Baseball · Hitting · Decision-making

Two-strike and situational at-bats

Live at-bats that start in two-strike counts or game situations, so hitters practise a two-strike approach and doing the job: moving runners and scoring the runner from third.

card: 0-2 countPCBR31B2BSS3BCF
Start / 6
Time
35 min
Players
10–18
Age
U16+
Area
Full field
Equipment
30 baseballs (bucket)4 bases1 full catcher's gear4 batting helmets12 situation cards1 pitch-count chart

Setup

  1. A live pitcher on the mound, a catcher in full gear (helmet with mask, throat guard, chest protector, shin guards, cup), and a defence of at least 1B, 2B, SS, 3B and CF.
  2. Batters and runners wear helmets. Hitters waiting their turn stand behind a fence or screen, clear of the swing zone.
  3. Decide each pitcher's limit before you start (Pitch Smart or your national body's guidelines) and count every pitch; change pitchers at the limit, not at the end of the inning.
  4. Shuffle the situation cards: '0-2 count', '1-2 count', 'R3, one out, infield in', 'R3, one out, infield back', 'R2, no outs: move the runner', '3-1, take a strike', and so on.

How it runs

  1. The coach draws a card and sets the count, runners and outs. The pitcher and catcher know the situation too and pitch to it.
  2. Two-strike cards: the at-bat starts at 0-2 or 1-2. The hitter widens the stance, chokes up a little and looks to put the ball in play hard anywhere, fouling off pitches they cannot drive.
  3. Situation cards: the hitter has one job. R3 with the infield in: a fly ball deep enough to score, or a hard ground ball through. R3 with the infield back: any ground ball to the middle infielders scores the run. R2, no outs: hit it to the right side.
  4. Play each at-bat out live, including running. A hitter who does the job earns a point even if out.
  5. 4–5 at-bats per hitter, then rotate hitters, runners and fielders.

Coaching points

  • Two strikes: protect the plate, not the strike zone. Widen the stance, shorten the stride and look middle-away, reacting to the pitch in.
  • Spoil the pitcher's put-away pitch: foul it off and make them throw another.
  • Know what the defence is giving: infield in means a ground ball through has a chance; infield back means the run scores on an out to the middle infielders.
  • With R3 and fewer than two outs, look for a pitch up in the zone to drive in the air; let a low breaking ball go unless there are two strikes.
  • Moving a runner from second: look for a pitch away (for a right-handed hitter) and stay on it to hit behind the runner.
  • A productive out is a win. Praise the hitter who does the job, not only the one who gets a hit.

Common mistakes

  • Same big swing at two strikes as at 2-0.
  • Chasing the breaking ball in the dirt at two strikes because the stride is too long.
  • Pulling a ground ball to the left side with a runner on second and no outs.
  • Swinging at the first pitch below the knees with R3 and the infield in.
  • Runner on third not knowing the play: tag on a fly, go on a ground ball with the infield back.

Say it: “Two strikes: protect the plate. With runners: do the job.”

Make it harder

  • Start every at-bat at 1-2 with a runner on, so the hitter must combine both jobs.
  • The defence picks its alignment without telling the hitter, who must read it.
  • Keep score: offence gets a point for each job done, defence for each out without the job done.

Make it easier

  • Coach throws from behind an L-screen instead of a live pitcher.
  • Use front toss behind a screen for two-strike swings before going live.
  • One situation for the whole round, so hitters can practise the same job several times.

Pairs well with

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.