| I can't tell you how many times I've had someone | | | | or "fall behind" in the count, so if the count is 0-1, |
| tell me how boring baseball is to watch. People tell | | | | you'll see a lot of batters swing at the second |
| me all the time that they fall asleep during games | | | | pitch. When facing an 0-1 count, most batters will |
| and can't stand it. I'm thinking to myself, how can | | | | hit .100 points below their typical average unless |
| anyone hate baseball? But then it hit me. I hate to | | | | they are an amazing hitter. For example, if Alex |
| watch soccer and car racing because I think | | | | Rodriguez gets behind in the count he usually ends |
| those sports are boring, but most of my | | | | up being a .200 hitter for the game instead of |
| boredom results from my lack of understanding | | | | .300 which is his normal season average. When |
| of the rules, strategies, etc. So, to help you | | | | you are a player, that makes a big difference. |
| develop a further love of baseball I've decided to | | | | Being behind in the count also forces the hitter |
| cover some of the common strategies of the | | | | into a more defensive at bat. In an attempt to |
| game. My hope is that by understanding these | | | | not strike out, many hitters will simply try to |
| strategies you will begin to enjoy watching the | | | | make contact with the ball rather than trying to |
| game as much as I do. | | | | drive the ball. Again, that is typical of most hitters. |
| Hitting Count | | | | Advanced Scouting |
| I get really annoyed when I'm watching a game in | | | | Advanced scouting can be an amazing tool for |
| a public venue and a fan yells out "Why did he | | | | baseball teams because it helps identify a player's |
| swing at that pitch with a count of two balls and | | | | strengths and weaknesses so they can be |
| zero strikes (2-0)?" It kills me. I force myself to | | | | exploited in a game. Recently, Rick Ankiel of the |
| take a deep breath and remember that I to have | | | | St Louis Cardinals has burst onto the scene hitting |
| made similar comments. It is lack of | | | | home run after home run. As a result, other |
| understanding. Pitchers don't want to walk batters. | | | | teams have issued scouting reports aimed directly |
| It's that simple. If they don't reach the base, they | | | | at stopping the home run spurt. Teams have |
| can't score. So, when you see a batter swing and | | | | discovered how to pitch to Ankiel and it is |
| the count is 2-0 or 3-1 you have to realize that | | | | working. They've learned to throw him hard |
| the batter is expecting a good pitch. The batter | | | | fastballs inside so he can't extend his arms for |
| knows the pitcher doesn't want the walk so he | | | | home runs. Knowing a player's weakness isn't |
| assumes the pitch will be where it can be hit. This | | | | rocket science, but exploiting the weakness can |
| is called a hitter's count. Watch how many home | | | | prove quite tricky. I might know Barry Bonds' |
| runs are hit when the count is 2-0, 3-1, or 2-1 and | | | | weakness, but just one slight mistake on my part |
| you will start to recognize the pattern. | | | | and the ball is on its way out of the park. That's |
| Most Important Pitch of an At Bat | | | | what I love about baseball! It's a dual out there |
| Clearly the most important pitch of any at bat is | | | | and the best players are "the best" because they |
| the first pitch. If the first pitch is a strike, the | | | | take advantage of mistakes when they happen. |
| hitter is in a hole. Hitters don't want to strike out | | | | |