151 replies to this topic

[BSLRoseKatz]

Also exit velocity and launch angle have always been relevant, we just have the data to measure it now. I'm pretty sure there's never been any era of baseball (at least since Ruth arrived) where "hit it hard" and "try to avoid hitting too many grounders" weren't basic principles of hitting that people agreed increased your chances of success

[BSLChrisStoner]

I never thought I'd say this since I detested the steroid era and all those absurd offensive stats but there's too much pitching in today's game.  I just grow weary of all the strikeouts, so little action on the base paths, little to no strategy involved, etc...Pitchers all look the same to me with the same velocity, same wind ups, wash, rinse, repeat.  It's boring to me.  But I know I'm in the minority since attendance in baseball is certainly a lot healthier than it was 40-50 years ago.  More people to draw from of course but other than a few clubs, most have solid attendance so apparently my tastes are not shared by many.  

 

I wish the game was further tilted towards pitching.  I'd be fine with raising the mounds. I prefer very little scoring. 

That's not the same as saying eliminate the action... you want more contact, less strikeouts etc.... less three true outcomes...

As a fan, I concur.

 

But following the game, the teams and players are following the approach which ultimately results in more runs. 

[ivanbalt]

I wish the game was further tilted towards pitching.  I'd be fine with raising the mounds. I prefer very little scoring. 

That's not the same as saying eliminate the action... you want more contact, less strikeouts etc.... less three true outcomes...

As a fan, I concur.

 

But following the game, the teams and players are following the approach which ultimately results in more runs. 

I'd like to see it geared more towards pitching in the old school sense of complete or near complete games, but that's never coming back for numerous reasons.  Halladay was the last of that breed.

[Slidemaster]

I'd like to see it geared more towards pitching in the old school sense of complete or near complete games, but that's never coming back for numerous reasons. Halladay was the last of that breed.

Verlander and Scherzer too.

[jamesdean]

I wish the game was further tilted towards pitching.  I'd be fine with raising the mounds. I prefer very little scoring. 

That's not the same as saying eliminate the action... you want more contact, less strikeouts etc.... less three true outcomes...

As a fan, I concur.

 

But following the game, the teams and players are following the approach which ultimately results in more runs. 

That certainly would have been my sentiment 30 years ago but in 2024, I think pitching is a tad too dominant.  I don't think there's enough balance in the game and the last thing we need is more hitters striking out which is what would happen if they raised the mound.  

[jamesdean]

I'm with you. There are things that could be done I think to level the field a little bit and make for more compelling "ball in play" action. Lowering the mound a bit. Moving the rubber back a foot or two. Deadening the ball (manufacturing). The HR or K nature of the game is not what I or many millions of fans fell in love with as kids. It does make for a lot of boring inaction between bursts of hype.

The focus on "exit velocity" and "launch angle" from about age 8 and up now has produced a whole generation+ of people that think that is the only way, and batters are programmed to swing in all or nothing style.

Throughout his "I can't hit anymore" struggles, I remember Rob Long constantly mocking the idea that Chris Davis "should lay down some bunts", because if he does that, it's a "win for the opponent... you pay Davis to hit HRs". Well instead of trying to force teams out of the shift, and maybe actually getting on more regularly... he just stuck to what WASN'T working (regardless of how much he was getting paid). Failure trying to hit the long ball was more okay than success doing something different. That's kind of a general mob mindset too much, in my opinion.

Bunting is sadly, a lost art. Very few hitters, if called upon, could ever drag a bunt for a hit. Mullins could certainly benefit from that strategy as he flails away to the tune of .200. If I had his speed and was that lost at the plate, I'd definitely be thinking about it. At least once a game. Get on base and then use your speed to steal second. Who cares if it's not macho? A run is a run and that's something the Orioles have been struggling to produce lately.

[Mackus]

Bunting is sadly, a lost art. Very few hitters, if called upon, could ever drag a bunt for a hit. Mullins could certainly benefit from that strategy as he flails away to the tune of .200. If I had his speed and was that lost at the plate, I'd definitely be thinking about it. At least once a game. Get on base and then use your speed to steal second. Who cares if it's not macho? A run is a run and that's something the Orioles have been struggling to produce lately.

This is one of the "I'm old school" complaints that has no strategic explanation. Not seeing many drag bunts is disappointing, but the real travesty is how bad guys are at sacrifice bunting. I'd almost never call for one, teams used to do it way too often to the point of stupidity, but the small set of times when it does make sense you gotta be able to get it done. There is no strategic explanation for being bad a sac bunting.

[BSLRoseKatz]

This is one of the "I'm old school" complaints that has no strategic explanation. Not seeing many drag bunts is disappointing, but the real travesty is how bad guys are at sacrifice bunting. I'd almost never call for one, teams used to do it way too often to the point of stupidity, but the small is set of times when it does make sense to gotta be able to get it done. There is no strategic explanation for being bad a sac bunting.

 

It feels like it largely comes from a lack of in-game reps at any point before the majors, if you're good enough to reach the majors you were (presumably) one of the best players on your team from the time you were like 12, so it's not like your HS team, college team or teams in the minors would ever think it'd be a good idea to take the bat out of your hand

[Mackus]

It feels like it largely comes from a lack of in-game reps at any point before the majors, if you're good enough to reach the majors you were (presumably) one of the best players on your team from the time you were like 12, so it's not like your HS team, college team or teams in the minors would ever think it'd be a good idea to take the bat out of your hand

The guys in the 80s and 90s were also the best on every team. I buy this is why draftees or IFAs can't do it upon acquisition, but it's not a valid reason for not learning how in the minors.

[jamesdean]

The amount of time they spend practicing the skill of bunting is obviously negligible. I would think almost every hitter would say its a waste of time and they'd rather strike out or even hit into double play before squaring up in embarrassment. I'm sure most managers would agree. But to drag a bunt for a hit is another way of creating one more way to get on base. Most defenses would practically gift wrap it for you if you could do it. It was the same idiocy of the shift when a hitter would have practically one side of an infield vacant to hit through. Usually, they wouldn't even try because they couldn't hit to the opposite field if someone was holding a gun to their head.

[Ravens2006]

Lol, do you really think exit velocity and launch angle are being taught in Little League? That's insane. Its the best approach for most MLB hitters because the pitching is so deep now that everyone is nasty and can strike you out, and defense so good they'll track down most balls in play, so you need to maximize the damage done when you can put one in play. But little league the pitching doesn't have a similar advantage, and also anything hit in play is far more likely to become a hit.

I absolutely know launch angle and exit velo are being measured and tracked by WAY too many overzealous-living-their-unrealized-pro-careers through-their-kids dads... 100% true. Even in little league.

[Mackus]

I absolutely know launch angle and exit velo are being measured and tracked by WAY too many overzealous-living-their-unrealized-pro-careers through-their-kids dads... 100% true. Even in little league.

Nonsense. What little field is installing a $20k per field system that doesn't impact the playing conditions?

Williamsport probably has it. Probably a few random places with too much money. But without evidence I refuse to believe that it's remotely pervasive.