03 - Why the Next Pitch is All That Matt

03 - Strikeouts, Errors and Bad Calls: Why the Next Pitch is All That Matters

Strikeouts, Errors and Bad Calls:
Why the Next Pitch is All That Matters

Baseball is a game of mistakes. It always has been, and it always will be. No matter how much talent you have, how much preparation you put in, or how well you execute, there will always be errors, bad calls, and moments that don’t go your way. The key to success in baseball—and in life—is how you respond to those moments.

It’s easy to get caught up in frustration when an umpire makes a terrible call or when you strike out looking on a pitch you swore was outside. It’s natural to be upset when you boot a routine ground ball or when you hang a curveball that gets crushed over the fence. But dwelling on those mistakes doesn’t change what happened. The only thing you can control is what you do next.

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Major League umpires, with all their experience and training, still miss pitches all the time. They are the best in the world at what they do, yet they still make mistakes daily. So why would it be any different at the college level, high school level or in youth baseball? In fact, it’s worse. The strike zone will be inconsistent, borderline pitches will sometimes be called strikes and sometimes be called balls, and umpires will flat-out miss calls that can change the outcome of an at-bat, an inning, or even a game. But the question is, what are you going to do about it?

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You can stand there, argue with the umpire, and let frustration take over. But has that ever changed a call? You’ve seen it before—maybe you’ve even done it yourself—a player slams their bat down after a called third strike, turns around, and starts barking at the umpire. The only thing that accomplishes is putting you in a bad mental space for your next at-bat and possibly even getting ejected. Meanwhile, the pitcher is already back on the mound, and the game moves on without you.

This is why the best players develop a “next pitch” mentality. The past is already written. You can’t go back and change that last pitch, that last call, or that last play. But you can control what happens next. If you stay locked in on the present moment, you give yourself the best chance to succeed moving forward. If you don’t, you allow the past to dictate your future.

Let’s talk about pitchers for a moment. Say you’re on the mound, you get a ground ball to short, and your shortstop boots it. Instead of being out of the inning, you now have a runner on base. What do you do? Do you drop your head, stare him down, and let frustration eat at you? Or do you take a deep breath, reset, and focus on making the next pitch? The best pitchers understand that their job isn’t to control what’s already happened—it’s to control what’s happening right now. Errors happen. Umpires miss calls. You still have a job to do.

The same applies to hitters. You step into the box, take a borderline pitch, and hear the umpire call it a strike. You can let that get into your head, start expanding your zone, and take a bad swing on the next pitch out of frustration. Or you can recognize that the call isn’t changing, adjust accordingly, and be ready to attack the next pitch you can drive. The best hitters don’t dwell on bad calls. They adapt. They stay present.

Fielders face this challenge, too. If you let one error turn into two because your mind is still stuck on the mistake you just made, you’re hurting yourself and your team. A great fielder understands that the ball doesn’t care about the last play. It’s coming to you whether you’re mentally ready or not. So, you have a choice: sulk over the past or be prepared for the next opportunity.

This “next pitch” mentality isn’t just about baseball—it’s about life. Imagine you’re taking a test, and you realize halfway through that you made a mistake on the first few questions. If you let that frustration build, it could ruin your focus for the rest of the test. But if you accept the mistake, stay locked in, and concentrate on finishing strong, you give yourself the best chance to succeed overall. The same applies to relationships, school, and anything else you do. What’s done is done. The only thing that matters is what you do next.

Do the Best Players in Baseball Ever Make Mistakes?

Think about some of the best players in baseball. Do you think they never make mistakes? Of course, they do. But what separates them is how they handle those mistakes. Mike Trout isn’t standing in the outfield replaying a strikeout in his head while the next batter is up. He moves on. Max Scherzer doesn’t crumble after giving up a home run. He locks in and attacks the next hitter. The best players are mentally tough because they understand that in all sports, there will be some failures. They don’t let past mistakes dictate future results.

One of the best ways to develop this mindset is through routine. If you’re a pitcher, have a reset routine for when things don’t go your way. Step off the mound, take a breath, refocus, and commit to executing the next pitch. If you’re a hitter, step out of the box, take a deep breath, and clear your mind before stepping back in. If you’re a fielder, after an error, remind yourself that the next play is a new opportunity. These little mental resets help you stay present and focused.

Coaches and teammates play a big role in this, too. A great coach doesn’t let his players dwell on mistakes. He reinforces the importance of moving on, staying engaged, and focusing on what’s next. Great teammates pick each other up instead of letting frustration spread.

Do You Know When You Make an Error?

Think about the last time you made an error. Did you know you made an error? Of course you did. Did you need anyone else tell you that you made the error? Would a teammate glaring at you help? Let’s say the error was a ground ball hit to you. You got in perfect position but the ball went under your glove. Do you really need anyone to yell “Stay down on the ball?” Obviously “no” is the answer to all the above questions. So, if you don't want to hear it, do you think your teammates want to hear it? If your shortstop boots a ball, maybe say something like, “You got this. No biggie.” If your pitcher doesn’t get a borderline call, remind him to keep attacking the zone tell him "We got your back!"

If you want to be great at baseball, you have to embrace the unpredictable nature of the game. You have to accept that bad calls will happen, that mistakes will be made, and that things won’t always go your way. But none of that matters unless you let it. The only thing that matters is your ability to move on and control the next moment.

Baseball doesn’t stop just because an umpire missed a call or you made an error. The game keeps going. The only question is: “Are you going to stay stuck in the past, or are you going to ride the next wave and keep playing?”

Developing a “next pitch” mentality doesn’t mean you won’t get frustrated. It doesn’t mean you have to be perfect. It simply means that you recognize what’s within your control and what isn’t. You can’t change the past, but you can absolutely influence the future by what you decide to do in the present.

So, the next time you get a bad call, the next time you make an error, the next time something doesn’t go your way, ask yourself one simple question: “What’s next?” If you can train yourself to focus on the next pitch, the next play, or the next opportunity, you’ll find yourself not only performing better but also enjoying the game more. Because baseball, just like life, is all about how you respond.

For more in-depth training on all mental skills and physical training, email Coach Helke. Free initial consult can be done in-person or virtually.

Disclaimer

The content provided is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While the mental skill strategies and techniques shared here supports performance and mindset development, they are not a replacement for professional care.

If you are experiencing persistent stress, anxiety, depression, or any other mental health concerns, we strongly encourage you to seek guidance from a qualified licensed mental health professional. If you are in crisis or need immediate support, please reach out to a licensed professional, crisis hotline, or medical provider.

By using the mental skill strategies and techniques presented, you acknowledge that you are responsible for your own mental and emotional well-being and that the strategies and techniques shared here are intended as supplementary tools, not medical advice.