Philosophies


 * Quakertown Varsity Baseball **



** Philosophy on Hitting ** Quality AB’s are measured by; A hit A BB A Line-Drive HBP Sac Fly Sac Bunt Ground Ball Hit and Run Moving the runner with 2 strikes or less than 2 outs 5+ pitches seen by a batter All without striking out looking ||
 * = ** Quality At-Bats **

1)An extra base hit or single 2)A Walk 3)Moving a runner 4)Forcing 5 pitches or more
 * What is success? **

1)A one pitch out on a bad pitch 2)An avoidable double-play 3)Missing a sign 4)A missed bunt
 * What is failure? **


 * The Hitting Zone **

The hitting zone and strike zone are not the same thing. Ted Williams used to map the strike zone with baseballs. He could tell you exactly where the ball was in the strike zone. As we start the count with no strikes our hitting zone in about 6-9 baseballs big, we must know which 6-9 balls are our 0 strike count hitting zone. As we move to a 1 strike count our hitting zone becomes larger, but it is still not the same size as our 2 strike zone. With 1 strike we want to be aggressive towards any ball we can hit solid somewhere. When we have 2 strikes it is important for use to have confidence and we are looking to do one of three things; hit it hard on something in the 1 strike hitting zone, put a protection swing anything close to the strike zone, or take anything that is a ball.

** Our mental approach to hitting. ** 1)A pitcher must get us out (Don’t look for a walk, threaten the pitcher with a walk)  2)We will have confidence hitting with 2 strikes 3)We will be patient for a pitch to hit 4)We will move runners 5)As we get deeper in the count our hitting zone becomes larger 6)We will fight to survive with 2 strikes

Hit it if it is in our 6-9 ball hitting zone, otherwise take. Don’t swing at anything off speed, unless we are looking for it.
 * No strikes Count **

Enlarge hitting zone, but don’t protect, be aggressive, not defensive
 * One strike count **

Protect the zone, fight to survive
 * Two strike count **

Hit as if 0-0 count unless given take sign ** Other ** 1)There are no bad hops in the sky. 2)Put the ball in play and make the defense make mistakes 3)Leave plays in the field 4)Work smarter no harder!
 * 3-0 **

** Bunting **

We will sacrifice an out to move a runner to scoring position. If there are runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs we will always bunt towards 3rd to put the 3rd basemen in jeopardy. If 3rd base charges too early we will double steal and the bunter will pull back.

Three types of bunts we will execute

__Sacrifice__: You will square early and let the defense and the pitcher know you are bunting. Runners on 2B- Towards 3B (If 1st charges you may push bunt) Runner on 1B- Toward 3B (Runner read and look to take 3B) Runners on 1B and 3B- At 1B because he is holding the runner on, if he charges we steal 2B. Once the bunt is down and to the 1B side the runner on 3B can score.

__Bunt for a hit__: You may bunt for a hit when you feel you can get it with no one on. Show late after pitchers arm is up behind his head; place the ball down the 3rd or 1st baseline.

__Squeeze__: The hitter and base runner must both acknowledge the play is on or it is automatically called off. The hitter must hit the ball and get it on the ground.

** Base Running ** We will execute good base running, good base running helps good hitting.

Always pick up the 3rd base coach before and after rounding second base.

__Hit and run__: You must hit the ball and you must hit the ball on the ground, it does not matter where it is thrown, just like a squeeze. This will open up holes in the infield for the ball to go through on the ground. The runner must look in to see where the ball goes, if it is hit he must know to slide into or round second or go back to first on a fly ball.

__1st move__: You will steal as soon as the pitcher lifts his front foot (lefties)

__Early__: Leave once the pitcher has come set (Righties)