What pitch when?

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Depends on what age group we are talking. If I have a fast runer on second, she has a green light to steal anytime the pitcher throws the change or if she gets= to the short stop on her break. I know she can beat her to third. Normally we are faking the bunt to make third pull in. I have her on first going 90% of the time but I love to make the catcher throw to first and then go.

 

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I think it depends on the batter. You have to teach your catcher and pitcher to read body language. If you have a big powerful girl oozing confidence, we may start off with a change up, if she swings, she usually is so far ahead she misses or pulls it into the next field foul. Get that first strike on her and the pitcher is in charge. Some batters can't time my pitchers' fast ball, so we may throw 3 or four in a row, or rise or curve. I think it totally depends on your catcher and pitcher. I have no problem throwing a drop ball in any situation if I have a certain pitcher/catcher combination.

 

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"If I have a fast runer on second, she has a green light to steal anytime the pitcher throws the change "

I quess what I am asking how does your runner know the change is coming?

 

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I have her release like she is stealing and then if she see's change up she continues to third. This is not on all runners, just those with speed. I should have stated this in my first post. If slow susie is on second, then I will have my pitcher still throw change ups. Plus, I have a very good eye and study pitchers. Most give away a change up, by very simple things. So I can let my runners know. One simple thing I watch for is how deep the hand is in the glove. I have found many do something different . I like to film my own pitchers so I correct these type of flaws with them.

 

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Just as an interesting FYI, I wrote to Gerald Warner (owner of the website www.pitchsoftball.com) to ask him if I could reprint one of his articles---"What Pitch to Call...And When". Apparently he is originally from Ohio and this was his reply:

Susan:

Certainly, go right ahead. Glad to hear your great comments about the website.

Incidentally, my start in fastpitch softball was in the Ashland-Mansfield area where I grew up (back when it cost 25 cents to go the movies, anyone could repair a car with a crescent wrench, and TV sets were all black-and-white) .

Gerald Warner
Senior Pitching Instructor
Denver, Colorado
gw@PitchSoftball.com
(720) 200-4575

__________________________________​

--- On Wed, 1/28/09, <KJBM> wrote:

From: KJBM
Subject: use of your article
To: gw@pitchsoftball.com
Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2009, 3:31 PM

Dear Mr. Warner,

as per the instructions at the bottom of your article on calling pitches, I am notifying you that I would like to reprint it on a softball website I visit often. It is called Ohio Fastpitch Connection.

I love your site, and have learned much from it. Keep up the great work.

Thank you, Susan XXXXXX (name changed after the fact to protect the guilty, lol)
​

 

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I would have signed it:

Sincerely,
katjoebenmom

 

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I would have signed it:

Sincerely,
katjoebenmom

You're right, I should have.

Anywho---I wrote back to thank him and to talk up the OFC. I invited him to visit or even become a member and perhaps share some of his knowledge and/or anecdotes with us. Keeping my fingers crossed.