CajunsWin SB Louisiana 10, Northern Iowa 2

[VObserver]

In huge sample sizes as well! Analytics prove that allowing a hitter to swing away, rather than sacrifice bunting, produces more runs. That is a statistical fact. And, that is one reason why the Cajuns have had so much success over the years.

Taking a look at the years, 2004-2024, excluding 2020, the covid year, the Cajuns averaged 16 sacrifice bunts a year. Last year they sacrificed bunted 80 times.

As you well know, I detest the sacrifice bunt except in very limited situations; even then, I believe in bunting for base hits rather than voluntarily giving up an out without getting at least one run in exchange. Also, if a hitter is slapping in every at-bat, the defense only has to defend about 20% of the field. If they are conventional hitters, the defense must defend the entire field. It doesn't take a mathematical genius to figure out that a conventional hitter has a much better chance of successfully bunting for a base hit than does a slapper.

[RaginScotsman]

As you well know, I detest the sacrifice bunt except in very limited situations; even then, I believe in bunting for base hits rather than voluntarily giving up an out without getting at least one run in exchange. Also, if a hitter is slapping in every at-bat, the defense only has to defend about 20% of the field. If they are conventional hitters, the defense must defend the entire field. It doesn't take a mathematical genius to figure out that a conventional hitter has a much better chance of successfully bunting for a base hit than does a slapper.

Good observation. Never thought of the math in that way.

[Turbine]

As you well know, I detest the sacrifice bunt except in very limited situations; even then, I believe in bunting for base hits rather than voluntarily giving up an out without getting at least one run in exchange. Also, if a hitter is slapping in every at-bat, the defense only has to defend about 20% of the field. If they are conventional hitters, the defense must defend the entire field. It doesn't take a mathematical genius to figure out that a conventional hitter has a much better chance of successfully bunting for a base hit than does a slapper.

Wow

Love the math

[VObserver]

The math is inexact, but I don't believe my approximations are very far off.

[CajunSID]

The math is inexact, but I don't believe my approximations are very far off.

Keep hoping one day they will extend the basepaths and get rid of slapping once and for all.

Been needing to make basepath/field changes for years, but obviously change is slow.

[VObserver]

Problem is if you lengthen the basepaths under current rules, stealing bases becomes impossible and if you change the rules and allow leading off, it totally alters the game:

1. Pitchers would have to learn to hold baserunners.
2. Pitchers would have to develop pitches from the stretch.
3. Pitchers would have to learn pickoff moves.
4. Stopping the steal would become nearly impossible

[CajunSID]

Problem is if you lengthen the basepaths under current rules, stealing bases becomes impossible and if you change the rules and allow leading off, it totally alters the game:

1. Pitchers would have to learn to hold baserunners.
2. Pitchers would have to develop pitches from the stretch.
3. Pitchers would have to learn pickoff moves.
4. Stopping the steal would become nearly impossible

Moving the circle back can help with that or changing when they can go (instead of off the release).

I agree it would be a hard change. But I’m that committed to it if it helps get that stupid part of the game out of it…lol.