Thursday, September 21, 2023
Were The Yankees Set Up For Failure To Begin The Season?
Monday, September 18, 2023
Hit-by-pitch (HBP)
Definition
A hit-by-pitch occurs when a batter is struck by a pitched ball without swinging at it. He is awarded first base as a result. Strikes supersede hit-by-pitches, meaning if the umpire rules that the pitch was in the strike zone or that the batter swung, the HBP is nullified.
A batter is awarded a hit-by-pitch, even if the ball only touches a portion of his uniform or protection (helmet, shin guard, etc.).
Most hit-by-pitches are unintentional. They often stem from pitchers trying to throw the ball inside but missing by a few inches. Pitchers will often throw inside to make the hitter wary, so they do not crowd the plate. However, a pitcher may sometimes throw at a hitter intentionally as a form of retaliation. If the home-plate umpire suspects this is the case, he has the right to eject the pitcher (and the manager of the pitching team) from the game.
A hit-by-pitch does not count as a hit, but it does count as a time on base for on-base percentage purposes. Certain hitters -- specifically those who stand very close to the plate -- have a knack for earning HBPs, which can obviously be helpful because the goal of any hitter is to reach base. But hit-by-pitches can also result in injury because most pitches are thrown 80 mph or faster. Per the rules, a batter must make an attempt to avoid being hit by a pitch in order to receive first base.
Pitchers with high HBP totals typically struggle with their control and will also walk a higher-than-normal number of hitters.
In A Call
"plunked," "drilled," "hit batter," "hit batsman"
Learn More, HERE.
Vacaville, CA 95687
Friday, September 15, 2023
Groundout-to-Airout Ratio (GO/AO)
Definition
Groundout-to-airout ratio is obtained by dividing the total number of ground balls converted into outs (not including bunts) by the total number of balls in the air (fly balls and line drives) converted into outs.
For pitchers, GO/AO can often be an indicator of success, because a pitcher generally aims to induce more ground balls than balls in the air (seeing as how these batted balls can turn into the most harmful result of all, a home run). But at the same time, certain pitchers can thrive while still allowing a high percentage of balls in the air, as long as they're inducing weak contact and/or striking out hitters.
For hitters, this number is used much less frequently as an evaluation tool, although speedier hitters typically strive for a higher ratio of ground balls to fly balls. That's because over the course of a season, some would-be groundouts become infield hits for batters who are fast enough to beat the throw.
Learn More, HERE.
Vacaville, CA 95687
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Inside the Most Amazing Ballpark in America! (BYU)
Saturday, September 9, 2023
Ground Into Double Play (GIDP)
Definition
A GIDP occurs when a player hits a ground ball that results in multiple outs on the bases. The most common double plays are ground balls where a forceout is made on the player running from first to second base, then another forceout is made on the batter running to first base.
A GIDP typically occurs on a ground ball that is hit hard and directly at a fielder, although softly hit balls can also result in double plays depending on the speed of the batter running to first base. The MLB leaders in GIDP are typically slower players who hit a high number of ground balls -- often well-struck ground balls.
GIDP can be used to evaluate pitchers as well. For most pitchers, the goal is to keep the ball low in the strike zone, and GIDPs are typically a result of success in that regard. It is often said that double plays are "a pitcher's best friend."
In A Call
"twin killing," "turn two"
Learn More, HERE.
Vacaville, CA 95687