Opposing coach telling batters pitch position

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NBECoach

Learning everyday
Aug 9, 2018
408
63
The catcher is in position by the time the pitch crosses the hitting zone. Not just reaching but actually moving the feet. Remember you are only moving 8-1/2 inches which is 1 step.

Believe it or not many of the competent umpires adjust to this once they see it for an inning. Some do not, but we continue to do it, unless the calls are ridiculous.
 
Oct 26, 2019
1,375
113
The catcher is in position by the time the pitch crosses the hitting zone. Not just reaching but actually moving the feet. Remember you are only moving 8-1/2 inches which is 1 step.

Believe it or not many of the competent umpires adjust to this once they see it for an inning. Some do not, but we continue to do it, unless the calls are ridiculous.
Ok so she moves with the pitch - understood 👍
 
Dec 18, 2016
163
28
My DD was playing against a team where the HC would stand in the 3rd base coaches box and yell out to her hitters, "go with it" when the catcher set up out side, and "quick hands" on an inside pitch. I was just a spectator at the time but yelled out pretty loudly to the catcher that the coach is telling her batters where you're setting up, so set up later.

She adjusted and not too much from the HC after that.

I have seen the players on 2B telling location and I'm not a fan but understand it's part of the game, but when the coach does it, I think it's pretty shady. Trust your hitters and let them win on their own.
 
Jan 22, 2009
331
18
South Jersey
I have been working showcase games all of October. I see lots of micromanaging of athletes, especially with what I would call the lower level teams. Calling out locations of catcher setups is one I definitely noticed as well. Had one coach get pretty upset with the other coach. Yelled over to his catcher to set up late since they were yelling to their batter pre-pitch. I am ok with trying to help your batter, but they need to develop their own pitch recognition at some point if they are ever going to develop as players.
 
Jul 16, 2013
4,659
113
Pennsylvania
I have seen the players on 2B telling location and I'm not a fan but understand it's part of the game, but when the coach does it, I think it's pretty shady. Trust your hitters and let them win on their own.

DD's high school coach was not a fan of this either. It was something I did when I played baseball 100 years ago (okay, maybe not quite that long...), so I taught my travel ball team to do it. During a high school game DD did it, and the coach asked her to stop. Then the coach took the team to see a local D2 softball game (coach's alma mater...). During the game I could hear one of the players say "Hey coach, isn't that what Meghan does on 2nd base?". Sure enough, the college player was doing the same thing. Now that Meg plays in college, I see it all the time.
 

radness

Possibilities & Opportunities!
Dec 13, 2019
7,270
113
Recognizing whats happening on the field AND adjusting to it is part of fastpitch.

Catcher adjustment should be at the time of pitchers movement.

Batter at this point focusing on the pitcher, will have to make their physical or mental ajustment within tenths of a second.
While still including needing to read location, up or down,
pitch speed,
and if its a strike or not.
*Perhaps someone yelling in the midst of that may not help.

As a hitter i would not be listening, because i'm already totally foccused.


The other debate points are :)
How accurate are the pitchers in these story's? Really?...
is it going exactly where they yell?

Another scenario,

How good are your batters swinging at locations pitchers are purposely throwing at?
Are you helping them if they cant swing anyway? Or adding stress?
'oh no outside'

How about
Pitchers want you to try and hit that inside drop you struggle with.

They want you to chase that curve you hit dribblers on.

:) Strategy!
 
Last edited:
Apr 17, 2019
194
28
It’s a pretty young age group 12u, our catcher does setup pretty late, not in the pitchers motion though. Yes after he started doing that they had better success hitting the ball, in fact that’s when they pulled ahead.
 

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