In the Box: Trust Your Approach
May 6, 2014
By Kevin Wilson
Recently I received a text message from a player who was frustrated with how he was performing at the plate, specifically when it came to executing his approach in “big situations.”
He is a good player. He has a good swing. He has a good approach and knows how to use it at times. But when it comes to those situations, especially later in the game when there are guys in scoring position, he was having some difficulties at the plate executing his approach.
We will pick up our conversation halfway through where I ask him what he was thinking in a particular at-bat later in the game with runners in scoring position.
KW: “Why didn’t you swing at that 0-1 fastball on the outside half of the plate?” (That’s normally his favorite pitch and location).
PLAYER: “No excuses. Just was hesitant. I have to swing at that pitch.”
KW: “Ok so my next questions are - “Why were you hesitant? And what was your approach at the plate in that situation?”