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This pitcher/catcher call table originally appeared on Sluggers Fastpitch Site (Sluggers was not an active site on 11/1/02). The chart has been reformatted for easier reading on FastSports.

Characteristics Weakness Pitch
Stance
Up in front of box Fast Ball High Fastest Pitch, rises
In back of box Breaking Balls Breaking ball (drop or change)
Closed stance Inside Drop or rise, screw
Open stance Outside Out drop or rise, curve or curve drop, or rise
Overly erect Low Inside Drop, screw
Wide stance Low Drops or curves low and on corners
Crouches over High Rise in or out, curve rise, change
Close to plate Inside Drop, fast ball or rise inside
Far from plate Outside Out drop or rise, curve or curve drop or rise
Even with plate High-low Rises, drops, curves, screw on corners
Tilted Head Inside In rise, drop or screw
Weight overshift Low & outside Out drop, curve drop, curves to front leg
No weight shift Inside Drop or rise, screw
Stride toward plate (closed) Inside Drop or rise, screw
Stride away from plate (open) Outside Out drop or rise, curve or curve drop, or rise
Long stride High Rise in or out, curve rise, change
Hands/Swing
Hitch High Rise in or out; curve rise; change
Lunges High, Mix Rise in or out, change
Hands high Low In or out drop, curve drop, screw
Hands low High in Rise in or out; curve rise, change
Hands away from body Inside In drop or rise, screw
Loopy swing High Rise in or out; curve rise, change
Choppy swing High Rise in or out, curve rise, change
No arm extension Low & outside Out drop, curve drop, curves, fastball
Parallel bat High Rise in or out, curve rise, change
Slow bat/sweeper Inside Offspeed, in rise, drop, screw, change
Quick bat Low Change speeds, keep hitter off balance
Inside-out swing Low-in In drop, screw, change, low rise
Swings up High, low in Rise in or out, drop in, screw
Appearance
Weak batter Low, outside Fastball, out drop, curve drop, curves
Strong batter Low; extreme Change speeds, drops, drop curve, corner fastball
Relaxed batter Faster delivery Pitch with quicker rhythm, change speeds
Tense batter Slower delivery Use speed as waste then break ball
Aggressive batter Change rhythm Off-speed, In rise, drop, screw, change inside
LH Batter with speed Low out Drop, screw, rise, curve, in rise high
Game Situation Result Wanted Pitch to hit
Runners
On 1st, bunt situation Poor bunt or pop-up High in or out Very inside and low
On 2nd, RH-less than 2 outs Ground ball left side Low in, change in, high in
On 3rd, RH-less than 2 outs Ground ball corners Very low, in or out
On 2nd, LH-less than 2 outs Ground ball left side Low out, change out, high out
On 3rd, LH-less than 2 outs Ground ball left side Low out, change out, high out
On 3rd, less than 2 outs, Poor bunt or pop out High in or out, very low in or pitchout
Batter bunting or pick-off NO CHANGE-UPS
Bases Loaded, or on 2nd & 3rd, less than 2 outs Ground ball Low in or out
Batter
Hitter bunts for hit
(LH--out & away)		 Poor bunt
Force to hit		 High in or out,change in
Hit and runs Pop up or ground ball Low in or jam high in
Ahead in count Pitch to pitchers strike zone, just outside of batters strike zone; make batter swing at a ball.
Behind in count Pitch to umpire's & pitcher's strike zone, never pitch to batter's strength
Defense
Right side weak Ball hit to left Pitch inside
Left side weak Ball hit to right Pitch outside
Outfield weak Ground balls Low in or out
Infield weak Pop ups, fly balls High in, rises, change-ups
Pitcher tired Stay away from rise or curve
Pitch not working Don't use it except as a waste pitch
Field
Fence Short Ground balls Low in or out
Fence Long Pop ups, fly balls High in, rises, change-ups
Wet Field Ground balls Low in or out, stay away from risers
Weather
Humidity high, low altitude Pop ups, fly balls High in, rises, changes, breaking balls
Humidity low, high altitude Ground balls Inside, drops, in rise curves, change low in
Wind at your back Jam Pitch Low,inside (faster ball), high rise inside
Wind in your face Vary Speeds Use speed as waste then break ball low, outside
Miscellaneous thoughts on pitching
  • In facing a batter, have 3 or 4 pitch sequences in mind before you throw the first pitch
  • Throwing low to bunters can generate foul balls.
  • Be careful using the change with runners on base.
  • Brush back hitters dug in or crowding the plate.
  • Know what the batter did the last time at bat.
  • Get the first out of the inning yourself
  • Avoid pitches to the sweet spot area of the bat, watch hitters practice swings
  • Pitch to opposites when in doubt; high/low, inside/outside, fast/slow.
  • Use your best stuff on weak hitters. They will hit off-speed every time
  • Let your catcher be your eyes at the plate
  • Ball movement is more important than speed.
  • To pitch faster, pitch slower.
  • Know when to walk a batter
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