Why Crystal is So Good..

[default]

Sorry, a pitch 7-10 inches off the plate is in the other box. There are VERY few umps that call that. Maybe, I'm wrong. Are there any umps out there that consistently call pitches 7-10 inches off the plate strikes? As a pitcher, don't you want players swinging at that pitch??? I certainly would, it's a pitcher's pitch. I still say, as a batter let it go and it will be called a ball, then you are ahead and then they have to groove you one.

Being able to do it is the battle and getting the kids to find out what they can and can not handle so it can be applied in a game. Talk to any NPF player and they will share with you 5 to 8 inches off the plate can be called a strike.

In high school and travel ball, the look on the other coaches face when they are trying to walk one of our kids is indeed a priceless moment as they move to the outside corner during the pitch and we drop it over the fence or in the gap. Usually the defense is standing there with the glove under one arm and relaxing. We term it situational hitting

The look on some peoples faces are like what you see when the INS agents show up at Lowe's or Home Depot un expectantly :lmao:

At clinics she will ask a kid where do you want me to hit the ball and demonstrate how to do it and she practices hitting the un hittable ball.

Why do you think they try to pitch around her so much?

You will never get a young ones bat off her shoulder if they think they will walk on every at bat is my opinion.

I do a test before I start working with a new kid by setting up a Schutt travel that is exactly 11 inches off my Schutt multi position tee and see if their hitting mechanics can enable them to hit the ball. Some miss it completely and some nick it. Within 2.5 hours they can drive it!

 

[default]

I think you are missing my point. There is a difference between be able to do something and should you do something. As a coach I don't want my kids swinging at pitches in the other batters box. I know you know more about hitting than me but you don't have to be a great chef to know if something tastes good or bad. I'm not saying it can't be done but I don't think the reward/risk merits hacking at that pitch. I just don't see hitters at any level chasing pitches that far off the plate with consistent success. I take that back, I see first year 10u players trying to hit that pitch.

 

[default]

I think you are missing my point. There is a difference between be able to do something and should you do something. As a coach I don't want my kids swinging at pitches in the other batters box. I know you know more about hitting than me but you don't have to be a great chef to know if something tastes good or bad. I'm not saying it can't be done but I don't think the reward/risk merits hacking at that pitch. I just don't see hitters at any level chasing pitches that far off the plate with consistent success. I take that back, I see first year 10u players trying to hit that pitch.

It is OK to disagree....it works which is why we do it!

If it did not we would not do it and we have too many being able to do it that are playing college ball and were ready when they took it to the next level and were aggressive hitters

Hacking and hitting is were your point is made as we hit because we can do it because they were taught how it is done.

When we hit what you probably consider a waste paste, what is the pitcher and coach calling pitches want to call next? Yeah we would not swing at that one. Just get close and we will take care of business.

 

[default]

Not necessarily swinging at the pitches 10 inches off the plate, but able to hit it if you have to/can. Sometimes you can't wait around, you have to go after the ball. The curve is my best pitch, and I can't tell you how many backwards k's I've gotten on curve balls 7-10 inches off the plate. The umps can see that it moves a ton and is a good pitch and will ring a girl up for it even if it's not a strike. Pitches like that may not be perfect, but are wayy too close to watch. Being able to hit that is a great skill. A skill I wish I had..I can't hit the broad side of a barn =P
Also, I remember this spring throwing a GREAT drop ball that probably would've hit the ground before reaching the catcher...if the girl hadn't smoked it over the fence first!
I say broaden your range of pitches you can hit, even the bad ones...just have discipline in the box and know when to swing at those and when to leave the bat on your shoulder...

Now THAT was a great post!

I watched an excellent Buckeye Heat team this morning (before the monsoons hit) and several kids were just punishing the ball - balls that were well OFF the plate! Very aggressive AND impressive hitting team!

 

[default]

I know some teams that place there kids .5" off the plate so 10" off the plate isn't such a bad location. And they swing 48" bats.

 

[default]

......If it did not we would not do it and we have too many being able to do it that are playing college ball and were ready when they took it to the next level and were aggressive hitters .....

