update-tb coach tells team dont swing at 1st strike...

[cazzy]

Attack strikes. Aggressive.

[jonriv]

Attack strikes. Aggressive.

Not all strikes are created equally. Does not always make sense to swing at a “pitcher’s pitch”

[jonriv]

Related question regarding lead-off hitters taking strikes:

My dd is fast and an aggressively successful base runner, so she moved her way to lead-off. She's bounced in and out of that role, but has been getting mixed messages about her at-bats. With her first at-bat of a game and nobody on base, she likes to swing at any pitch that will get her on base (usually within the first 3 pitches). She got pulled aside and was "strongly advised" to not jump on the first strike unless it's "her pitch" (belt-high, just a bit outside). I was later told by another lead-off hitter that part of her job was to see as many pitches, even if it means fouling off balls on a 3-2 count.


First of all congrats to your DD. Being a lead-off hitter not only takes skill, but a certain mindset and attitude.

I think your last paragraph sums up the role of the lead-off hitter. You posed it as a choice, but it is probably more of a combination of the two.

So what do you think adds more value to a lead-off hitter, get on base or allow your team more pitches to see (which sometimes mean taking the first strike)?

[GIMNEPIWO]

Related question regarding lead-off hitters taking strikes:

My dd is fast and an aggressively successful base runner, so she moved her way to lead-off. She's bounced in and out of that role, but has been getting mixed messages about her at-bats. With her first at-bat of a game and nobody on base, she likes to swing at any pitch that will get her on base (usually within the first 3 pitches). She got pulled aside and was "strongly advised" to not jump on the first strike unless it's "her pitch" (belt-high, just a bit outside). I was later told by another lead-off hitter that part of her job was to see as many pitches, even if it means fouling off balls on a 3-2 count.

So what do you think adds more value to a lead-off hitter, get on base or allow your team more pitches to see (which sometimes mean taking the first strike)?

To take pitches so that your team gets to see more strikes (or balls) is quite possibly the stupidest thing I've ever heard ... A lead off batters job is to get on base.

[jonriv]

Related question regarding lead-off hitters taking strikes:

My dd is fast and an aggressively successful base runner, so she moved her way to lead-off. She's bounced in and out of that role, but has been getting mixed messages about her at-bats. With her first at-bat of a game and nobody on base, she likes to swing at any pitch that will get her on base (usually within the first 3 pitches). She got pulled aside and was "strongly advised" to not jump on the first strike unless it's "her pitch" (belt-high, just a bit outside). I was later told by another lead-off hitter that part of her job was to see as many pitches, even if it means fouling off balls on a 3-2 count.

So what do you think adds more value to a lead-off hitter, get on base or allow your team more pitches to see (which sometimes mean taking the first strike)?

To take pitches so that your team gets to see more strikes (or balls) is quite possibly the stupidest thing I've ever heard ... A lead off batters job is to get on base.

This actually a strategy that the Yankees and Red Sox have used for 20 years(one reason that their games are so long) I agree that getting on base is the Primary job of the lead-off, but woking a pitch count can be a very effective tool(especially if it leads to a hit or walk)

[Sam]

Attack strikes. Aggressive.

A pitcher's dream....

[jonriv]

Attack strikes. Aggressive.

Batter might look silly on a first pitch drop or change up?

[shortslappy]

First of all congrats to your DD. Being a lead-off hitter not only takes skill, but a certain mindset and attitude.

Thanks, jonriv! I forgot about an old post I put on here about my dd choosing a position focus - pitching (which she was naturally good at, but didn't enjoy) or slapping (which she was struggling with, but was determined to do). I remember how helpful the Bucket was in helping me realize that I have to take her lead.

Now look at her ... hitting lead-off, fouling off balls on a 3-2 count, and drawing a walk after taking the first strike.

[Chin Music]

Attack strikes. Aggressive.

A pitcher's dream....

Take strikes a pitchers dream......

[Hinky]

Now look at her ... hitting lead-off, fouling off balls on a 3-2 count, and drawing a walk after taking the first strike.

Does she always take 1st strike?



A pitcher's dream....[/quote]

Take strikes a pitchers dream......[/quote]

CRUSH'IN- Strikes a hitters dream......