Weekend pitchers

[wcd35]

_ One more thing that I would like to throw out for everyone's thoughts: I am seeing more and more people quote fielding pct- VERY VERY few college teams are going to be able to pitch very well,hit very well and field very well as a team during a season--I happen to think as a matter of importance the order should be: 1.Pitching 2.Hitting 3.Fielding I think you can have a very good team if you can pitch and hit above avg. with a below avg. fielding team-- A prime example is our 05 team which was one of our better teams(48-19)-- Our infield: Dallas Morris-3b- 25 errors with a .886 fielding ; Cockrall/Parker--SS-combined 27 errors .918 Fielding ; Merendino 2b-11 errors .960 fielding % I loved that team, we had above avg. pitching above avg. hitting and below avg. fielding and a great record-- And another thing,no fans were quoting fielding % back then because we were winning _

Absolutely, but we dont have all the pieces, so you have to compensate for bad pitching at times with a mediocre hitter who can field his position near perfectly. Other times, you can afford to have a guy like Will Long in there giving up an error now and then when you know that your pitcher and other teammates can bail you out. Last weekend, we couldn't afford Long's back to back errors and our pitching didn't bail him out so it cost us 5 runs. Its striking that balance that is key, in my opinion.

[CajunAmos]

One more thing that I would like to throw out for everyone's thoughts: I am seeing more and more people quote fielding pct- VERY VERY few college teams are going to be able to pitch very well,hit very well and field very well as a team during a season--I happen to think as a matter of importance the order should be: 1.Pitching 2.Hitting 3.Fielding I think you can have a very good team if you can pitch and hit above avg. with a below avg. fielding team-- A prime example is our 05 team which was one of our better teams(48-19)-- Our infield: Dallas Morris-3b- 25 errors with a .886 fielding ; Cockrall/Parker--SS-combined 27 errors .918 Fielding ; Merendino 2b-11 errors .960 fielding % I loved that team, we had above avg. pitching above avg. hitting and below avg. fielding and a great record-- And another thing,no fans were quoting fielding % back then because we were winning

I agree with you on the issue that our hitting and pitching overcame our fielding, and Tony's mentioned that a number of times this year. The issue is that you can't be a poor fielder and a poor hitter. If Bostic wasn't fielding well, he would be on the bench. The reason Matt was replaced earlier this year was because he wasn't hitting or fielding. You may see Hawkins back as DH since Smith can now play the field again, and Whipple may be at first. This will help defensively without hurting the offense. You'll probably see Keefer catching and Benzel at third, as that's our best combination of hitting and fielding. If Fontenot can't go because of his foot, you may see Bostic move to SS and Hicks at second base. It's been a difficult year with injuries, as well as the inconsistant hitting and pitching.

[2 ul 0105]

_ Other times, you can afford to have a guy like Will Long in there giving up an error now and then

Man you are kind.....you mean you can afford an error EVERY OTHER GROUND BALL HIT TO HIM. I think I may be giving him the benefit of the doubt there as well.

Sorry, I have just had enough of him.

[CajunProud]

_ Absolutely, but we dont have all the pieces, so you have to compensate for bad pitching at times with a mediocre hitter who can field his position near perfectly. Other times, you can afford to have a guy like Will Long in there giving up an error now and then when you know that your pitcher and other teammates can bail you out. Last weekend, we couldn't afford Long's back to back errors and our pitching didn't bail him out so it cost us 5 runs. Its striking that balance that is key, in my opinion. _

I tend to agree with you. The sad thing though, is that the program has sunk to the level that this is one of the options we have to serously consider.