I don't think we can truly compare taking a pitch in baseball and taking one in softball. MLB pitchers are on a pitch count in most games and that's usually around 100. I am yet to see a softball pitcher come out of a game after a certain number of pitches. Now if it happens it's not broadcast like it is in baseball. You also don't see Clayton Kershaw pitch the next day but you will see the #1 in Softball throw until the job is done.
The approach in baseball is much different than softball. Work the count, get to the weaker bullpen and tire the team out for the next 2 days. Softball if you work the count too much the pitchers stats are going to look good after a weekend series.
If the intent of seeing more pitches is to get to the bullpen, then I agree.
Good points, Bob. The SB is more prominent in softball, and I would agree that sometimes it is worth taking a pitch that you might ordinarily swing at.
But, depending on the hitter and the pitcher, you'd still need to be careful. For example, you say that DD#1 worked the count. What do you mean by that? What was the count after the 2 stolen bases? If it's 2-0, she didn't really work the count. She just took 2 balls that she should always take. If it's 1-1, and the 1 strike was right down the middle, then it depends on how good a hitter DD is. If this was a player that you were just hoping could move a runner over, then it's probably worth it. But if it's your best hitter, I'd rather her take a shot at a pitch down the middle rather than risk getting a 2nd called strike.