:: User Tips and Benefits
Charting Bullpens
WHY CHART BULLPENS?
The two most important reasons to chart bullpens with PalmScout are: (a) It motivates
pitchers to place game-like importance on each pitch they throw, and (b) It provides
a way to set up a competitive environment where pitchers can compete against themselves
and/or their teammates for best Command Rating or Quality Pitch Percentage.
Below is an example of how to chart a bullpen session, and which reports work best
to motivate pitchers afterwards.
HOW TO CHART A BULLPEN (5 easy steps)
Step 1: Plug in a "Generic" Batter or Two
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Select the "Visitor Lineup" button and choose a "dummy team".
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We recommend putting one Right-Handed Batter and one Left-Handed Batter in the lineup.
Change the number of hitters in the lineup to 2. |
Step 2: Set a Home Lineup with Just Your Pitchers
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Tap the "Home Lineup"
button and choose your team. |
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Plug in the names of your pitchers
who will throw that day.
Select the first pitcher and
tap the "Pitcher" button.
change the # of players in the lineup to the number who will throw that day. |
Step 3: Set PalmScout to Practice Mode
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Tap the "More" button
on the main menu. |
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Choose "Configure Handheld" |
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Select Practice Mode and check the boxes for Quality Pitch Shades and Spot Plot
(to show intended spots). |
Step 4: Setting the Intended Spot
Here, the intended spot is Down & Away from this Right-Handed
Batter.
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If you chart targets you have the ability to tap the intended spot (where the catcher
sets up). Choose any specific spot in the zone, or a more general area in the zone
(green shades) or even intended spots out of the zone (gray shades). |
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Step 5: Chart the Pitch
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Tap the Pitch Type
Tap the actual location of the pitch
(here the pitcher hit his spot).
Tap whether the pitch was a ball or strike. |
If you want to change hitters:
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Tap the "Actions" button. |
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Choose "End At Bat". This will put the next hitter in. |
The main benefit of Practice Mode is that you can chart several pitches and actions
for one pitcher until his bullpen session is complete. Then, move on to the next
pitcher. When one pitcher is finished, you can put the next pitcher in by tapping
his name at the top of the Pitch Screen, and putting a new pitcher in (see
step 2).
Now that we have looked at how to chart a bullpen, let's look at the
best reports to generate immediately afterwards.