Choke up and put the bat on the ball or keep everything the same? The real question is..are you willing to give up some batting average points to get the run in and be a team player or are you all about the stats?
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Keep the same approach as you had at 0-0.
If there is a runner at 3B, your job is to score him regardless of the count.
If there is a runner at 3B, your job is to score him regardless of the count.
I might sound crazy here but why do anything other than what you practice? We practice counts. We expect on 0-2 for our hitter to be disciplined and not swing at a pitcher's pitch intended to get us to expand the strikezone. In any other situation, we want the ball hit. I would suggest that many players strike out in this situation or don't advance the runner because they changed their swing from what they practiced. JMHO!
The batters job with a man on third is to get the runner across the plate--has nothing to do with players personal stats--if a player thinks about himself in this position he doesn't belong on the team
I was taught to choke up a bit and cover the plate. Obviously you don't want to swing at a pitcher's pitch but you still gotta make sure you don't strike out on a called strike 3. I've been there before once and by doing that I fought off a few pitches and finally got 1 to drop in the outfield to win the game.
There are many outstanding hitters that change their approach with two strikes. Their are many outstanding hitters who don't.
IMO I like hitters who understand the count, # of outs and situation. Understand what their job is. I'm not saying someone necessarily needs to change their swing, but they do need to understand the situation which could change their approach.
Lots of hitters practice two strike hitting and even more are likely to go opposite field with two strikes. This is the basis for playing count defense.
I have even seen Canseco when he was a super star, change his technique with two strikes. He would go less movement and still hit it out of the park if it were in his zone. I think people would be surprised by the number of ML hitters who slightly change what they do with two strikes (2 strike approach). Even some guys who hit with power.
IMO I like hitters who understand the count, # of outs and situation. Understand what their job is. I'm not saying someone necessarily needs to change their swing, but they do need to understand the situation which could change their approach.
Lots of hitters practice two strike hitting and even more are likely to go opposite field with two strikes. This is the basis for playing count defense.
I have even seen Canseco when he was a super star, change his technique with two strikes. He would go less movement and still hit it out of the park if it were in his zone. I think people would be surprised by the number of ML hitters who slightly change what they do with two strikes (2 strike approach). Even some guys who hit with power.
We practice counts and situations. I ask my players to put the ball in play hard. We are usually looking away and then you can react in. I also like the idea of chocking up the inch or so and move in a bit and have better bat control.
I know some hitters choke up with two strikes, but personally I don't like that.
Thought process - If it helps a hitter to choke up, why not choke up all the time. Also, when you choke up, it's like sticking a completely different bat in your hands. Also if you choke up an inch or two doesn't it give you less coverage with two strikes? If you compensate fro this by crowding the plate, doesn't this change everything including your normal view of the release.
Some can master the choke up (make contact) "defensive" approach to hitting. I just don't think great hitters hit defensively, even with two strikes. Change approach - yes... Change everything - No.
Others would disagree and could give examples of successful hitters who choke up with two strikes. I believe Bonds chokes up a little on every pitch. That's a different story.
Thought process - If it helps a hitter to choke up, why not choke up all the time. Also, when you choke up, it's like sticking a completely different bat in your hands. Also if you choke up an inch or two doesn't it give you less coverage with two strikes? If you compensate fro this by crowding the plate, doesn't this change everything including your normal view of the release.
Some can master the choke up (make contact) "defensive" approach to hitting. I just don't think great hitters hit defensively, even with two strikes. Change approach - yes... Change everything - No.
Others would disagree and could give examples of successful hitters who choke up with two strikes. I believe Bonds chokes up a little on every pitch. That's a different story.
What inning? What game? State tournament? Regular season? Are we the favorite? Or the underdog? Who's up to bat? Is he overmatched by the pitcher? etc etc etc
With two strikes, hitters don't have the luxury of looking for a pitch they can drive. I feel the best approach is to look to hit the ball hard the other way. No need to choke up, just stay back as long as possible. Good hitters will get to the inside pitches with this approach. Ahead in the count, look to drive a ball, with two stikes, hit it hard the other way and adjust to pitch and location.
just try to put the ball in play and make them make the play to get you out
PGStaff,
The reason I like to choke up is for a quicker bat and to compensate for the lack of length I crowd the plate. Choking up gives me more time to look at where the pitch is going to end up. I don't choke up big time just a little bit. I do understand thought what you're saying by do it all the time but I don't because I feel a lot more comfortable not choking up.
The reason I like to choke up is for a quicker bat and to compensate for the lack of length I crowd the plate. Choking up gives me more time to look at where the pitch is going to end up. I don't choke up big time just a little bit. I do understand thought what you're saying by do it all the time but I don't because I feel a lot more comfortable not choking up.
