Charting Pitches

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javasource

6-4-3 = 2
May 6, 2013
1,347
48
Western NY
I was thinking about something this morning...

I watched the Auburn/Florida game last evening... and around the 3rd at bat... figured I would rewind the DVR and start charting pitches. Easier to do from the comfort of your couch/living room... granted... but after that game was over, I was pretty blown away by the performance/numbers.

I don't want to turn this thread into a legal/illegal pitch conversation... instead, I figured I would start a thread subject that is seldom discussed on this pitching forum: Charting Pitches.

For years, I've been using this template I devised... bits and pieces borrowed from other people... nevertheless, I find it useful. Having said that, when you do something the same way a gazillion times, it's tough to see it another way. So... I thought I'd ask you all what you do, share what I do... and perhaps give people who stumble on this thread something to add to... or think on... and learn from.

Secondly... I'd also like this thread to delve into the topic of calling pitches (as a result of charting), maybe even discuss offensive/defensive strategies, as it pertains to charted analysis, results, theories, etc.

The purposes are many-fold... I would hope all of you bucket-parents/coaches that call pitches might find this useful, perhaps some pitchers could use the thoughts we exchange as a way to improve/prepare for opponents, perhaps offenses could use it to improve, etc.

Ok... Here's a chart I find myself using when I chart games... couldn't find my finalized template when I started watching... so I mocked this one up with the missing pieces of my template. I filled it out with just Florida's pitching performance versus Auburn... it will appear greek at first glance, but I'll explain it after I attach the files:

FloridaVsAuburn-KBarnhill0001.jpgFloridaVsAuburn-KBarnhill0002.jpg

It's two pages for a game... which is about as condensed as I can get with what I expect to see when analyzing a performance or an opponent on video.

The top line may look like braile... but when going through the 2,000 emails I've received from Bristow over the years, I came across this little system she talked about... and I really liked the concept. For a detailed read, here's the write-up.

Quick version: A strike gets one dot above the last dot... or to start, above the line. A ball... one dot below the last... or to start, below the line. When a pitcher is in command of a batter, she is above the line. As you can see... Barnhill started above on nearly all batters.... and for the most part stayed there. The letters above the dots are (R) rise, (D) drop, (k) strikeout, (F) fastball, etc.. I love the wealth of info you can get on a pitcher in such a small space.

The charted batters part should be pretty self-explanatory... The strike zone is divided into three levels: Level 1 is lower half of strike zone (or lower), Level 2 is the upper part of the strike zone, Level 3 is above the zone. There are also two little batter boxes... the dots with the long line represent the starting position of the batters feet in the box, the connected shorter line/dot is where their feet are after the stride. Pitches are located and numbered as they are thrown. Legend is at the bottom of the page.

So... looking over the Barnhill Vs. Auburn chart... here are a couple things that pop-out:

1) Of the 89 total pitches she throws... only 12 of them were 'below the line'.
2) Of the 89 pitches thrown... only 13 were in Level 1... 52 in Level 2... and 24 in Level 3.
3) Of the 89 pitches thrown, a MINIMUM of 75 were riseballs. No change-ups. 5 drop balls... The remaining 9 pitches were either missed riseballs or some sort of FB/screw into the lower zones.
4) 73% of her pitches were thrown strikes.
5) 20 of the 25 batters she faced started with a first-pitch strike
6) Of the 89 pitches... Auburn would only swing the bat 40 times... 45% of the time... when 73% were thrown into the strike zone.
7) Auburn made contact on 22 of 89 pitches... 5 putouts, 15 fouls, and 2 hits.
8) On average, each Auburn batter saw 3.5 pitches per at bat.
9) 89% of the pitches were at or above the waist.
10) All batters started in the back of the box, all game.

Anyway... there is a lot more to take from this chart than these... but I'm hoping to spark interest... not put you to sleep! ;)

Hope to hear your questions, comments, thoughts, additions, etc...
 
Mar 24, 2014
450
18
Thanks for this thread. Been wanting to chart pitches and give pitchers some constructive feedback. Will try it out thanks.
 

Greenmonsters

Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Feb 21, 2009
6,168
38
New England
When you throw 75/89 RBs, it helps to have a high strike zone umpire, particularly when the other P is a dropballer.

Regardless, a good example of calling pitches to accommodate your P's strengths.
 
Feb 17, 2014
551
28
Thanks for kick starting this. Pitch calling is something that I don't think gets talked about here at DFP enough. Maybe there's not enough pitch callers.

As the pitch caller for DD's team (hopefully not after this year), here's what I do. I want the pitchers warm up and get a good idea of what I think is working for them. I'm not dealing with pitchers that throw 5-7 pitches. 4 at most. After they warm up, I discuss with them what they feel is good, what they think is working that day. I've learned over the course of the last few months, they say pretty much the same thing every time even though I may not agree with them. We talk about what they're going to throw in the game. They're the ones out there succeeded or failing, so I want them to be comfortable and throw what they are most confident with.

