| A hitting spray chart is a scouting chart showing | | | | 8. Does the batter step out or dive into pitches? |
| where opposing hitters have hit the baseball in | | | | 9. Does the batter hit off speed pitches well? |
| previous at-bats. The Spray chart is used to help | | | | 10. What others strengths or weaknesses does |
| a defensive team determine how to pitch an | | | | the batter show? |
| opposing hitter and how to set the defense for | | | | To build a spray chart, you will need scoring |
| that particular player. This article covers the basics | | | | charts from previous games played. You may |
| on how to make your own spray chart and how | | | | also establish a scouting chart as you play a team |
| to use it to give your team an advantage. | | | | for the first time. You will use lines to draw balls |
| What does a batters spray chart look like? | | | | hit by the batter. Ground balls are straight lines |
| A spray chart is basically a enlarged scoring box | | | | that stop where the fielder fielded the ball. Line |
| from a baseball score book. The box shows a | | | | drives are shown as straight lines with an LD by |
| baseball field with the infield diamond and the | | | | them. Hit balls are drawn with a "hump" to |
| outfield. The spray chart can be a single sheet for | | | | represent height. Pop ups would be steep humps |
| each player on the opposing or it can have | | | | falling in the infield. |
| multiple players on a single sheet. | | | | It is best to use multiple colored pens to make |
| The spray chart may also have a place to record | | | | the different kinds of hit balls to make it easier to |
| or display other information about a batter. The | | | | read your charts. Foe example, you could use |
| chart may also show the following 10 details | | | | black for ground balls, red for line drives, and |
| about a batter: | | | | green for fly balls. |
| | | | How do you use a scouting spray chart? |
| 1. Does the batter bat right-handed, left-handed or | | | | You simply read what information you have. You |
| switch? | | | | determine your type of pitches and the pitch |
| 2. What kind of speed does the batter have? | | | | locations from information you have on the |
| 3. Is the batter likely to bunt? | | | | batter. You will move your infielders and out |
| 4. Is the batter deep or shallow in the box? | | | | fielders according to the "history" the batter has |
| 5. What kind of bat speed does the batter have? | | | | shown on the spray chart. Where does the batter |
| 6. Is the batter a contact or power hitter? | | | | hit the ball? How deep should the outfielders play? |
| 7. Is the batter a low ball or high pitch hitter? | | | | Should the outfielders shade the lines or the gaps? |