I posted this question and realized it was kinda vague, but you all got the point. I myself choke up because that is what my coaches teach. We practice this all the time during the season so its not like its something new. I too move up on the plate a little bit. I was very successful with a little choke up with 2 strikes and people on base. Where I play we have many kids that can really throw the ball into the high 80's and low 90's. And these same kids are gonna try and blow it by you.
quote:Originally posted by atl bjs:
I posted this question and realized it was kinda vague, but you all got the point. I myself choke up because that is what my coaches teach. We practice this all the time during the season so its not like its something new. I too move up on the plate a little bit. I was very successful with a little choke up with 2 strikes and people on base. Where I play we have many kids that can really throw the ball into the high 80's and low 90's. And these same kids are gonna try and blow it by you.
Great! Let them try to blow it by you...you know what's coming...sit on the FB and stick with your plan.
With runners in scoring position, we ALWAYS work on scoring the runner...infield back = groundball to the middle of the field, infield in = ball out of the infield.
For us, nothing changes regardless of count. We have a plan to score runners from 3B and we stick to it.
quote:What inning? What game? State tournament? Regular season? Are we the favorite? Or the underdog? Who's up to bat? Is he overmatched by the pitcher? etc etc etc
5th inning. Against Tennessee, in Omaha, final game college world series, favorite to win but game tied, the four hole batting .433, pitcher 5'10' 165 lbs with command but seems a little tired and his girl friend is there. Popcorn is getting cold, cokes flat, winds picking up, fat lady is screaming " swing you idiot".
Now what would you do with a man at 3B and 2 strikes ?
Coach Butler...good answer
We definitely have always preached change of approach with 2 strikes. Choking up is a choice of the hitter, but moving them up toward the pitcher a couple inches, and in a couple inches has proven to work, really because we don't normally get many Conseco's coming through. We do preach plate coverage because it is a fact that most out pitches at the high school and college levels are outside pitches. Also, if the pitcher wants to come in with a 2 strike count, he risks hitting the batter, and we'll take that free base. We also repeatedly work on staying away from high and down pitches, and concentrate on a box from the mid-torso to the knees and about 20 inches across. We do want the ball put in play, but more importantly we want the batter to battle and keep the at bat alive. The more pitches he see's the more likely he'll see one he can handle.
With two strikes and a man on third i would try to put the ball in play. I'm not a big fan of choking up on the bat, it just doesn't feel right. I don't move closer to the plate either. Instead, I wait longer to swing. I'm not looking to pull the ball. If i wait longer I have more time to see the ball which will give me a greater chance of hitting a pitch with late movement.
quote:Originally posted by Coachric:
We definitely have always preached change of approach with 2 strikes. Choking up is a choice of the hitter, but moving them up toward the pitcher a couple inches, and in a couple inches has proven to work, really because we don't normally get many Conseco's coming through. We do preach plate coverage because it is a fact that most out pitches at the high school and college levels are outside pitches. Also, if the pitcher wants to come in with a 2 strike count, he risks hitting the batter, and we'll take that free base. We also repeatedly work on staying away from high and down pitches, and concentrate on a box from the mid-torso to the knees and about 20 inches across. We do want the ball put in play, but more importantly we want the batter to battle and keep the at bat alive. The more pitches he see's the more likely he'll see one he can handle.
Coach ric,
If moving up in the box is so effective, why not do it every pitch?
How have you measured how effective it is?
my approach to hitting is: other way, other way, other way no matter what the count is. but if the pitcher makes the mistake of throwing it over the plate middle in i will jump all over this pitch. No matter what i situation is my appraoch is hitting the ball the other way solid.
jake
jake
Just be still....
Our pitcher will throw a CB in the dirt and our catcher will miss it and you teammate can trot home.
Our pitcher will throw a CB in the dirt and our catcher will miss it and you teammate can trot home.
I think it depends on how many outs you have.
No outs or 1 out, the batter MUST put the ball in play. Situation is the same whether no strikes, one strike or two strikes, except that with two strikes the batter must extend his strike zone because taking a called third strike in this situation is verboten.
With two outs, the batter knows he can't just put the ball in play, but must try to get a hit to get the run in. In this situation he has to do more than hit a dribbler to the 2B. He still has to try to drive the ball some and thus, he may have to take a slightly greater risk of a strikeout -- as long as it's a swinging K. No backwards K's permitted in this situation!
No outs or 1 out, the batter MUST put the ball in play. Situation is the same whether no strikes, one strike or two strikes, except that with two strikes the batter must extend his strike zone because taking a called third strike in this situation is verboten.
