Intermediate

Strikeout Pitch

Also known as: put-away pitch, out pitch

Definition

Ang strikeout pitch ang specific na pitch na tinatakbuhan ng pitcher sa two-strike counts para tapusin ang at-bat — ang kanilang pinaka-maaasahang swing-and-miss na sandata base sa mga tendency ng batter.

Alam nang eksakto ng mga elite na fast-pitch pitcher kung anong pitch ang inaasahan nila para tapusin ang mga hitter: madalas isang rise ball na mataas at mahigpit, o drop ball sa outside corner. Pinipili ang strikeout pitch base sa scouting (humahabol ba ang hitter sa pataas?) at sitwasyon ng laro, at karaniwan itong pitch na binuo sa buong at-bat sa pamamagitan ng pag-set up nito gamit ang iba't ibang location at uri ng movement. Ang pagkakaroon ng dominanteng strikeout pitch ay nagbabago kung paano lumapit ang mga kalaban sa buong at-bat.

Beginner tip

Pick your single best swing-and-miss pitch and commit to developing it to elite command. This means having one dominant strikeout pitch is more effective than having three average ones.

Advanced note

Develop a secondary strikeout pitch for a different hitter profile. This means for example, a rise ball for hitters who swing up and a drop ball for hitters who level out. This means. As a result, you have an answer for every batter type.

Example

Pagkatapos ng dalawang fastball para i-set up ang timing ng hitter, tumatakbo ang pitcher sa rise ball nila na mataas at malapit — ang kanilang strikeout pitch — para sa swing-and-miss.

How it shows up on video

On video you can confirm a pitcher's strikeout pitch by tracking which pitch type appears most frequently in two-strike counts and comparing it to swing-and-miss rate by pitch. The hitter will show the most exaggerated swing path deviation on the strikeout pitch. This means an uppercut on a high rise ball or a roll-over on a low drop ball confirms the pitch is working. Look for the catcher setting a more decisive, confident target on the two-strike pitch compared to earlier counts.

Common mistakes

Using the strikeout pitch too early in the count before establishing it with location work, making it hittable because the hitter isn't yet guessing wrong
Defaulting to the same strikeout pitch regardless of the hitter's tendencies rather than selecting based on scouting data
Throwing the strikeout pitch in a location that leaks over the heart of the zone in two-strike counts when stress is highest
Hitters over-protecting the zone in two-strike counts without identifying which specific pitch the pitcher uses to finish at-bats

In SwingVantage Motion Lab

Motion Lab identifies your two-strike pitch selection patterns and compares swing-and-miss rate by pitch type and location to surface which combination is your true strikeout weapon.

Frequently asked questions

Puwede bang maging strikeout pitch ang changeup?

Tiyak — kapag identical ang arm speed ng changeup ng pitcher sa fastball nila, isa ito sa pinaka-maaasahang two-strike na alok sa fast-pitch.

Paano ko malalaman kung ano ang pinakamagandang strikeout pitch ko?

I-track ang swing-and-miss rate at called strike rate para sa bawat uri ng pitch sa maraming laro — ang pitch na may pinakamataas na combined rate sa two-strike counts ang strikeout pitch mo.