Situational Hitting

GoMo,

I like situational hitting at all times. However, you should look to drive the ball to the right side of the field. I do not view it as "giving yourself up", but pounding the ball.

goMO...

We have always looked at situational hitting as just that, situational.

Given the scenario you presented, I would need more information to tell you what we would instruct our hitter to do.

If it were late in the game, and we really needed that run, we would bunt him over...rather than hope a 17-18 yr. old kid could inside/out a pitch on the inner half, or go the other way with a pitch on the outer half.

If this situation occurs and the run is not critical, we will let our hitter swing away. Good baserunning technique and the threat of taking another base may cause the pitcher to make a mistake. A mistake being a belt high, inner half fastball that can be driven in the gap.

I agree..Just bunt the ball or let him swing it. You have three out left anyways..Depending on level if he is a good runner he will end up scoring from there or eventually move up on ball in the dirt etc.

I just like them to be more aggressive with a runner on third and less than two outs rather than waiting for a near perfect pitch when ahead in the count. I don't worry about moving the runner from second to third and wouldn't change a hitters approach in that situation.

So Larry and Roy think that you either use your regular swing, or bunt. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that, I'm just writing what I think I'm seeing from them. So I guess you guys don't practice on moving runners over unless its with a bunt?

I think that early in a game, I let my hitters swing away and try to get the best hit they can. At our age (14U), most of my hitters aren't that good at intentionally going the other way. They're looking to gap one to left-center.

CADad makes a good point about being aggressive with runners in scoring position. Way too many times I've seen batters get too selective and end up in a 2 strike situation and not get the run in. We need to be more aggressive in those situations.

goMo.....if it was that easy to gap one into left-center then there wouldn't be a need for any situational hitting. I think kids at any age should understand the situation and try to develop into a player that can intelligently attempt to move the runner over.....we often say "move him or score him"......a hard hit lie drive into the left fielder's glove isn't going to move the runner over from second to third, where he can score on a ground ball, fly ball, wild pitch, infied error, etc. I would much rather have a runner on 3rd with one out than to still have him on second with one out.

grateful - understood. I said they were "lookIng" to gap one, not that they would actually get it done!!
But I do believe that early in the game, you should look for your pitch, as opposed to later in the (tight) game where you have a purpose to move the runner over.
I'm not saying I'm right or you're wrong, just discussing...

What about a runner on 3B, 0 or 1 out, IF back? IF in?

What is your approach then?

if its early in the game, against a pitcher I think we can hit, I let them swing away.

if its later in the game, or against a tougher pitcher where we may not score as many runs, then I look for a ground ball if the infield is back, fly ball if they're in.

this brings up a good topic of where the manager stays during the game. I've always coached 3rd, but I'm leaning to being in the dugout this year so I can have a constant dialogue with the players about situations, what to do when they go up to the plate, etc.

goMo,

Quite the contrary. We work on situational hitting almost exclusively in batting practice. We have runners and discuss game situations. I think B.P. is more productive when you are actually trying to simulate game conditions.

However, like I said in the post...I need more detail. Different kids can do different things. I've had righties who could go the other way with an inside pitch. I've had righties who will hit the inside pitch 350'. All depends on the player at the plate.

We don't ask boppers to bunt, and we don't ask bunters to bop. Every player should be well rounded, but when the heat is on, a player needs to be in his comfort zone to get the job done.

I appreciate your follow-up!

goMo,

I've been in the dugout about 10 years now. Couldn't manage, coach 3rd, and chew gum all at the same time...

Situational Hitting

In my mind there is a lot that goes into this--the hitters ability being key, at least for me--

EXAMPLE:

A few years back we had a "bopper' in our # 4 hole--he had one problem it was all or nothing for him--500 foot shots or a K most of the time--thankfully he had enough "bopper" in him to help us

We are in a 1-0 game bottom of the last inning in a game we needed to win to keep us in position to advance--the "bopper" steps in with no out and first and second occupied-- I pulled him aside before he headed to the plate and asked him if he could drop a bunt to move the runners up--he looks at me and said "if you want me to coach I will, but I cannot make any promises. I never get asked to bunt on my HS team."-- well, he drops a beauty almost beating it out in the process-- now we have 2nd and 3rd with one out-- the pitcher was so shook up by the bunt attempt he unleashes back to back wild pitches and we win 2-1

I recall another instance when my son was a HS senior--end of game, bases loaded no out and they bring in a relief pitcher-- the first pitch goes 450 deep and they win on the grand slam-- when we got home I asked him why he did't take a pitch--he said "Dad he needed to get the first pitch in more than I needed to hit it--he didnt want to get in a hole on me and in addition he took something off the pitch to make sure he threw a strike. He grooved it and I wasnt going to waste that pitch. It was mine."

