The Ballgame Pitching Hierarchy
Tim "Ballgame" Nolan, MA
Elite Pitching Specialist and author of Pitcher Consciousness 5.0. Creator of the Ballgame Experience audio program. #OCTW #FTH
I just released a book that is specifically for pitching coaches, coordinators and scouts. I discuss my secrets for getting impressive results with pitchers. One of the key secrets to getting elite results with pitchers comes from Robert Rosenthal. He was famous for his research on what is known as expectancy theory. He was gracious enough to meet with me to discuss his research a few times. Basically, if you expect pitchers to get better and/or perform well then they are more likely to do so. Expectancy has way more to do with your underlying beliefs and thinking than what you actually say. I cover the specifics of expectancy theory in the book and how to apply it.
The most important factor that determines a pitcher's success is self-efficacy. Albert Bandura was a famous psychology professor just like Robert Rosenthal. Al conducted over 50 years of research on the influence of self-efficacy on success. Self-efficacy is your belief in your ability to accomplish a task. As you think and believe, so you will perform and so your pitchers will perform. Bob Rosenthal literally said, self-efficacy is self-expectancy. A key point I make in the book is that what you expect of others is largely a reflection of what you expect of yourself. It's like Snoop Dogg's classic quote, "You try to check my homie you best check yo self cuz when you dis Dre you dis yo self."
I cover a lot of other things in the book, but the central focus of it is on the Ballgame Pitching Hierarchy. The Hierarchy contains all of the mechanical, strategic and psychological elements of the craft. It contains the lower and more advanced stages of learning that I have found from 16 years of coaching. It is largely influenced by Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development. I coined the term Zone of Proximal Efficacy in my book "Pitcher Consciousness 5.0". The ZPE represents the pitcher's current strengths and weaknesses in the various levels on the Hierarchy. Being strong in all of the areas on the Hierarchy means the pitcher is likely to be considered Self-Actualized (assuming they have physical talent).
The Hierarchy gives you a systematic way of assessing and teaching each pitcher. The more advanced levels always take precedence over the lower levels. The object is not to teach pitchers to be basic because you're not basic. I don't teach coaches or pitchers to be basic. The pinnacle of the Hierarchy is efficacy, but it is something that is emphasized at all levels. Whatever it is that you are teaching a pitcher, you must always strive to build and maintain the pitcher's efficacy. All of the levels and elements within them are interrelated, but a certain level of proficiency and consistency is necessary before teaching the more advanced levels to pitchers that are new. After reading "The Ballgame Effect", you will no longer be an instructor or even a coach. You are a specialist like me.
I will give you a basic overview of the Hierarchy. If you want to learn all of the elements and other strategies for implementing the Hierarchy then be sure to order the book.
The Ballgame Pitching Hierarchy - Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved
Level 6 - Hitters Away (Efficacy)
Level 5 - Trust (Pitchability)
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Level 4 - Command
Level 3 - Intent
Level 2 - Presence
Level 1 - Mechanics
There are several elements within each level. It is an intricate model that gets results fast. Once you learn all of the elements, you can then develop a custom game plan for each pitcher. You can scaffold them to greatness. It is best to make sure to recommend my book "Pitcher Consciousness 5.0" when you are working with them.