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.

We’re officially in the in-season (April–July)—the most exciting time of year! This is when pitchers finally get to apply everything they've worked on during the offseason and preseason to live games. But just because you're in the heat of competition doesn’t mean practice stops. In fact, how you train during the season is just as important as how you perform.

Each season requires a different mix of pitching workouts. In-season training depends heavily on game workload: how many games you're pitching, how many innings you're throwing, and how your arm is feeling. Managing fatigue and staying sharp are the name of the game.

Why Offseason Work Still Matters

During the offseason (October–December), pitchers have the freedom to push, experiment, and rebuild. There’s no pressure to be game-ready, which makes it the ideal time to: