- Feb 7, 2013
- 3,188
- 48
Some random thoughts...
1) We strive for 60-65% first pitch strikes. Agree that 65% strikes (+ or - 5%) is the sweet spot. With "Strike" defined as swing and miss, called strike, foul, ball in play.
2) Some coaches call pitches trying to exploit perceived batters weaknesses. Yes, the smart coaches will track players at bats and try to exploit their weakness to gain an advantage.
3) Some coaches call pitches based on their pitchers strengths. Yes, not all pitchers are the same, good coaches know what their pitchers best pitchers are AND know if it is "on" today or not and adjust accordingly.
4) Changing the plane and location of pitches is a good idea - high inside/low outside, high outside/low inside. Yes, pitch and location variance is important and not used nearly enough, especially vertically.
5) Changing speeds helps throw off a batters timing - we strive to be able to throw three speeds fast/average/slow Love this advice. Good pitchers have two speeds, great pitchers have three speeds a) fast b) off-speed, and c) change-up.
6) Learning the umpires strike zone quickly can be a HUGH benefit to a pitch caller and pitcher. Yes, no two umpires have the exact same strike zone, being able to adjust quickly to the umpires zone will make you more effective.
7) Know the count and adjust accordingly. An 0-2 change up needs to be off the plate, while a 3-2 change up needs to be tight. Yes, Yes, Yes, pitchers need to know the count and expand the zone (i.e. work farther off the edges when ahead). Few things more frustrating than giving up a base hit on an 0-2 count. Waste pitches should be used more often.
8) If you use iScore or GameChanger the WHIP is a good stat to track. Less than 1.00 is very good. I would say that is extremely good. Anything under 2.00 is very good in my book
9) We strive for a 3-to-1 or better strikeout to walk ratio. Sure, but it really depends on the level of the competition. In college, 2/1 is very good, at 10U I have seen 4/1 be very good. 1/1 is never good.
10) If batters are crowding the plate, the pitcher needs to have the confidence to come inside. Also agree here. Lots of pitchers are afraid to come inside and tend to work away from the batter. I encourage them to throw more inside to set-up the outside pitch. You are occasionally going to hit a batter coming inside, it happens. If you never hit a batter, than you are probably not coming inside enough.
Some great observations here. I also added some random thoughts.
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