Baseball Academics

ADJUSTING TO PITCHING

BY RICHARD PACE

Here’s a good example; the pitcher is having trouble controlling his curve. Ball one is curve.  Ball two is a curve.  Strike one is a fastball down the middle of the plate.  Ball three is curve.  Even a not-so-bright hitter can reasonably conclude that on this day, the pitcher is going with his fastball.  This is the time to zone middle in.  “Look” fastball and drive it.  On such occasions, the discipline of keeping your head down on the ball is very important.  When you look for the inside pitch you have a tendency to take your eye off the ball and pull off.  So, it’s very important to concentrate on keeping your head down on the ball while you are making adjustments to pitches located about the plate.

As you consider location adjustments you want to adapt quickly to the off speed pitch.  You have a better chance to hit a curveball when you are expecting a fastball rather than vice a versa.  I always expect the fastball and adjust for off speed pitches.  However, you must accept that if you are poised for the fastball and the pitcher throws a quality curveball, you have little chance of hitting it.  If you do get your bat on the ball chances are you would not be hitting it well.  The key in this situation, especially when you’re down two strikes, is keeping your bat “back” even though your weight has been committed to your front foot.  You are making a split second adjustment to the ball.  With two strikes on you, the best you can do is slap the ball for a hit or at least foul it off.

It should be emphasized that hitters should be zoning (looking) for the pitch from the middle to the outside part of the plate and adjust to middle in when the pitcher adjusts in on you.

Looking to the middle to the outside part of the plate positions you best for the curveball, slider, change up and for the fastball outside.  The only ball that can give you trouble is the fastball inside.  Therefore, the percentages are in your favor to look middle-out.  It is easier to react and adjust to an inside pitch than to an outside pitch.  You can also increase your success percentage by moving up in the batter’s box when facing a slow curve ball pitcher. By doing this, you can catch his junk before it breaks or breaks too much to handle.  Many umpires will call a strike not where the curve crosses the plate but where the catcher catches the ball.  It’s unfortunate but it does happen more than one would like – as a hitter. 

When you have two strikes, your primary goal is to protect the plate. By protecting the plate take into account how the umpire is calling the game.  If the umpire has been giving that pitcher a couple of inches off the plate consistently through out the game, you better be swinging at the ball especially with two strikes on you.  At this time you are no longer an offensive hitter but a defensive hitter.  Choke up on the bat if it is more comfortable for you in this situation.  If the pitches are close to be call strikes but difficult for you to handle try to at least foul them off until you get the pitch you can drive.  Fully understanding your limitations in reacting to certain pitches and or locations of the pitch. Take caution on the side of preparing for those pitches you have the most trouble.  From there, adjust accordingly to the pitches you are comfortable with.   

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