Call me a skeptic. I just like to see it before I believe it. I watched a lot of the CWS and very few if any players were "hitting" that pitch or even trying to hit that pitch unless they were fooled. It just doesn't make good batting sense to me. You never see a MLB player swinging at stuff that far off. All I'm saying is if the ump isn't calling it out there, then why try to hit it. If an ump has a tight zone then be patient and make the pitcher groove one. As bad as umps have been perceived, I have yet see one consistently call that pitch a strike. I'm still waiting for some of the umps to chime in on if they call that pitch a strike on purpose.

I think we arguing over semantics now. We all agree the need to be able to hit an outside pitch. How much outside is up for debate, at least for me. How far outside is to far outside?


BTW, That's a BIG bat Les. Does it have Wiffle stenciled on it?

 

[default]

Call me a skeptic. I just like to see it before I believe it. I watched a lot of the CWS and very few if any players were "hitting" that pitch or even trying to hit that pitch unless they were fooled. It just doesn't make good batting sense to me. You never see a MLB player swinging at stuff that far off. All I'm saying is if the ump isn't calling it out there, then why try to hit it. If an ump has a tight zone then be patient and make the pitcher groove one. As bad as umps have been perceived, I have yet see one consistently call that pitch a strike. I'm still waiting for some of the umps to chime in on if they call that pitch a strike on purpose.

I think we arguing over semantics now. We all agree the need to be able to hit an outside pitch. How much outside is up for debate, at least for me. How far outside is to far outside?


BTW, That's a BIG bat Les. Does it have Wiffle stenciled on it?

You can lead a horse to water however you can not make them drink....can you say strike three or should we turn to blue and say should I swing at that or not? :lmao:

When do you allow your hitter to decide or do you tell her what she should hit? When do you teach her how to decide what she CAN hit or NOT hit?

I got it, we will wait for the pitcher to make a mistake so we can hit the fat one only as that is a safe decision! Then as she walks away from the plate it gives her an opportunity to say that was not a strike daddy!

In the words of Lisa Fernandez NFCA 2004..."My job is to make the hitter and the umpire make decisions by pitching it in the black and then I have done my job!"

I have seen softball up close at the ISF level and 5 to 8 inches my Brother is a strike and you can ask Senorita Bustos your self.

It is by the way inside and outside and up and down, however you or her may not have seen that yet.

 

[default]

Speaking of baseball at the highest level, one of our beloved Cleveland Indians ended the game last night getting rung up with the bat on his shoulder and a frown on his face. THAT is what I call hurting your team's chances... didn't even swing the bat!

 

[default]

Ok I give. You have convinced me of the need to be able to hit pitches 10" off the plate. I was unaware how bad the officiating gets at the elite levels. It's a shame the hitters have to compensate for such poor officiating.

 

[default]

Boys will be boys!

 

[default]

Ok I give. You have convinced me of the need to be able to hit pitches 10" off the plate. I was unaware how bad the officiating gets at the elite levels. It's a shame the hitters have to compensate for such poor officiating.

If you ever come down I will show you how and why we do it.

You have threatened to venture down here so do it and we will take you to our favorite Mexican restaurant we go to when she comes down. :lmao:

 

[default]

Ringer - Beware!!! Hitter keeps a hidden bottle of Jack in his garage. He says whoever finds it first gets a *free* hitting lesson...

But seriously - If it were not for differing opinions, this forum would not be the great democracy of softball knowledge that it has become famous for!

P.S. Howard - met the Static "head" today and had a nice chat. Won't elude to what he said about you though...

 

[default]

Ringer - Beware!!! Hitter keeps a hidden bottle of Jack in his garage. He says whoever finds it first gets a *free* hitting lesson...

But seriously - If it were not for differing opinions, this forum would not be the great democracy of softball knowledge that it has become famous for!

P.S. Howard - met the Static "head" today and had a nice chat. Won't elude to what he said about you though...

