Posted by: Scott W. (stwinton@netzero.net) on Wed Jul 19 10:52:48 2006

What constitutes a fundamentally sound two strike approach?

I think you have to look for and brace for the fastball up and away…reason being as follows…

If you think of the different types of rhythm/timing needed to attack the possible pitches that a hitter will encounter with two strikes, they will range from what I would call extreme early rhythm to extreme late rhythm. The pitch that you would need to defend* (* see below) that would require the extreme early rhythm would be the four seam starting on the inner 4th of the plate, moving in to maybe 4 inches off the plate on the inside corner/black. The extreme opposite in terms of normal pitches that a hitter will see and have to defend against that would require the extreme late rhythm would be the slow breaking ball starting on the outer 4th of the plate and breaking 4 inches outside…everything else in terms of possible pitches will fall between these two extremes…

1. Extreme Early rhythm-4 seam FB in
2. Extreme Early rhythm- 2 seam FB in
3. Normal rhythm- FB middle
4. Normal rhythm- FB Away
5. Late Rhythm- Slider middle/away
6. Extreme Late Rhythm- Change up middle away
7. Extreme Late Rhythm- Breaking Ball middle away

If you look at the pitch that’s basically in the middle in terms of the range of different types of rhythm that are required to be able to defend the different pitches that a hitter might see, it’s the fast ball away. If you take it a step further and think about the mechanics and thought process for how one can defend the fastball up and away [waiting back, letting the ball get deep into the hitting area before committing, staying closed with the front foot, knee, hip, shoulder] they are the same for how one goes about defending the breaking ball/ change up. In short, the mechanics for how to hit the fastball away will help in how you hit the breaking ball/change up. If you look for the fast ball in and you don’t get it, you have next to NO chance at anything on the outer half, fastball or offspeed. If you look for breaking ball or change, you have no chance at hitting the fastball, in any location.

The one pitch that this approach cannot cover is the fastball in…however; the tradeoff with this approach is it gives you a fighting chance with everything else. The number one element and the best quality that a hitter can posses with two strikes is GRIT! With grit, hitters who buy into this approach will fight off the fast ball in, they will get a piece and live to fight another pitch.

Any thoughts?


* I think the term ‘defend’ is the right term when talking about hitting and the swing that is needed or required with two strikes, selective offensive aggressiveness with two strikes is a recipe for increased strikeouts and a clear indication of a players individual offensive goal being put over the teams success.