Day in the life: Donovan Hand
JSU Ace Pitcher
Toni Merriss
Issue date: 2/15/07 Section: Sports
These exercises are only a small part of practice though. After they are done with their individual workouts, everyone clears off the field getting ready for "in and out." The pitchers can hold different responsibilities during this time like backing up and covering bases or feeding balls to the coach that is hitting "in and out."
Practice can change in activities. On some days, pitchers can take PFP, or a team scrimmage is held. PFP is when they work on any fielding plays such as bunts, who covers what base, double plays, etc. Unless it is a certain pitcher's day to throw or they are needed to fill in a spot somewhere, they get to watch the scrimmage phase of practice.
"Watching can be fun, but sometimes I get to umpire the scrimmages. Not too often though. I think I am a good umpire, but I do like calling the low strikes," said a mischievous Hand.
Game days are completely different for players in not only physical activities but also in the mental preparation. Hand begins his day with a good breakfast and then takes some time to ready himself. After getting a snack, usually made up of powdered donuts and a Yoo-Hoo, Hand will sit with Coach Case and go over the game plan for that day.
"I like to take a little bit more time than most pitchers for my pre-game loosening," said Hand. Where many will start stretching 15-20 minutes before a game, Hand likes to start about 30 minutes prior to game-time. That way he does not rush anything.
"The job of a pitcher is to throw off a hitter's timing. It is hard because some days you go out there and you may hit every spot, which is a good day. Then the next day you feel like you could not hit water if you fell out of a boat," explained Hand. "The key is though, to never let the other team know if you do not have your best stuff that day. Once they know that, they have already beaten your mindset."
As in most athletics, there is a fine line between confidence and cockiness when it comes to baseball in general.
Practice can change in activities. On some days, pitchers can take PFP, or a team scrimmage is held. PFP is when they work on any fielding plays such as bunts, who covers what base, double plays, etc. Unless it is a certain pitcher's day to throw or they are needed to fill in a spot somewhere, they get to watch the scrimmage phase of practice.
"Watching can be fun, but sometimes I get to umpire the scrimmages. Not too often though. I think I am a good umpire, but I do like calling the low strikes," said a mischievous Hand.
Game days are completely different for players in not only physical activities but also in the mental preparation. Hand begins his day with a good breakfast and then takes some time to ready himself. After getting a snack, usually made up of powdered donuts and a Yoo-Hoo, Hand will sit with Coach Case and go over the game plan for that day.
"I like to take a little bit more time than most pitchers for my pre-game loosening," said Hand. Where many will start stretching 15-20 minutes before a game, Hand likes to start about 30 minutes prior to game-time. That way he does not rush anything.
"The job of a pitcher is to throw off a hitter's timing. It is hard because some days you go out there and you may hit every spot, which is a good day. Then the next day you feel like you could not hit water if you fell out of a boat," explained Hand. "The key is though, to never let the other team know if you do not have your best stuff that day. Once they know that, they have already beaten your mindset."
As in most athletics, there is a fine line between confidence and cockiness when it comes to baseball in general.
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