammate after a good play behind you and the first one to pick him up after a mistake.)
16. Back up bases correctly.
17. Hold runners.
18. Protect your hitters: If your teammate gets plunked ... (!)
19. Use a modified slide step from the stretch, so you can have a quick release to the plate with runners on base.
20. Tell yourself three things:
    
    • "I'm going to hit the glove."
    • "I'm going to dominate today."
    • "I'll be the best in the shortest amount of time possible by working the hardest."