Another thread brought up the question of whether or not pitchers should "think for themselves" or "just throw what the coach calls" when they are in the circle. As my DD has developed as a pitcher we work more and more on the mental side of pitching. A pitcher needs to be mentally tough AND intelligent to be successful. Mental toughness allows the pitcher to forget about the "last pitch" and focus on the "next pitch", while intelligence allows the pitcher to make adjustments to game situations.
When we call pitches, we divide the plate in five zones. 1 - inside chalk of the batters box, 2- inside river/corner, 3 - down the middle, 4 - outside corner/river, 5 - outside chalk of the batters box. As illustrated in the picture, zones 1, 2, 4 and 5 are approximately 2 softballs wide, while zone 3 is approximately 3 balls wide. When the coach or catcher calls for a screwball in the 2 hole, the pitcher needs to be able to process information and have the control to decide if she is going to throw the pitch to 2A, 2A/B, or 2B. 2A could be called a ball, 2B may be hit hard, and 2A/B is a compromise between the two.
Some information the pitcher needs to consider when deciding which "spot" to hit - count on the batter (3-0, 3-2, 0-2), which batter in the line up (1-3, 4-6, 7-9), what did the batter do in her last at bat, rightie/leftie, what is the game situation (tie game, close game, blowout), are there runners on base, is first base open, lead off batter in the inning, umpires strike zone, defensive alignment, defensive personnel....
When we call pitches, we divide the plate in five zones. 1 - inside chalk of the batters box, 2- inside river/corner, 3 - down the middle, 4 - outside corner/river, 5 - outside chalk of the batters box. As illustrated in the picture, zones 1, 2, 4 and 5 are approximately 2 softballs wide, while zone 3 is approximately 3 balls wide. When the coach or catcher calls for a screwball in the 2 hole, the pitcher needs to be able to process information and have the control to decide if she is going to throw the pitch to 2A, 2A/B, or 2B. 2A could be called a ball, 2B may be hit hard, and 2A/B is a compromise between the two.
Some information the pitcher needs to consider when deciding which "spot" to hit - count on the batter (3-0, 3-2, 0-2), which batter in the line up (1-3, 4-6, 7-9), what did the batter do in her last at bat, rightie/leftie, what is the game situation (tie game, close game, blowout), are there runners on base, is first base open, lead off batter in the inning, umpires strike zone, defensive alignment, defensive personnel....