Why do we have to pretend that "clutch" doesn't exist?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I'll use myself for an example (not that I am an elite athlete like major leaguers, but that I am human like them), I played in High school and play a good amount of softball every summer and when its a tough situation I'm likely to put too much pressure on myself and force things rather playing within myself. Is it possible that some major leaguers do the same thing... perhaps... is it possible that some big leaguers are the polar opposite... probably. But is it something that can be reliably quantified? Meh. Is it the end-all be-all of how to evaluate a hitter? No.

 

First, I bet there's a lot less difference than you'd think in your performance. People like to think they perform best when they are most relaxed and happiest, but the evidence doesn't really point to that.

 

If there was an ability to hit differently in "pressure" situations, it'd show up in the studies. It's that simple. Guys who hit the most home runs tend to continue hitting the most home runs. Guys who hit lefties but not righties tend to continue to do so. Guys with high batting averages one year tend to be the ones with high batting averages the next season.

 

Guys who hit well in the clutch? No tendency overall.

[imb]

The more I think about it, it probably does exist. Anti-clutch definitely exists, and I tend to play better with added pressure, as do players like Manny and Ortiz.

 

but, its still not all its made out to be

 

the time you drilled a 3-pointer in your IM game against the Pi Kaps is not relevant.