Working Ahead in the Count
Also known as: pitching ahead, staying ahead
Working ahead in the count means a pitcher reliably gets to counts favoring the defense. This means 0-1, 0-2, 1-2. This means which lets her expand the strike zone and use her best put-away pitch with far less risk.
Every count carries a different strategic balance of power. Behind in the count, a pitcher must throw pitches the hitter is likely to see as strikes, narrowing her options. Ahead in the count, she can throw pitches out of the zone that still draw a swing, or attack the edges of the zone with movement pitches that would be balls if slightly off target. Working ahead is less about any single pitch and more about a pitcher's overall approach and command across an entire outing. This means pitchers who chase strikeouts at the expense of first-pitch strikes often end up working from behind more than necessary.
Study your own outcomes split by count-favoring-pitcher versus count-favoring-hitter. This means most pitchers see a large gap in opponent batting average between the two splits. This quantifies exactly how much working ahead is worth.
Example
By reliably getting ahead 0-1, the pitcher spends most of the game expanding the zone with her drop ball rather than being forced to throw it for a strike.
Why it matters
Working ahead compounds across an entire game. This means a pitcher who is regularly ahead in the count faces less pressure on every subsequent pitch of every at-bat.
Common mistakes
- Nibbling at the corners on 0-0 and 1-0 counts out of fear of contact, which often leads to falling behind instead
- Failing to adjust approach when ahead, throwing the same quality strike instead of expanding the zone
Frequently asked questions
Does working ahead mean throwing more strikes overall?
Not necessarily. This means it means getting ahead early enough in the count that later pitches can be thrown at the edges or out of the zone. At the same time, still drawing a defensive swing.
Related terms
- First-Pitch Strike RateFirst-pitch strike rate is the percentage of at-bats in which a pitcher throws a strike on the very first pitch, one of the strongest single indicators of overall pitching effectiveness and control of the count.
- Count AdvantageCount advantage describes which side the current ball-strike tally favours, and how each should adjust because of it.
- Strikeout PitchA strikeout pitch is the specific pitch a pitcher goes to in two-strike counts to finish the at-bat. This means their most reliable swing-and-miss weapon given the batter's tendencies.
Related guides & benchmarks
Put this into your swing
SwingVantage can spot this in your own swing — free to start.
See a sample Fast-Pitch Softball report first