One of the 3 will shake me off if she doesn't like a pitch. Depending on the situation, I go to the mound and talk to her or wait until after the inning.

I don't call pitches to get Ks. I call pitches to get outs. I guess that's what everyone does, but I dunno. I don't save changeups for 2 strikes. I like to throw changeups to good hitters on the first pitch hoping to get a groundball off the end of the bat. I'm not afraid to challenge a batter. If they stand on the plate, I will call inside pitches. In bunt situations, I will call inside. I keep track of what counts coaches steal on and if I think there is a pattern with a coach, I will throw outside if I know they are stealing. I try to throw inside to slappers. I think throwing outside gives them a better pitch to hit.
 
May 30, 2013
1,442
83
Binghamton, NY
M,

First, let me say, that this is exactly what we love about you.

I really like the "braille" chart.
As a dad (not a "coach" this year...) this is something I can keep easily from my seat in the stands,
and still enjoy the game.

maintaining that simple braille chart along with all the other stuff? madness!

Thanks for posting this...
 
Apr 19, 2015
6
1
WNY
Mike - your timing is perfect! With S starting to pitch for school ball this week, weather permitting..., I was casually thinking that I wanted to find a decent charting system. Of course nothing is "casual" in your approach, love it. Looking forward to getting back together as soon as we can find a free day in the schedule.
 

javasource

6-4-3 = 2
May 6, 2013
1,347
48
Western NY
When you throw 75/89 RBs, it helps to have a high strike zone umpire, particularly when the other P is a dropballer.

I totally agree... that ump had a very adjusted zone. I kept thinking... why fight what is given? That type of zone will kill a drop baller, the relief pitcher was infinitely more effective... too bad they made the change so late.

Two of the K's Barnhill threw were drops... there were a total of 5. Effective way to make a pitch you're not great at, effective (40% K ratio).

I was also curious as to what all your thoughts are on the batter positions in the box?

I know we used to combat a good drop ball pitcher by moving back in the box... an then once she adjusted her zone (if she did) moving the batters forward. Drop came in a lot sweeter...

I want the pitchers warm up and get a good idea of what I think is working for them.
Awesome. Some days they have it, others they don't.


I'm not dealing with pitchers that throw 5-7 pitches. 4 at most.

One could argue Barnhill had only two pitches in that game... the 84 riseballs and 5 drop balls. I've not seen her throw in person, so I'm not really sure of the next statement:

I think she throws a bullety level-3 rise at full speed. I didn't see the "lift" on any of those... but there is no doubt that her Level 1/2 rise is approaching pure spin at a ridiculous spin rate. As such, there is a definite speed difference between the two... I'd guess around 6mph.

I'd be REALLY curious for those that have video of her spin to step forward and share that.

They're the ones out there succeeded or failing, so I want them to be comfortable and throw what they are most confident with.

One of the 3 will shake me off if she doesn't like a pitch. Depending on the situation, I go to the mound and talk to her or wait until after the inning.

Really love this. The fact that you don't constantly override her calls is pretty cool. Do you change philosophy in big games? When she shrugs off a call and gets drilled... how do you handle that?

Florida uses the band system... absolutely love the efficiency in this.

I don't call pitches to get Ks. I call pitches to get outs. I guess that's what everyone does, but I dunno.

Hmm... that's an interesting philosophy. I would lean towards getting K's... but I guess it might depend on what you have to work with.

I think the difference in some... maybe not you... that call for outs... is that they can at times limit what is most effective for a pitcher. Ex: Two outs, runner on third... I see lots of coaches staying away from drop/change calls... as they are perhaps worried of a byball. The flipside... is that if the pitcher's best pitch is one of those, you significantly limit their effectiveness. Allowing for contact in that situation introduces (literally) far more variables, and subequently more chances for an "error"... whether it be player induced or the calls judgement error on a well hit ball.

There are similar situations I hear about... like with a runner on 1st, limiting the outside pitches (fear of baserunner advancing to 3rd on a well hit ball to right field. Things like this always confuse me... as a pitch/catch involves two variables. But, when that sequence is hit... it often involves at minimum... three more.

In a nutshell, I want to create a killer mentality on that mound... and I want a pitcher to know that I want her to throw for the K... as it's one of the only outs we can define... before we are forced to react/adapt.

I don't save changeups for 2 strikes. I like to throw changeups to good hitters on the first pitch hoping to get a groundball off the end of the bat. I'm not afraid to challenge a batter. If they stand on the plate, I will call inside pitches. In bunt situations, I will call inside. I keep track of what counts coaches steal on and if I think there is a pattern with a coach, I will throw outside if I know they are stealing. I try to throw inside to slappers. I think throwing outside gives them a better pitch to hit.

