Outside Pitch

[Stk004]

Alright, I'm sure it's been discussed on here before but a quick search didn't get me what I was looking for. 

Yesterday I felt that I struggled with anything on the outside edge. Granted, many of them were outside and I was confident they were outside. But there were a few each game that looked outside all the way in but then F2 would stick it on the edge. And I don't mean brought it back to the edge, I mean caught it and held it right there. Has anyone else struggled with this and have any advice? I'm not getting blocked by F2 or anything, I have a clear look at the entire zone. But for some reason the outside edge just looks, well, outside to me. 

[Replacematt]

I bet you're too far inside and/or too deep.

[Stk004]

2 minutes ago, Matt said:

I bet you're too far inside and/or too deep.

Too deep as in too far behind F2? 

[Replacematt]

Yes. Anything that increases the distance between you and the outer edge of the plate is going to make those pitches look further away. 

[Stk004]

17 minutes ago, Matt said:

I bet you're too far inside and/or too deep.

If anything I think I'm too close to F2 to be honest with you. Sometimes I'll get in his way and have to tell myself to move back a hair. 

[lawump]

22 minutes ago, Stk004 said:

Alright, I'm sure it's been discussed on here before but a quick search didn't get me what I was looking for. 

Yesterday I felt that I struggled with anything on the outside edge. Granted, many of them were outside and I was confident they were outside. But there were a few each game that looked outside all the way in but then F2 would stick it on the edge. And I don't mean brought it back to the edge, I mean caught it and held it right there. Has anyone else struggled with this and have any advice? I'm not getting blocked by F2 or anything, I have a clear look at the entire zone. But for some reason the outside edge just looks, well, outside to me. 

It sounds to me like a timing issue might be at play.  You are deciding (ball or strike) too early.  Watch the pitch all the way to the catcher's glove.  Then pause and mentally process ALL of the information that has been given to you (including how F2 received the pitch).  Then make up your mind. 

Your confidence that they were outside may have come into creation when the ball was only 1/2, 3/4 or 5/6ths of the way to the plate.  If you lose that early confidence, and wait until you process the entire pitch (as stated in the above-paragraph), I think you will eliminate your struggles.  Clearly your confidence is wrong if the catcher is sticking it on the edge.

Your confidence will also go up when you bang that pitch (where F2 sticks it on the edge) for a strike a couple of times early in the game and you hear no complaints from the rodents.  If you grab it in the top of the first inning, they'll be quiet all game long when it comes to that pitch...which will increase your confidence.

[maineump]

Great advice above. Timing is really the key to the outside pitch. Watch it all the way to the mitt, see how the catcher presents it to you, and where is the catcher set up when he receives the pitch. This is all information you can use to decide. I would really like to offer that any part of the ball touches any part of the plate - ie: almost to the batters box - is a strike.

Call 'em early and make them work to your zone - not you to theirs.

[Stk004]

1 hour ago, maineump said:

Great advice above. Timing is really the key to the outside pitch. Watch it all the way to the mitt, see how the catcher presents it to you, and where is the catcher set up when he receives the pitch. This is all information you can use to decide. I would really like to offer that any part of the ball touches any part of the plate - ie: almost to the batters box - is a strike.

Call 'em early and make them work to your zone - not you to theirs.

Thanks guys, I agree that my timing on the outside pitch needs improvement. When the catcher knows what he's doing the way he presents it tells a lot, especially when he drags it back. To be fair I had a kid yesterday frame one on the inside chalk of the other batters box. Nice try