Pitching Strategy against good hitters

[Hawk_]

Throw balls: High and inside, low and outside. Low and inside. ect...nothing goes down the middle...ever.

 

[SoftballisLife1]

Drew up above is right, don't want your pitchers to slow their arm down! And RAD is also right, starting throwing that CU today, even if it's not effective, start throwing it in your next games just so the hitters have it in their minds and know it's there.

If a fastball is all they have, better be able to spot up and locate, stay off the plate, work the black, stay a ball or more off the plate both inside & outside, make sure the catcher is working hard to help your pitchers out!

Do your pitchers have their own personal pitching coach?

Thanks for the advice!
Yes, They have their own pitching coach. just developing the change ups, not effective yet...
We have been working on choosing spots, corners, etc
What can the catchers do to help?

 

[wheresmycar]

Better Defense. There is a reason you have 8 other players besides the pitcher.

 

[sluggers]

@RADcatcher has great advice.

In addition, have your catcher and pitcher learn the umpire's strike zone. Then, pitch to that zone, not the strike zone defined by the rule book.

 

[SoftballisLife1]

Def

@RADcatcher has great advice.

In addition, have your catcher and pitcher learn the umpire's strike zone. Then, pitch to that zone, not the strike zone defined by the rule book.

Thanks!

 

[heman1202]

Better Defense. There is a reason you have 8 other players besides the pitcher.

Yep, this. Nothing you can do if your pitchers are throwing the best they got. Play defense.

 

[Sweet Lou]

Thanks for the advice!
Yes, They have their own pitching coach. just developing the change ups, not effective yet...
We have been working on choosing spots, corners, etc
What can the catchers do to help?

You can signal location and have catcher set up in that location. It can be simple or complicated whatever you want. We often just used a 2 number system - 1 up and in, 2 down and in , 3 down and away, 4 up and away (all wrt RH batter ) then pitch type depending on what pitcher threw 1 - FB or drop, 2 Change, 3 rise or curve. So 1-3 would be rise ball up and in, 3-2 would be change up down and away...

But there are a ton of signaling systems that can be used as you get into more advance pitchers and teams that will try to steal your signs.

 

[texasck1]

I feel for you. At 12U that is a tough spot to be in. Hitter are starting to crank down the middle balls.
2 things:
1 - Throw the changeup anyway like others have said. Just seeing the speed change can mess with timing, whether it's for a strike or not.
2 - When working with your pitchers, do not ask for a strike down the middle, ever. They will get comfortable with throwing down the middle and that is where every ball will go. Have your catchers do the same. Always setup on a corner. Challenge them with corners on every pitch. Eventually they will become comfortable with it and start hitting their spots. Do not encourage "meatball" pitches.

 

[SoftballisLife1]

You can signal location and have catcher set up in that location. It can be simple or complicated whatever you want. We often just used a 2 number system - 1 up and in, 2 down and in , 3 down and away, 4 up and away (all wrt RH batter ) then pitch type depending on what pitcher threw 1 - FB or drop, 2 Change, 3 rise or curve. So 1-3 would be rise ball up and in, 3-2 would be change up down and away...

But there are a ton of signaling systems that can be used as you get into more advance pitchers and teams that will try to steal your signs.

Ok we are not there yet but really useful information to use in the not so distant future!

 

[cnardone]

pitch around them. Obviously you can't pitch around 9 batters, but IF you've got 1 or 2 that you just can't get out, pitch around them. Let them swing at a ball or take a walk.

I'd prefer trying to throw the change up. Even if it is not ready, if you are not getting those 2 batters out, it can't be worse. so only throw it to those couple of batters.