A Simple 2 Strike Hitting Approach
By: Tim Thoreson
Did you know that former Major League Ricky Gutierrez holds the record for the most pitches in one AB. In 1998 Gutierrez forced Bartolo Colon to throw 20 pitches before finally striking out. Although Gutierrez may have gotten out he certainly battled. Whenever a player can avoid striking out on any given pitch, they are helping their team. If they foul the pitch off, the pitcher needs to throw another pitch. If they let a ball go without swinging, they are closer to getting a base on balls and increasing their chances of seeing a more hittable pitch next. When they put the ball in play they are putting pressure on the defense and may even get a hit, reach on an error, or advance runners. Avoiding the strikeout has
even greater importance at younger levels, because the defenses make significantly more errors. In an effort to minimize your team’s strikeouts I am going to share my SIMPLE 2 STRIKE HITTING APPROACH.
This approach is so simple, I am going to sum it up in one sentence. Swing at anything close and hit a line drive to the right center gap! Let me explain.
Swing at anything close
Whenever a player does not have 2 strikes, they have the luxury of deciding if any given pitch is to their liking and if they want to swing or not. This is of course not true with 2 strikes. I have always been a big believer that a hitter should be swinging at anything close (ball or strike?) when they have 2 strikes. This allows the hitter to determine their own fate, rather than the umpire. One of the sickest feelings as a player is when you allow a close pitch to go by and there is that split second between the time when the catcher catches the ball and the umpire calls it either a ball or strike, and unfortunately it almost always seems to
Whenever a player does not have 2 strikes, they have the luxury of deciding if any given pitch is to their liking and if they want to swing or not. This is of course not true with 2 strikes. I have always been a big believer that a hitter should be swinging at anything close (ball or strike?) when they have 2 strikes. This allows the hitter to determine their own fate, rather than the umpire. One of the sickest feelings as a player is when you allow a close pitch to go by and there is that split second between the time when the catcher catches the ball and the umpire calls it either a ball or strike, and unfortunately it almost always seems to
be STRIKE 3. Players and coaches should also consider the fact that in no way is the umpire behind the plate perfect. Think about this scenario, during the summer almost every ball diamond has a game going on, and each of those games requires an umpire. More than likely the best umpires are doing the higher level games, so if you are coaching a 10 year old team, there is a high probability the umpire will make bad calls and be inconsistent. So swing at anything close!
To reinforce swinging at close pitches I tell my players to think to themselves during each pitch, swing, swing, swing. Then of course as the pitch is coming in they may readjust by thinking swing, swing, swing, bad pitch don’t swing, and appropriately watch the pitch. Of course sometimes players do swing at balls that are obviously out of the strike zone and although that can be frustrating , I certainly prefer that to getting rung up by the umpire.
Hit a Line Drive to the Right Center Gap
Before I discuss this one, I should mention hitting a line drive to the right center gap applies to right handed hitters, lefties of course would hit the ball to the left center gap. When players are trying to hit the ball to the opposite field gap they are forced to stay back longer. This will allow them to have a much easier time waiting for those off speed pitches that so many times pitchers throw with 2 strikes. Staying back will also enable the hitter to see the ball slightly longer and much more readily handle any pitches on the outer half of the plate.
Before I discuss this one, I should mention hitting a line drive to the right center gap applies to right handed hitters, lefties of course would hit the ball to the left center gap. When players are trying to hit the ball to the opposite field gap they are forced to stay back longer. This will allow them to have a much easier time waiting for those off speed pitches that so many times pitchers throw with 2 strikes. Staying back will also enable the hitter to see the ball slightly longer and much more readily handle any pitches on the outer half of the plate.
The beauty of trying to hit the ball to the opposite gap, is that it sets the hitter up for success for almost any pitch they may encounter, with the one exception of the inside corner fastball. If the pitcher does in fact throw that good inside corner fastball the hope is that because of hard work in practice the hitter will instinctively turn on it. If not, the hitter still may still foul it off, or put the ball in play and put pressure on the defense.
By implementing this simple 2 strike hitting approach players will be more confident hitters. When a player has 2 strikes, it is so easy for them to think to themselves, “Swing at anything close and hit a line drive to the right center gap.” For some players this hitting approach may be so successful they choose to use it all the time.
By implementing this simple 2 strike hitting approach players will be more confident hitters. When a player has 2 strikes, it is so easy for them to think to themselves, “Swing at anything close and hit a line drive to the right center gap.” For some players this hitting approach may be so successful they choose to use it all the time.
If you would like to improve your player’s 2 strike hitting ability practice is also a big factor. In an effort to provide your players with the best training possible I encourage you to check out the following drills:
2 STRIKE HITTING GAME
Give your players the opportunity to practice being a successful 2 strike hitter by implementing this fun game into your practice plans.
BALL PIT BATTING PRACTICE
This drill teaches players to stay back on the pitch and is also an excellent way to simulate those nasty curveballs and change ups hitters must so often encounter with 2 strikes.
Good Luck Coaches!
2 STRIKE HITTING GAME
Give your players the opportunity to practice being a successful 2 strike hitter by implementing this fun game into your practice plans.
BALL PIT BATTING PRACTICE
This drill teaches players to stay back on the pitch and is also an excellent way to simulate those nasty curveballs and change ups hitters must so often encounter with 2 strikes.
Good Luck Coaches!
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