HR swing with 2 strikes

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Dec 23, 2009
791
0
San Diego
Just curious what y'all think...I see a huge number of players at the upper TB, HS, and college levels take home run swings with 2 strikes against a pitcher that they haven't even fouled a ball off of...at a college camp DD was told by a particular coach that his philosophy (which I agree with - full disclosure) with 2 strikes is "crowd the plate, choke up a little, and put the ball in play". What say you?
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
IDK, that is interesting.

I do not want the players crowding the plate, unless they do it all the time. Same with choking up.

Keep the swing that got you in the lineup but expand your strike zone a little bit.
 

rdbass

It wasn't me.
Jun 5, 2010
9,131
83
Not here.
Keep the swing that got you in the lineup but expand your strike zone a little bit.
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Jun 27, 2011
5,089
0
North Carolina
Just curious what y'all think...I see a huge number of players at the upper TB, HS, and college levels take home run swings with 2 strikes against a pitcher that they haven't even fouled a ball off of...at a college camp DD was told by a particular coach that his philosophy (which I agree with - full disclosure) with 2 strikes is "crowd the plate, choke up a little, and put the ball in play". What say you?

Certainly a matter of debate, but IMO, my DD has a certain type of swing that I'd call her best swing. I'd prefer that she employ that best swing whether it's 3-0 or 0-2.
 
Feb 7, 2013
3,188
48
Agree with Quincy.

And with 2 strikes do not have them lay the bat across the plate (to see the ball better??) to start the swing unless they do this every pitch.
 
Jun 7, 2013
984
0
It'd be interesting to see the stats on how many HRs are hit with an 0-2 count compared to the others.

I teach that in favorable counts for the batter the goal is to look for and swing at a ball that can be driven. With two strikes I teach to cut down on the swing and try to make contact while protecting the plate. I don't teach crowding the plate or choking up while it may work for some hitters.

If you are facing a good pitcher, you will not get anything that can be hit out of the park when the count is 0-2!
 
Jun 27, 2011
5,089
0
North Carolina
It'd be interesting to see the stats on how many HRs are hit with an 0-2 count compared to the others.

In MLB, the frequency of HR, 3B, 2B and 1B are all held to a minimum on the 0-2 count, but it is true HR and extra-base hits are reduced even more than singles on (and after) an 0-2 count. But, that doesn't necessarily mean that a batter has a better chance at reaching base at 0-2 (and beyond) by putting more emphasis on contact than power. Many singles result from power, too. That is, balls that are hit with enough power that they reach the grass before fielders can make a play on it.
 
Oct 10, 2011
3,117
0
2 strikes

DD chokes up with 2 strikes and has had a couple home runs while choked up in the last year. She chokes up a couple inches and does get a little closer to the plate. I used to be against it but when she started last year doing it I couldn't argue with the results. It's an exchange of a little power for a little more control. Not for everyone, but didn't Ted Williams like that idea for certain players?
 

Ken Krause

Administrator
Admin
May 7, 2008
3,911
113
Mundelein, IL
Philosophy #1 is to try not to get into an 0-2 hole. :cool: Tough to hit out of it no matter who you are - or how good you think you are at it.

I don't really recommend doing anything to change the swing. I figure go with the swing that you spend all your time working on. It's the one you should be best at, which would give you your best chance of hitting. But figure out why it hasn't worked so far (assuming you haven't taken two pitches to get to 0-2, which drives me crazy).

Definitely do recommend opening up your strike zone, though. I work with hitters on fouling off pitches they don't like to work for one they do. Often it's an outside pitch. Just get the bat on it until the pitcher/catcher/coach decides to try to fool you with something you'd prefer to hit. Not every ball that's hit has to be hit fair.
 
Oct 10, 2011
3,117
0
0-2

Yeah don't want to be in an 0-2 count but I thought it was referring to 2 strikes no matter the count.
 
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