The Case Against Small Ball

[CajunVic]

That's hilarious! In Major League baseball, most teams attempt less than 10 sacrifice bunts in a 162 game season.

So try again.

HILARIOUS - Like I said - the difference is that not even the best teams have even one player in their lineup who will be IN THE LINEUP for one of the 30 major league - but you do you - but I suggest you probably should not give up your day job for a role on Comedy Central

[Turbine]

....the difference is that not even the best teams have even one player in their lineup who will be IN THE LINEUP for one of the 30 major league - but you do you ...

Your stance dejour goes against using good batting average players to bunt.

[CajunVic]

Your stance dejour goes against using good batting average players to bunt.

every single baseball and softball coach in the world strategically uses the bunt

I guess you intentionally ignored the word “strategically” - but par for the course when one allows a self inflicted bias to govern a posting pattern

[RoarMan]

HILARIOUS - Like I said - the difference is that not even the best teams have even one player in their lineup who will be IN THE LINEUP for one of the 30 major league - but you do you - but I suggest you probably should not give up your day job for a role on Comedy Central

I don't have a day job.

[Turbine]

I guess you intentionally ignored the word “strategically” - but par for the course when one allows a self inflicted bias to govern a posting pattern

"strategic" 'use' is a valid and true point on your part.

Your implied comparisons between UL talent and MLB talant as an excuse to throw away strategy doesn't make sense

[CajunVic]

"strategic" 'use' is a valid and true point on your part.

Your implied comparisons between UL talent and MLB talant as an excuse to throw away strategy doesn't make sense

you call it an excuse, I call it reality - when one ignores reality it makes for a false and idiotic result and analysis - your beef should be with the one who posits that strategy and when or if to bunt to advance players is the same in the decision process for a coach in the Major League's is similar to a that of a college coach, high school coach or weekend travel ball coach when we all know that the capabilities of those the actual lineups are very much different

[Turbine]

you call it an excuse, I call it reality - when one ignores reality it makes for a false and idiotic result and analysis - your beef should be with the one who posits that strategy and when or if to bunt to advance players is the same in the decision process for a coach in the Major League's is similar to a that of a college coach, high school coach or weekend travel ball coach when we all know that the capabilities of those the actual lineups are very much different

The reality is, with UL some of the best hitters are called on to bunt.

This directly contradicts your disconnected MLB corollary

[ridinsuicide]

Last couple of things I would like to mention......

Keep in mind, the title of this thread is "The case against small ball" and I'm just trying to give a different view / perspective.

To your point JMV, there have been bunt attempts that I didn't understand as well. Including the couple of scenarios you mentioned in a previous response. However, can anyone on this board say without doubt that the player didn't choose the bunt attempt on their own? Maybe read something in the defense and trying to make something happen, didn't feel confident with their matchup vs the pitcher they were facing, etc.? I am not saying that was the case, but may be possible. I'm just not sure that in any instance those attempts (be it successful or not) changed any outcomes. Meaning, although some (maybe many) scratched their heads I don't think it warrants such frustrations and annoyance that it is causing some, other than just a personal dislike to a certain coaching style / philosophy.


Also as I have stated earlier in my very limited action on here, using "season averages" and "stats" to prove a point or drive home a narrative is flawed and subjective at best. My logic is simply this, I have read about the .300+ averages being allowed to hit and drive in runs for big innings. What are those same averages vs. elite pitching, in big moments of high pressure situations. Nothing against those young ladies (I have coached several and wish every one of them success) but I would think the reality of it is the numbers go way down, hence creating an even higher run probability for the strategic bunt vs. the "big inning".

I am also far from a stats expert but I can almost guarantee that the "big inning" and batting averages diminish significantly against elite pitching. Maybe VO can get us some numbers based on that criteria. I may actually be shocked and learn something new, but then again what is considered "elite" pitching becomes somewhat subjective. LOL

[Turbine]

Those are good points or possibilites ridinsuicide

[MarlinMan3]

Your stance dejour goes against using good batting average players to bunt.

Batting average is unchanged after a successful sacrifice bunt