(#114)
The sun was a factor for both teams, especially in game two. It’s the same sun that has been in that spot for over 6000 years, Biblically speaking. I was thinking of creating a spaceman type helmet with a sunshield for the right fielders to use. Or some very large sun glasses. But the center fielder, second baseman and first baseman were all sprinting to the area to help if they could. Those otherwise catchable balls that fall in make the pitchers want to cry.
We are playing in a time when pitchers pitch backwards in the count, throwing breaking balls and change-ups on traditional fastball counts, and fastballs on two-strike counts. To be successful, hitters will have to choose which pitch they will look for when ahead on the count… before two strikes. Look for one and take the other. Or you can just go into two strike mode for the whole at bat.
Two strike counts remain: Fastball first and adjust. Look for the pitch to be middle or away and hit the ball up the middle or away. Shorten the stroke and the follow-through and focus on getting to the point of contact. Lay the barrel out there. Return the serve. Play pepper. Hit it right back at him. Make it (the bat) go “ping.”
Perhaps pitching hard inside would be a good option that most hitters don’t see often and don’t like.
We need to pitch down in the zone or up above the zone, but not down the middle at the belt.
There must be two different swing approaches: When ahead (before two strikes) and when behind (all two strike counts).
Must take advantage when the bases are loaded and find a way to drive the runs in. We need solid contact and big hits with the bases loaded; preferably early in the count.
The gusting winds have been a factor in just about every game and on every field this spring, most of the time blowing out. In the 2021 Region 23 Tournament the wind gusted in and altered the home run offenses of most of the teams. Have a back-up plan when this happens.
But I’m also reminded that ground balls have never gone over a fence no matter how much the wind is blowing. Get the ball down. Make it sink. Throw more ground balls.
The starting pitcher for the opponent was effective early because he got ahead and changed speeds effectively. Then he stopped doing both. It did not work out well for him and his team.
When any ball is put in play, the hitter must sprint until the umpire calls it foul. I saw one hitter hit a ball down the left field line which he thought would hook foul, but the wind pushed it fair and he had to stop a first instead of getting a double. Run hard.
Saw a lot of clutch hitting, early in the count and also with two strikes.
The opponent’s pitchers walked 7 batters in one inning. This will never end well.
I was reminded of a story about the great Coach Doug Hutton. On a trip to the mound to visit a pitcher who was struggling to throw a strike, he asked the pitcher, “How wide is that plate?” The pitcher answered, “17 inches.” Coach asked, “About two feet?” The pitcher, “Yes, sir.” Coach asked, “How tall is the strike zone?” The pitcher, “From the top the knees to the arm pits.” Coach asked, “About 2 feet?” The pitcher, “Yes, sir.” Coach asked, “You mean to tell me you can’t throw a strike give or take two feet?” 🙂 The strike zone is a large rectangle (or in his story, a square). Either way, it’s plenty large to hit.
The other team’s coach got chunked because his pitchers could not throw a lot of strikes and the umpire didn’t call a lot of strikes. I agree with the former, not the latter. It reminded me that I only got thrown out of games when my team didn’t play well, when my pitchers couldn’t or wouldn’t throw strikes, and we didn’t have a chance to win. That’s kind of what this coach did. Get chunked, go to the bus and watch the Masters.
Even a smashed line drive out turned double play is still a double play and the inning is over. Pitchers: If it goes in a glove, forget it ever happened.
I saw a first baseman temporarily lose a high hopping ground ball in the sun for a second before recovering and making the play.
The final two pitchers of the day went in and took care of business in the sixth and seventh innings, allowing a bloop single, two ground ball singles, and picked up six outs, 3 by strikeout, 1 on a pop-up, and the other two on routine ground balls. It’s just what they were supposed to do. It’s the job they signed up for.
Pitchers throw the hitters for a loop when they don’t know what’s coming. But most will eventually throw you a pitch to hit. Expect it. Search for it. Don’t miss it.
Even through the pitcher is a stud, you must believe you can hit him. If he lets go of the ball, you have a chance. If he holds on to it, you don’t. Either way, you always have a 50-50 chance for success on each pitch.
Pitchers, catchers, infielders and outfielders: See how quickly you can get us back in the dugout.
Hitters: Know what you want to hit and know where it’s going to show up and meet it there. Timing. A violent collision between the bat and the ball.
Saw a pitcher on TV who had a dominating performance but when he left the mound he was pointing and yelling at the other dugout. Too bad he had exceeded his pitch count and wouldn’t return for the 7th inning. The bullpen lost the lead and their team lost the game. Pitch counts! 😳
In that same game, the closer came in the game with a 2-1 lead, got two quick outs, then walked a hitter, hit another one, threw a wild pitch to advance both into scoring position and then gave up 2 out, 2 run single. The curse of the two out walk strikes again.
Play all 27 outs on both sides of the ball. It ain’t over until it’s over.
Make sure you always keep your composure and just perform.
Baseball is a game of always can, but sometimes won’t. But you always have a 50-50 shot for success on each pitch. You either will or you won’t, do or you don’t. Play all your games with this attitude.
Remember to approach all your games with the essential attitudes: Confidence, motivation, and determination; brain, heart, balls. The big four. Play with these things in each and every game. And play each game one pitch at a time.
The most important game of the season is the one you are playing today, the one you are playing right now.
Rick Clarke's Diary of a Mad Baseball Coach 