MLB Off-Topic

[kehlis]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I wasn't sure what you were implying.

Okay, you caught me.

I was implying that hitters should be encouraged to strikeout because that makes the most sense in the world.



Are you being serious? What else could I be implying aside from pitchers wouldn't be discouraged from striking out.

[kehlis]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I just saw this edit and Blzers post.

EDIT: Think you're referring to any type of corrective action by MLB.

I would presume that MLB holds the stance that the more balls in play, the better the product on the field is as it increase entertainment for its paying fans. I recall when pitchers had these substantially low ERAs a couple of years ago that there was talk of possibly lowering the mound again or updating the strike zone...the recent spike in HRs since then has subsided those conversations though.

I think he's saying "Strikeouts will not fall under the 'discouraged' column for the sport of baseball," as in the sport is not trying to reduce the number of strikeouts if it means outs are created as a result.

Guys, I'm not saying anything secretive.

I'm not mincing words nor do I care about how the perceived "on the field perception" is.

I like the game of baseball as is. I have no hand in how the MLB handles their off field affairs nor do I care, not sure why that was even brought up.


Speedy said in a post that the MLB isn't doing anything about the increase in strikeouts and I attempted to point out how ludicrous that is. Nothing more.

Strikeouts are and will always be a part of them game and of the many things that turn fans away from the game, the strikeout is probably last on the list. I still have no idea why it was even brought up to begin with.

[Speedy]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Speedy said in a post that the MLB isn't doing anything about the increase in strikeouts and I attempted to point out how ludicrous that is.

How is it ludicrous? Baseball has been around for 100+ years yet for the 11th straight year, MLB has set a record for the most strikeouts in a single year. 21% of all outs this year were a strikeout (17.5% in 2008).

I will stipulate that it isn't necessarily MLB's fault but rather, as I said at the start, it's the mindset of this generation of hitters and in part, likely the increased velocity pitchers throw with now. There are ideas/changes that, while Manfred wants to use it to increase the play of the game, will have a positive effect on the hitter (strike zone changes, limits on relief pitchers, even a pitch clock).

Also...regarding the strike zone - I forgot. MLB is wanting to raise the strike zone again back to the top of the knees (I believe it's still pending MLBPA approval to implement in 2017, along with no IBBs).

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/15633876/mlb-competition-committee-agrees-changes-strike-zone-intentional-walks

[kehlis]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

How is it ludicrous? Baseball has been around for 100+ years yet for the 11th straight year, MLB has set a record for the most strikeouts in a single year. 21% of all outs this year were a strikeout (17.5% in 2008).

I will stipulate that it isn't necessarily MLB's fault but rather, as I said at the start, it's the mindset of this generation of hitters and in part, likely the increased velocity pitchers throw with now. There are ideas/changes that, while Manfred wants to use it to increase the play of the game, will have a positive effect on the hitter (strike zone changes, limits on relief pitchers, even a pitch clock).

Also...regarding the strike zone - I forgot. MLB is wanting to raise the strike zone again back to the top of the knees (I believe it's still pending MLBPA approval to implement in 2017, along with no IBBs).

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/1...entional-walks

So would you like to see them make the MLB make pitchers get a fourth strike for a strikeout?

That's really the only thing that will get us less strikeouts.

[Speedy]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

So would you like to see them make the MLB make pitchers get a fourth strike for a strikeout?

That's really the only thing that will get us less strikeouts.

....ok, kehlis.

[Money99]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

[Blzer]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Guys, I'm not saying anything secretive.

I'm not mincing words nor do I care about how the perceived "on the field perception" is.

I like the game of baseball as is. I have no hand in how the MLB handles their off field affairs nor do I care, not sure why that was even brought up.


Speedy said in a post that the MLB isn't doing anything about the increase in strikeouts and I attempted to point out how ludicrous that is. Nothing more.

Strikeouts are and will always be a part of them game and of the many things that turn fans away from the game, the strikeout is probably last on the list. I still have no idea why it was even brought up to begin with.

I didn't think you were saying anything secretive. I think I said exactly what you just said. At least, when I read what you just put right here I completely understood it as that the first time. I just didn't have a way of putting it.