With two outs, the batter knows he can't just put the ball in play, but must try to get a hit to get the run in. In this situation he has to do more than hit a dribbler to the 2B. He still has to try to drive the ball some and thus, he may have to take a slightly greater risk of a strikeout -- as long as it's a swinging K. No backwards K's permitted in this situation!
I believe that with 2 strikes in any situation any hitter should change his mental approach more than his physical approach. [Though it can certainly be argued that changing the mental approach will change the physical approach somewhat and vice versa and I will not attempt to refute that]. With less than two strikes and one out and a man on third in a close game late innings and a power guy up, I want a Sac Fly [assumming the runner on third has normal speed]. With another hitter, I may want a squeeze bunt. With a man on first and the right hitter, maybe a hit & run or a run & hit. If we are several runs ahead or several runs behind, things would be different. Food for another topic.
With two strikes, the equation changes. Almost everyone has said "I want the ball put in play". In other words, ABSOLUTELY NO STRIKEOUT, preferably not a walk but if you have to you have to [if they don't pitch you a hittable pitch you have to take the walk]. Fight off borderline strikes until you get a pitch you can hit. The zone in which you are going to swing at the ball is wider both vertically and horizontally than when you have less than two strikes. You swing at what you can make contact, not necessarily only what you can crush.
To accomplish this different task there should be a different mental approach. Focus on picking up the pitcher's pitch as soon as possible. Don't guess as you might in other counts. Hit the ball where it is pitched. Be prepared to hit the pitch that comes into the weakest part of your hitting zone but at the same time be flexible enough to adjust to hit any pitch in or close too the umpire's strike zone for the day. And [here I expect some disagreement] BACK OFF THE ACCELERATOR A LITTLE BIT. When you drive a car and are coming to a slightly more dangerous piece of road, you don't hit the brakes immediately; you back off the accelerator a little bit to gain better control of the car. You need to gain better control of the bat.
Great Topic.
TW344
With two strikes, the equation changes. Almost everyone has said "I want the ball put in play". In other words, ABSOLUTELY NO STRIKEOUT, preferably not a walk but if you have to you have to [if they don't pitch you a hittable pitch you have to take the walk]. Fight off borderline strikes until you get a pitch you can hit. The zone in which you are going to swing at the ball is wider both vertically and horizontally than when you have less than two strikes. You swing at what you can make contact, not necessarily only what you can crush.
To accomplish this different task there should be a different mental approach. Focus on picking up the pitcher's pitch as soon as possible. Don't guess as you might in other counts. Hit the ball where it is pitched. Be prepared to hit the pitch that comes into the weakest part of your hitting zone but at the same time be flexible enough to adjust to hit any pitch in or close too the umpire's strike zone for the day. And [here I expect some disagreement] BACK OFF THE ACCELERATOR A LITTLE BIT. When you drive a car and are coming to a slightly more dangerous piece of road, you don't hit the brakes immediately; you back off the accelerator a little bit to gain better control of the car. You need to gain better control of the bat.
Great Topic.
TW344
0-2 your job is to put it in play. obviously if theres less then 2 outs you want a flyball or a ground ball to a certain spot in the infield depending on how they are playing. but a K certainly wont get the runner home. i think you hit just like its 0-2 otherwise, put anything thats gonna be called a strike in play. if its something you can drive, you got lucky.
High school age and below......
You get 3 swings (if you need them) every at bat.
Swing the same every time.
Hit the sh*t out of the ball.
Of course, I'm more into developing players than winning trophies.
You get 3 swings (if you need them) every at bat.
Swing the same every time.
Hit the sh*t out of the ball.
Of course, I'm more into developing players than winning trophies.
Infopump:
Developing players and winning trophies (and scholarships) often go hand and hand. You would know that if your off the wall terms and phrases (sh*t in your words) made things easier for young players to understand and develop.
Who are you kidding?
THop
Developing players and winning trophies (and scholarships) often go hand and hand. You would know that if your off the wall terms and phrases (sh*t in your words) made things easier for young players to understand and develop.
Who are you kidding?
THop
I have no problem with players understanding things.
It's you religious adults who suffer from learning disabilities.
Self inflicted, I might add.
It's you religious adults who suffer from learning disabilities.
Self inflicted, I might add.
Infodupe:
Not sure what my faith has to do with this, but the only learning disability I have is in translating your language into the same things the finest AAU, high school, college and professional coaches taught the players you study on video.
THop-esaurus
Not sure what my faith has to do with this, but the only learning disability I have is in translating your language into the same things the finest AAU, high school, college and professional coaches taught the players you study on video.
THop-esaurus
