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The Sucker Zone
Oct 28, 2002
Good thing we told the hitters to "screw off" a few sessions ago because if they ever figured this out - all of us pitchers would be in BIG trouble!
In game 6 of the World Series, color guy Tim McCarver explained an illustration showing the difference the count makes. The 0-2 count was something like .150.
Then the game ended with the last Giants' batter, falling behind in the count, and striking out at a pitch that was up around his ears.
Go figure!
But the best part about this foible is that the weakness is even more apparent in fastpitch!
Hitters are hilarious!!!
Last week I yacked about my favourite 2-2 pitch being right at the knob of the bat. This week I'm saying that my favorite 0-2 spot would be about 2 feet over the top of the zone.
Johnny Singh is my favorite catcher of all-time. He likes to match wits with the batter and gets very daring with his spots - but we disagree vehemently about one thing.
He likes to call for a low pitch well outside the strike zone on 0-2 counts. When questioned, he says he just wants a "ball" or he wants to "waste one".
Maybe it's just Johnny's nature to be a super nice guy???
Me? I figure you should never waste an opportunity for a strike out and the best spot is way up. "The sucker zone".
Try to talk your catcher into setting his target (glove) above his head for the #1 pitch. Some catchers might not like to do this because the mistakes may be a little tough to react to.
If a guy like Underhill or Bell missed low and bounced one off the plate - you could have a catcher hitting some other high things!
Promise him (or her) and yourself, you won't miss low. It's OK to miss high - you never know how hilarious those batters can be!!!
This week's secret:
"Aim high, lean back, and let 'er rip"
Especially on counts of 0-2 and 1-2, or whenever there's reason to believe the batter might be a little anxious, you can't go too far wrong with this pitch.
Even if you miss or the batter takes it for a ball - you've got him set up perfectly for the "change"
Next week's topic:
