You know the situation: Bases loaded, a lefty or 2 coming up, your righthanded starter's still pitching well, but you need to bring in that lefthanded reliever . Why lose your pitcher for the rest of the game? Why don't they EVER put the starter somewhere else for a batter or 2 and then bring him back to the mound? Yes, you'll lose a position player that way, but it MUST make sense on occasion to do so. And its not like pitchers can't catch a ball.
2007-02-16 04:14:58 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Baseball
I understand the points many are making - risk of injury, lack of experience at other positions, the pitcher is done anyhow if the bases are loaded etc. My point, however, is that there must be times, despite any and all those issues, when it still would make sense, yet you never see it.
2007-02-16 07:00:36 · update #1
That is a good point but I'm not sure if a player can return to a position he vacated. Not to mention if that pitcher loaded the bases he is not pitching well.
2007-02-16 04:22:09 · answer #1 · answered by diggittey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion this would really never make sense. If a pitcher was still going strong the bases wouldn't be loaded, either the hitters were catching up to him, the defense was making errors, or the pitcher was walking batters. In any of these cases there's a need for a change. Now even if the bases weren't loaded you have to think about the fact that the pitchers, even if they practiced the other defensive positions, arn't going to do as well as the guys that play there every game, it's not worth losing a hitter in your line-up and weakening a position. Not to mention pitching takes a lot out of you, and if they came out there's no guarentee that when they come back in later they will do as well. That's why when they have rain delays they usually switch the pitchers; after they've cooled off it's hard to get back into a pitching groove. And finally, if the bullpen can't finish out games and you have to resort to bringing your starter back in, there is a serious need for some trades or something, cause obviously something is not working.
2007-02-16 05:21:51 · answer #2 · answered by Nicki 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think it's more an issue of not wanting to be second guessed. Unfortunately you see it all the time, but look at the 2 possibilities if you do this: 1) It works and you still get questions about "what if your pitcher got hurt, what if a crucial play was hit right to him..." 2) It doesn't work, and then if you're not one of the established managers your job is almost immediately on the line over a not-to-important decision. I think it's a great move personally, given very specific circumstances, but you would have to have a willing and able pitcher and a willing manager.
2007-02-16 10:18:53 · answer #3 · answered by chris s 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's the same short-sighted thinking that makes pitchers, (often their little league/high school teams/ college teams best athlete) into useless hitters in the pros. They're over-protected. God forbid they hurt themselves taking batting practice. The likelihood of a pitcher helping himself with a well-timed hit far exceed the likelihood of a pitcher getting hurt in BP. Afterall, these guys are supposedly well-trained athletes. Let them hit, let them utilize all their abilities. College pitchers play other positions all the time. Back in the 80's at LSU (or was it Miss State ?), Bobby Thigpen batted fifth in the lineup between Will Clark and Rafael Palmeiero. Oh, and he also was their closer. Go all the way back to Babe Ruth you see pitchers who were recognozed for the great athletes they were, and allowed to even encouraged to be complete ballplayers. Think of the roster spots that could be saved if you had releivers who could hit a bit, and be your clubs fifth outfielder.
2007-02-16 12:29:12 · answer #4 · answered by john r 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many valid points out there with which I agree. One point I haven't seen is that the average pitching staff carries 11-12 pitchers. Your position players are at a much higher premium during a game.
2007-02-16 13:30:44 · answer #5 · answered by Greg H 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has happened but not too often, and usually the corner outfielders are power guys or top of the order speed guys and you do not want to lose an important slot like that in the batting order. Minnesota Twin utility player Cesar Tovar played all nine positions in one game in 1966 and struck out Reggie Jackson, also I cant remember who but an Oakland A player played all nine positions a couple years before Tovar did it, I think it was either Joe Rudi or Bert Campaneris.
2007-02-16 05:01:15 · answer #6 · answered by bartleyrose 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If your righthander is pitching well. Then you take your shot with him. The NL has the double switch so you won't see it there. If it ever happens you will see it in the AL now. But in an era of expensive contracts do you want to give another bargaining tool to a player.
2007-02-16 05:19:31 · answer #7 · answered by cwspill 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you are correct. MLB is the only major sport left that the managers refuse to think outside the box. It's ridiculous, but I beleive that it is only a matter of time before owners will refuse to hire managers that use the same game-plan and tactics that have been used for a century. I like the way you think.
2007-02-16 09:22:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There may be an obscure rule against that but I wouldn't do it anyways because I wouldn't want my pitcher getting hurting throwing from a position he's not used to.
2007-02-16 06:01:29 · answer #9 · answered by trombass08 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The chance of a pitcher getting hurt is way to high. running to catch a ball they could pull a hamstring. But I do see your point
2007-02-16 04:21:43 · answer #10 · answered by Chemlab 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