More Lou Piniella on pitch counts

[NoDak]

I don't know if this has already been posted, but here is some new stuff from Lou on pitch counts.

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070227&content_id=1819061&vkey=spt2007news&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

 

"We've talked to our catchers about getting them out on three or four pitches instead of working the count," Piniella said. "Not too many good things can come from long counts. First of all, you're letting the hitters see all your pitches. Second of all, your infielders aren't going to be as attentive and they're not going to make as many good plays.

 

"Third of all, you have pitch counts and these guys will be out of the game sooner than you'd like to see them," he said. "Fourth of all, you're in running counts all the time, so you're opening up holes for the hitter to hit the ball through. And finally, the manager's not going to be very pleased."

 

I do hope that the pitchers (and batters) listen to this. I would love to see the pitchers get out with 12-14 pitch innings and one 18 pitch inning in a game and have the batters routinely get 16-17 pitch innings with an occassional 35 pitch inning. 8-)

[Mephistopheles]

Meh, trying to get more guys out early in counts also means more guys getting hits.

[RichHillIsABeast]

Meh, trying to get more guys out early in counts also means more guys getting hits.

 

I'd rather have the groundout on 1-3 pitches than the K or BB in 7. Hopefully Z figures that out.

Edited February 28, 2007 by RichHillIsABeast

[Danny82]

Meh, trying to get more guys out early in counts also means more guys getting hits.

 

So, basically people are going to complain no matter which strategy they take?

[biittner77]

Meh, trying to get more guys out early in counts also means more guys getting hits.

 

It also means fewer walks which almost certainly works in the defense's favor.

[CuseCubFan69]

Meh, trying to get more guys out early in counts also means more guys getting hits.

 

It depends on the pitcher and the situations. I think saying stuff like this is obvious because I'd love a 3 pitch inning everytime.

[CoolHandLuke]

I want our pitchers to be more like Steve Nebraska and strike out a lot of guys, just do it on three pitches.