Hitters crowding the plate

[utility3]

I've noticed hitters 'toeing' up to the plate to the point that their knees are over the plate. As a pitcher you realize that your outside corner pitch has now become a meatball. Do you throw a screwball inside on them even though you take a chance on hitting them? I really feel the pitcher has to let the hitter know that she'll come in on you no matter if it hits you. But you hate to give up a free base. Any suggestion???

[artomatic]

take back the inside corner.
don drysdale style...

[weekend4trvl]

You have to pitch inside. A strike on the outside corner get hit hard back at the pitcher. She won't be around long if she doesn't back them off the plate

[NuNu's Dad]

The kids who do this are usually dead pull hitters who cannot wait for the outside pitch and/or go the other way with the pitch. Try Changeups on the outside corner. Since they are already "twitchy" they can't layoff or wait. Inside riseballs can be effective for the same reason. No screwballs or inside fastballs to these kids though.

It can be pretty funny to watch when it works. When it doesn't work - see ya!

It used to bother my DD when she was younger to actually hit the batter. She is much better with that now.

[pdj]

Hard pitches with a complete disregard for the hitter's safety! Sadly the macho one that calls for the hitter to crowd is not the one that pays with pain nor pays the bill at the emergency room.

[wadeintothem]

Since the dawn of throwing fast to a batter in games involving a stick and a ball.. the outside corner belongs to the pitcher.

To own that, the inside must be taken.. or the ownership of the outside changes hands to the batter.

This is pretty much known theory.

So.. whats the problem?

Take it.

[2bucketdad]

Any part of the batters body that is in the strike zone needs to be like a bulls eye to the pitcher...

[All 4 One]

A riseball just under the chin will keep the hitter thinking twice about diving into an outside pitch.

Even if you don't hit the batter, the message is sent and the batter is not so eager to get after that outside pitch.

If the riseball hits the batter, that also sends a message.

You can also try throwing the first pitch behind the batter, I know that would scare the crap out of me.

[AUbie]

Novice here - - isn't there a rule that if any part of the batter that was lined up intentionally over the plate and was HBP they are automatically out? Seems I've seen or heard that - - correct me if I'm wrong. I do want to know the right approach.

[NoNothin]

Novice here - - isn't there a rule that if any part of the batter that was lined up intentionally over the plate and was HBP they are automatically out? Seems I've seen or heard that - - correct me if I'm wrong. I do want to know the right approach.

As long as they are in the batters box it is not an out, but it can be called a strike even if HBP.

NoNo