Posted by: grc () on Tue Jul 10 11:14:40 2001

I almost never used to swing at the first pitch and during that time I prided myself on going deep into counts (3-2, 2-2, etc.). This year I began to swing at the first pitch more because of advice I had been given. I find that I am no longer going deep into counts and my walk total is way down. What is your perspective on the first pitch, especially when seeing a new pitcher for the first time?
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> Many times the best pitch comes on the first one. As a pitcher, I know that it is very important to get ahead and make the hitter defensive, that is why sometimes I will groove the first pitch if I'm confident he won't swing.
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> I think of myself as a ball hitter, not a hitter. I find a pitch I like, and I hit it, no matter the count. If I get that nice BP fastball on the inside corner, I'm gonna drive that baby to left, doesn't matter about the count to me.

>joel....that's why i asked about your speed and power......is your job to get on base or is your job to drive in runs?.....ricky henderson probably also prides himself in going deep in the count....his job is to get on base, walk or base hit....but if your job is to drive in runs you need to do like scott says: get a pitch you like and drive it......and i don't know what age level you are, but i know that getting deep in the count at advanced levels is not necessairily an asset....sometimes the first pitch will be the best offering of that pitcher, and with one automatic strike on you (if you automatically take the first pitch)and now the pitcher has the advantage.....respectfully, grc.....