Can I get a little help from a National Leaguer?

[jtexas]

Since we don't play a lot of "small ball" in the AL, can somebody please explain the difference between a "squeeze play" and a "suicide squeeze?"<br /><br />thanks,<br />jtw

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Can I get a little help from a National Leaguer?

If the runner on third commits to running home before seeing if the hitter successfully bunts the ball, it's a suicide squeeze. If the runner makes sure that the ball is bunted and safely lands on the ground before running, it's a safety squeeze. If the runner waits for the bunt but does not wait to see if it's caught, it's simply a squeeze.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Can I get a little help from a National Leaguer?

thanks - that's just one of the subleties we miss out on by having a DH. Personally I'm not convinced that the additional powerhitting makes the game more exciting.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Can I get a little help from a National Leaguer?

jt, I think the DH takes a lot of the "management" out of the game - what do you do if your pitcher is hot, but the bases are loaded, 2 outs, and the pitcher is up? No prob with the Dh, but a little different without! Lot of other things to think about when the pitcher has to play offense also.

 

[PatPatterson]

Re: Can I get a little help from a National Leaguer?

I am a Texas Ranger Fan, American League, but I wish they would abolish and outlaw the DH. The pitcher is a player, and all players should hit.<br /><br />The manager should have to manage.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Can I get a little help from a National Leaguer?

Exactly. Add power to the lineup, makes you less willing to take risks running the bases, stealing, bunting, etc. And you don't have to worry about the trade-off between power at the plate and, say, speed in the outfield.<br /><br />Interesting that in baseball, the highlight films are full of home runs - essentially a ball in flight and a guy taking a victory lap.

 

[JB]

Re: Can I get a little help from a National Leaguer?

Yes. <br /><br />Bring back pitchers who can hit; guys like Drysedale and Fergie Jenkins.

 

[tylerin]

Re: Can I get a little help from a National Leaguer?

It doesn't matter to me if the pitcher hits or not, what does matter is the managing skills it takes to subsitute around a pitcher. The pitcher in the NL bats last but by the end of the game he might be in the 5th position by way of double substitutions. If you need a run in the later innings and you have a pitcher on deck but he's pitching great what do you do. This is the part of the game I would miss if I was an AL fan. To me its a big advantage NL has in the Series at home.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Can I get a little help from a National Leaguer?

And Tom Glavine, JB.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Can I get a little help from a National Leaguer?

and how about Babe Ruth?