VRHS_softball_journal_combined

● If your coach has given you the "green light" (permission to swing) and there is one out or MORE, a Contact Swing is what a hitter should be thinking.

In this count we distinguish between different swing types based on the situation (one out or LESS and one out or MORE). This is explained as the individual hitter will need to distinguish that type of swing will be most effective - Power vs. Contact. This is decided through the hitter managing the past at-bats in the game or the days prior. Hitters need to understand how they are currently swinging; ● How have I been swinging lately? Have I been successful at the plate this game? Am I "on" today? What is the score? What does my team need most of me right now?

● 3-1

You can again expect to see a Fastball in this count. One pitch will not even the count out and one pitch would walk the batter. A pitcher does not want to have an uncontested Base Runner.

Hitting Approach (3-1) count

We want to take a similar hitting approach as we did in the 3-0 count, ● If your coach has given you the "green light" (permission to swing) and there is one out or LESS, a Power Swing is what a hitter should be thinking.

● If your coach has given you the "green light" (permission to swing) and there is one out or MORE, a Contact Swing is what a hitter should be thinking.

In this count we distinguish between different swing types based on the situation (one out or LESS and one out or MORE). This is explained as the individual hitter will need to distinguish that type of swing will be most effective - Power vs. Contact. This is decided through the hitter managing the past at-bats in the game or the days prior. Hitters need to understand how they are currently swinging; ● How have I been swinging lately? Have I been successful at the plate this game? Am I "on" today? What is the score? What does my team need most of me right now? Aside from building the correct muscle memory and spending the required time practicing a swing, players can further increase their chances of success at the plate by always being aware of a pitcher's habits and tendencies. A good way to start to develop this, is by asking yourself the following questions during a game; ● What pitch does a pitcher throw in each count? ● What types of pitches does this pitcher throw (FB, CB, SB, RB, etc.) ● Does the Fastball have movement? ● What off-speed pitch does the pitcher rely on over the others? ● Is the off-speed pitch landing for a strike or are the hitters chasing this ball out of the zone?

● What is the pitcher's "out" pitch? ● Is the pitcher "tipping" pitches? ● Does the pitcher's arm action (speed of arm) change depending on the pitch thrown? ● ANY 2 Strike Counts

You can expect to see the pitcher’s best OUT pitch or the SETUP pitch. So what does this mean for us as a hitter?