Do you hate batters who habitually swing at the first pitch?

Question

I always feel a batter should play rope-a-dope and work the count and tire the pitcher out.

Answer 1

You need to switch it up a bit. If a player (or entire team) gets a reputation for NEVER swinging at the first pitch, then the pitcher knows he can groove a strike down the middle on the first pitch.

If this were to happen, you're starting every count behind 0-1. If you've ever seen statistics of MLB players hitting in particular counts, you'd know that the pitcher has a significant advantage when getting ahead of a batter.

So in short, you have to switch it up. Try to work the count when you can, but don't just let pitchers get a free shot at getting ahead in the count 0-1. You need to let em know if they groove a first pitch strike, you're likely to rope it.

Answer 2

You are right. Most leadoff batters take good pitches at the beginning of games to let his teammates see what a pitcher is doing. The bottom of the order (the pitcher's spot in the NL especially) typically work the count if there is no one on base.

The middle of the order and anyone trying to drive a runner in looks to be aggressive early in the count. Pitchers strive to get ahead of the hitters and almost always throw a strike on the first pitch. I've heard many players say that the first pitch is always the best one to drive.

Answer 3

I gotta agree with MG. Most successful pitchers in the majors have "learned the value of strike one"; it'll typically be a fastball in the zone. Some batters figure "hey, why work the count to get a fastball in the strike zone if I know I'm gonna get one on the first pitch?". Some would rather work the count, but as ML hitters get more aggressive, its an attitude that many are taking. Some batters feel the same about the 3-0 pitch; it sounds funny, but typically, again, the pitcher is gonna throw a fastball in the zone on 3-0; why not swing at it?

Answer 4

No, and, as a matter of fact, that is the very thing that plagued the Dodgers, for example, during the 1980's. The manager would deliberately tell his hitters to take the first pitch, which, not surprisingly would be a fastball right down the middle of the plate.
On the contrary, I think that it shows aggressiveness when a batter is a first-ball, fastball hitter--take advantage of good pitches while you can. As for the Dodgers, pitchers became keen to their tactic, and struck out more hitters than they should have had. It's amazing that they won 2 World Series (they should have won at least two more)!

Answer 5

Depends on the batter and the pitcher. Some pitchers almost always throw 1st pitch strikes. Some hitters are not good contact hitters, making them weaker when deep in the count, so they swing at the first pitch they see over the plate.

Answer 6

While it's true that many batters need to have more patience at the plate, (especially batters early in the lineup), the batters know that pitchers try to get ahead in the count by throwing strikes (ie. good pitches to hit). One the pitcher is ahead in the count he will throw garbage and there will be nothing to hit. That's why many swing early.

Answer 7

some hitters visualize a pitch they'll swing at, location, and type of pitch. if they get that pitch, they should swing at it. It is VERY hard to make 3 perfect pitches before throwing 4 balls (guy walks) so when a hitter sees a pitch he can drive he should swing at it. the situation changes of course when he gets to 2 strikes, when he needs to swing at anything the umpire would call a strike (notice i didnt say is a strike). Pitchers hate to go deep in counts and/or get behind so they try to throw a strike on the first pitch. i do not understand hitters swinging at balls, or very tough pitches to hit on the first strike.

Answer 8

Many schools of thought on this. Personally, I say wait until the pitcher throws you a strike before you swing (take one beforehand). Of course, depends on the situation. If you're in a situation where you know what the pitch coming is, then swing away!

Answer 9

It depends on the situation. With some pitchers like Greg Maddux or Tom Glavine, the first pitch is the best one you'll see in the at bat. Check it out, guys who swing at the first pitch tend to wear Maddux out.

Answer 10

yah you right, swing all that you can and make the pitcher work the count deep, you as a batter should not take pitches you should give yourself a chance to swing.