[SPTO]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

This thread went from fun to the sports equivalent of a policy think tank full of wonks LOL

I will add something that's tangentially related to the thread though in regards to strikeouts. I'm a bit a bit burnt out on the philosophy that strikeouts don't matter. To a certain extent I can understand that but I come from the thinking that anything can happen if you put the ball in play. Try to make some CONTACT damnit! Who knows, you might force teams with weak defense to make some bad plays.

[Blzer]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I will add something that's tangentially related to the thread though in regards to strikeouts. I'm a bit a bit burnt out on the philosophy that strikeouts don't matter. To a certain extent I can understand that but I come from the thinking that anything can happen if you put the ball in play. Try to make some CONTACT damnit! Who knows, you might force teams with weak defense to make some bad plays.

Okay, I'll play.

I agree that in hindsight, if a batter strikes out with nobody on base, you can't just say, "It would be the same thing as a ground out." While that's true and all, we can't just naturally assume that a ball in play will result in an out just because the guy got out to begin with. Stupid logical fallacy there.

However, I like my lead-off hitter who is not afraid of working deep counts and risking a possible strikeout either by taking one off the plate for a call or getting into a two-strike hole because he's looking for his best chance to get on base via solid contact or a walk. That was my lead-off hitting philosophy, anyway: get a good pitch to hit. If a lead-off hitter strikes out to begin a ballgame with this philosophy, given that BABIP is not greater than .500, I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt that sacrificing something else for that contact probably would not have helped them that much.

Now, if they have mechanical issues or watched good strikes go by, then I have a problem with that. But if the count was 1-2 and a changeup goes underneath the strike zone but is called strike three, I say the lead-off hitter wasn't in the wrong at all. Best case scenario is likely a single, and I reckon the odds are not only plenty small, but if the pitch is called a ball then you have a new pitch to play with afterward.

That's speaking about a lead-off hitter, though. I don't believe other hitters serve this role, therefore I cannot say the same about other hitters doing the same thing necessarily, especially with runners on base and outs can be significantly more productive. But you're right: anything can happen when the ball is put into play.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

If I knew a non-baseball fan who wanted to learn more about the game, the first thing I'd do is make sure he or she stayed far away from this thread.

Let me just quote this post.

We really need an off off topic thread or something, lol.

[Jr.]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

This thread went from fun to the sports equivalent of a policy think tank full of wonks LOL

I will add something that's tangentially related to the thread though in regards to strikeouts. I'm a bit a bit burnt out on the philosophy that strikeouts don't matter. To a certain extent I can understand that but I come from the thinking that anything can happen if you put the ball in play. Try to make some CONTACT damnit! Who knows, you might force teams with weak defense to make some bad plays.

With certain hitters, I'd rather have them strike out while trying to do damage on their swing, than cut down their swing just to make contact. Now, if there is a runner on 3rd with less than 2 outs, by all means cut down and put the ball in play. But if I have Chris Davis/David Ortiz/Anthony Rizzo/etc. up, I don't want him just trying to get on base when he swings; I want him trying to drive the ball. If he happens to strike out in that process, I'm okay with that.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Not many pitchers pitch to contact anymore. Watching Kyle Hendricks is a breath of fresh air. Guy dominated tonight and got Dodger hitters to do exactly what he wanted them to do. It was masterful.

I don't agree that strikeouts are no big deal, but it's a sign of super streaky play and I guess watching the Braves with losers like BJ Upton, Jason Heyward, Justin Upton, Dan Uggla and whatever other whiff machines they've had over the last few years has me fed up with strikeouts. But the way the game is now, you end up with a ton of strikeouts.

[fugazi]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

^I'm with you...pitching to contact seems to be out of fashion.

I hate seeing pitchers fall behind or give up walks after starting out 0-2 or 1-2 because they are more concerned about staying away from the plate.

Go after the hitter...throw strikes...force them to swing the bat with two strikes...most of the time they will fail...especially if you got a strong set of gloves behind you.

[redsox4evur]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

David Ortiz and Kris Bryant named the Hank Aaron Award winners for best offensive players in the AL and NL respectively. So David Ortiz retires as the best offensive player in the AL.


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[Speedy]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

PNC Park is removing the dirt path between the dugouts and home plate.

https://twitter.com/MASNOriolez/status/791737971020029952

Spoiler

I don't like this decision at all.