Pressure and What It Does To A Baseball Player

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On Baseball Tonight on ESPN before the final game 6 of the World Series last night, they had three great perspectives on how pressure affects different people. Barry Larkin, Curt Schilling and John Kruk each added their views. All different types of players, pressure affected each differently and they talked about how they dealt with it. In a clinching series game, there are several ways to approach the game. Neither one is perfect. It depends on the mentality of the player and his mindset at the time. How he feels the pressure and how he deals with it.

Barry Larkin

In a big game, the pressure would make him think ahead and try to anticipate the play ahead of time. As a shortstop, he had a lot of responsibilities. To be in the right spot at the right time meant he had to think ahead and understand where he needed to be or what play he needed to make. When this happens, it slows the game down and allows one to thoughtfully make the appropriate play.

Curt Schilling

To him, a big game meant a total adrenaline rush. As a pitcher, that meant he threw harder. However, as a pitcher, you have to corral these emotions and apply them to what you are trying to accomplish along with your game plan to each hitter/situation, to a point. When you are all jacked up, the adrenaline can hurt or help you. It depends on how you apply it.

John Kruk

Easily the coolest answer. He shrugged, no thoughts. Let your reactions take over. As a 1st baseman, to me that means he let the game come to him and took whatever the hitter or pitcher gave him. Although I know he was prepared, he would adapt to whatever situation presented itself at that particular time and acted accordingly.

Three different yet great perspectives on how pressure affected them. Which one is right? One of them and/or all of them? Can you combine them? Yes. Is it possible? Yes. One last note: On offense, you react. On defense, you dictate. Hmmm. The only sport ever where the table is turned upside down.

Think ahead. Be aggressive. But let the game come to you. I love this game...