Just checking

Will sometimes try to fake drag with first guy and crowd them while trying to draw a walk... Otherwise we look for the heater in our zone and hopefully smoke it.

Depends on who is hitting, how good the pitcher's control is, if the pitcher looks fatigued, etc.

There's no set answer.

Your definition of a "high pitch count" may not be the same as the other coach's definition. If the pitcher is laboring, take one. If not, see the ball, hit the ball.

I am constantly second guessed on this. My opinion. Most school, when ahead in the game, are going to try to get ahead of each batter that last inning on the first pitch. Therefore, a majority of schools are going to throw a fastball. If we take that FB, then we are set up for a breaking or off speed pitch. Then, we often though not intended, stretch the strike zone out and then... Therefore, I want them to hit that first fastball strike. I also want them to hit that first strike provided that they see spin well and get a good swing at it. I'm not one to sit and hope to win the game. We are aggressive. I AM CONSTANTLY REMINDED THAT "GOOD TEAMS" TAKE THAT PITCH. I always wonder what happened to that rule about good teams get good pitches to hit and them drive them? JMHO!

Lead off guy definitely takes a strike..even 2 if he is a good contact hitter. Need a runner before anything can happen. if leadoff hitter doesn't reach base, we hit!

I'm basically with CoachB25 here. Up until fairly recently, I had always insisted that my players take a strike when behind late in the ballgame, but I was never really satisfied with that approach. It rarely seemed to produce the intended results. We didn't seem to coax enough walks, and the hitters too often started in the hole and were more vulnerable than ever to the breaking ball. A few years ago I "borrowed" an approach from collegiate baseball legend Gordie Gillespie. I figured if it worked for him for more than 1400 wins at the college level, it should be good enough for me. When behind by 4 or more runs in the 7th inning of 9-inning game (5th inning of a 7 inning game)his hitters can swing at any 1st pitch fastball strike but must lay off any breaking ball. (Just like at any other at bat) However, if the first pitch is a ball, the hitter then must take until a strike is called. Following this pattern, our walks increased, and our hitters, especially with runners on seemed to prosper.

where are you in the line up ?
high pitch count doesnt always say everything , is the pitcher laboring?<mentioned before>
usually though take a strike but the hitter may not be a strong batter when behind on the count might be better off letting stay aggressive on the dead red pitch , which the pitcher might deliver to get ahead on the count...


Go Blaze!!!!

I voted other and disagree with taking until you get a strike, especially if the guy has been around the zone all game. A common misperception is that taking 1st pitches results in a high pitch count. What extends a pitcher is understanding the strike zone, having a plan as a hitter (1-9), and having good ABs (executing your plan).

Pinetar, we use the same plan.

Interesting views so far. For more clarification, the pitcher was at about 96 pitches entering the inning, and no one was warming. Our leadoff hitter was at the plate, and did take two high and wide. Third one was a borderline pitch.

Allow me to insert another question on this topic.

When I see a batter take 3-0 and go to 3-1, the odds would say that a struggling pithcer would throw the next pitch for a ball. I think this is especially true if he thought the batter was not swinging at the 3-0 and is likely swinging at the 3-1. The "careful " pitcher , scared of the bat, usually throws ball 4.
Do you take twice with the 7-8-9 hole batter. I see many times where I wished we had when we swing at ball 4 .

quote:

Originally posted by CoachB25:
I am constantly second guessed on this. My opinion. Most school, when ahead in the game, are going to try to get ahead of each batter that last inning on the first pitch. Therefore, a majority of schools are going to throw a fastball. If we take that FB, then we are set up for a breaking or off speed pitch. Then, we often though not intended, stretch the strike zone out and then... Therefore, I want them to hit that first fastball strike. I also want them to hit that first strike provided that they see spin well and get a good swing at it. I'm not one to sit and hope to win the game. We are aggressive. I AM CONSTANTLY REMINDED THAT "GOOD TEAMS" TAKE THAT PITCH. I always wonder what happened to that rule about good teams get good pitches to hit and them drive them? JMHO!

Great coaching, CoachB.

To do any different is to believe that you can play God or predict the future.

The only thing a coach can do is instruct his hitters on how to get a pitch to hit. He can't tell him when it's coming. You have to be ready when it comes. It may be the first pitch, 5th pitch, 10th pitch.

Be ready, when you get it put your swing on it.

Let the chips fall where they may.

We approach this one according to the pitcher. If it is a pitcher that is starting to tire and is not hitting his spots, then we will take, but not until the 6th or 7th. If the pitcher is still working ahead or the other team brings in a closer that is throwing strikes, we take our normal approach and look to drill the first fastball that catches too much of the plate.

Do the Math it takes 2 2 tie......

So you believe standing in the box with the bat on your shoulder coaxing a walk is better strategy than swinging at good pitches?

Do the math on hitting behind in the count.

Mr. Basebal...what math? You'd rather "hope" that the pitcher will walk you? (and "hope" you win?) That tells me you don't trust your hitters enough to execute. Best of luck to your hitters.

There are some good hopers out there.

I believe that one of the things you have to avoid in coaching is the double standard. If you preach aggressive and you practice aggressive, then you simply can't ask the team to do anything other than be aggressive. As strange as it might sound, you should make a choice on principle on how you will win and lose. While I certainly don't intend to lose, we will go down with the aggressiveness we have practiced. JMHO!

CoachB, is it really a double standard, or is it just adjusting to the game as it progresses? To be in the position as I set it up, you have to be losing...which means something is not working quite right.

I have always had my guys take until they got a strike if down by two runs or less. We have always felt that usually if the pitcher could get 1 acrossed in this situation, the chances were that they could get another, and that our hitters could then zone up and drive the ball. If the pitcher gets behind in the count, the collar starts to get a little tight, and we have frequently coaxed a walk, which for us usually means we will steal second, negating the possbility of the double play, and getting us into a position to score some runs.

I have recently been reevaluating this position, leaning toward letting a hitter with a 1-0 or 2-0 count zone up and look for a ball to drive. I still like them to take the 1st pitch, mainly to get a good look, but once we are at 2-0, I start getting the itch to turn them loose.

Tigerboy,

I just can't justify having my hitter take the first pitch because I know he is trying to groove one to get ahead. It may be the best pitch he gets to hit the entire game.