Pitch Calling System

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Mar 9, 2015
321
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Looking for suggestions on tracking pitches. The HC currently uses a 3 digit system to relay pitches, such as 751, 645, 442, etc are change up, 325, 115, 213 etc, are screw ball. Works well but looking for a way to easily track. Anybody using this type of system would be nice to see examples.
 

ez_softball

Life at the diamond...
Apr 14, 2017
158
28
I don't know if it is "easy" to track but will share my system.

I use 4 digits which consist of (2) dummy signals and (2) of the actual pitch and location. I can designate the actual call within those 4 digits at any time with the catcher/pitcher. I use hand signals most of the time but can also verbalize the call without too much concern of it being picked up by the other team.

For example, prior to the game we decide the "real call" is second and fourth digits. With that being the case "4132", the real call is "12" which is a (1) fastball in the (2) 2nd quadrant. Halfway through the 4th inning I think our signals have been compromised so, I go to my pitcher/catcher team and change the designation to the first and third digits (or any other variation) but in this case let's say it's first and third... that same call of "4132" would really be "43" and would be (4) curveball in the (3) 3rd quadrant.

HTH
 
Last edited:
Mar 9, 2015
321
18
I don't know if it is "easy" to track but will share my system.

I use 4 digits which consist of (2) dummy signals and (2) of the actual pitch and location. I can designate the actual call within those 4 digits at any time with the catcher/pitcher. I use hand signals most of the time but can also verbalize the call without too much concern of it being picked up by the other team.

For example, prior to the game we decide the "real call" is second and fourth digits. With that being the case "4132", the real call is "12" which is a (1) fastball in the (2) 2nd quadrant. Halfway through the 4th inning I think our signals have been compromised so, I go to my pitcher/catcher team and change the designation to the first and third digits (or any other variation) but in this case let's say it's first and third... that same call of "4132" would really be "43" and would be (4) curveball in the (3) 3rd quadrant.

HTH

Would you happen to have an example of the form used to track these pitches?
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
Tracking of pitches is one of the many reasons that catchers calling the game has gone the way of the dinosaur in college softball. You need a minimum of 2 people to provide useful results. In many program there are as many as 5 people involved in the process. You must have one in the dugout tracking what was called. Then you must have one behind the catcher observing the result. After the game when you reconcile the information the truth comes out. :)
 
Feb 15, 2017
920
63
Tracking of pitches is one of the many reasons that catchers calling the game has gone the way of the dinosaur in college softball. You need a minimum of 2 people to provide useful results. In many program there are as many as 5 people involved in the process. You must have one in the dugout tracking what was called. Then you must have one behind the catcher observing the result. After the game when you reconcile the information the truth comes out. :)
So you have 5 people doing what one catcher used to do? And somehow in baseball the catcher still can. To me the HC not developing catchers to call a game (See USF) is not good. And as an aside shouldn't a good pitcher really call the game anyway?

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
 

sluggers

Super Moderator
Staff member
May 26, 2008
7,133
113
Dallas, Texas
Tracking of pitches is one of the many reasons that catchers calling the game has gone the way of the dinosaur in college softball. You need a minimum of 2 people to provide useful results. In many program there are as many as 5 people involved in the process. You must have one in the dugout tracking what was called. Then you must have one behind the catcher observing the result. After the game when you reconcile the information the truth comes out. :)

I agree for high level college softball...but a 12U team playing in the "River City Madness Invitational and Ice Cream Social" should let the pitcher and catcher figure out what to call.
 
Apr 28, 2014
2,316
113
I agree for high level college softball...but a 12U team playing in the "River City Madness Invitational and Ice Cream Social" should let the pitcher and catcher figure out what to call.

Based on that seemingly innocent plug we have decided to raise the entry fee of the River City Madness invitational and Ice Cream social entry fee to $895 per team, pay at the plate.
Also: any infielder not wearing a mask will be assessed a $95 just in case insurance fee.
Thanks for doing it for the kids!
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
So you have 5 people doing what one catcher used to do? And somehow in baseball the catcher still can. To me the HC not developing catchers to call a game (See USF) is not good. And as an aside shouldn't a good pitcher really call the game anyway?

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

That is not how it works. No catcher can provide the data mentioned. Because of technology the processes used in MLB and College Softball are worlds apart. Were it not for the technology used in the MLB they would be calling pitches from the dugout.
 
Nov 3, 2012
480
16
That is not how it works. No catcher can provide the data mentioned. Because of technology the processes used in MLB and College Softball are worlds apart. Were it not for the technology used in the MLB they would be calling pitches from the dugout.

Just curious, what specifically is the person behind the plate doing? Ive been to a few college games and noticed a person tracking info. They generally are tracking speed with a gun, but how do they quantify the pitch. Are they evaluating movement and location including speed?
.
 
Oct 3, 2009
372
18
I think the simpler the system the better. For example at 10u something like 3 numbers and a European city. Simply take the first number multiply it by the second and subtract the third for pitch type. The European cities geographic location roughly equates to pitch location.

So I have seen:

"235 Madrid" would be a drop ball low and away out of the zone assuming a right handed batter
"426 Rome" would be a low inside curve at the knees again assuming a right handed batter.

Now if you think you are getting picked just make it the square root of the first number times the second number squared minus the third number as-is because you don't want to make it too complicated.

On a side note, I will just say it's amazing how many times you call Rome and the damn thing ends up in Barcelona. And obviously anything thrown around Munich will likely get planted over the right field wall. Again simplicity simplicity simplicity!

Andy
 
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