By Carson Ellis –
If you’re a high school starter, you’ve probably lived this:
You cruise through the first two innings.
Fastball feels good. The breaking ball is landing.
You’re attacking.
Then the fifth inning hits: the leadoff hitter steps in… and this time he doesn’t look uncomfortable.
He’s seen you twice.
Now what?
This is the moment that separates high school pitchers who start games from those who finish them.
Why the Third Time Through Feels Different
At the high school level, most lineups adjust faster than you think.
By the third at-bat, hitters have learned:
- Your fastball velocity
- Which counts you throw breaking balls
- Whether you can land off-speed for a strike
- Where you miss when you’re behind
Even if they haven’t gotten a hit, they’ve gathered information.
And here’s the truth: you probably haven’t adjusted yet.
Most high school pitchers just repeat what worked early.
That’s where trouble starts.
The Most Common High School Mistakes
When pitchers get to the fifth or sixth inning, they start doing one of two things:
1: They Try to Do Too Much
They overthrow.
They yank breaking balls.
They lose command.
2: They Start Nibbling
They pitch scared of contact.
They fall behind.
They issue walks.
Both lead to big innings.
The goal isn’t to be perfect; it’s to stay aggressive and adjust intelligently.
What Should Actually Change?
Here’s what high school pitchers can realistically adjust mid-game:
1. Change First-Pitch Strategy
If you’ve been establishing fastballs early in counts all game, try:
- A first-pitch breaking ball for a strike
- Backdoor off-speed
- Doubling up on your most confident off-speed pitch
It’s all about making small adjustments within yourself, without going outside your limits.
Surprise them.
2. Attack a Different Side of the Plate
Early in the game, you may have lived arm-side.
Now:
- Work glove-side more
- Change eye levels (low early, high late)
- Show something they haven’t seen consistently
It doesn’t have to be drastic. It just has to be different.
3. Control the First Batter of the Inning
This is huge in high school baseball.
The third time through often starts with the top of the lineup.
If the leadoff hitter reaches:
- Dugout energy changes
- Pressure builds
- You start rushing
Make it your goal to win the first at-bat of the inning. Even a hard-hit out is better than a walk.
What Coaches Are Watching (Even If They Don’t Say It)
Your high school coach isn’t just looking at velocity.
They’re watching:
- Do you panic after a hit?
- Does your tempo change?
- Do you shake off every sign?
- Are you still attacking the zone?
If you give up a double but stay composed, you build trust.
If you walk the next two hitters because you’re rattled, that’s when you lose innings and future opportunities.
High School Reality
Most high school games are seven innings. If you can consistently get through five strong innings, you become incredibly valuable.
Coaches love pitchers who:
- Limit big innings
- Compete when tired
- Adjust mid-game
- Don’t need constant rescuing
That’s how you earn:
- More starts
- Big-game assignments
- Playoff trust
And eventually, recruiting looks.
A Simple In-Game Checklist for the Third Time Through
When the lineup turns over again, ask yourself:
- What did I show this hitter twice already?
- Where have I missed?
- Has he been early or late?
- What’s one small adjustment I can make?
Keep it simple.
High school baseball isn’t about having five pitches. It’s about commanding two to three pitches and knowing how to use them.
Final Thought
The third time through the order isn’t about “stuff.”
It’s about maturity.
Any high school pitcher can look good for two innings.
The ones who pitch deep into games:
- Stay calm
- Adjust without overhauling everything
- Compete instead of survive
That’s the difference between being a guy coaches trust.
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Important TBR Updates
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