VRHS_softball_journal_combined

listening to your coaches, and also understanding what fundamentals are taught to pitchers about approaching hitters in different counts.

Using all the resources available to a hitter can be the difference between a quality at-bat (a hard hit ball) vs. chasing a curve ball in the dirt for a strikeout.

Let's explore some of the strategies hitters can utilize to help better position themselves to be successful in their plate appearances. In theHole ● This player is two players away from their at-bat. This provides the opportunity to decompose the information they have observed about the pitcher and begin to formulate strategy. This player should remove themselves from the distractions of the bench and prepare their equipment. They should then be anticipating what the field will look like when they step into the box (runners on, how many outs, score, where the opposing pitcher is in the duration of their start/inning). They should also be (and have been) paying attention to each pitch type, location and the counts in which the pitch was thrown. On-Deck 1. This player is up to the plate next. This player has requirements outside of plate approach (information that should have been collected prior to this point). They need to ensure they complete a warm-up of core muscles, then move on to practice swings and timing these swings with the pitcher's release and the ball entering the hitting zone. Swinging in the Different Counts As mentioned earlier, although there are numerous ways to teach the mechanics of hitting, the one skill that remains constant is anticipating a pitch based on the current count of an at-bat. This starts by a hitter identifying which pitch they hit best; Fastball? Curve ball? Change-Up? Screwball? Riseball? etc. Most common answer to this question? Fastball. Knowing that we have identified we want to hit the Fastball, we need to better anticipate when we will see this pitch during the at-bat. So we ask ourselves; In what counts will I, more than other pitches, see a Fastball?

To answer this question, we need to be introduced to Fastball counts. There are likely six counts in which we can anticipate a Fastball over other pitches;

0-0 1-0 2-0 2-1 3-0 3-1

Why are these counts considered Fastball counts?

These are Fastball counts due to the pitcher being "behind' in the count, or not being able to get "even" in the count on one pitch. These counts give importance to the pitcher throwing a strike next pitch. What is a pitcher's typical high percentage strike pitch? A Fastball! A Fastball is the type of pitch most pitchers rely on for throwing a strike. Usually it is their most accurate and controllable pitch. Pitchers tend to practice throwing more Fastballs than any other pitch and thus, feel most comfortable and confident in throwing this pitch for a strike.

Let's go into more detail and breakdown each of the above counts listed. Individual Counts ● 0-0