[Goose]

Taking close pitches with 2 strikes is another change. Taking a called third used to be heavily frowned upon. So you swung if it was close with two strikes.  Now, not such a big deal.  Take the pitch.  You probably aren’t going to hit it anyway….

Unfortunately, taking the pitch does make sense. If it is truly a "50-50" pitch, which half the time will be called a ball, you are probably better of taking it, unless you are hitting .500. It is not that simple of course. Hitters that do that a lot will find that the Umps will tend to call the pitch a strike. If you are a great hitter known to have a good eye, you may get the benefit of some calls, but if you get a reputation of being passive, you get the opposite. Also, late in the game where everybody wants to go home, if it doesn't go to the backstop it is probably a strike. Recognizing the 50-50 pitch can be as difficult as hitting it.

[Goose]

Taking close pitches with 2 strikes is another change. Taking a called third used to be heavily frowned upon. So you swung if it was close with two strikes.  Now, not such a big deal.  Take the pitch.  You probably aren’t going to hit it anyway….

Unfortunately, taking the pitch does make sense. If it is truly a "50-50" pitch, which half the time will be called a ball, you are probably better of taking it, unless you are hitting .500. It is not that simple of course. Hitters that do that a lot will find that the Umps will tend to call the pitch a strike. If you are a great hitter known to have a good eye, you may get the benefit of some calls, but if you get a reputation of being passive, you get the opposite. Also, late in the game where everybody wants to go home, if it doesn't go to the backstop it is probably a strike. Recognizing the 50-50 pitch can be as difficult as hitting it.