Hitting Approach

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I’m sitting here watching the Braves play the Giants in game 2 of their best of five series and something huge comes to mind... how to think as a hitter. It is the bottom of the first inning with two men on, Pat Burrell comes to bat. Braves starter Tommy Hanson has just walked Buster Posey on 4 pitches. Quick, if you are Pat Burrell, what are you thinking as you are walking to the plate?

For all of you people that believe in taking the first pitch of every hitter of every first at bat, I give you Pat Burrell. What is he thinking? He is thinking, “Hanson just walked Posey on 4 pitches, he wants to throw a strike, I’ll be ready.” What happens... First pitch to Burrell is a “get me over” fastball and Burrell quickly deposits it in the the left field seats for a three run homer.

There is a fine between thinking and over-thinking. This is where your approach comes in. Game situations can dictate what a pitcher throws and when. It is dynamic and can change from hitter to hitter. Pay attention to the game situation and use it to your advantage. Everything you think about before the game is subject to what is happening during the game. If a pitcher is struggling with his control, chances are he will throw the pitch that he can best control, a fastball. Look for it. Be ready, regardless of what inning it is. That first pitch may be the best pitch you see the entire at bat.