Game strategies for pitchers,
hitters, base runners, catchers
The article below is greatly condensed and summarized from a much longer article titled “10 ‘Must Do’ Game Strategies” By John Michael Kelly posted at Gary Leland’s Fastpitch.TV.
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From top, Wesley Wolverines
► sophomore #23 UT
► sophomore #2 3B/SS
► senior #99 OF
► junior #8 OF
► sophomore #6 P/UT
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PITCHERS:
THROW YOUR BEST PITCH FOR STRIKE ONE. Sit down the lead off because their chances of scoring are 65% once on base. Pitch from ahead to force hits on a “pitcher's pitch” instead of a “hitter's pitch.”
“SET UP” BATTERS. Work the plate (east-west) without a pattern throwing curves and screws and up and down (north-south) with rises and drops. Watch the batter’s reactions and drop the hammer where she is weakest!
KNOW WHEN TO CHALLENGE the hitter. The 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10 batters can be induced (with exceptions, of course) to grounders or pop-ups from more “hittable” pitches early in the count.
HITTERS:
HAVE A PLAN: prepared and laser focus even “on deck”. Get excited about a sacrifice to move runner(s) over!
GUESS LOCATION ON THE FIRST PITCH, particularly if you have noticed (by paying attention!) where the pitcher or coach likes to call the first pitch. If you guess wrong, worst case, you are 0-1.
PAY ATTENTION TO THE UMPIRE'S STRIKE ZONE and pitcher's/ catcher's/ coach's pitch sequence. Be willing to adjust your swing to foul off a borderline pitch in order to crush your pitch!
STOP THINKING IN THE BATTER'S BOX. See it and hit it. Focus all attention in the present moment and trust yourself! Working on mechanics at practice. Work on strategy on deck. The mind can only focus on a single thought at a time, make it a positive one!
BASE RUNNERS:
BE AGGRESSIVE: always be looking to advance 60 feet! Know the strength of outfielders arms; know the defense's weakness. Push defense to make mistakes. Be fearless on the bases!
DEFENDERS:
ANTICIPATE AND EXPECT the ball. Know 1st, 2nd and 3rd options. Know how fast every runner is and “sense” how much time you have to make a play. Give maximum focus for 3 seconds prior to each pitch. Get dirty…ALWAYS (110% effort)!
CATCHERS:
FIND UMPIRE’S STRIKE ZONE EARLY. Talk to the umpire. Test the limits of the strike zone with where you set up your glove. Frame the pitch first before you pop up to look a runner back or make a back pick throw (don't lose the strike!).
BE A LEADER by being vocal. Support your pitcher verbally all game, every pitch. Give a good target to your pitcher.
