In-Season: 5 Things I Wish I Would Have Known Earlier

High school season is here—which means hot days, quadruple-headers, long car rides, and a whole lot of competing. For pitchers, it’s an exciting (and sometimes overwhelming) time of year. So how do you make sure you're not just surviving the season... but thriving through it?

Here are 5 things I wish I would have known before I played in high school. Every pitcher should be doing to stay ready, recover fast, and show up confident every time they take the circle.

1. Have a Pre-Game Routine That Grounds You
It doesn’t need to be complicated—but it does need to be consistent. Whether it’s arm circle breakdowns, 7-minute warm-up, or a dynamic warm-up, doing the same prep before each game helps your body feel physically ready and your brain feel locked in. It also helps you focus on your game, no matter who’s in the other dugout.

2. Don’t Stop Practicing Just Because Games Have Started
This is the biggest in-season mistake we see. Just because you’re pitching in games doesn’t mean you stop developing your skills. You still need lessons and bullpen work to clean up mechanics, work on spins, and keep your “feel.” The best pitchers treat games like performances—but they still find time to train behind the scenes.

3. Recovery Is Everything
You’re using your body differently in-season: pitching more often, doing more high-stress reps, and throwing under pressure. Prioritize recovery between outings—ice, stretching, hydration, eating healthy, and sleep. Recovery is how you bounce back strong for the next game, especially if you're the team’s workhorse.

4. Communicate With Your Coaches
Don’t quietly stew, or outwardly gossip when you are aggravated about playing time. At the appropriate time, ask your coach what more you can do to get in the game. Don’t have your parents do it and don’t blame your coach. Take on the responsibility then do the work. Coaches want to support you—they just can’t read your mind.

5. Reflect After Every Game
Win or lose, take 5 minutes to journal or talk through your outing. What went well? What can you learn? What do you want to work on in your next bullpen? Pitchers who reflect grow faster—and carry fewer tough games around with them.

In-season training looks different than what you focus on during the preseason or offseason. Those earlier phases are all about building new skills, developing endurance, and pushing your limits. But once games start, the goal shifts: it’s about keeping your mechanics clean—because you don’t want to be thinking about them mid-game—and making smart, strategic adjustments. That could mean correcting pitch-calling decisions, tightening up your mental prep, or learning from a mistake you made in a tough moment.

When you approach the season with that mindset, you set yourself up for success—and no matter the outcome, you’ll walk off the field proud of how you competed and how you grew.