In baseball games, it is common to see exchanges between pitches through gesture codes ("mysterious" gestures on the court), and the dazzling codes include what we often call matching balls. Matching balls, literally understood as matching different ball types, is a combination strategy in pitching. Analogous to boxing, the matching ball is a combination of punches made by a pitcher.
The successor even uses nail sequins to make the code easier to see
Previous issues have introduced pitchers' ball types (straight balls as well as variable speed balls and change balls) and basic strategies for where to throw the ball (pitching strategy). Pitchers learn different ball types, like having several skills in the game, and start thinking about how to match these skills to produce the best results and play the strongest combo. Pitchers with different pitching combinations have only one purpose – to disrupt the rhythm of the batters, so that the batters are always in a state of guessing, difficult to predict.
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Spectators watching MLB matches for the first time may wonder if the matching ball is really that good. This, of course, is based on the pitchers' excellent pitching performance. Imagine a professional game with a speed of up to 165 km/h, for the average person, the ball is gone, and the professional players not only have to keep a close eye on the ball, but also quickly swing the bat.
In such a tense moment, a disrupted batting rhythm means that the ball is not hit, or the full strength cannot be played comfortably, and almost everyone in mlb players has the strength to hit a home run. Batters will find ways to play a hit, and in some cases, the match can be described as "prejudging your prejudgment".
Now that we know the role of matching balls, how are they used in actual combat? This article divides the main way of matching into three types: changing the position, changing the ball type, and changing the position and the ball type at the same time.
Change the position
The first type of pitching combination is to create visual differences by throwing the ball into different positions. For example, when the first ball is thrown at the top of the good zone, the batter's eye has been adjusted to accommodate the high ball. At this point, the pitcher can attack it unprepared, and suddenly throw a low ball to make the batter too late to react.
Josh Head struck out his opponent by changing position
In addition to the combination of high and low, the combination of inner and outer corners can also play the same role. It's like a combination of left left and right left and right left in a full set. The ideal effect is to change the position so that the other party cannot predict it.
Transform the sphere species
There is also a combination of pitching strategies that transform different ball types, resulting in a difference in speed and route. For example, a pitcher pairs a straight ball with a shift ball. When the batter gets used to the faster ball speed, there is no time to react to the variable speed ball. Straight balls, paired with variable speed balls, are one of the most common pitching combinations in MLB.
Zach Grange uses a combination of shift ball and speedball to send opponents out
There are also straight balls plus curved balls, straight balls and sliding balls, which are common combinations of pitching. Compared with straight balls, curved balls and sliding balls are not the same line changes, which can also effectively affect the batting rhythm of the batter. It's like punching with two stab punches first, and then suddenly followed by an upper hook punch, catching the other person off guard through a change in line.
The position and type of ball are changed
The pitching combination can also be combined with the two methods above, both changing the pitching position and changing the ball type. For example, many pitchers will throw a straight ball that is high, followed by a low-angle curved ball. Combine changes in position, speed, and route to play against the batter. Just like game skills, professional players will extend more skill sets based on the above basic principles.
For example, Shohei Otani, who has the highest swing rate of a single ball in the major leagues. The combination of Otani's straight ball and fast finger fork ball makes it difficult for the batter to distinguish the type of ball he is facing in the strike zone, making the already difficult ball confusing.
Dustin May, who attracted much attention at the beginning of the season, used his very special curved ball with a stretch card ball to make it impossible for the batter to start.
Players can also match their own pitching combos according to their own skill packs. Even with the same pitcher, the way the ball is matched from season to season will have different emphases as their pitching ability changes. At the same time, the batsman is also learning to improve, and in order to prevent being seen through, the match will continue to change.
Knowing the match, you may have a new experience the next time you watch a game or play a bat. In addition to evaluating the quality of the pitcher's ability, it is also possible to analyze whether the matching ball can play its maximum role. The next issue of Baseball 102 will also introduce you to more pitchers with distinctive styles, so stay tuned for the next issue: Different Types of Pitchers!
Do you have any unique insights into pitchers' matching? Feel free to share it with us in the comments section!