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re: I'm getting sick of our hitters swinging at the first pitch so often

Posted on 3/31/17 at 10:41 pm to
Posted by monsterballads
Gulf of America
Member since Jun 2013
31148 posts
Posted on 3/31/17 at 10:41 pm to
quote:

It was just last year -LAST YEAR- folks were complaining about how they weren't swinging on the first pitch. It was so bad, the pitchers were lobbing them in because they knew CPM made them take the first strike.



truth
Posted by Meaux Bettah
Tiger Nation
Member since Nov 2011
2591 posts
Posted on 3/31/17 at 10:41 pm to
When you see your pitch..
Posted by kack44blade
Northshore
Member since Sep 2016
165 posts
Posted on 3/31/17 at 10:46 pm to
EXACTLY!
Posted by ell_13
Member since Apr 2013
87181 posts
Posted on 3/31/17 at 10:49 pm to
Early in the game, we had 3 hits on the first pitch (and more outs on the first pitch). 1 from a hit and run... we still just have 3 hits on the first pitch. But we are now getting deeper in counts and hitters counts. This is what seems to work.
Posted by Mr. Hangover
New Orleans
Member since Sep 2003
34878 posts
Posted on 3/31/17 at 10:51 pm to
They've done a better job of working the count in the past few innings

I agree with the OP
This post was edited on 3/31/17 at 10:51 pm
Posted by jgoodw318
Bossier City
Member since Sep 2013
1171 posts
Posted on 3/31/17 at 11:15 pm to
I don't think you understand what I'm saying when I say "have a plan." There's a difference in swinging at the first strike you see and swinging at your pitch on the first pitch. When you step into the box you want to have an idea of what you want to do with that particular at bat. When you are going up there and swing at the first strike you see just because it's close is not smart hitting. It produces a lot of weak ground balls and pop ups, which has been our problem. When you go up there looking to work the count and have a productive at bat you make the percentage of those weak ground balls and pop ups go down. That doesn't mean you automatically take the first pitch. That means if you get your pitch, one that you can drive in the gaps or over the fence if you have that ability, you take your hack at it. If it's a strike but it's not your pitch let it go and work the count and make the pitcher make the mistake. This isn't high school ball. First pitch fastball isn't necessarily going to be the best pitch you see.
Posted by HC87
Coastal NC
Member since Dec 2014
5482 posts
Posted on 4/1/17 at 10:15 am to
Btw that and taking hacks at questionable pitches, even in favorable counts. Freeman took a hack at a 2-0 P that almost hit him. They showed how far he had to pull his hands in just to get the bat on the ball. Next batter Duplantis then swings at 1st p FB low and away for a lazy pop up to OF....cmon guys. You are better than this.
Posted by Stevo
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2004
12339 posts
Posted on 4/1/17 at 10:24 am to
One of the A&M relievers started off essentially every batter with a fastball. If that's the trend, why not sit dead red on first pitch?
Posted by MOT
Member since Jul 2006
30461 posts
Posted on 4/1/17 at 10:53 am to
Is every fastball a good pitch to hit?
Posted by Number 31
St. Tammany
Member since Jul 2016
4178 posts
Posted on 4/1/17 at 12:09 pm to
quote:

I'm getting sick of our hitters swinging at the first pitch so often

I would like to see them work the count consistently, make the starter throw more pitches, thus increasing the likelihood he makes a mistake, and if he doesn't, getting him out of the game sooner due to pitch count.

Take more balls (unless you're on a 2-srrike count and it's close), and foul them off until he gives you one you can drive.

Edit: Primarily speaking to our approach against opposing teams' aces. Prime example would be Faedo.
This post was edited on 4/1/17 at 1:24 pm
Posted by Geaux Tahel
Member since Feb 2006
6741 posts
Posted on 4/1/17 at 12:28 pm to
quote:

Neither is going after the very first strike you see.


That's an ignorant comment.
Posted by Geaux Tahel
Member since Feb 2006
6741 posts
Posted on 4/1/17 at 12:30 pm to
quote:

Please tell me one of you have a memory longer than a fly.

It was just last year -LAST YEAR- folks were complaining about how they weren't swinging on the first pitch. It was so bad, the pitchers were lobbing them in because they knew CPM made them take the first strike.

Sheesh.


we have a winner
Posted by Geaux Tahel
Member since Feb 2006
6741 posts
Posted on 4/1/17 at 12:33 pm to
quote:

Just because it is a fastball and a strike doesn't mean it's a good pitch to hit.


Maybe not, but the chances are very high that if a pitch meets those criteria, it WILL be the best pitch to swing at in an at bat... and you are going to automatically burn it just for the sake of burning it? Thats dumb, and certainly not an aggressive approach which this team definitely needs.
Posted by ell_13
Member since Apr 2013
87181 posts
Posted on 4/1/17 at 12:36 pm to
You don't understand. I'm not suggesting "burning it for the sake of burning it". It's not like I'm suggesting PM put on a take call on every 0-0 count. If you can't see the difference between the approach we had in the first 3 innings and the last 5, this conversation isn't for you.
Posted by Mayhawman
Somewhere in the middle of SEC West
Member since Dec 2009
10454 posts
Posted on 4/1/17 at 12:51 pm to
quote:

I would like to see them work the count consistently, make the starter throw more pitches, thus increasing the likelihood he makes a miatake, and if he doesn't, getting him out of the game sooner due to pitch count.
Different pitchers require different plans.
I'd be more hesitant to swing at 1st pitch FB from a pitcher that delivers them with big movement, compared to straight heat.
Posted by MOT
Member since Jul 2006
30461 posts
Posted on 4/1/17 at 12:57 pm to
quote:

Thats dumb

Sure it is, that's why no one has suggested taking pitches just for the sake of taking them. There is a very clear difference between swinging at strikes early just because it is a strike, which is what most of you are suggesting, and swinging early at a good pitch to hit.

We can get away with it over the course of most seasons because we have the talent to do so, but we will go through slumps and struggle against deeper staffs that locate well. I know this may be a shock to some of you, but the goal for the opposing pitching staff and coach isn't to strike everyone out, and you're doing exactly what they want by putting pitchers' pitches in play early in the at bat.
Posted by wildcat81tiger86
Member since Feb 2014
1002 posts
Posted on 4/1/17 at 1:14 pm to
Context
Context
Context.

They were in a team wide slump and not working pitchers at all so it is/was a valid point.

Shut out twice in 5 games then you need to adjust.

All sports making adjustments even in game adjustments or in baseball in bat adjustments can mean the difference between a win and a loss.
Posted by Number 31
St. Tammany
Member since Jul 2016
4178 posts
Posted on 4/1/17 at 1:20 pm to
quote:

Different pitchers require different plans.
Point taken. I should have clarified that I was primarily speaking about approach to Friday night starters.

I'd we had a patient approach against Faedo he'd have walked five or six and been out of the game by the 6th or 7th inning, even if we weren't hitting him.

I didn't see the first five innings of the Thursday game against A&M so not really sure if applicable to that game.
This post was edited on 4/1/17 at 1:21 pm
Posted by The Pirate King
Pangu
Member since May 2014
65110 posts
Posted on 4/1/17 at 1:41 pm to
quote:

m getting sick of our hitters swinging at the first pitch so often


Id rather them do that than watch 2 piped fastballs them swing at a curve in the dirt and strikeout
Posted by ell_13
Member since Apr 2013
87181 posts
Posted on 4/1/17 at 1:47 pm to
Good thing those aren't the only two outcomes then, right?
This post was edited on 4/1/17 at 1:48 pm
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