center vs left or right field

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Aug 29, 2011
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Dallas, TX
Let's think this through. You're shifting her to left because she can't (as opposed to won't) hit to right. In essence, you're highlighting her weakness by shifting, but then pitching to her strength if you throw her exclusively inside to try to get her out. Shift her to left, and then tempt her to try to do something she can't (or can't do very well) by pitching her outside. 90% of the game is mental, the other half is physical. Even if you are going to try to get her out by throwing outside, you do need to come inside on some pitches - just make sure those pitches are far enough inside so they can't be hit fair. Feed the monster and encourage the pull - nothing like an inside change hit over the fence 40 feet foul, followed up by a 9-hopper to SS on a rolled over low and outside heater. Play mind games - shift her every other at bat and you may end up with a very confused, frustrated, and ineffective hitter.

Well some posts back, I mentioned exactly that. I am very much a changing speeds coach. Therefore, as I stated before, anything hard and or inside should be off the plate. Get her to roll over on the ball. The change idea is a good one. However, I am going to try to get a strike on her first! I can't say what that pitch is not knowing the pitcher. Also, I really can't say who can and can't hit to right in my scenario. It isn't my scenario.

Now there is one thing in this scenario I would not do. I would not move my 2nd baseman over on the SS side. I would leave her home. (Gee I wish I knew how to push-bunt). So my RF might move 30 feet toward center, and my 2nd base stays put. Why? Because I am trying to get her to roll over on the ball. Junk outside and low, speed off the plate. A rise-ball up and in would be great. A fastball in on the hands would be great if they can throw it off the plate. But set her up to roll the ball over and you won't need 3 infielders on a slow hit ground ball. Most of the time if it is on the outer corner, it will go to the SS.

There is a more serious reason to leave the right side with players. One is that batters do shank pitches low and outside, or you could say, "slice" them.
 
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