3rd Round Playoff Scores

Great honor but so many missed changes for the great one's

No I am not asking for rule changes or strategy changes. It is what it is. I have seen the studs walked from Little League even with a team having a 7 run lead in the last inning to Barry Bonds walked with the bases loaded. Nothing can be done about it!

All I am saying is it is a shame that it is what it is.

 

Putting the winning run on base when you are 1 out away from victory is pretty much widely considered completely against the book. The only way that kid can beat you is with a homerun, but if you put him on base the next kid can beat you just by hitting one in the gap or down the line.

Here's a question for you and I'd be interested to see your answer to it. 2-part question: 1) In the past 5 years, who was the best opposing hitter in your conference each year? 2) Would you have intentionally walked those 5 individuals in that situation?

 

They're Called Studs For a Reason!

There are no secrets anymore about a players ability. A studs reputation usually precedes them every game they play in. These guys have built that reputation with being pitched to along the way, and inflicting some damage with those pitches. So lets don't feel too sorry about these guys being intentionally walked in a big playoff game. It's a strategy move by the opposing coach. Stud comes up to hit, and 1st base is open, I'd probadly intentionally walk him and take my chances with the next guy also. I might try getting him to swing at a bad pitch or two, but wouldn't give him anything good in the strike zone. 1st base open, why chance it?

 

why does everyone in all sports bring up a play in the last inning(or play) that cost a team the game. I guess they just remember that one because it cost them a game but there are alot more plays before the last inning or play. I have never thought a play at the end cost teams games.....maybe in some situations. IMO

I've seen football games where teams fumble at the goal line during the game and end up with a pass int. in OT to lose...everyone blame the QB or coach on THAT play for the loss when other plays during the game were key but not remembered...IMO

 

Can confirm that the guy they walked had 13 hr, but the 2 guy has 10 and the 4 hitter that was pitched too has 10 so its hard to pitch around one guy. He did have a double and hr so he was having a good game at the plate.

 

Hitters that come to mind were Kellam from Southwest, Fultz from Ragsdale, Blake from Reagan, and still Watts from East Forsyth. Though I can not speak to the absolute particular situation in question for Mallard Creek, I can say that I Intentionally walked each and EVERY one of these aforementioned hitters in various games, at various times. Watts I think 2-3 times last season in two different games. I look at who is up. How dangerous is he? Who is up next? How dangerous is he? Also, what have both done that night. I would say that I IW 6-8 batters a year, sometimes one guy 2-3. I say "I" because it is my decision and it does tend to drive my pitching coach crazy! He is a "book" guy. I would add that at that estimated rate (an estimated 40-50 over 7 years) only maybe 3-4 times has it gone against us and the IW batter ended up scoring. I can only think of ONE time it could have been linked to our losing. A few times damage was already done and it had no more bearing on the game.

In case I didn't answer your question yet, YES, I may well have walked them in this situation. Call me crazy - but, uh, you'll have to wait in a little bit of a line.

Hey, it all depends on the guy up next and the "feel", which I hope is The Holy Spirit - now that is gonna raise some eye brows here I'm sure!

And AGAIN, if the next play is made, I look like a genius. If that happens, take a picture!

 

The Golden Rule

You never put the winning run on if you are the visiting team. If the hitter hits it out then he hits it out but make him earn it.If I am the home team then I might think about it even though thats against coaching101.You know the old guys who use these rules have been coaching a long time. I do agree that one play or mistake at the end of a game does not beat you.Im not putting down any coaches decision just my thoughts.

 

Good point about differentiating between being visitor vs home. I can admit that I had never considered that in influencing my decision. Whether or not we get to bat once more after the IW and whatever events follow is important. Now I can say I have learned something in all this.

 

The end of this game has been analyzed pretty good, but one thing I've gotta say is the particulars seem to change w/ each posting. What started out as the tying run on 2nd base w/ 1st open, turned into the tying run on 3rd w/ 1st open. You know what I mean? Anyway, I haven't seen a boxscore anywhere about the game, and don't know how the pitchers did individually, but there's alot we don't know unless we were at the game. For instance, T.C. Roberson's Alex Ledford just set a Western North Carolina record for RBI's in a season & has 14 homeruns on the year. Is this the player that was intentionally walked? Thru the various postings, it's also been said that some more players hit homers in the game. Let's face it, there were 21 runs tallied in this game & who can tell me how many hits, walks, and errors.. Overall, the pitchers weren't having a stellar showing. I would imagine coaching strategy was taking all of this into consideration. With the tying run 90 feet away & Mallard Creek clinging to a 10-9 lead w/ 2 outs, I'm thinking that the coach was going for the win right there. Setting up an easier force play if necessary, & maybe liking his odds against the next batter in the order.

 

I agree with karlrocket and one additional point is that "the book" starts with Chapter one which is don't let the other teams best player beat you. That is true from little league to the majors. IF the stud was at the plate it is a no brainer to walk him.

This as with most coaching moves makes one look like a genuis if it works and a goat if it doesn't, can't analyze the move once the results are known, have to put you self in the place of the decision maker at the time the decision has to be made.