Insider Secrets About How Pitchers Can "Own The Zone"

Today, I want to address how baseball pitchers can attack and own the strike zone in 0-2 counts. Plus, why waste pitches are a waste of everyone's time.

"My 3 Baseball Pitching Pet Peeves"

There are essentially three things that make my blood boil as a baseball pitching coach.

1. Two out hits
2. Two out walks
3. Two strike hits >> we'll focus on this one today!

Those three things alone will make a pitcher lose more ball games than anything else.

"Waste Pitches Are Wasted Pitches"

Don't waste pitches on 0-2. Two strike hits will haunt you 87.7% of the time by either extending innings, putting runners in scoring position, increasing pitch counts and/or increasing arm fatigue... and all that's from waste pitches on 0-2 counts!!

Instead, make a two-strike pitch close enough to the strike zone that the hitter has to consider swinging, but not so close that he can get his bat on the ball and put it in play.

"Attack The Zone, Don’t Let The Zone Attack You"

What do I mean when I say attack the strike zone? Again, don’t waste a pitch with the count 0-2. Instead, use the 0-2 pitch to expand the strike zone by making an aggressive fringe pitch.

Final Thoughts

Tempt the hitter, but do not give him anything to hit on 0-2. Fish for strikes. Expand the strike zone, but do it in a way that attacks the zone with a well-placed pitch on the corners. Don’t let the zone attack you!

Yours in baseball,

Steven Ellis
The Complete Pitcher™
www.thecompletepitcher.com
www.thecompletepitcher.blogs.com