I knew the pitching would be suspect. But what I didn't expect was just how bad our strike zone judgment is with our hitters. I don't get too worked up about a strike out swinging, at least they tried. But watching strike three across the plate just kills me. Another thing is our lack of power hitting. I thought we would be better with that. Oh well, still waiting for Cohen to get his guys in there.
I think I figured out what has bothered me this season in baseball...
- Thread starter msudogsrule01
- Start date
I don't remember and I am too depressed to look it up. But still, what happened to protecting the plate with two strikes?
around pissed at a call, then watches strike 3 sail down the middle on the very next pitch. And on the power issue, I thought maybe the new weight lifting and such would make a difference but when you can't hit, it just doesn't matter. Cohen's not helping his cause either with at least 4 runners lost on the bases each game. I mean, dear God, just be thankful one of these assclowns gets on base.
strike zone judgement is one of those things that's very difficult to teach. A lot of it is a "loft" issue- (lack of <17> talent).
....Polkester Croom had them looking at strike threes because he was "working the pitch count", which was fine in the 1970's when college teams usually had 1-2 good pitchers while the rest were Linebackers staying in shape for football season, but stinks now that most colleges take baseball seriously.
What I don't understand is Cohen's teams looking meekly at strike three and quietly walking back to the dugout. When you have two strikes on you, you defend the plate and swing at anything that even remotely looks close.
What I don't understand is Cohen's teams looking meekly at strike three and quietly walking back to the dugout. When you have two strikes on you, you defend the plate and swing at anything that even remotely looks close.
We lead the league in sac's and third strike watches are low. Atleast we are swinging instead of looking. Jett Butler swings at EVERY 1st pitch ( Pold cardinal sin) and when we do K, we usually are swinging. JC has them with the "close, swing" attitude. Where Polk was a take attitude. Of course, we lead in HBP too. I am still oving the steal 3d that JC has instilled. so what we have been busted ore often than not. Later in the year, it will pay off. Like today.
we lead the SEC in strikeouts (and not in the good way, but batting - we're 11th in pitching strikeouts). I don't know how many of those are watching vs. swinging, but either way it ain't good.
Edit to add: We are virtually averaging a strikout per inning (212 strikeouts in 222.7 innings)
Edit to add: We are virtually averaging a strikout per inning (212 strikeouts in 222.7 innings)
i'm not trying to blame this on anyone. we hit georgia well. i wasn't impressed with their pitching. there are endless justifications, nuances, and excuses for the watched third strikes. i don't care to get into them. all i'm saying is that we're watching third strikes a lot. i'll see how it plays out.
...and what that does,is, puts it in the pitchers mind that we are gonna be aggressive. No, it hasnt taken yet, but give it a few more weeks and it will. Hoage (still cant spell it) was 4-4 and lead off 4 times tosay. He/cohen were toying with the pitcher abd we won every time (not counting the pik at 1st). cohens style was accountable for 7 runs today.
i'm in no way complaining about the coaching. our teams have looked much more competitive. i think we have a shot as the sec tournament or ncaa tournament even this year. i expect that he'll keep us there consistently in the future.
"we werent seeing anything close to what the #1 and #9 teams in the nation were throwing at us?"
Well, in practice you don't throw your best pitchers during BP. Maybe in a scrimmage game pre-season. Anyway, your point remains though. Baseball relies on talent matchups more than anyother sport. It comes down to the guy on the mound vs the guy in the box. It is as simple as that. When you got a dominate pitcher, you can beat any team. When you got a line up full of average to below average hitters vs very good pitchers. You will have alot of strike outs and few home runs.
(note: i quick reply because the damn page would not load right. I know to reply to a particular post. Also, this site has been slow lately and the reply page not loading is getting more and more common.
Well, in practice you don't throw your best pitchers during BP. Maybe in a scrimmage game pre-season. Anyway, your point remains though. Baseball relies on talent matchups more than anyother sport. It comes down to the guy on the mound vs the guy in the box. It is as simple as that. When you got a dominate pitcher, you can beat any team. When you got a line up full of average to below average hitters vs very good pitchers. You will have alot of strike outs and few home runs.
(note: i quick reply because the damn page would not load right. I know to reply to a particular post. Also, this site has been slow lately and the reply page not loading is getting more and more common.