Missing with a pitch is just that – a miss. But it can be so much more than just that.

It could be an opportunity. Instead of going to the pitch that followed the designed sequence, it may be prudent to adjust based on the miss. Did the batter flinch as the pitch sailed a little too close inside? Would it be better to double up and attempt to paint the inside black? Or did I notice his wrists twitch a touch, meaning he was willing to take a hack if it was closer…

Closer to the truth is the failure that comes with missing. As the parlance of our times is prone to say, you only had one job. The only job of the pitch was to go where I wanted it to, therefore I only have one job and that’s to throw strikes. Anytime I’m not doing that, I’m not doing my job.

Luckily, my profession excepts failure. In fact, failure is bred into the game itself. And that’s a good thing.

It’s exhausting attempting to be perfect. Even a perfect game requires assistance from the other guys on the field and there’s no pitcher who would honestly tell you that they felt great on every pitch.

What’s more important than the miss is how you follow up. How you rebound and show that while a mistake was made, you will be better for it on the other side.