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CALLING the GAME
    When calling the game at any level there are many things that need to be taken into consideration. there should be a distinct order in which these things are considered. one of the biggest mistakes is forgetting about the order. here are a list of seven things that should be considered.

1. The Count- The number one rule pitchers should follow when throwing a game is to stay ahead in the count. When they are not ahead in the count, then  they have to call their best pitches.
the batter has the advantage here, knowing you have to bring down the middle Example, when the count is 0-0 they should be calling their best pitches. When the count is 1-1 or 2-2, they should again be calling thei best pitches, if this philosophy is used you should never fall behind in the count.
2. The Pitchers Abilities-  What does Your pitcher do best? Help her identify her "strike" pitches, "marginal" pitches and "waste" pitches. There may be some that carry over into another catagorey, depending on the day. Her best pitches should be saved for for the times she needs a strike and her worst for the times she dont. Be careful not to get caught up in the hitters abilities, if you know she can't hit a rise ball, doesn't mean you should be calling a riseball all the time. this is how you fall behind in the count.
3. The Hitters Abilities- There are many clues to a hitters abilities, even when you have never faced her: what part of the line-up is she batting in, her size, warm up swings and so on. Singles hitters are the toughest, they are generally hitters with compact swings that will make contact with anything. The best way to attack them is by mixing all pitches and locations. Power hitters are usally all or none and you can find a weakness in thier approach. However be cautious in finding thier weakness as they will make adjustments too. Power hitters are often suscepible to off-speed pitches. Weak hitters should be approached with few off-speed pitches and a agressive approach by the pitcher. I tell my pitchers not too get too "fine" painting the edges of the plate on weak hitters. Remember there are very few hard and fast rules when reading hitters. as soon as you think you have them figured out they will make an adjustment.
4. Situation of the Game- A bunt situation may call for a rise ball.
With a runner on third and less then two outs the pitcher is required to keep the ball low. However the count, the pitchers ability, and the hitters ability should be consider first, before giving way to what the situation calls for.
5. Probable Outcome of the Game- A call may be dictated by what the proable outcome is, should the batter hit the pitch. The proable outcome of a pitch thrown low and outside is to the opposite field on the ground; thrown low and inside, pulled on the ground; thrown high and outside, opposite field in the air.
6. Field Conditions- Hard ground may cause a dropball pitcher a great deal of trouble. Short fences may be daunting for a rise ball pitcher. Each Field and game will offer different challenges that will have to be taken into consideration.
7. Umpire- There are three strike zones during a game. the one described by the rulebook, the one the competitors see, and the one the umpire sees. The ONLY one that matters is the one the umpire sees. If he or she is calling a high strike zone or a low strike zone, you need to adjust.

In my expierence the most succesful pithchers are the ones who are not affraid to attack the batter by being agressive in the strike zone ONLY when necessary. when it is not necessary to throw a strike, pick around the corners of the plate. Hitters will be forced to swing at close pitches because they are behing in the count. It's all about control. If the pithcher is in controll of where she puts the pitches, she'll be in controll of the game.