Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Fischer
Most of that 'code' is the lack of skill, and the ego-block.
It's also a strategy thing. 'Manufacturing a run' is considered passé. And they're right; Slugging beats small-ball in general.
But most of the time if they are in an extreme shift and giving you a free bunt single, you would benefit from a good bunt.
|
It's an interesting thing. If teams were shifting in the 50's like today and Willie Mays or Mickey Mantle decided to bunt the other teams to death, their value would drop while their BA rose. The shifting team would be happy not to watch their balls fly out of the park. Guys like Mantle and Mays (and now like Giancarlo Stanton) are getting paid to give the fans the most exciting play in baseball - the home run. I hate the strikeouts, but it's still exciting to know teams like the Yankees, Houston, or Boston are never out of a game.
When I played baseball in high school it was expected every player could move a man from second to third by hitting to the right side, or bunt a man to second.
In a funny way the strikeout can be less deleterious to the team than hitting a grounder for a double play.
Hitters often wait for pitches now. If they don't get "their pitch" they may wind up returning to the bench without ever getting the bat off their shoulder. Baseball will never be the same game it was. I guess you either adapt to change or go to another sport.
