- May 17, 2012
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I am saying that if you use wristbands properly that there is no issue with the "pace of the game". If anything we are too fast and we need to slow down the pitcher. If a team isn't using the wristbands properly that is a separate issue.
With regards to the "eye ball test" and "gut instinct" that goes to the heart of pitch calling and it's effectiveness. What does it really mean to "call pitches"? If coach/pitcher/catcher notices that a player is standing to close to the plate they should bust her with a screwball or a fastball inside right? Sometimes you see that chart floating around this site and others about how to "attack a batter" based on their swing or where they stand in the box, etc. This is nonsense. This assumes that your pitcher has 5 pitches that they can throw to various locations and various speeds. Ask a pitchers parent and of course they have all 5 pitches. As a coach you know this isn't true so why attack a batter with the pitchers third best pitch based on your "eye test"? It's silly.
If you have credible data on a batter tendencies (because you have seen them so much) than adjust accordingly. Short of that go with what your pitchers does best. If she is a drop-ball pitcher throw the damn drop-ball. You can throw it high/low in/out, whatever...that's the extent you are calling pitches. Mix in some change-ups and be done with it.
I have never heard a parent complain that we threw an outside drop-ball instead of an inside-drop ball. Instead it's "you should have had Suzy throw a rise-ball to #23 as she as a loop in her swing". Does Suzy even throw a real rise ball? Didn't you notice we retired the previous 7 batters with ground balls because we kept throwing the drop?
No one complains about the pitch calling when you win.