There are two types of situational hitting and it all is keyed by the batter and his ability

450 feet,huh.. sweet!!!

but I'm reading into this Tom, that this is something you consider more towards the end of a close game.

you certainly wouldn't have had your "bopper" lay one down in the 1st inning.

thanks!

goMO

No I wouldnt --that is why I belive there is more than saying situation--- it all depends on hitter etc---in that specific situation it all worked --each situation will stand on its own

TRHit:

Great examples!

I once saw a high school game where the #3 hitter hit a go ahead home run in the 5th inning and in the 7th inning, with the score tied, he was asked to bunt a runner to 2b with no outs. He failed to do so and his mom got on the coach relentlessly. She said “why not just let him hit another homer”? My thoughts were that the coach called for,and the kid attempted the right thing according to the situation. Looking back, that coach should have just given him another home run “sign” and left the school happy.

One reason I am so adamant about using the Internet to teach youth coaches more of the “little things” (mental and physical “skills”) is this. Their stud #3-4-5 guys will never be asked to bunt from machine/coach pitch to 14 year old baseball. However, when they are freshmen in high school they are no longer studs, and typically bat 7-8-9. And will be asked to get bunts down against 84 mph pitching….for the first time in their lives? I have seen this repeatedly attempted over the last 10 years and it is ugly (and feelings do get hurt).

And congratulations on your son’s walk off grand slam. He will never forget that one. For what it’s worth, I too teach my hitters that the first pitch after a mid inning pitching change is the most reliable “fastball count” of all. 98%.

But most importantly, as a continuous student and baseball teacher of 11-19 year old middle and high schoolers, I became intrigued with “situational hitting” skills one afternoon a while back while taking a long lunch hour while working in Florida. It was at the Cleveland Indians spring training facility in Winter Haven (I think). I have been to many, and this one was called “Instructional League” or “Extended Spring Training” (fancy names for a hot, boring, instructional hour and a half with raw prospects). This one had what appeared to be 7 or 8, 17-19 year old players and one instructor.

They did nothing but the following 4 situational hitting skills for the entire time. I got excited because of the way each “skill” was thoroughly explained (when, how and most importantly why). They messed up half of them, which was all right. What was emphasized the most was “making the right decision” each time (both hitter and base runner). I still have my notes.

1. Hit and run-batter hits a ground ball to where the shortstop and second baseman WERE. 1b runner peaks in on 3rd step and reacts to either ground ball, line drive and fly ball.
2. Hit behind the lone 2b runner with 0 outs-Piece of cake for the left handed hitters to hit the ball behind the 2b runner’s secondary lead. RH hitters had to wait longer and yes, the pitcher did jam them for 15 straight minutes.
3. Score the 3b runner with the infield in. Hitter looks for a pitch slightly up and finishes with his hands higher to launch a fly ball (much easier to do in mid season form). 3b runner “starts” (not “returns”) back to 3b and reads the play.
4. Score the 3b runner with the infield back- Hitter waits longer and tries to hit the ball hard up the middle. 3b runner reads the ball passing the mound and starts home if it will be to a middle infielder (only)

Is this too much for a rec. coach to teach his 10 year old team? Yes. Can a travel coach work this in with his 12-18 year olds during a 6 month season? Yes. I made it a part of every field batting practice session I do.

My thoughts are that if these situational hitting skills are taught to each MLB Organization’s prospects (some of them new millionaires), it certainly will help a kid who wants to advance to high school, college or professional baseball. And at the very least, Learning the advanced secrets of the game will increase their love for the game and inspire them to want to coach their own kid’s teams in the next generation.

THop

THOP
Allow me to give you another example which shows how many kids in HS have "no clue" about situations--

My son was home from college and playing in a summer league--I invited a young man who played for me on my Fall team, to join me--- playoff game at the end of the season--- my son hits # 3 in the lineup and is the power guy --- BUT he also has excellent foot speed and is their top base stealer

SCENARIO as we sit in the stands watching--- top of last inning my sons team ia ahead 2-1 vs one of the top teams in the league-- my son leads off-- first swing he goes for the fences,missing but backing up the infield--next pitch he drops a bunt and there is no play as he is safe-- next pitch he steals second--next pitch he steals third-- batter K's --next pitch he steals home making it 3-1--they win 3-2

The young man with me says why did he bunt --he is the HR man-- (the field was not a home run park for either a RH or LH hitter)-- he had no concept that in this situation the # 3 hitter was the lead off hitter and knew how to use his tools to help the team---

SITUATIONAL HITTING !!!!--use your tools to the best of your ability

THop,

We work those 4 situations into every BP we do for our 11U team. My coaches get on me because I don't bunt much. I have confidence in our hitters to hit situationally and would rather them execute a good AB rather than bunt him.

TRHit:

Sounds like someone taught that boy more than just swing mechanics.


Redbird5:

God bless you for proving it can be done at 11. Your kids will be far ahead of the pack when they step on a high school field for the first time (regardless of their physical tools).

THop