I have been a baseball fan since I was 10 and am now 72. Numbers have never been my friend so stats never big with me.
I didn't quite understand why a player hit a homer and the next batter seemed to get punished by almost getting hit in the head. And homers never quit getting hit. On either side.
So now, past few years, we have been treated to stuff like velocity off the bat after the speed of a pitch. I will not pretend to understand OPS and WAR even after looking them up. I keep up with the pitch count which I think is important. Another woman I text with tells me she has learned so much from me. I have shared the lingo I know like juiced!! And she understands about pitch count too.
So I will keep reading as long as I understand. I don't think stats mattered to my late husband either; he just loved the game.
"is a weak ground ball to second base better than a strikeout?"
Yes, Mark. Yes, it is. Because sometime either the 1st or 2nd baseman muffs it. And sometimes, the player doesn't run it out, which shows us his attitude towards the game.
Just yesterday I saw Andy Pages let an easy single get past him in LF. It did not lead to anyone scoring, amazingly enough. That's just a small part of what CAN happen when the ball's in play.
I've noticed that lately all pitchers seem to have more types of pitches in their arsenal than in the past. Seven or eight compared to three or four in the past.
I have been a baseball fan since I was 10 and am now 72. Numbers have never been my friend so stats never big with me.
I didn't quite understand why a player hit a homer and the next batter seemed to get punished by almost getting hit in the head. And homers never quit getting hit. On either side.
So now, past few years, we have been treated to stuff like velocity off the bat after the speed of a pitch. I will not pretend to understand OPS and WAR even after looking them up. I keep up with the pitch count which I think is important. Another woman I text with tells me she has learned so much from me. I have shared the lingo I know like juiced!! And she understands about pitch count too.
So I will keep reading as long as I understand. I don't think stats mattered to my late husband either; he just loved the game.
Thank you for reading, subscribing, and commenting Barbara. Baseball can be too stat-focused but fans know what they see and like. And don't like!
"is a weak ground ball to second base better than a strikeout?"
Yes, Mark. Yes, it is. Because sometime either the 1st or 2nd baseman muffs it. And sometimes, the player doesn't run it out, which shows us his attitude towards the game.
That is more action than a strikeout even if it's negative action. Thanks for reading and the comment!
Just yesterday I saw Andy Pages let an easy single get past him in LF. It did not lead to anyone scoring, amazingly enough. That's just a small part of what CAN happen when the ball's in play.
I've noticed that lately all pitchers seem to have more types of pitches in their arsenal than in the past. Seven or eight compared to three or four in the past.
True and in some cases like with Mets Tylor Megill he had too many pitches and is learning to use fewer leaving the ones that work the best!