Sammy I am always on someones list...however it is nice to work with coaches that listen

 

[default]

I don't know..I can see both sides..but I guess preparing for the worst is better than hoping for the best? We all know that umpires are human, therefore not perfect....so they're going to have bad strike zones and call pitches nobody agrees with. But it's part of the game! Being able to hit that outside pitch is a good thing, even if you don't plan to utilize that skill. A big part of it, too, is figuring out the ump's strike zone as the game progresses, because if you've had two teammates walk back to the dugout on a k looking and say "that wasn't a strike, it would've hit a lefty!!" then you have to be prepared to see that pitch and have to swing if it's a something-2 count. If I know an umpire is calling the curve 8 inches off of the plate, that's exactly what I'm going to throw for the majority of my pitches, because I know it's extremely difficult to hit something that far outside..almost impossible. Maybe by hitting the outside pitch I don't so much mean smoke it over the fence, but foul it off or work for solid contact. I've seen a few girls at the college level that have the ability to just stick the bat out there and send the almost-strike towards the dugout because it's not the pitch she wants. It's amazing. And frustrating because those are the toughest batters to pitch to...

 

[default]

I don't know..I can see both sides..but I guess preparing for the worst is better than hoping for the best? We all know that umpires are human, therefore not perfect....so they're going to have bad strike zones and call pitches nobody agrees with. But it's part of the game! Being able to hit that outside pitch is a good thing, even if you don't plan to utilize that skill. A big part of it, too, is figuring out the ump's strike zone as the game progresses, because if you've had two teammates walk back to the dugout on a k looking and say "that wasn't a strike, it would've hit a lefty!!" then you have to be prepared to see that pitch and have to swing if it's a something-2 count. If I know an umpire is calling the curve 8 inches off of the plate, that's exactly what I'm going to throw for the majority of my pitches, because I know it's extremely difficult to hit something that far outside..almost impossible. Maybe by hitting the outside pitch I don't so much mean smoke it over the fence, but foul it off or work for solid contact. I've seen a few girls at the college level that have the ability to just stick the bat out there and send the almost-strike towards the dugout because it's not the pitch she wants. It's amazing. And frustrating because those are the toughest batters to pitch to...

Very good analysis! Exactly what EVERY player and coach should heed.

The ONLY time a coach should get bent out of shape is when an umpire is calling it lopsided: One zone for team A, another for team B. But coaches also need to be careful. There are priorities. Umpires DO have the final say, and venting might make YOU feel better, but you might just hurt your team. It's weird how a griping coach can make his pitcher's strike zone shrink to postage stamp size. As a coach, you may well be right, but does that really matter in this situation? You can choose: Get mad, blow up and vent your frustrations to the ump, or take it in stride - deal with it and make the best out of a frustrating situation. In the end, you will NOT change the umpire's mind.

Well coached batters and pitchers will know how to deal with differing strike zones - and anyone who's been around this game knows all too well that no two strike zones are exactly alike. Like rain, cold and crappy fields, it's just part of the game. Like Gameface pointed out, a batter deals with it by GIVING HERSELF ANOTHER CHANCE... stick the bat out there and foul it off. Get another pitch - the next one might be one you can drive for a hit.

Crystl is so good because she has learned how to handle about any situation.

P.S. Gameface - do you have ESP? It's uncanny how you seem to be reading my mind!!

 

[default]

Sammy I am always on someones list...however it is nice to work with coaches that listen

If you look up the word list in the dictionary........... his picture is next to it:yahoo:

 

[default]

Great forum! I TOTALLY agree with hitter on this one.

 

[default]

If you look up the word list in the dictionary........... his picture is next to it:yahoo:

Please note any Post Office wall has pictures of boulderdad on it under the Most Wanted section....:lmao:

Like Saddams playing cards we have lemmings cards coming soon however 8x10 glossy of bouldersdad are available upon request!

 

[default]

...however 8x10 glossy of bouldersdad are available upon request!

Now would that be his mugshot or his Glamor Shot?

 

[default]

Now would that be his mugshot or his Glamor Shot?

He does not have a glamorous side unless his wife or daughters are on his other side! :lmao: