Swinging on 3-0

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Jun 7, 2013
984
0
A definitive yes or no regarding swinging on a 3-0 pitch is a pretty simplistic approach to the game. I would hope that most coaches would consider some of the additional dozen or so factors and then make an informed decision. Otherwise the coach is the one that ends up looking like a jackass.

This is the best point made. There are many factors to go into the decision to green light on a 3-0 count.
 
Mar 26, 2013
1,934
0
SLG is around twice AVG, so the average number of bases was roughly 2. ...
You're right about the "one size fits all" strategy, but wrong about how you're interpreting slugging %. Slugging % is the number of bases per AB, and the possible range is 0-4. It has no direct relationship to batting average, and it is easily possible for two batters with the same BA to have different slugging percentages, and for a batter with a lower batting average, who hits lots of HRs, to have a higher slugging percentage than a higher percentage hitter who only hits singles.

A slugging percentage of less than "1" means that the series of at-bats averaged less than a single.
I was referring to the number of bases per hit, not AB. AVG is H/AB and SLG is #Bases/AB, therefore SLG/AVG = #Bases/H. SLG/AVG = 2 indicates they're averaging 2 bases per hit.
 
Oct 10, 2011
1,572
38
Pacific Northwest
Swing at 3-0...really??? Why work the count to 3-0, and THEN swing? The 3-1 pitch is just as good, and you won't feel like such a complete jackass if you mis-hit something that you shouldn't have swung at to begin with.

Stop thinking in Black and White.

If there are 3 chicken hawks sitting on the roof of your chicken coop, and you shoot one, how many are left on the roof?

situation..... my best hitter is up to bat, runners on 2nd and 3rd, 3 0 count, GREEN FRIKIN LIGHT, because following her, struggling contact hitter, who would have bases loaded, dp situation. come on.

On an intentional walk last year, at 3 0 I told my hitter to be ready, she clocked one over the 210 fence, the other coach became uncorked, and his team closed down, we won state.
 
Oct 22, 2009
1,532
0
PA
A definitive yes or no regarding swinging on a 3-0 pitch is a pretty simplistic approach to the game. I would hope that most coaches would consider some of the additional dozen or so factors and then make an informed decision. Otherwise the coach is the one that ends up looking like a jackass.

I agree with this in games that matter (bracket/elimination games). Pool games, I green light them 3-0 unless I really need a base runner late in the game. (I have been called far worse things than a jackass in the past!):eek:
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
It's not about the coach. The solid hitters in 3,4,5 should get a green light to make their own decisions up there and not be ham strung by the count or the one person who never gets in the game. A hard hit foul ball will rattle the pitcher if nothing else for the rest of the game.

Again any definitive black or white answer shows a checkers mindset in a game of chess.
 
Nov 26, 2010
4,784
113
Michigan
Swing at 3-0...really??? Why work the count to 3-0, and THEN swing? The 3-1 pitch is just as good, and you won't feel like such a complete jackass if you mis-hit something that you shouldn't have swung at to begin with.

This is typical a walk is as good as a hit mentality. A walk is not as good as a hit, with bases loaded you can drive in 2 runs with a single or 3 with a double. Of course if you are swinging on 3-0 you have to have 2 certainties. 1 a coach who understands the situation and when to swing away, and 2 a batter who understands that the green light on 3-0 does not mean swing at anything close, but rather you look for a specific pitch in a specific location and swing to drive it.

One of my favorite softball memories 14u, my dd was batting, 3-0 bases loaded, tie game. I see the coach give her the sign for swing away, as the pitcher's mother yells out, just throw it down the middle she isn't swinging. My dd hits a frozen rope off the fence in RC and she ends up on third. We win by 3.

But to consider your point of how would you feel if you mis hit the ball, how does it feel to be 3-0 and end up striking out because you watched 2 meatballs go by and then let the pitcher throw her pitch at 3-2.
 
Dec 20, 2012
1,085
0
Swing at 3-0...really??? Why work the count to 3-0, and THEN swing? The 3-1 pitch is just as good, and you won't feel like such a complete jackass if you mis-hit something that you shouldn't have swung at to begin with.

Pretty ignorant statement, because you pull a foul or swing and miss and now you are looking at a full count. Now you just put the advantage back to the pitcher. I would much rather a kid have 2 possible opportunities to make contact. Granted the situation would dictate my decision but to say the may swing at something they should never have swung at??? Really, a 3-0 pitch is the only time that could happen? It could happen on 1-0, 1-1, 1-2,.... Your theory is ignorant as ALWAYS taking or swinging on the first pitch. Here is a pretty good read.
Almost all people tend to fear losses far more than they value equivalent gains.

http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/17/a-new-study-on-fourth-downs-go-for-it/?_r=0
 
Oct 10, 2011
1,572
38
Pacific Northwest
Pretty ignorant statement, because you pull a foul or swing and miss and now you are looking at a full count. Now you just put the advantage back to the pitcher. I would much rather a kid have 2 possible opportunities to make contact. Granted the situation would dictate my decision but to say the may swing at something they should never have swung at??? Really, a 3-0 pitch is the only time that could happen? It could happen on 1-0, 1-1, 1-2,.... Your theory is ignorant as ALWAYS taking or swinging on the first pitch. Here is a pretty good read.
Almost all people tend to fear losses far more than they value equivalent gains.

http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/17/a-new-study-on-fourth-downs-go-for-it/?_r=0

aHH, I was trying to think of the other things one of my players grandpa always yell out, besides "your coach is an idiot" and " 3 and 0, DO NOT SWING"

its; "whatever you do, DONT swing at the first pitch", "EVER". others from him, "SWING LEVEL" "DONT DROP YOUR SHOULDER"
"WAIT FOR ONE ACROSS THE LETTERS" keep it out of the air"
"You got it, hands to the ball" "NICE HIT, Way to listen to me, your coach is an idiot"
 
Last edited:
Jul 16, 2013
4,659
113
Pennsylvania
aHH, I was trying to think of the other things one of my players grandpa always yell out, besides "your coach is an idiot" and " 3 and 0, DO NOT SWING"

its; "whatever you do, DONT swing at the first pitch", "EVER". others from him, "SWING LEVEL" "DONT DROP YOUR SHOULDER"
"WAIT FOR ONE ACROSS THE LETTERS" keep it out of the air"
"You got it, hands to the ball" "NICE HIT, Way to listen to me, your coach is an idiot"

Mann - your line states that you are from the pacific northwest, but I think this same guy comes to some of our games. He really gets around!!
 
Dec 20, 2012
1,085
0
aHH, I was trying to think of the other things one of my players grandpa always yell out, besides "your coach is an idiot" and " 3 and 0, DO NOT SWING"

its; "whatever you do, DONT swing at the first pitch", "EVER". others from him, "SWING LEVEL" "DONT DROP YOUR SHOULDER"
"WAIT FOR ONE ACROSS THE LETTERS" keep it out of the air"
"You got it, hands to the ball" "NICE HIT, Way to listen to me, your coach is an idiot"

One of my all time favorites after a fouled ball directly behind the catcher is "come on, hit the middle of the ball!". Sure thing any other brilliant advice you could give me?
 

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