Greenmonsters
Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
With less than 2 strikes they should be swinging at hitter's pitches not simply strikes. Sounds like your DD's coach doesn't know the differene, which is unfortunate.
Being "Aggressive" in the box
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That is what I mean exactly. You funnel down the information that you have for that given at bat against that specific pitcher in that specific situation in the game. You should first consider your strength, then what the pitcher can and can't do, then finally the situation in the game. This should bring you to a specific area of the strike zone that you are looking to attack. This approach should be executed until the hitter has two strikes on her. Then she needs to adjust to her two strike approach... (this is another topic
)Very good post! The key is that they are aggressive (ready to hammer) on pitches in a specific area. Some hitters can have bigger areas to look for pitches than others.
In the Major Leagues the count that has the most home runs hit, the most RBI's, the most doubles and triples with a .339 BA is... The 0-0 count!
Watched a lead off hitter put the ball to the fence yesterday on first pitch down the middle. If it's there you've got to swing. I also watched a rec coach a few years ago telling his girls to take the first pitch. Was horrible because the girls were starting 0-1 in the count. Taking a pitch gives you a 33% less chance of getting a hit.
I've been following the posts on this forum for some time now and have gained quite a bit of knowledge that I incorporate into my own coaching strategies. I think the "Aggressive" message needs to be conveyed cautiously. There is a time and a place, but to preach this to a team would be a concern for me. I prefer to teach disciplined hitting at the team level. Encouraging first pitch swings can develope bad habits at the plate and may result in your players taking good swings at bad pitches and wasting at bats, producing weak ground balls and pop ups. Don't get me wrong, the passive hitter that takes a few pitches because she's not confident to swing at a grooved first pitch strike needs to be coached at the player level.
On the extreme opposite to this post, I've also heard coaches preach to "see" at least one pitch before they swing. A pitcher, or opposing coach can easily pick up on this, which will likely lead to the opposing pitcher having NO FEAR of grooving the first pitch with no concern that it's ever going to cost her. Not a good strategy to start your hitters out 0-1 on a consistant basis
On the extreme opposite to this post, I've also heard coaches preach to "see" at least one pitch before they swing. A pitcher, or opposing coach can easily pick up on this, which will likely lead to the opposing pitcher having NO FEAR of grooving the first pitch with no concern that it's ever going to cost her. Not a good strategy to start your hitters out 0-1 on a consistant basis
I agree. There have been some great responses since I've last been on, but this pretty much sums it up for me.
I think Screwball said the girls should communicate as well. I agree. DD's team was talking a lot about pitchers tendencies this tourney. They haven't really done that much.
DD did the same thing this past weekend. First game, first bat she watches a strike. Coach is getting all bunched up. The next pitch is a ball then the pitcher put one in "the spot" and she drove that thing into a one hop into the left field fence for a standup triple. She wound up going 3 for 5 for the day with one strikeout against a good pitcher in a twelve pitch at bat. Pitcher got her on a great drop after a 3-2 foul ball fest. Sometimes they just get you, but it was a good at bat.
Point is being smart and using your pitches and knowing a pitcher's tendency seems to work better than swinging at everything to me.
Thanks Jim,
We have been working on narrowing the strike zone for a few weeks and this weekend my daughter and a couple others did a good job of it. My daughter in particular had more check swings than shes had all year, she picked her spot and did a good job driving the ball when she got her pitch. She was 8 for 14 this weekend using that approach.
We have been working on narrowing the strike zone for a few weeks and this weekend my daughter and a couple others did a good job of it. My daughter in particular had more check swings than shes had all year, she picked her spot and did a good job driving the ball when she got her pitch. She was 8 for 14 this weekend using that approach.
When they swing at the first pitch, they do damage! That was the point. They don't swing at it unless they can make the pitcher pay. That goes for the second, third, forth pitches... and so on.
Great! Sounds like she is starting to take control of her at-bats! Great job, and keep it up!
