By Pierce Jones –
There’s something about pitching that makes you feel like you’re living in two different worlds. On one side, you’re obsessed with getting better—you’re watching videos, tracking progress, tweaking your movements, and trying to fit in all the work that will help you get to the next level. On the other side, you have family, school, relationships, and people who care about you—but don’t always understand why you’re doing all of it.
Kobe Bryant lived this same tension. He called it the “Mamba Mentality.” And it wasn’t just about working hard—it was about being completely engaged in everything you do. Ruthless with time. Obsessed with details. As Simon Sinek says, “Focused on the infinite game.”
As pitchers, we live on that tightrope, too. We’re constantly walking the line between improvement and what might be viewed as “doing too much.” Between being present and being possessed. That’s not accidental—it’s the cost of trying to be great. Most guys don’t really understand what it takes. Everyone talks about “grinding,” but few understand what it means to do all the invisible work when the lights are off and no one is watching.
That’s the edge Kobe lived on. It’s where greatness lives in baseball, too. But here’s the hard part: when you live that way, balance becomes tough. You miss things. People might say you’re “too into it.” And sometimes, you even start wondering if you’re going too far.
That’s the tightrope. It’s uncomfortable. It forces you to look in the mirror and ask, “Why am I doing this?” If your answer is honest—if you are truly in it to build a career, not just chase quick results—then you have to accept that discomfort is part of the process.
That doesn’t mean you should ignore everything else in your life. It means you learn how to manage it. You learn how to train with purpose. You recover just as seriously as you throw. You study the game like your future depends on it—because it does.
Pitching isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up every day and being 1% better than yesterday. It’s about learning how to command yourself—your body, mind, and emotions.
So, if you’re walking that tightrope right now… good. Stay on it. Don’t panic when it gets shaky. Don’t back off when it gets lonely. Just keep showing up. Keep finding that 1%. Keep training with intention. Because the pitcher who learns how to balance obsession with clarity—that’s the guy who sticks.
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Important TBR Updates
- There are still several dates remaining this summer to join us at one of our 3-Day Elite Pitchers Bootcamps and take advantage of our world renowned training. Upcoming dates include:
July 18-20 (Fri-Sun)
Aug. 1-3 (Fri-Sun)
Aug. 30-Sept 1 (Sat-Mon)
To register or learn more CLICK HERE
- Interested in our “Summer Intensive Development Program”? There are only 4 weeks remaining but you can still join us! For more information on this one of a kind Summer Training experience and for a registration form visit https://www.
texasbaseballranch.com/events/ tbr-summer-program/.
- Would you like to participate in the Ranch Summer Program but can’t find 2+ weeks in your schedule? We have an option for you! Attend one of our 3-Day EPBC’s and add the summer program week after. It’s seven days of training and is a great option for those players with an extremely busy summer schedule. Give us a call and we can provide you with more details – (936) 588-6762.
- Coach Wolforth is hosting a special 90 minute webinar – “The Velocity Code: 3 Secrets to Improving Velocity and Staying Healthy” on Thursdays at 7pm CST. If you’d like to attend the next webinar, CLICK HERE to register. He will also be hosting another webinar “The 4 Pitching Pitfalls that Sabotage Velocity, Arm Health & Long-Term Success” Monday, July 14th at 7 pm. CST. CLICK HERE to register for this webinar.
- NEW VIDEO on our YouTube Channel: “The Dangerous Rest Trap Most Pitchers Fall Into”. Watch it at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=v7KZoaqH8UE and share your opinion in the comments.
