Extremely Stupid Baseball Questions

[Mephisto 15]

Dance monkey, dance.

 

 

You always come back. You can't help yourself.

[NewbieJr 541]

You always come back. You can't help yourself.

Ummmmm, aren't you forgetting something?

[pimptastic69 0]

When players like Griffey and Adam Dunn have the "Ted Williams shift" placed on them, why don't they simply bunt down the 3rd baseline? I realize these guys aren't paid to bunt, but a hit's a hit. No one knocks these guys for taking walks either. Maybe if they had enough bunt singles, followed buy a few 3-run homers, they might start seeing a more traditional defense.

[Patriotsfatboy1 1,433]

When players like Griffey and Adam Dunn have the "Ted Williams shift" placed on them, why don't they simply bunt down the 3rd baseline? I realize these guys aren't paid to bunt, but a hit's a hit. No one knocks these guys for taking walks either. Maybe if they had enough bunt singles, followed buy a few 3-run homers, they might start seeing a more traditional defense.

Big Papi had a great chance right before he was hurt. 7th inning, tie game, Ellsbury on 3rd, 2 outs and the other team is playing the shift. If Papi bunts it down the 3rd base line, the run scores easily and you have a pretty solid chance to win. Instead, he bounces one to the right fielder, er 2nd baseman, for the final out.

[NewbieJr 541]

When players like Griffey and Adam Dunn have the "Ted Williams shift" placed on them, why don't they simply bunt down the 3rd baseline? I realize these guys aren't paid to bunt, but a hit's a hit. No one knocks these guys for taking walks either. Maybe if they had enough bunt singles, followed buy a few 3-run homers, they might start seeing a more traditional defense.

I think one reason is that it is a particular skill to be an effective bunter. Many players aren't real good at it. That doesn't mean they can't work on it and develope it, but it's still not easy when a 90 mph fastball is coming at them. Plus, even if they are decent bunters, there's still probably not a great chance of getting a basehit out of it, since there is still a third baseman and a pitcher, ready to field.

 

Besides that, if a team is shifting around to prevent a dangerous hitter from getting a hit, I'm sure they would love to see that batter bunt. A good hitter doesn't want to hold up a white flag just because teh defense has shifted. It is a challenge to him. Same reason a pitcher doesn't walk a great power hitter everytime he comes up. Professional athletes love the challenge.

[Mephisto 15]

A good hitter doesn't want to hold up a white flag just because teh defense has shifted. It is a challenge to him. Same reason a pitcher doesn't walk a great power hitter everytime he comes up. Professional athletes love the challenge.

 

Since when is bunting in a situation like that "holding up the white flag?"

[NewbieJr 541]

Since when is bunting in a situation like that "holding up the white flag?"

This is a baseball thread. Stick to things you know about.

[BMoney 0]

Big Papi had a great chance right before he was hurt. 7th inning, tie game, Ellsbury on 3rd, 2 outs and the other team is playing the shift. If Papi bunts it down the 3rd base line, the run scores easily and you have a pretty solid chance to win. Instead, he bounces one to the right fielder, er 2nd baseman, for the final out.

 

 

totally agree....

 

my friends and i have had thia argument..they say clean up hitters dont bunt..i say BS...

 

ryan braun doesnt get the shift..but i know he would do it..griffey has done it when he played the brewers...

 

its a gift...if u bunt..you have a base hit..and keep doing it and maybe teams stop doing the shift...even if the bunt is so-so..its going to be a tough throw...

 

but no..they try to hit the ball through 4 guys and end up having to beat a throw thats coming in from right field..maybe its their ego that they cant bunt..maybe they think that would be embarassing..i think getting beat at 1st on a throw from right would be MORE embarrasing if u ask me..

 

anyone can learn to bunt..lot of these guys wear so much gear, there shouldnt be any fear...they are in the cages all season..

 

id LOVE to see a stat on productive outs....i know the brewers are dead last in that area..they dont take whats given to them too often....

 

bunt the ball...bring them in..given them something to think about..then hit it past them...

 

or stay 1 dimensional.....team branyan

[patweisers44 872]

When players like Griffey and Adam Dunn have the "Ted Williams shift" placed on them, why don't they simply bunt down the 3rd baseline? I realize these guys aren't paid to bunt, but a hit's a hit. No one knocks these guys for taking walks either. Maybe if they had enough bunt singles, followed buy a few 3-run homers, they might start seeing a more traditional defense.

just dont do it late in the game if the opposing pitcher is throwing a no-hitter

[kilroy69 1,271]

I think one reason is that it is a particular skill to be an effective bunter. Many players aren't real good at it. That doesn't mean they can't work on it and develope it.

EVERY player should be able to bunt. That is one of the fundamentals of the game. No matter who you are. That being said the reason they are not told to bunt is that people like papi ARE paid to hit and even if he gets on base with a bunt he may be stuck there or may help a double play for the next hitter.Because he is so slow.

