Here’s one I’d like to see odds on – count 3-0, pitcher throws a fastball strike right down the middle of the plate. Batter takes. If you allow batter to swing at 3-0 pitch, as he will seldom get a better pitch to hit, isn’t there a greater likelihood of solid contact and more hits? If pitcher knows that batter is not taking on 3-0, doesn’t he have to pitch more carefully, increasing likelihood of a base on balls? Batters nearly always take on 3-0, leading me to believe there is good reasoning behind it, but I’d sure like to see the odds.
Here’s one I’d like to see odds on – count 3-0, pitcher throws a fastball strike right down the middle of the plate. Batter takes. If you allow batter to swing at 3-0 pitch, as he will seldom get a better pitch to hit, isn’t there a greater likelihood of solid contact and more hits? If pitcher knows that batter is not taking on 3-0, doesn’t he have to pitch more carefully, increasing likelihood of a base on balls? Batters nearly always take on 3-0, leading me to believe there is good reasoning behind it, but I’d sure like to see the odds.