Why do MLB hitters take the first pitch?

Question

Pertaining to the fact that a lot of first pitches are straight fast balls usually and they should know by now, going down 0-1 you will not see that pitch again. then they swing at garbage pitches.

Answer 1

Either a. They were instructed by the manager to do so. b. They want to see what the pitcher is throwing, or c. They were geared for another pitch and got fooled.

Answer 2

all of the above answers are good, in the Major Leagues most of the pitchers are on a pitch count so swinging at the first pitch does nothing but help him out unless your shelling his first pitch. Also a lot of hitters like to get a feel for what the pitcher is throwing. I remember a guy that rarely swung until he got 2 strikes,you might remember him his name was Todd Zeile.
He used to catch for the Cardinals years ago, hes the only catcher i know that caught 9 innings and never got his uniform dirty,later he was converted to a 3rd baseman

Answer 3

1) the pitcher is more likely than not to throw a ball on the first pitch.
2) The less selective you are with pitches, the more likely the ump is going to call a close pitch a strike rather than a ball.
3) taking the fist pitch can give you an idea of what the ump considers to be a strike.

Answer 4

There are a bunch of reasons. The first is sometimes a batter likes to see what the picture is offering, get familiar with the pitcher. Another reason is the picture could be a little wild.
You will see sometimes a batter go after the first pitch, such as when Greg Maddux pitches. He is known for a first pitch stike. Sometimes batter know this and will go after the first pitch. It all depends on the batter and the pitcher. But to answer you question, most of the time it is to size up the picture.

Answer 5

50% of the time the first pitch is going to be a ball. Also the batter wants to get the feel of his timing. If you hit the first pitch
for an out you aren't going to see anymore pitches so it is better
to be 0-1 than be out.

Answer 6

Paul Janish Nick Swisher Josh Wilson Cody Ross Mark Loretta Jonathan Van each and every Augie Ojeda Aaron Miles Ross Gload Jamie Burke Tony Pena Rick Ankiel those are gamers who performed this 3 hundred and sixty 5 days which have pitched in a recreation.(no longer unavoidably this 3 hundred and sixty 5 days ,though) Notables Ted Williams Wade Boggs Ricky Colavito DAve Concepcion Jose Cansaco Paul O' Neil Bobby Bonilla Mark Grace Robin Ventura

Answer 7

to see what the pitcher's got i play little league and i do take the first pitch some times

Answer 8

Because of them suck it hitting and don't have the eye that other mlb players have. So that it why they take the first pitch.

Answer 9

You try hitting a 95 mile per hour fastball without seeing it once, then ask that question again.

Answer 10

if they don't know the pitcher they want to see the speed, movement motion of the pitcher to see if they can pick anything up.....