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Taking a strike

Discussion in 'Softball Forum' started by chachacha, Apr 28, 2010.

  1. chachacha

    chachacha Full Access Member

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    I remember during my playing days as a baseball player we would take a strike from time to time. One situation was if we got down pretty big in a game we would make the pitcher throw us at least 1 strike before we would swing the bat.

    Another situation is when the pitcher gets 2 outs on the first 2 pitches of an inning...the third batter in this situation would take a strike just to make the pitcher throw at least 1 more pitch that inning.

    I do not recall ever using situation 1 on the softball field, but one time I did use situation 2. I gave the third batter the take sign because the pitcher had gotten 2 outs on 2 pitches to start the inning. The girl gave me a real puzzled look, but she did take the pitch which looked to be right down the middle. I believe it made her really mad and she hit the next pitch out of the park.

    Do any of you coaches ever take a strike in these situations? Have any of you taken on something less than 3 - 0...such as taking on 2 - 0 against a struggling pitcher?
     
  2. slick50

    slick50 Full Access Member

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    Taking Pitch

    I believe all pitchers are taught to get ahead in the count. IMHO the first pitch is usually the best pitch to hit. As girls get older and the pitching gets better it becomes even harder to recover when down in count.
     
  3. justsoftball

    justsoftball Full Access Member

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    The two "usual" ways I see a player being told to "take" - which is any pitch, not necessarily a strike - is 1) To force the pitcher to throw more pitches to each batter, as the deeper in the count the pitcher goes, the less likely they will continue a high strike to ball ratio (MOST high school pitchers do not spend all their time on the dirt in the summer); and, 2) If the pitcher has been slinging a series of balls, our players may be told to take figuring the odds are the first couple of pitches will be balls, putting them ahead in the count and forcing the pitcher to come straight at them.

    Now I have also seen where we have two runners on, two out, and the take sign will be given to a batter that is often stronger with two strikes on them. The philosophy behind this attitude is that 2 strike batters are confident in this position, where as the field relaxes feeling they are only a strike away from the final out, which can be helpful to a batter in pushing a hard and unexpected shot through the infield.
     
  4. WndMillR

    WndMillR Full Access Member

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    strikes are for pitchers

    As a hitter, 0-0 count, I look for a fastball in my swing zone that I can square up on and drive.

    Anything up, down, off speed, out of my swing plane, I take.

    If ump sez strike.... I expand hitting zone
    if ump sez ball..... see first sentence
     
  5. marlinfan1

    marlinfan1 Full Access Member

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    I can see where there is "team" value by gaining info having the leadoff batter get deep in the count. I did'nt say I like the idea, just I can see some type of benefit there.

    After that I think that the first pitch could be the best you see, but once a batter is tagged a "hitter" then all bets are off. The so called "hitters" don't see many easy to hit first pitches.

    I'm with WndMllr on this one.

    Go to the plate with a plan of the pitch that you're looking for and if you don't get it and its called a strike then you're probably better off for letting it go by instead of a ground out or a pop up.

    Now if that badboy comes into the zone and you're looking for it, then come out of your shoes by swinging away.

    In college, many years ago, we had a very smart man teach us to look for a fastball in your zone or "something else" ie off speed.

    Charlie Lau, sorry for the spelling, but Charlie knew his batting, and it appears that what he taught way back then still has merit now. What do you think Braves?

    Nice thread ChaCha

    Fishman
     
  6. Tigerscoach

    Tigerscoach Full Access Member

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    I am having my kids take very little. The problem I am facing is getting away from the mentality "that if I stand here long enough I will get walked." Trying to teach my girls to be hitters. I am actually glad they are starting to swing at a few bad pitches. Apparently the coaches they had in the past based their offense on walks and bunts. Not the girls fault but at younger age instead of developing hitters and proper hitting fundamentals all the coaches were interested in was winning. Now before you roast me I know bunting and walks are very important parts of the game. But to teach learning players that is the only way they can have an effective at bat is not my way of thinking. I am trying to increase my girls self confidence at have them swing the bat. I truly beleive the only way to learn to hit is swing the bat.
     
  7. softballphreak

    softballphreak Full Access Member

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    Tigerscoach, I agree with your philosophy at the level of kids I believe you're coaching (based on your previous posts). At that level a lot of times you almost have to have a swing sign; we use hit and run sometimes just for that reason.

    At the level chachacha has coached there is more strategy involved and taking pitches has its advantages at times.
     
  8. Tigerscoach

    Tigerscoach Full Access Member

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    Yeah, I am coaching middle school. Lots of my girls (8 of 14) are playing in a 11-12 year old rec league. My talent level is very diversified. I have one girl with great knowledge of the game, physical ability and leadership. She is an 8th grader. She has actually helped coach almost as much as practice herself. I am going to make it up to her with individual work after the season. But just as in teaching "the mind remembers that which it teaches much better than that which it is taught" so I am hoping she is getting more than it appears on the surface. Anyways these young girls do nothing but bunt and walk on the rec ball team and I have finally got them going to the plate looking to be an all around hitter. Should be much better next year. A season under their belt and no rec ball. Only time will tell. But I am loving coaching.
     

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