If you know the pitcher is going to throw the ball right over the plate not to walk you, what sense does it make to sit there and let a perfect pitch go by? I would think this is the pitch you should be waiting for, if it's not perfect, just let it go, but at least be ready when the meatball comes.
2007-09-22 16:27:52 · 18 answers · asked by ANSWER MAN 1 in Sports ➔ Baseball
I'm guessing many batters (the non-allstar ones) are afraid of hacking at a 3-0 pitch and popping up in the infield or grounding weakly to the pitcher. They want to try to work for the walk at least until 3-1.
2007-09-22 17:06:44 · answer #1 · answered by Tweet 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I can give you a more than reasonable answer.
It's not true that all pitchers purposely throw strikes over the middle of the plate on a 3-0 count. Some, I know Greg Maddux does it a lot, will maybe even some times intentionally throw a ball (that might trigger a check swing strike) to get a runner on first. Helpful for two reasons: Keep your pitch count low, and with Maddux, and others that are good ground ball pitchers, can force a double play.
So, as a hitter, that's 1 reason to not automatically go after it. Pitcher might be planning on a throwing a ball.
Second reason, if the count is 3-0 in the first place, the pitcher is probably having control problems so there's no specific reason to go after a wild pitcher.
Third, if you make contact, unless you know what pitch it is, there's a chance it's gonna be hit right to a fielder so you've basically turned a 3-0 count into an easy out. Any player/manager would just want a runner on a 1st and a scoring threat for the inning.
And I'm sure if you asked an actual MLB player, they'd give you more reasons. But it's not like they are automatically gonna take it. They start their trigger to the swing on every pitch, even if it's an intentional walk. Always on your toes...
2007-09-23 00:00:23 · answer #2 · answered by Hank 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I coach Little League baseball and softball, and I have always told my kids that when they are "on top" of the pitcher (either 3-0 or 3-1) that it was safe to "eat" one if it didn't look hittable. Even if the next ball on either 3-0 or 3-1 is a strike, the count is still in favor of the batter.
From what I've seen, most pitchers that get that far behind a batter are having control issues or are tiring; and they are more likely to throw another ball even if they're TRYING to get it over the plate. The batter is gambling that the pitcher won't suddenly improve; and it doesn't always work, that's true. And sometimes, what seems like a perfect pitch to a spectator looks COMPLETELY different from the batter's perspective (and different batters like different pitches). From the seats, it might look like a home run ball; but what you see isn't what the batter sees.
2007-09-23 00:15:19 · answer #3 · answered by purrfectpals5 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the situation. What if you had someone at first base and you were down a few runs anyway? There is always a chance you might let it rip and accidentally hit into a double play. Then your manager would say "he probably would have walked you, instead you ended the inning on a 3-0 pitch double play. idiot!"
There is a bigger chance the pitcher will walk you so might as well take the pitch. You will still have 2 more strikes to play around with anyway at least.
2007-09-22 23:37:50 · answer #4 · answered by NC 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, of course the batter doesn't KNOW the pitcher is going to throw one right down the plate. They are, of course, more likely to throw a strike, but that doesn't mean that it will be right down the middle of the plate.
Anyhow, they are looking for a very specific pitch... and if they don't see that one pitch, they'll take their chances on it being called a ball (earning them a walk). If it a corner strike, no big loss, because he's still ahead of the count (3-1).
2007-09-22 23:33:50 · answer #5 · answered by jigokusabre 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Resonable realistic answers. 1. To get a walk. 2. to make the pitcher throw mor pitches when he is tiring. 3. There is always the chance of a wild pitch ball 4 and runners move up more than 1 base. 5. Wild pitch or pastball a runner could score!
2007-09-23 21:21:08 · answer #6 · answered by Ed P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the pitcher missed 3 times already. If he does get a strike at 3-0, he needs to repeat it for 3-1 and 3-2. Got 3 chances to get a pitch to hit.
2007-09-23 10:35:02 · answer #7 · answered by Jeff P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the pitcher has thrown 3 straight balls to you, chances are his aim isnt too good. If you take a strike, oh well, you are still up in the count and you can get a perfectly good pitch on a 3-1 count. Baseball is all about getting on base and if you are just one ball away from getting a free base and you dont have any strikes, you wouldnt mind giving up a strike in order to trie to get a free base.
2007-09-23 00:08:18 · answer #8 · answered by Drew 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They usally take strikes because they are waiting to see what the pitcher is going to do.For example the pitcher might throw a ball that he wants to go on the inside or outside corner but it goes a little bit too inside/outside. What sense does it make to swing at ball 4? The hitter also wants to see what the ump is going to call too. Since the ump already called 3 balls the hitter might be thinking/hoping the ump will call the next pitch a ball.
2007-09-22 23:56:00 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, basically hitters think that if the pitcher has just thrown 3 bad pitches in a row, chances are that they'll throw another. It's better for them to take the strike than to swing at a ball that may put them on base.
2007-09-22 23:34:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