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I imagine developing pitch identification is something that coaching can assist. What puzzles me most about VU hitters is how so many of them stare at the first hittable pitch and then sometimes the second hittable pitch, then chase unhittable pitches with two strikes.

Roanoke's friend asked me to post the above.

Anybody remember 2012 when we got swept early by Stanford, Oregon, lost to Belmont, lost 2 of 3 to San Diego College, (all of those at home) and then swept at Florida.... before guys started being allowed to swing at good pitches? Corbs was on the radio (560 a.m.) during the worst of that early season and they didn't allow phone calls.

Guys don't swing when they are told to "take or else." Wasn't there a thread earlier this season about guys taking perfect strikes they could have hit into the Centennial Park Lake? I remember it.

Thanks. That’s a really good point!

That same poster noted that ORU took 22 walks in Eugene. They beat Oregon by being patient at the plate.

What is hurting our pitchers is the new strike zone means if you identify a slider, don’t swing. People are identifying them and umps aren’t giving edges. We have several hitters who just can’t identify a slider - it would help a lot if we’d work on that.

ORU also correctly realized they just had to be patient to wait out Oregon's risky Johnny Wholestaff approach. In the end, the Ducks were putting guys on the mound who had pitched like 9 innings all season.

Many many posts and tweets contend that we are not patient enough at the plate.
Really doubt that any batter is made to take the first pitch in anything but the rarest of circumstances.

When a batter is in the box, he is alone. He is trying to anticipate the type of pitch and the location. He is coached as to the pitcher's trends and "out pitch" but it is one v. one.

First pitch approach is often like 3-1 approach. Pick a pitch and location and rip if you guess right. If not, lay off. Espinol and Bulger have to know that they are going to be fed primarily breaking balls. If they sit on a first pitch fast ball and get a breaking ball, they swing and look foolish. If they are looking breaking ball and get a fast ball, they will look at the pitch right down the middle. It happens.

Really enjoy listening to Todd Walker when he does games (and Todd Helton in his limited appearances) Insight as to hitting approach during at bats is fantastic.