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Sports TwitterBaker working on Belisle's psyche
Pitcher hopes to break bad inning cycle
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
SARASOTA, Fla. — It isn't that Matt Belisle needs a psychologist or a psychiatrist, but there are times when he might think too much about impending doom or disaster and a couch might be comfortable right then.
And that's what he and manager Dusty Baker want to wipe from his psyche for the 2008 season as Belisle starts Thursday's exhibition game against the Minnesota Twins.
Extras
Belisle's problem last year was one bad inning, one big inning, that sank so many of his starts, something he plans to rectify to solidify his spot as a starter for the Cincinnati Reds.
"This guy has potential to be a big winner for us," said Baker. "I've talked to him and he has confidence. He knows he can do it and it is frustrating when you're not doing it and know you can. Hopefully, last year really helped him.
"I know he was (8-9) in 175 innings — a pretty good workload for a guy who hasn't done that before," Baker added.
And his one-inning walks into Dreamland?
"A lot of times that's a phobia you can get over," he said. "It's like a pitcher who says, 'I know I'm going to give up a homer pretty soon,' then he gives up a homer.
"When you get those negative occurrences, you either learn from it or it becomes psychological when you know something bad is going to come, a negative vibe, then everybody else starts thinking, 'When is it going to come,'" Baker added.
Baker said he likes Belisle's stuff and it is the manager's job and the pitching coach's job to help him get past the negative rough spots.
Belisle is receptive and smiled broadly when told Baker is expecting big things.
"Yeah, oh yeah," he said. "I've prepared myself physically and mentally to do that for myself and my team. I want the responsibility of being behind Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo. I'm excited about doing well.
"I want to step it up a notch," he added. "I appreciated the calls this winter from Baker, but I told him, 'I'm not a big talker, but I promise you I'll be getting better,' and he told me to listen to him and Dick Pole (pitching coach) and there is no reason I can't step it up a notch."
And what does he think about the One-Inning Walkabouts?
"It's something that Pole, myself, Arroyo and 'Ranger (Harang) talk about," he said. "It is true, when you look back — a lot of games that went from very solid games to no bueno with one pitch."
Mental?
"Absolutely," he said. "I learned from it and I'll be prepared this year to execute better. There's no mental block that is going to negate me from doing my job. It is just taking the experience I've had, being in those situations, and being confident I'll execute my pitches better."
Next game
Who: Cincinnati Reds at Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater, Fla.
When: 1:05 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27
Radio: WLW-AM (700); WONE-AM (980)
