Instructional Friday: Two Strike Hitting

Date: February 15, 2019
By: Eric Leary

When prioritizing situations and responses routinely faced by hitters, the conversation must immediately turn to a two strike approach. Each batter needs have a well prepared and effective plan for this common occurrence. The ability to find consistent success with two strikes is a real skill that is comprised of both mental and physical assets. Even if hitters may attempt to avoid the circumstance by trying to put the ball in play early in the count, it is inevitable that they will eventually find themselves in a two strike situation.

The problem becomes the fact that hitters have weaknesses in their swing; a perfect swing doesn’t exist.  And quality pitchers will attempt to exploit these weaknesses, particularly with two strikes. The strikeout by the pitcher needs very little defensive assistance, thus when they can finish the at-bat without contact they will often try to finish the job. Additionally, hitters have to consider the zone may expand due with a pitcher friendly umpire who has an expanded zone with two strikes. A batsman should never let this be a crutch and should always expect the “bad” call. Control what is controllable and never let the call be the reason the AB ended.

Therefore, the goal of a hitter in a two strike count should be to extend the at-bat and make the pitcher throw more pitches. The success of this strategy can be accomplished with varied results. It doesn’t have to end with a hit. The AB’s extension lets the hitter see more pitches, which is critical information for the player who may see this hurler later in the game. Or quite simply share this knowledge with teammates preparing to step into the box.  Forcing the pitcher to be his best transfers the pressure to the guy on the mound and requires him to execute. Furthermore, pitchers make mistakes and adding pitchers and pressure into the equation enhances the opportunity for the batter to cash-in on a grooved uh-oh balls that missed its spot. By simply putting the ball into play, the offensive player has a chance to reach base.  The likelihood for a error is exponentially raised when the defense has to do more than catch a linedrive to the catcher.

Finding the solution to this conundrum of avoiding the punchout begins with a physical approach. The physical adjustments start with the grip of the bat by choking it to access more control of the bathead and increase swing speed. Moving closer to the plate takes away that ball that is maybe off the plate away, but is easily called strike three if the pitcher hits his spot.  Also, having the batter slide up a bit towards the pitcher to eliminate some of the effectiveness of a breaking ball that is tailing away.

Just as important to those physical adjustments is the mental approach that coincides with repositioning. Confidence is key to mindset of not letting the pitcher access any part of the zone and beyond that could result in being fooled or out matched.  While in earlier counts a batter can and perhaps should have expectations of pitch selection to turn the contest into a “hunt for a pitch,” the two strike approach must endeavor a mental view of “expect any and everything.” Hitters should have a plan and observe patterns of a pitcher with two strikes. However, he should never allow the K to happen because he was expecting a particular pitch. EXTEND THE AT-BAT NO MATTER WHAT!

A few drills to get the skills. Consider these suggestions to sharpen the skill of performing with two strikes.

BATTING PRACTICE

• Cage or on the field.
• Finish a round with a two strike ball.
• Have one pitch rounds with the two strike approach.
• Have hitter extend reps by fouling off “close” balls on two strike reps.  

SITUATIONAL BP

• Live arm AB’s
• Use varied counts that allow 2 strikes to be achieved.
• Start hitters with 2 strikes (0-2, 1-2, 2-2, 3-2) and see who can extend the AB.

NON-BASEBALL REPS

• Create competitive action for hitters to defend a territory.
• Use soccer balls, dodge balls, or wiffle balls.
• Have the hitter play “goalie” to defend an area (the zone).
• Have the hitter protect a teammate or space (the zone) which is being thrown at by a coach or teammate.
• Encourage hitters to defend and deflect balls at all costs.

It is amazing how much confidence carries over to a real situation when the hitter has been exposed to situations and felt success.  Like any skill, the two strike approach must be practiced.