Win the even counts
March 1, 2018 by Coach McCreary
Filed under Pitching
There are twelve ball/strike counts in baseball: 0-0, 0-1, 0-2, 1-0, 1-1, 1-2, 2-0, 2-1, 2-2, 3-0, 3-1, and 3-2.All counts require focus but the success of a pitcher, both short and long-term, often will be determined by how they do in three of them. 0-0, 1-1, and 2-2.
The even counts.
This is because each of those three counts brings the pitcher to a cross-road where he can go in one of two directions – one that will significantly increase his chances of winning the at-bat and one that will significantly help the batter win the at-bat.
Make a quality pitch and the 0-0 becomes 0-1. The 1-1 count becomes a 1-2. A 2-2 pitch becomes an out. All of those favor the pitcher.
On the other hand, if the pitcher throws a bad pitch in those counts, an 0-0 count becomes 1-0. A 1-1 count becomes 2-1. A 2-2 count becomes a 3-2. All those new counts turn the advantage back to the hitter in a big way.
All the pitches you throw in a game are important. However, if you consistently win just those three even counts then your chances of coming away with a W will increase dramatically.
Focus on those even counts!
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