Wow. Lot to process there. Thanks for sharing. Couple of quick thoughts, for discussion, not argument:

"hoping to get a groundball... throw changes". Are you only calling changes out? Do you find most of those get hit up the center?

"if they stand on the plate..." I agree, I see a lot of coaches (at higher levels) lining their batter up in the box in a position to dictate location. Like... if I put her inside, I can get them to throw outside...

"in bunt situations... I will call inside"... When watching Barnhill... there was only one bunt attempt... and 2 slap attempts. Kind of interesting what a Level 2/3 pitcher does to the short game... especially with backspin.

"I will throw outside if I know they are stealing..." I understand this sentiment... not sure I agree with it... more on that in a second.

"I try to throw inside to slappers...." Hmmm... what is your position on the number one weakness of a slapper? Do you see many pulling their shoulders out to soon? I would think this would play into the hitters strength? What about height?

My only feedback... that I'd like to discuss... and am battling with a little... is that it appears that there are many situations over a course of a game where you let the offense dictate your defense. My first thought is that this would be reactive... and let the opponent dictate your plan. Dunno if I like playing "on the my heels"... interesting perspective.

In contrast... consider the following: Barnhill was definitely told to throw to locations in the game above... but those locations were not splayed all over the place... in fact, most of them were in the strike zone. Every batter was back in the box... but I don't think that changed too much... but perhaps that was why there was only 5 drops...

For instance, the sequence with a batter on base was identical to the sequence one batter before. Casey McCrackin... was at least 6-inches under every pitch she turn at (save one foul that went directly back). As such, they threw every pitch to her in the border between level 2/3.

When facing Cooper... they through the first three pitches at her inside, exact same location (level 2, in the zone). No doubt this was the plan... and they K'd her. Cooper didn't swing at any of them. On the next at bat... Cooper got what she wanted on the first pitch, outside pitch... and hit it for a single. On the last at bat, they still pitched her middle/out... and she hit another... only taking two pitches to get a double. I wonder why they felt the need to mix locations so much with her? (I know, she's a good hitter)... but it's quite obvious that Cooper is waiting on a location.

Example... in the next game (and first two at bats), Cooper was given 6 inside pitches. She swings at ZERO of them... same thing in the game above. They give her an outside pitch on her second at bat in the next game... and she fouls it. They go right back to inside... and she watches another one... this a strike. Knowing they want to induce her to swing (2-2 count), they throw outside... but, offspeed. Strike three.

Point being... Cooper is obviously waiting on what she knows she hits well. So... if you knew the runner was stealing... would you still throw outside to Cooper?

I guess my philosophy is to exploit a weakness... attack.

Mike - your timing is perfect! With S starting to pitch for school ball this week, weather permitting..., I was casually thinking that I wanted to find a decent charting system. Of course nothing is "casual" in your approach, love it. Looking forward to getting back together as soon as we can find a free day in the schedule.

I look forward to it, too! Realize, I only use the full 2 pages when I am reviewing video. I use the braile system when in person, without a camera.
 
May 30, 2013
1,442
83
Binghamton, NY
When facing Cooper... they through the first three pitches at her inside, exact same location (level 2, in the zone). No doubt this was the plan... and they K'd her. Cooper didn't swing at any of them. On the next at bat... Cooper got what she wanted on the first pitch, outside pitch... and hit it for a single. On the last at bat, they still pitched her middle/out... and she hit another... only taking two pitches to get a double. I wonder why they felt the need to mix locations so much with her? (I know, she's a good hitter)... but it's quite obvious that Cooper is waiting on a location.

Example... in the next game (and first two at bats), Cooper was given 6 inside pitches. She swings at ZERO of them... same thing in the game above. They give her an outside pitch on her second at bat in the next game... and she fouls it. They go right back to inside... and she watches another one... this a strike. Knowing they want to induce her to swing (2-2 count), they throw outside... but, offspeed. Strike three.

Point being... Cooper is obviously waiting on what she knows she hits well. So... if you knew the runner was stealing... would you still throw outside to Cooper?

I've watched a LOT of Auburn games this year,
and I came to the casual conclusion that she is an extremely patient hitter,
that draws a lot of walks.

Your in-depth analysis gives it a new perspective:
patient, but because her approach is to look for a particular location...
 
Jul 2, 2013
381
43
My plan was to chart pitches all summer while DD pitched (I too use the "braile" method) but we lost our stat guy so guess who is now running GameChanger for the team.

I love that method because you can see a lot of info very quickly. I get most of that info still with GameChanger but you have to browse to the stats and analyze the numbers. One of the stat apps could very easily take the info and generate that graph on the fly for dorks like me.

DD played for a former MLB relief pitcher previously. Part of his job as a pro was to chart pitches from the bullpen and he loved doing it so he charted quite a bit during the softball games (while calling pitches). It looked like chicken scratches to me and I never got to ask him for his method. I need to get a hold of him and have him explain it to me some time.
 

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