I think the low rise is one of the best pitches thrown! Why? Because many batters think it's going to drop more than it does, thus they lay off of it, but it ends up being a strike.
What is the official strike zone for a pitched ball?
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I think the low rise is one of the best pitches thrown! Why? Because many batters think it's going to drop more than it does, thus they lay off of it, but it ends up being a strike.
HOWEVER.....
Given I believe most batters around here miss under the ball when they miss and clip a lot, resulting in pop-ups, I still like the riseball to the top of the zone.
Given I believe most batters around here miss under the ball when they miss and clip a lot, resulting in pop-ups, I still like the riseball to the top of the zone.
The NCAA strike zone is slightly lower than NFHS, ASA. etc. My DD had to bring her rise down to be effective. Good news is the low rise is better than ever.
Just out of curiosity, since yours had to adapt to the newer zone, has her rise increased/decreased/stayed the same........in use prior to college ball?
Here's another good one that illustrates the NCAA strike zone.
This is what I use for tournament ball (ASA) and high school, with the exception that the top line of the zone is the armpit, instead of the sternum.
For lower level rec games, where the pitchers are less skilled, I might be a bit more generous. At the top of the zone, I might give it to them if the bottom of the ball touches the upper line and also add an inch or two around the sides and bottom. Nobody likes a walkfest!
<a href="http://s195.photobucket.com/user/bretman14/media/NCAAZone.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z240/bretman14/NCAAZone.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo NCAAZone.jpg"/></a>
This is what I use for tournament ball (ASA) and high school, with the exception that the top line of the zone is the armpit, instead of the sternum.
For lower level rec games, where the pitchers are less skilled, I might be a bit more generous. At the top of the zone, I might give it to them if the bottom of the ball touches the upper line and also add an inch or two around the sides and bottom. Nobody likes a walkfest!
<a href="http://s195.photobucket.com/user/bretman14/media/NCAAZone.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z240/bretman14/NCAAZone.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo NCAAZone.jpg"/></a>
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Greenmonsters
Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Here's an interesting exercise. See how accurately you can identify the base of the sternum on a stationary girl in a typical loose uniform. Then try to find it when she's in the batter's box swinging from her unique stance at a 60+ pitched ball. Oh, and call your lawyer, not me if you get charged with assault.
Greenmonsters
Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Top of the zone/base of the sternum is about a 0.5-1 ball lower than shown IMO
- Feb 7, 2013
- 3,188
- 48
Bretman - great illustration showing the "real" strike zone based on the location of the ball entering the strike zone vs. the perimeter of the rectangular strike zone. Now factor in each umpire's own definition of the strike zone and it could be + or - one or two balls widths around the perimenter.
One of the reasons why it is critical for the pitcher (and pitch callers) to determine quickly, in the early innings, what the umpires strike zone is and find a way to exploit it.
The use of her rise has pretty much stayed the same. She was familiar with the college zone since our Fall schedule is about 50% scrimmages with college teams and showcases under NCAA rules.
The biggest change in her pitching has been the adoption of a 2 seam fastball that she runs in or out. She never had a curve and chose the 2 seam FB in lieu of a traditional palm up curve. She then found out that by changing her finger pressure she could run it east or west. It probably does not break as much as her screw used to, but she is throwing it harder and the movement is more consistent. The 2 seam FB appears to be gaining in popularity with the 60mph+ pitchers. I have had some of my students try it and they seem to like it.
For my DD this summer will be all about finally mastering a change up which will be a game changer for her.
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The use of her rise has pretty much stayed the same. She was familiar with the college zone since our Fall schedule is about 50% scrimmages with college teams and showcases under NCAA rules.
The biggest change in her pitching has been the adoption of a 2 seam fastball that she runs in or out. She never had a curve and chose the 2 seam FB in lieu of a traditional palm up curve. She then found out that by changing her finger pressure she could run it east or west. It probably does not break as much as her screw used to, but she is throwing it harder and the movement is more consistent. The 2 seam FB appears to be gaining in popularity with the 60mph+ pitchers. I have had some of my students try it and they seem to like it.
For my DD this summer will be all about finally mastering a change up which will be a game changer for her.
Riseball I know your new here, but the softball folks will hang you from the highest tree for using the F word.
It's been a long cause of mine that a lot of women use variations of a running fastball, no matter "what" they want to call it. My DD being a LHP, had to learn a screw ( which is probably her best pitch ). Mixing the action from her screw along with the action of her running fastball, one pitch setting up the other, was her bread and butter.
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