Posted by: doudinger () on Sat Apr 10 18:47:26 2004

can anyone give me any research as to whether or not taking the 1st pitch/strike makes the hard skill of hitting a softball that much harder? after all, you are becoming a hitter who now only has 2 strikes left to work with. i can see if your team is losing later in the game, or if you are a leadoff hitter with some speed, but i need proof that taking the 1st pitch is beneficial. thanks
Ted Williams recommends taking the first pitch in your first at-bat against the pitcher. First, to get to know where the P's release point is. 2nd, to find out what kind of speed and movement is on his pitches.
It doesn't make any sense to swing at the very first pitch even if it's right down there and end up popping out to SS because you didn't expect that kind of movement, when you could have taken the 1st pitch and got an idea of his movement, and then waited till he gaves you the same pitch with the same movement. He also recommends that you take any other ptiches thrown to you if you haven't seen that pitch yet. Even if you have to go 0-2! You'll learn his pitches and even find out what he likes to throw with 2 strikes. Then you're all set for the next at-bat. As for late innings, say their closer comes in and it'll be you're only at-bat against him, if he doesn't seem to have anything good in his warm-ups or against the hitters in front of you, I'd swing if it's a good pitch.