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Future of Bama Softball?

CB4

CB4

Hall of Fame
Aug 8, 2011
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Isaiah 63:1 said:
I have heard people say that you see better pitches early in the count. I have yet to see anyone back it up with data. I'd love to see some. Absent any, assuming there's no play called for the pitch (hit and run; take; etc.), what ought to matter in every batter's thinking in each at bat is the combination of count and pitch location. E.g.,
  • 0-0, 1-0: Unless the pitch is in the part of the strike zone where I have the best average, take
  • 0-2, 1-2, 2-2, 3-2: Any pitch in or very close to the strike zone, swing
Swinging at pitches early in the count just because they’re early in the count is a recipe for weak outs unless they’re pitches you can do something with...
Click to expand...
I think some of the “approach at the plate” is determined by scouting. If you’re facing a pitcher that is known for “getting ahead” in the count, in this case, the earlier pitches may be the better pitches to go after. But then again, it doesn’t mean just because a “first pitch is strike” you necessarily “take a hack”.

Very much like you are saying, when I coached baseball locally (Little League, Pony League and later American Legion) the approach was “knowing your perfect pitch”. Each player was responsible for knowing where it was. It should be about the size of shoebox. For some it could be belt high “outer third”. For some left handers, it might be inner third between the belt and the knees. It was whatever pitch you handled the best.

Until you got that “first strike” that was what the hitter was looking for. In 1-0, 2-0, 3-0 counts you were still looking for the “shoebox pitch”. With each strike, your hitting zone expanded. With two strikes, it expanded to “cover the zone”.

I also knew coaches that took scouting the opposing pitchers to a different level - to the extent of knowing what the opposing pitcher’s weakest pitch was and tendencies to throw it in certain situations. And they were darn good at it (me? I was never that smart). In certain counts they have the hitters look for a certain pitch in a certain location. Example: a 1-1 count after two fastballs- tendencies to throw an off speed or breaking ball to the outer third. Hitter would sit on it look to go opposite field.

And by the way, I’m old. The approach to hitting used today (especially at the professional baseball level) is night and different than it was for me years ago. And might I add, at times, very frustrating.
 
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K

Krymsonman

Hall of Fame
Sep 1, 2009
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We sure picked a bad night for anemic hitting to come back. We've have opportunities but can't buy a hit. Montana is back, but you could tell she was not 100%. Ball just didn't have the same zip she normally has. Maybe it's the injury, or maybe it's the brace. I don't know. Montana was just replaced by Torrence who got us out of the inning. 3-0 NW going to the bottom of 4. Hope we can fire up the bats.
 
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Krymsonman

Hall of Fame
Sep 1, 2009
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If we would just stop swinging at bad pitches we'd probably be better off. We did get a run on a error last inning because NW fell asleep. 3-1 NW, top of 5. Torrence throwing well again. We need to relax at the plate. Way to much chasing of bad pitches.
 
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Krymsonman

Hall of Fame
Sep 1, 2009
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River Ridge, LA
Very lackluster effort tonight. We got a gift #5 seed, a gift regional, and tonight we played one of the worst games at the plate we have played all year. No patience, especially with an umpire who had a fairly tight zone. It didn't take much to know to look for a ball in a certain spot. Not to mention how many good pitches to hit we watched go by. I guess we'll see tomorrow if we have the gumption to come back. :(
 
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Isaiah 63:1

All-American
Dec 8, 2005
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Probably at 35k or in an airport somewhere
Krymsonman said:
Very lackluster effort tonight. We got a gift #5 seed, a gift regional, and tonight we played one of the worst games at the plate we have played all year. No patience, especially with an umpire who had a fairly tight zone. It didn't take much to know to look for a ball in a certain spot. Not to mention how many good pitches to hit we watched go by. I guess we'll see tomorrow if we have the gumption to come back. :(
Click to expand...
Obviously, Murph bears much of the responsibility here. At the same time, having had a high school softball player in my house until about 12 months ago, I can attest that by the time girls get to college, they’ve had so much bad hitting instruction that it must be very difficult to undo it. I would think you’d need to prioritize plate discipline in recruiting every position but pitcher. Billy Beane joked in Moneyball (book) that it was possible to train hitters to have plate discipline, but they would have to draft them while they were still in diapers to do it…
 
major tidefan

major tidefan

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Jul 3, 2006
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Oklahoma sets the record with 48 straight wins.Clemson was one strike away from victory with a 3 run lead and Cagle served up a three run homer.
 
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BamaInMo1

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Oct 27, 2006
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I don't fully buy the bad hitting instruction thru high school thing.
Other teams ,Oklahoma comes to mind in particular. don't seem to have the offensive issues we are suffering from.
Murph's philosophy has been and always will be that one or two big plays win a game.
And maybe it used to but not anymore and he seems to refuse to adjust.
 
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