LinkBack URL
About LinkBacks
View Profile
View Forum Posts
Private Message
Why does the infield need to know what pitch the pitcher is throwing?
Why does the infield need to know what pitch the pitcher is throwing?
Certain pitches have a tendency to be hit differently. For example, with dropballs you can expect more grounders, with the rise more popups/flyballs. Location plays a part as well. An outside pitch to a righty will usually stay on the right side of the infield.
if you watched Team USA play last summer, ever player knew what pitch they called.
Not only that, I learned from Candrea, that he and his infielders are constantly communicating with the OF.
Gosh, when I played OF, all I had was a parent or 2 wildly waving their arms at me.
As a third basemen playing slowpitch I would always make sure i know what is being pitched, as a inside pitch would be coming fast.
Your infielders can get that extra jump if the pitch is in the location called.
The very first thing infielders, especially 3B with right hand batters and 1B with lefties, is whether the pitcher is throwing a changeup. You don't want 3B charging when the batter has plenty of time to pull the bat back and smack one down the 3B line.
The more a fielder understands about the game, the more knowing the pitch will help the fielder. Riseballs are more likely to get a flyball or popup; drop balls are more likely to get groundballs. If the pitch is a fastball, then, depending upon how fast the pitcher is, the ball might go to the right side or left side. Same with ball position.
But, every fielder should know if the pitcher is throwing the change.
Ray
Former Crazy Daddy
Forum Administrator
If you have questions or problems with the site (not with softball) contact me.
support @ discussfastpitch.com
How is the pitch communicated to the other players typically?
I haven't seen it in softball but I've seen MLB games where the SS or 2B communicate the pitch by holding up signs behind their backs to the outfielders.Originally Posted by Bryanr
Many infielders just look at what signs the catcher is giving. The shortstop, 2B often relay that sign to the outfield.
I have used this in the past to keep some players at 10U tuned into the game.
Reply With Quote