[BMoney 0]

EVERY player should be able to bunt. That is one of the fundamentals of the game. No matter who you are. That being said the reason they are not told to bunt is that people like papi ARE paid to hit and even if he gets on base with a bunt he may be stuck there or may help a double play for the next hitter.Because he is so slow.

 

 

he got hit with a pitch 3 weeks ago and gravy poured out...

 

still, he should bunt once in a blue moon...

 

*ever since that idiot guy buried his jersey, papis career has died....like i said...dont fock with karma...papi should pay a visit to that red sox fans cardboard box and pummel him*

[brooksville 0]

Could someone like Ortiz or Frank Thomas even beat out a throw to first on a bunt???

[GobbleDog 1,014]

just dont do it late in the game if the opposing pitcher is throwing a no-hitter

 

This is one of the problems with baseball IMO. Players AND fans seem more concerned with stats than the do wins and losses. Who cares if a guy throws a no-hitter as long they win!?!?! Barry Bonds never seemed to care about the Giants winning a World Series, as long as he got his homeruns.

 

I guess it's obvious why nobody cares about wins and losses when they play 162 games. I thought basketball saturated their sport by playing 82 games, but jeesh... baseball is ridiculous. Where's the suspense? I'm a sportsfan in general, so I'd probably be a HUGE baseball fan if they only played say... 30 games or so. But 162?!?!? Good god. That's a bit too much.

[kilroy69 1,271]

he got hit with a pitch 3 weeks ago and gravy poured out...

HAHAHAHA I love it.

[Patriotsfatboy1 1,433]

totally agree....

 

my friends and i have had thia argument..they say clean up hitters dont bunt..i say BS...

 

ryan braun doesnt get the shift..but i know he would do it..griffey has done it when he played the brewers...

 

its a gift...if u bunt..you have a base hit..and keep doing it and maybe teams stop doing the shift...even if the bunt is so-so..its going to be a tough throw...

 

but no..they try to hit the ball through 4 guys and end up having to beat a throw thats coming in from right field..maybe its their ego that they cant bunt..maybe they think that would be embarassing..i think getting beat at 1st on a throw from right would be MORE embarrasing if u ask me..

 

anyone can learn to bunt..lot of these guys wear so much gear, there shouldnt be any fear...they are in the cages all season..

 

id LOVE to see a stat on productive outs....i know the brewers are dead last in that area..they dont take whats given to them too often....

 

bunt the ball...bring them in..given them something to think about..then hit it past them...

 

or stay 1 dimensional.....team branyan

 

I think that if the situation dictates just a hit or advancing the runner late in the game, you have to have production. In the scenario I gave, it was a no brainer. It was so much so, that the color analyst (Jerry Remy) thought that Ellsbury should steal home because the shift had the 3rd baseman so far off third that he could practically start half way down the line during a full windup.

 

These guys should be able to control the bat enough to get it close to where the 3rd baseman should be. They can beat these out (and they have), so in key situations they should do it. I am not for bunting just to move guys along as it takes you out of big games, but if you have a situation where you are tied or down by 1 late in a game and a base hit will make the difference, I don't see why you can't position a ball down the line and take the shift out of play.

[GobbleDog 1,014]

1. The ump will hold up his arms, which signals time. When the ump is ready, he points at the pitcher. Without that point, there is no pitch. ETA: if the pitcher is on the rubber and there is no time called, then the pitcher can throw it while the batter is taking practice swings. There is nothing against that.

 

LIAR. I've been watching games all weekend and I have yet to see any umpire POINT at anything before the pitch.

 

I think I was right... it's just an "unspoken understanding".

[GobbleDog 1,014]

Another question.... why do all the Boston Red Sox helmets look like they're half melted from a fire?

 

[kilroy69 1,271]

Another question.... why do all the Boston Red Sox helmets look like they're half melted from a fire?

 

They are not melted by fire. Its pine tar.

[GobbleDog 1,014]

They are not melted by fire. Its pine tar.

 

Are you messing with me? Alright, why do they have pine tar on their helmets?

[kilroy69 1,271]

Are you messing with me? Alright, why do they have pine tar on their helmets?

Swear to god. I am not messing with you. Its just one of those things that is done in baseball. If you look at youkilis' helmet you will see it. Its all pine tarred up. A lot of them have had the same batting helmet forever and if you use pine tar a lot it gets EVERYWHERE but everything else gets cleaned. No one ever cleans a batting helmet.

 

Its the same thing as players allowing their hat to get sweat soaked to the point it has salt on it.

[Cdub100 3,996]

Wow... really?

[GobbleDog 1,014]

Swear to god. I am not messing with you. Its just one of those things that is done in baseball.

