the 3-0 pitch, take it? or leave it?

[Jessica Shandrick]

As a player and even as a coach I was taught "if you are a batter in a 3-0 situation, NEVER even think about swinging at the next pitch!" Now, after some research, analysis, and being a more experienced coach, I feel this topic can be debated. Any thoughts?

[Lee]

I don’t believe in NEVER swinging on a 3-0 pitch. There are so many variables. So much for me depends on the situation at that time of the game, like what the score is. Or what stage of the game we're in - early or late innings. What is the skill level of the batter up at the plate? Are there runners on base or not and if so where on base? How many outs are there? Who is on deck and who is in the hole? How is the pitcher doing? Does it appear to me that she’s tired and beginning to wear down? So, there are so many things that come to my mind when this situation presents itself.

[Stacie Mahoe]

It really depends on the situation. I don't have any hard fast rule. At some point you get to the level where the number of pitches you see that you KNOW you can really rip are limited. That 3-0 may be the BEST pitch you ever see.

Or, if you're having a hot day in the box and you KNOW you can light up that 3-0 I'd rather have my batter go for it than go for the next strike which may not be as hit-able.

On the other hand, if you know you can handle hitting with a strike or two, then why not make the pitcher work. Especially if it's later in the game and you're down runs.

I think it really depends on the hitter, on the pitcher, and on the situation in the game.

There are some hitters that I would not want to swing simply because they are struggling at the plate or against that pitcher. I'd rather them take the odds on drawing the walk.

At the younger age levels we've had games where the batter's were just sitting and taking the walk, sitting and taking the walk (pitcher having a bad day). This was during the part of the season where we were still doing the 3-run cap per inning. In this situation I'd rather have the girls be aggressive on ANY strike and have the opportunity to hit and give the baserunners an opportunity to run than simply walk around all the bases until we score 3 runs.

So my short answer is, "It depends." ;)

[www.ForeverFastpitch.com]

If you are Crystal Bustos or Jessica Mendoza, by all means....SWING! LOL!
But usually, there is no harm in taking a pitch and making the pitcher work.
After all, you'll still have 2 more strikes to spare.

Brenda Quinn, Owner
www.ForeverFastpitch.com

[Mike Terry]

9 times out of 10 your going to get a perfect strike, I let my higher ave hitters hit away and let the lower ave hitters not swing.

[brittney]

I've watched my teammates take that pitch and its so stupid. The pitcher wants to throw a strike down the middle of the plate. I know as a catcher i want that to be a strike. I've gotten my best hits on 3-0 counts it could be one of the best pitches you will see. Then if the girl is off don't swing take a look at what she has.

[Mike Neeley]

Don't swing on 3-0 should not be a rule. It's a guideline.. If you swing on 3-0 and pop up or ground out weak, maybe the thought should be to take a pitch. If you are a great hitter and the pitch can be driven then by all means take it deep.
Taking a 3-0 pitch in the 12u or younger or inexperienced players probably a good idea. As experience grows and that sweet pitch is the only one you get by all means go for it. It may also be situational in nature. 3-0 no runners and two outs, we need a runner on first. If a pitcher is struggling then I say take the walk and start a rally. Nothing worse than 3-0, 2 outs, runners in scoring position and the hitter pops up weak to the infield. Rally killer!!!!

[Stacie Mahoe]

Well put Mike!

[Patrick McDonald]

I couldn't agree more on what Lee has said. There are so many variables when it comes to this situation. I've been in that situation coaching a 10U Fastpitch team and advised my girl of the count and not to swing and she swung. Needless to say I was like, what the, but she had stroked it deep into the outfield, brought home the other two runners and ended up with a triple out of it! When she came home on the next batter I asked her, why'd you swing? She said, "she served me up one right down the middle of the plate coach". I patted her on the back and told her good job! What could I say... Again, as Lee stated, there are so many things that come into mind on that count when it presents it's self.