pfister1
2023-24 Iggy Winner ACC & OOC Record
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I always think this is an interesting debate. Defense puts the shift on against a left handed hitter. Why does that hitter seem to ignore the defensive alignment and blast away at the right side of the field?
This article has some interesting perspectives from Daniel Murphy and Matt Carpenter ESPN where they seem to make two basic arguments (i) we are basically incapable of hitting directionally and either bunting or hitting the ball on the ground to the left side or (ii) we don't think our teammates can string two hits together behind us to make it worthwhile to give up trying to drive the ball for an extra base hit and instead shoot for a single against the shift. The argument kind of assumes that the defense doesn't care whether it gets the lefty out, it would be happy giving up an opposite side ground ball hit and avoid the risk of an extra base hit.
Does anyone buy the argument that seems to be starting to circulate that the shift is an "unfair" tactic that should be outlawed or legislated out of fashion?? I am a "deploy the fielders anywhere on the field you want" kind of guy.
This article has some interesting perspectives from Daniel Murphy and Matt Carpenter ESPN where they seem to make two basic arguments (i) we are basically incapable of hitting directionally and either bunting or hitting the ball on the ground to the left side or (ii) we don't think our teammates can string two hits together behind us to make it worthwhile to give up trying to drive the ball for an extra base hit and instead shoot for a single against the shift. The argument kind of assumes that the defense doesn't care whether it gets the lefty out, it would be happy giving up an opposite side ground ball hit and avoid the risk of an extra base hit.
Does anyone buy the argument that seems to be starting to circulate that the shift is an "unfair" tactic that should be outlawed or legislated out of fashion?? I am a "deploy the fielders anywhere on the field you want" kind of guy.