Position in Lineup
1 – Runner-Slap-Sees Pitches-Handles Bat- In?
2 – Runner? Handles Bat – Inside Out
3 – Best Hitter – Flat – Fewest Holes – Pop- Best Mix, use Pressure
4 – RBI – Pop – Holes – Down Mix – Seek Hole – Backwards
5 – RBI – Pop-More Holes-Down Mix – Seek Hole(s)-Backwards-Possible Double-Ups
6 – RBI – Pop – Many Holes- Down Mix – Seek Hole(s)-Backwards-Double-Ups
7 – Defense – Pop? – Your strengths
8 – Defense – Handles Bat – Runner? – Your strengths
9 – Defense – Handles Bat – Similar to #1 – In?
Basic Plan
1st Time Through Order – Your strengths
2nd Time Through Order – Backwards from last time, unless obvious hole
3rd Time Through Order – Backwards from backwards
RELIEVERS – YOUR STRENGTHS! “Pitch a hitter with long arms in, and pitch a hitter with short arms away.”
Hitter Awareness
Awareness that Hitter is “on you”
- Foul Straight Back
- Loud Foul
- “Hunch”
3 Choices:
- Same Pitch – Different Side
- Same Pitch – Different Speed
- Different Pitch
Position on Plate
ON Plate – Thinks he can get to anything on the inner half – prove it!
OFF Plate – Likes extension – ATI/XPA
UP in Box – Not afraid of velo, afraid of off-speed – SUSD
BACK in Box – Afraid of velo, not afraid of off-speed – SUSD to get to best fastball
Barrel - Swing Plane - Bat Speed
SLOW Bat – Challenge with velo – set up velo
FAST Bat – Must “pitch” – SUSD – Up/Down – Pressure
CHOP Swing – Down, In, Occasionally up
LOOP Swing – Down, In, if up-get it there!
FLAT Swing – Mix
UPHILL Swing – Away, Up, BB down – make him drop barrel
Feet
DOES HE GET FRONT FOOT DOWN? If no, beat with velo all day!
Open – Stays Open – Away
Even – No info
Closed – Closed – In Recognize the variations
Hips
Early Hip – Away
Riding Hip – SUSD – Breaking Ball
No Hip - In
Hands
High Hands – Down – make him drop barrel
Low Hands – Up – Get above his barrel
Regular Hands – Where is he at launch?
BP Fastball
Always away from the hitter
After a good fastball
When hitter expects fastball (0-0, 2-0, 1-0, 3-1)
Probably not between 2 slow pitches
Other Deceptions
Head Shakes – Adds Doubt
Backwards – FB in BB counts, OS in FB count
Double Ups – Good on guess hitter – do not overuse
Action Early – FB expand – BP – OS
(Notes from Derek Johnson's presentation in the Colorado Dugout Club clinic)