 

I thought pine tar was only what pitchers (illegally) used. You'd think it would be banned from the field. How exactly does it help batters? What's the benefit? I don't get it.

[kilroy69 1,271]

I thought pine tar was only what pitchers (illegally) used. You'd think it would be banned from the field. How exactly does it help batters? What's the benefit? I don't get it.

Nope. Allthough pine tar is used on occasion by pitchers(see kenny rogers) it is used most for getting a better grip on the bat. A lot of the times the ones you see with a lot of pine tar on their helmet don't wear batting gloves. They slather the pine tar on their helmet so at any time they can reach up and touch their helmet and get a little more on their bat.

 

The infamous pine tar bat of george bretts.

http://www.eteamz.com/WRNABA/images/brett_1.jpg

 

mannys helmet covered in pine tar.

http://i.cnn.net/si/2004/baseball/mlb/04/2...rays.sox_ap.jpg

[supermike80 2,140]

Dood if you are not a baseball fan, these are fine questions..I credit you for asking.

[Patriotsfatboy1 1,433]

LIAR. I've been watching games all weekend and I have yet to see any umpire POINT at anything before the pitch.

 

I think I was right... it's just an "unspoken understanding".

 

Were you at the game? If not, you mean to tell me that you think that TV shows everything that everyone does. Remember, time has to be called.

 

The umpire is also supposed to actually call a ball as well. Just because they are too fat and lazy to actually do so, does not mean that is not the rule.

 

ETA:

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/downloads/y2008/off...all_in_play.pdf

5.11 After the ball is dead, play shall be resumed when the pitcher takes his place on the pitcher’s plate with a new ball or the same ball in his possession and the plate umpire calls “Play.” The plate umpire shall call “Play” as soon as the pitcher takes his place on his plate with the ball in his possession.

[kilroy69 1,271]

Batters are SUPPOSED to keep one foot in the box at all times during the at bat. However like the carry rule in basketball its something that goes unenforced. You see people step out all the time.

[GobbleDog 1,014]

Were you at the game? If not, you mean to tell me that you think that TV shows everything that everyone does. Remember, time has to be called.

 

The umpire is also supposed to actually call a ball as well. Just because they are too fat and lazy to actually do so, does not mean that is not the rule.

 

I watched several games on tv this weekend and never once saw the ump point at a pitcher. Are you saying they really did point before EVERY pitch and I just didn't see it, or they're supposed to do it, but only occassinally do - or only do it when it isn't obvious to everyone that the batter is ready?

[kilroy69 1,271]

Also i don't think they have to point. They can jsy growl. PLAY BALL.

[GobbleDog 1,014]

I'm still not satisfied with yall's answers to question #2.

 

2. When a runner slides into 2nd base, he usually tries to slide into the 2nd baseman to keep him from making a double play. But if he's going to be out anyway, instead of sliding, why not just run at the 2nd baseman upright with arms flailing trying to knock the ball down, or at least get in the way of the throw?

 

I only got three replies answering that question. 1. The runner will get hit in the face/body with the baseball. 2. The runner will be out if he intentionally touches the ball. 3. The runner will get beaned on his next at-bat. So technically, the only penalty is he'd be out. That's it. And the runner to first base would still be safe.

 

So if it's Game 7 of the bottom of the 9th inning of the World Series, 1 out and the team is trailing by 1 run, you're telling me the runner shouldn't do EVERYTHING in his power to stop the 2nd baseman from making a double play? Even if he does successfully stop the ball by knocking it down, the penalty is only an out. If he doesn't do it, the game is over. I can't understand why in that situation he wouldn't try to knock the ball down!?!?!?

[Patriotsfatboy1 1,433]

AlsO i don't think they have to point. They can jsy growl. PLAY BALL.

 

Actually, the umpire will hold his hand up to the pitcher to indicate that the play is still dead. When he is ready, he will point to the pitcher and say "Play". Some umpires will be lazy and only do the point or only say play. Some of it depends on the noise at the time.

[kilroy69 1,271]

If its a taylor made double play and the runner on first does not make an attempt to slide or get out of the way of the ball while going to second the ump could not only call him out but the batter running to first. The reason is that it would be Interference.

 

 

Even if you were right that its good to take one for the team. A ball coming from a 2nd basmen could be coming at your head about the same speed as a fastball to the plate.

[Patriotsfatboy1 1,433]

I'm still not satisfied with yall's answers to question #2.

I only got three replies answering that question. 1. The runner will get hit in the face/body with the baseball. 2. The runner will be out if he intentionally touches the ball. 3. The runner will get beaned on his next at-bat. So technically, the only penalty is he'd be out. That's it. And the runner to first base would still be safe.

