As an opposing coach, I love it when the 3B coach lets me know what weakness that this particular hitter' might have.
Sometimes they will yell 'watch the change' and we'll throw a change but off the plate and see if we can get a chase.....or perhaps we'll throw a heater in on their hands as they are leaning out over the plate looking for that change. The coach will usually tip that this particular batter will chase high when he reminds her to lay-off the high stuff......so in come the rises followed by high screws........you get the point.
When you coach, don't help the opposing team with your comments. Sometimes the person that is listening to the coach the most is NOT the batter.
I think a 3rd base coach should focus more on the mental part of the game with batters and more so runners. Be kind of RAH RAH such as "you got this", "all you kid".. confidence building or "be smart here" meaning its 3-1 don't chase were down a few & need runners, or the other side "green light" meaning its 3-1 be aggressive. Also remind the runners "we got 1 out, on the ground gotta go, tag in the air, freeze on a line". The mechanics teaching should be done in practice or re-visited in the dugout prior or after an at bat. They have to think only see ball/ hit ball in the box.
"watch the change" is terrible and I cringe when mom or dad does it from the bleachers. Our pitchers hope you are trying to "watch the change"
The old watch the change comment, some coaches say this to bait you to not to call the CU. It's best to just call your game.
If that is what the Coach is trying to do....and the hitter knows to ignore it, kudos to the Coach. I used to enjoy a good chess match when calling pitches. But, in most cases, I think they want their hitter to look for the change. You hear it mostly from players and parents.
So do you call your game or listen to what the other coach is saying?
Part of calling the game is to keep the hitter of balance and to pitch to his / her weakness. If I know a particular hitter, I would tend to stick with the plan. But, if I do not know a hitter and the third base coach wants to volunteer information....I will certainly take it into consideration.
How long have you been calling pitches?
Apparently not as long as you....oh ye great and powerful fast pitch whisperer...