Get It Done: The Difference Between 0-2, 1-2, and 2-2 Counts

If you’ve ever had a hitter down 0-2 or 1-2 and somehow still managed to walk him, you know the feeling: it sucks. It’s frustrating. You did the hard part, but you didn’t finish the job. That’s why it’s so important for high school pitchers to really understand the differences between 0-2, 1-2, and 2-2 counts — and how to attack each one.

You’re in the driver’s seat when you’re ahead 0-2 or 1-2. You’ve already beaten the hitter. Now you just need to finish the job. But here’s where many young pitchers go wrong: they think finishing the job means throwing their nastiest pitch as hard as possible. Slider in the other batter’s box. Fastball above the umpire’s head. “Maybe he’ll chase it,” they think.

No. That’s not pitching with intent — that’s hoping for a result.

When you’re ahead 0-2 or 1-2, your mindset should be about executing the pitcher’s pitches, not chasing strikeouts. Expand the zone slightly, change speeds, show something that looks hittable but isn’t — but stay under control. Have some pride — if you’ve gotten a guy into a 0-2 or 1-2 count, put him away by executing real pitches with real intent. Don’t let a good at-bat slip away because you got greedy and tried to be a highlight reel. Executing a pitcher’s pitch will get you the result you want.

One thing I like to track with pitchers is how many batters you retire within two pitches after getting to 0-2 or 1-2. You’re dominating the game if you’re finishing hitters quickly and efficiently. If you’re dragging out at-bats, you’re missing opportunities and running up your pitch count for no reason.

Now, when you get to 2-2, the mentality shifts a little bit. You still have a buffer before ball four — but you’re flirting with trouble if you get too fine. At 2-2, we’re not out there hunting strikeouts anymore. We’re trying to get the batter out right then and there. If it results in a punchout, awesome. But the goal is an OUT. Weak contact, flyout, strikeout, whatever. Just don’t fall into the trap of thinking, “Now I have to make the nastiest pitch I’ve ever thrown,” and end up walking the guy because you missed badly.

At 2-2, you need to trust your stuff in the zone. Attack. Make the hitter earn his way on base; don’t hand it to him with a full count and a walk. The best pitchers are the ones who can consistently get outs at 2-2 without letting the at-bat get away from them.

The bottom line is this: pitching isn’t about looking nasty or throwing the sickest pitch you can imagine. It’s about being smart, being in control, and finishing when you’re ahead. Next time you get a hitter to 0-2 or 1-2, have some pride and get your strikeout, or you’re out right then and there. And if you’re at 2-2, lock in, attack, and finish the at-bat before it gets ugly.

If you want a simple way to hold yourself accountable, start tracking how often you get hitters out within two pitches of getting to 0-2 or 1-2. See where you’re at after a few starts. You’ll be surprised how much better you’ll pitch when you focus on dominating those counts instead of just surviving them.