 

So if it's Game 7 of the bottom of the 9th inning of the World Series, 1 out and the team is trailing by 1 run, you're telling me the runner shouldn't do EVERYTHING in his power to stop the 2nd baseman from making a double play? Even if he does successfully stop the ball by knocking it down, the penalty is only an out. If he doesn't do it, the game is over. I can't understand why in that situation he wouldn't try to knock the ball down!?!?!?

 

Read what I wrote again. The runner is out and the batter is out due to the runner's interference. Post #8

 

The only thing to add for posty's comments is that a runner cannot get in the way of a fielder when they are throwing to first. That would be interference and both the runner and the batter are out. That is what happens when the player slides into second base and goes out of his way to take out the second baseman.

 

If you want answers to the questions, you might want to actually read them. I guess if you don't read the answers then the questions are, indeed, stupid.

[GobbleDog 1,014]

Also i don't think they have to point. They can jsy growl. PLAY BALL.

See, that's what I'm talking about. There's nothing official that happens. It's kind of an unspoken thing.

 

When I see the batter standing at the plate winding up his bat a few times, I'm keep thinking "quick throw the damn ball while the batter is still in the middle of a wind-up." But no, they always wait for batter to finish winding up and to be fully ready. According to yall, the batter or the ump still has "time" while he's winding up. But nothing official happens when the "time" switches over to the pitcher.

[kilroy69 1,271]

Actually, the umpire will hold his hand up to the pitcher to indicate that the play is still dead. When he is ready, he will point to the pitcher and say "Play". Some umpires will be lazy and only do the point or only say play. Some of it depends on the noise at the time.

Not only that pitchers know when play is dead. And if he tries something like pitching when the play is dead even if the ump did not say its dead its going to

P!ss off the ump and the other team. Which will get the pitchers strike zone adjusted and one of his team mates beaned.

[GobbleDog 1,014]

Read what I wrote again. The runner is out and the batter is out due to the runner's interference.

 

oh.... didn't see that. Well, that clears things up.

[Patriotsfatboy1 1,433]

Not only that pitchers know when play is dead. And if he tries something like pitching when the play is dead even if the ump did not say its dead its going to

P!ss off the ump and the other team. Which will get the pitchers strike zone adjusted and one of his team mates beaned.

 

Not really. It is no pitch. I already gave the rules in section 8 of the MLB rules which indicate that what Gobble is talking about is not within the rules and if he makes an illegal pitch, it is a ball. If the ball is dead, then there can be no pitch or even an illegal pitch.

[mighty_thor 115]

I'm still not satisfied with yall's answers to question #2.

I only got three replies answering that question. 1. The runner will get hit in the face/body with the baseball. 2. The runner will be out if he intentionally touches the ball. 3. The runner will get beaned on his next at-bat. So technically, the only penalty is he'd be out. That's it. And the runner to first base would still be safe.

 

So if it's Game 7 of the bottom of the 9th inning of the World Series, 1 out and the team is trailing by 1 run, you're telling me the runner shouldn't do EVERYTHING in his power to stop the 2nd baseman from making a double play? Even if he does successfully stop the ball by knocking it down, the penalty is only an out. If he doesn't do it, the game is over. I can't understand why in that situation he wouldn't try to knock the ball down!?!?!?

 

If it was ruled he intentionally hit the relay throw the ump would declare both batter and runner out. The same thing as wehn a runner goes way out of his way to slide into a second baseman. the ump can rule interference and call a double play.

 

I remember in little league being taught how to turn a double play. My coach said to throw it right at the runners head if he doesn't get out of the way.

 

Reggie jackson intentionally stuck out his leg to deflect a double play relay in a world series once but it was not called interference. Tommy Lasorda argued it was and the replay shows that Jackson moved his leg slightly to deflect the ball but it was so subtle that the umps missed it.

[GobbleDog 1,014]

If it was ruled he intentionally hit the relay throw the ump would declare both batter and runner out. The same thing as wehn a runner goes way out of his way to slide into a second baseman. the ump can rule interference and call a double play.

 

 

I'm glad you posted that because I started wondering why that wouldn't "runner interference" but intentionally knocking down the ball would be.

 

So, now I know "runner interference" includes those two things, I have to ask.... what about that time when the runner shouted "HA!!!" and distracted the player from catching the ball. Was that technically runner interference too? Or are they legally allowed to do yell - even if it is bush league?

[kilroy69 1,271]

Not really. It is no pitch. I already gave the rules in section 8 of the MLB rules which indicate that what Gobble is talking about is not within the rules and if he makes an illegal pitch, it is a ball. If the ball is dead, then there can be no pitch or even an illegal pitch.

I never said the pitch would count. I said that if a pitcher tried it there would be Consequences and Repercussions from trying it.

[Patriotsfatboy1 1,433]

 

I'm glad you posted that because I started wondering why that wouldn't "runner interference" but intentionally knocking down the ball would be.

 

See post #8. You may want to actually read the responses.