'Managing umpires' at the plate

I've coached 18 seasons. I'm struggling with this one. I need your advice.

The situation is a sophomore that leads her HS V team in OBP, in walks, in hits, and led JV in HRs last year. Above average hitter. Pretty aggressive. She knows the count, the score, the situation, makes modest adjustments at the plate. For example, with 0 strikes and nobody on she's swinging for the fences. With 2 outs, runner on 3, 2 strikes, then she's working for a ball-in-play-single. You may not agree with her approach, but she's thinking.

Here's the problem. In 4 weeks of HS ball she has not made the adjustment from summer umpires to some weak HS umpires. She will foul off a pitch. Look at a ball at her ankles for a called strike 2. And watch the same pitch for a 3rd called strike. Happens about every 7th or 8th at bat. Leads the team in hits and walks. But takes some strike outs she shouldn't.

She's super aggressive in the strike zone. She doesn't swing at balls. And while she's still hitting .750, she's losing her mind. Explaining that a pitcher will go right back to that pitch to get another call isn't registering. Can you help me find a new way to explain the situation, or drills, or a link she can read to 'get it'?

This reminds me when I complained to friend during a game that my DD wasn't throwing enough change ups, he said, "How good do you want it to get? She just struck out the last three batters!"

How good do you want it to get? Sometimes we can put too much pressure on our DDs/players. I suggest you ease back and let her figure it out for herself. A smart girl like that is going to get it.

On the other hand, do you really want her swinging at pitches at her ankles, even if those are being called strikes?

I'm not a coach, but an umpire that takes that job seriously and works to be better all the time. I am fully aware that there are umpires that are not as passionate and dedicated as I am.

You state that she is a smart hitter and aggressive when the ball is around the zone. I think I would encourage those skills. It is my opinion that by asking her to swing at pitches that are being called strikes but probably aren't may lead to development of some bad habits.

Ajaywill said:

On the other hand, do you really want her swinging at pitches at her ankles, even if those are being called strikes?

I'm not a coach, but an umpire that takes that job seriously and works to be better all the time. I am fully aware that there are umpires that are not as passionate and dedicated as I am.

You state that she is a smart hitter and aggressive when the ball is around the zone. I think I would encourage those skills. It is my opinion that by asking her to swing at pitches that are being called strikes but probably aren't may lead to development of some bad habits.

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These are very good points!!!

HS ball means nothing in the grand scheme of things. If this girl is a good player, I am fully supporting her choosing to keep her discipline and not swing at bad pitches. That is what is best for her, and it sounds as if she is smart enough to know it.

1696 said:

And while she's still hitting .750, she's losing her mind.

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Perspective, Coach, perspective. She's doing fine.

With the mechanics and discipline required to hit .750, I'd be very reluctant to mess with her mental approach mid-season and would be inclined to leave it at "Some umpires stink, just write it off on your 1040".

Ultimately, if she wants to continue to excel, be the best hitter she can possibly be, and play at the next level, she will have to learn to recognize that there are actually 3 hitting-related zones: the hitter's comfort zone, the pitcher's preferred zone, and the umpire de jour's strike zone. A hitter's go zone is dynamic and changes every pitch as determined by the overlap between these zones, which varies based on the the count, the game situation, the pitcher, and the umpire.

Thank you to all that replied. I will take something from all of these when I see her later today.

You are definitely over thinking it. Anyone hitting .750, I am pretty much leaving alone and just encouraging to keep doing whatever they are doing.

djcarter1966 said:

You are definitely over thinking it. Anyone hitting .750, I am pretty much leaving alone and just encouraging to keep doing whatever they are doing.

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I wrote "And while she's still hitting .750, she's losing her mind." Sorry if that wasn't clear. This isn't about me. I need to manage her expectations or share advice with her.