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Why is it frowned upon when a batter swings on the first pitch?
- Thread starter iDestroy
- Start date
CaptainCanuck
New member
I think it is more or less the batter simply trying to get a "feel" for the pitcher, sort of like a warm-up.
beakbeak35
New member
And when he gets out, everyone complains. But if the pitch was a good pitch to hit, why would you pass that up? You might not get a better pitch to hit.....it seems like it's easy to criticize after the fact. Thoughts?
As a leadoff batter, it is their job to see pitches so the rest of the team can see the pitcher.
That being said, it isnt really frowned upon to swing at the first pitch. if thats the kind of hitter you are, then hit it. but if you go to the plate being overly aggressive, then you tend to swing at pitches that are "pitchers pitches" rather than pitches you can actually drive.
That being said, it isnt really frowned upon to swing at the first pitch. if thats the kind of hitter you are, then hit it. but if you go to the plate being overly aggressive, then you tend to swing at pitches that are "pitchers pitches" rather than pitches you can actually drive.
DragonMagnum
New member
Thats usually when the pitcher throws it right down the middle of the plate to somehow try to fool the ball. This is why a large portion of the home runs hit are off the first pitch.
it's not really frowned upon. many batter's are first pitch hitters. this is especially important if a pitcher is throwing a lot of first pitch fastballs early in a game a team will try to get on him early and attack the first pitches to gain momentum. some batter's prefer to let a pitch go by to see how the pitcher is throwing from the batter box. it gives the batter a chance to feel the pitcher out from the point of view that theyre hitting from instead of by the side. this exact reason is why some people (derek jeter in particular) will stand wayyyyy out of the on deck circle and practically behind home plate while theyre on deck to get a better view.
xander2400
New member
If you are a batting against a starting pitcher, your job is not only to hit, but to get on base. Swinging on the first pitch takes away a possible Ball one. First strike pitches are thrown just above 60% of the time, and because of that, swinging at a first pitch is iffy. You want better odds. You want the pitcher to earn his pitches..
If he throws a ball first pitch, you are forcing him to throw a pitch that you might expect on 1-0 (strike), 2-2 (off speed), etc. When you swing at a first pitch, you are also forcing your body to time the pitcher's first pitch. Instead, you are better off waiting for a good pitch (as long as it's not 1-2, or 0-2). When you swing at a first pitch fastball, your body has timed it by the time the play is over, and the next pitch might throw your body off.
Another reason is pitch count. As a baseball player, it's your job to get on base. The longer an at bat goes, the more chance the batter will have to get on base. And the more pitches a pitcher throws to one batter, the less he will be inclined to pitch to the next, forcing a bad pitch here and there. If you can run a starter's pitch count up, you can take him out of the game early even if you don't score alot. You want to earn your walks.
If he throws a ball first pitch, you are forcing him to throw a pitch that you might expect on 1-0 (strike), 2-2 (off speed), etc. When you swing at a first pitch, you are also forcing your body to time the pitcher's first pitch. Instead, you are better off waiting for a good pitch (as long as it's not 1-2, or 0-2). When you swing at a first pitch fastball, your body has timed it by the time the play is over, and the next pitch might throw your body off.
Another reason is pitch count. As a baseball player, it's your job to get on base. The longer an at bat goes, the more chance the batter will have to get on base. And the more pitches a pitcher throws to one batter, the less he will be inclined to pitch to the next, forcing a bad pitch here and there. If you can run a starter's pitch count up, you can take him out of the game early even if you don't score alot. You want to earn your walks.
xander2400
New member
If you are a batting against a starting pitcher, your job is not only to hit, but to get on base. Swinging on the first pitch takes away a possible Ball one. First strike pitches are thrown just above 60% of the time, and because of that, swinging at a first pitch is iffy. You want better odds. You want the pitcher to earn his pitches..
If he throws a ball first pitch, you are forcing him to throw a pitch that you might expect on 1-0 (strike), 2-2 (off speed), etc. When you swing at a first pitch, you are also forcing your body to time the pitcher's first pitch. Instead, you are better off waiting for a good pitch (as long as it's not 1-2, or 0-2). When you swing at a first pitch fastball, your body has timed it by the time the play is over, and the next pitch might throw your body off.
Another reason is pitch count. As a baseball player, it's your job to get on base. The longer an at bat goes, the more chance the batter will have to get on base. And the more pitches a pitcher throws to one batter, the less he will be inclined to pitch to the next, forcing a bad pitch here and there. If you can run a starter's pitch count up, you can take him out of the game early even if you don't score alot. You want to earn your walks.
If he throws a ball first pitch, you are forcing him to throw a pitch that you might expect on 1-0 (strike), 2-2 (off speed), etc. When you swing at a first pitch, you are also forcing your body to time the pitcher's first pitch. Instead, you are better off waiting for a good pitch (as long as it's not 1-2, or 0-2). When you swing at a first pitch fastball, your body has timed it by the time the play is over, and the next pitch might throw your body off.
Another reason is pitch count. As a baseball player, it's your job to get on base. The longer an at bat goes, the more chance the batter will have to get on base. And the more pitches a pitcher throws to one batter, the less he will be inclined to pitch to the next, forcing a bad pitch here and there. If you can run a starter's pitch count up, you can take him out of the game early even if you don't score alot. You want to earn your walks.
it's not really frowned upon. many batter's are first pitch hitters. this is especially important if a pitcher is throwing a lot of first pitch fastballs early in a game a team will try to get on him early and attack the first pitches to gain momentum. some batter's prefer to let a pitch go by to see how the pitcher is throwing from the batter box. it gives the batter a chance to feel the pitcher out from the point of view that theyre hitting from instead of by the side. this exact reason is why some people (derek jeter in particular) will stand wayyyyy out of the on deck circle and practically behind home plate while theyre on deck to get a better view.