The Red Sox’s Jon Lester Explains Perfect Execution in Pitching and Shooting
John E. Phillips 10.14.13
Author’s note: Twenty-nine-year-old Jon Lester from Washington State was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 2002 at only age 18, spent four years in the minor leagues and then went to the big leagues in 2006. Lester is currently one of the best left-handed pitchers in the sport of baseball, is starting for the Boston Red Sox and has the best record in baseball for 2013. Lester also is a hunter, a cancer survivor, and a family man.
The routine I go through to make the perfect pitch is almost identical to the routine I go through when I’m trying to take the perfect bow shot. There are certain check points that I use to make sure that my body is lined-up, I am aiming at the catcher’s glove, and I have the perfect follow through. I use a similar technique when I’m taking a shot with my PSE Dream Season bow. Let me explain.
As a pitcher, I have certain check points that I use to make the ball go where I want I’m aiming with the type of delivery I want it to have. When I wind up to make my pitch, I look at my leg to make sure I don’t overturn when I kick out and start to throw. I want to make a good turn with my lower body, so that my shoulders and lower body stay square. If I’m struggling with my pitches, I tell myself, “Get a good turn over the rubber.” If I feel like I’m underneath the ball and pushing it up in the strike zone, I tell myself, “Make sure you tilt your shoulders right so you can aim the pitch with your elbow.” I want to make sure that when I make the turn, just before I deliver the pitch, my elbow is my front sight to help aim, just like the pin sight gives the bowhunter a reference point to aim the shot. Since I’m a left-handed pitcher, my right elbow needs to be aimed straight toward the catcher’s mitt. So, when I wind up and pitch, I should be able to see the tip of my elbow aimed at the catcher’s mitt.
I use these same types of mental reminders when I’m shooting my bow. I want to make sure my body is in correct position to make the prefect shot. As I begin my draw, I want to be certain that my thumb is touching my ear, and my lips are touching the kisser button on the string as my anchor point. I need to be sure every check point is right, before I release the arrow. If you put a fletching in the corner of your mouth, this lets you know you are anchored correctly. For me, this check point makes sure you have a solid anchor, your bow positioned correctly, and you are ready to make the shot.
I get nervous just like all pitchers do when they’re pitching, and just like hunters do when they see the buck they want to take is coming toward them. I feel like my experience as a starting pitcher has helped me control my emotions, my nerves, and my environment when I’m bowhunting. I want to go through the same type check point reinforcements that I use when I’m pitching to execute the best shot that I can shoot when I hunt. Having said this, let me say that I have missed quite a few deer, just like most hunters. Just because you have the right shot sequence when you release the arrow doesn’t guarantee that you’ll take the deer. If I go through my checkpoints and I know that I have done everything right when I release the ball, I still can’t guarantee that I will throw a strike, or make the batter to swing and miss, or have a pop-up. But I do know that I’ve done everything in my control to throw the best pitch possible or shoot the best arrow I possibly can shoot. So, I always try and put myself in the best position to succeed when I’m pitching or bowhunting.
The same was true when I rifle hunted. I always took a deep breath before I took the shot so that I was mentally certain as I squeezed the trigger and didn’t jerk it. When the ball leaves my hand, or the arrow leaves my bow, whatever happens, happens. I have no control over the final outcome. But, whether I’m practicing with my bow or throwing the baseball, I try to complete both those tasks to very best of my ability. So, on game day, or when I have a big buck in front of me, I have the confidence that my body will replicated what I have done in practice.
For more information on Jon Lester, visit http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=452657.
John, the 2008 Crossbow Communicator of the year and the 2007 Legendary Communicator chosen for induction into the National Fresh Water Hall of Fame, is a freelance writer (over 6,000 magazine articles for about 100 magazines and several thousand newspaper columns published), magazine editor, photographer for print media as well as industry catalogues (over 25,000 photos published), lecturer, outdoor consultant, marketing consultant, book author and daily internet content provider with an overview of the outdoors.
Phillips has been a contributor to many national magazines, has been affiliated with 27 radio stations across Alabama serving as their outdoor editor and wrote for a weekly syndicated column, "Alabama Outdoors," for 38-Alabama newspapers for more than 13 years. Phillips was Outdoor Editor for the "Birmingham Post-Herald" for 24 years. Phillips was also the executive editor for "Great Days Outdoors" magazine for 3 years.
The author of almost 30 books on the outdoors, Phillips is a founding member of the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) and an active member of the Southeastern Outdoors Press Association (SEOPA). Phillips also is the owner of Night Hawk Publications, a marketing and publishing firm, and president of Creative Concepts, an outdoor consulting group.
Phillips conducts seminars across the nation at colleges in freelance writing, photography and outdoor education besides teaching courses in how to sell what you write to writers' groups. Phillips received his photography training as a still-lab photo specialist for six years in the Air Force. He was the chief photographer for Mannequins, Inc., a Birmingham modeling agency, for 11 years.
While serving as 2nd Vice President of the Alabama Wildlife Federation, Phillips was in charge of all press releases for the organization as well as serving as Chairman of Alabama's Big Buck Contest, which he founded more than 30 years ago. He also was president of the Alabama Sportsman's Association for three years.
Phillips is the recipient of a Certificate of Merit from the Governor of Alabama and the Department of Conservation for his work in the outdoor field. Phillips is vitally interested in the outdoors and travels the nation collecting personalities, stories and how-to information for his articles and features.
EDUCATION: B.S. degree from the University of West Alabama with a physical education major and a history minor.
EXPERIENCE: 10 years parttime and fulltime physical director for YMCAs and 34 years as a freelance writer, photographer, editor, book author, lecturer and daily-content provider for websites. Currently, Phillips is a field editor for Game and Fish Publications; serves on the editorial board of Grandview Media; is a regular contributor to 12 internet magazines and a daily content provider for 8 websites.
WRITING AWARDS: Runnerup - Best Outdoor Magazine Feature - 1981 - SEOPA; Certificate of Merit - Awarded by Alabama's Governor for writings on conservation; Most Outstanding Sports Writer in Southeast - 1983 & 1984; Best Outdoor Feature in Alabama, 1987 - Alabama Sportswriters' Association 3rd Place; Best Book of the Year - 1989 - SEOPA; 2007 - inducted into the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame as a Legendary Communicator; 2008 - received award naming him 2008 Crossbow Communicator of the Year from the Crossbow Manufacturers' Association; 2009 - GAMMA Honorable Mention for Consumer/Paid Best Essay for July/August 2008 in "Southern Sporting Journal."
