Gerald Perry to Be Cubs Hitting Coach

[VanceJergins]

I'd agree in most situations. But situations such as having a runner on third with less than 2 outs, with 2 strikes I think you have to just focus on getting the ball in play.

 

Just putting it in play should never be the focus. I think the focus can be more on hitting it far in the air, but unless the defense is conceding the run, and/or the runner on 3rd is fast, putting it in play might not help much at all. Putting it in play, to me, just means making easy outs. They need to put some authority behind their swing. At 2 strikes you can't be as picky, but you also can't just slap at anything that comes up there.

 

Yeah, I was thinking along the lines of a situation where basically any contact will score the runner, such as the defense conceding the run. If they're playing in, then its probably different. Also if the game's not very close, it might be better to play for the big inning.

 

I should have put more thought into my post.

[Radar3454]

I'd agree in most situations. But situations such as having a runner on third with less than 2 outs, with 2 strikes I think you have to just focus on getting the ball in play.

 

Just putting it in play should never be the focus. I think the focus can be more on hitting it far in the air, but unless the defense is conceding the run, and/or the runner on 3rd is fast, putting it in play might not help much at all. Putting it in play, to me, just means making easy outs. They need to put some authority behind their swing. At 2 strikes you can't be as picky, but you also can't just slap at anything that comes up there.

 

I am suprised by the responses and it may be b/c I was not clear. I think most borderline pitches can be hit well and your approach w/ 2 strikes cannot be to still to look for a pitch in a certain zone.

[goonys evil twin]

I'd agree in most situations. But situations such as having a runner on third with less than 2 outs, with 2 strikes I think you have to just focus on getting the ball in play.

 

Just putting it in play should never be the focus. I think the focus can be more on hitting it far in the air, but unless the defense is conceding the run, and/or the runner on 3rd is fast, putting it in play might not help much at all. Putting it in play, to me, just means making easy outs. They need to put some authority behind their swing. At 2 strikes you can't be as picky, but you also can't just slap at anything that comes up there.

 

I am suprised by the responses and it may be b/c I was not clear. I think most borderline pitches can be hit well and your approach w/ 2 strikes cannot be to still to look for a pitch in a certain zone.

 

I think it should, but the zone would just be bigger.

[Slugger_16]

This has probably bumped my previous favorite thing to happen this offseason to number 2. what used to be number 1 you ask?

 

Michael Barrett's new beard.

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/images/2006/11/08/go5Q3tXw.jpg

How great would it be if he showed up on opening day with a full out lumberjack beard?

 

Noooooo! Barrett was hot before the beard. He needs to shave that.