Andy

I just think it's interesting that bunts and the hit-and-run are "useless." In the vast majority of circumstances, they are pretty much useless. Bunts can be good. Guys who bunt for hits can be really effective at getting on base, can draw in the infielders, and so on. I think very few guys in baseball should do that with any regularity, but in that context, it can be highly effective. The same goes for the suicide squeeze and sacrifice bunts in general. If you only need one run to tie or win, that's a good approach to take. Also, pitchers who are terrible hitters often do more by bunting than they would by swinging. The problem the majority of people have with bunting is that it is counter-productive a lot of the time. Sacrifice bunts have a few problems with them. Basically speaking, you are taking the bat out of the hands of a hitter (even if he is Neifi-level bad), sacrificing an out to move a runner over one base, are only marginally increasing the likelihood that a runner will score, and reducing the scoring opportunities you could have in that inning by sacrificing that out. Plus, there is always the possibility of ending up with a runner on first and one out because a guy somehow screwed up the bunt. You want your offense to score as many runs as possible, which means giving your hitters the most opportunities to get on base. I have a huge problem with the hit & run. It might seemingly make sense in certain circumstances (slow runner at first, likely double play candidate, etc), but it is really, really stupid. You are operating under the assumption that the hitter will make contact with a pitch in such a way that the lead runner will not be thrown out. However, as we have seen so many times over these past years, guys will almost inevitably swing at a really bad pitch on a hit and run. At best, the guy fouls off the pitch. At worst, it's a strike 'em out, throw 'em out and you just wasted two outs. It does not succeed often enough to justify implementing it on even a remotely regular basis. Why is there even any problem with that approach? If a manager makes sure his players can effectively hit, field, and pitch while creating favorable matchups and keeping everyone healthy, isn't that a good thing? In most cases, yes. See, I knew O_O was going to be on my side and explain it better, otherwise I probably wouldn't have started the discussion to begin with. :D

Speaking of Ball St, a friend of mine who goes to NIU came across this article last night: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061020/SPORTS/610200466/-1/ZONES04 I thought the NCAA got rid of the 15K attendance policy, but I guess that's not the case. Not only does Ball St. seem to be in trouble, but about half of the conference (I think something like 3/4's of the conference this year) can't draw 15K to a game. The only teams that can easily outdraw 15K a game are NIU and Toledo. Central Michigan, the best team in the MAC West, only had 11K at their game against Bowling Green a few nights ago. The whole conference is basically screwed if the NCAA enforces this policy. And that is a load of crap because we have had really crappy weather at 2 of the BSU home games which diminished attendane. And what's Eastern Michigan supposed to do about the fact that Michigan Stadium is EIGHT MILES UP THE SAME ROAD? That attendance policy is absolute BS.

Why? He's made comments intimating that he's a huge fan of (in so many words anyway) Ozzieball. Bunting, hit-and-running, other completely useless things that managers do to make themselves look smart. Ah. And what exactly is the superior method of managing? Not telling your players to give away outs or run into outs? So, no stolen bases, then? Just out of curiosity, what if a player hits a frozen rope into the outfield? Should he settle for standing on first, or "run into an out" by trying for second? Does the superior managerial strategy call for hitters to try for drawing walks, try to get hits, and nothing more? You exaggerate my opinion. Players should use their better judgment and follow the coaches' advice on where to run. As for the stolen base thing...all well and good, although a "permanent green light" for Juan Pierre may or may not have been a good plan.

Why? He's made comments intimating that he's a huge fan of (in so many words anyway) Ozzieball. Bunting, hit-and-running, other completely useless things that managers do to make themselves look smart. Ah. And what exactly is the superior method of managing? Not telling your players to give away outs or run into outs?

Whoa, the Bulls' website is redesigned. Looks sharp.

Why? He's made comments intimating that he's a huge fan of (in so many words anyway) Ozzieball. Bunting, hit-and-running, other completely useless things that managers do to make themselves look smart.

You are quite wrong on all of your assumptions. Only if you count Little League to be "baseball experience." :lol: Dusty Baker: Lots of baseball experience Tim McCarver: Lots of baseball experience John Kruk: Lots of baseball experience Tino Martinez: Lots of baseball experience Joe Morgan: Lots of baseball experience Steve Phillips: Lots of baseball experience Hawk Harrelson: Lots of baseball experience We're not talking about offensive strategy or offensive vs. defensive value. We're talking about how to play CF. I don't believe anyone said "I can play CF better than Juan Pierre."

You are quite wrong on all of your assumptions. Only if you count Little League to be "baseball experience." :lol: Dusty Baker: Lots of baseball experience Tim McCarver: Lots of baseball experience John Kruk: Lots of baseball experience Tino Martinez: Lots of baseball experience Joe Morgan: Lots of baseball experience Steve Phillips: Lots of baseball experience Hawk Harrelson: Lots of baseball experience

How can people keep pushing Borat when it doesn't even come out until November 2? I think he mentioned he had seen it in some sort of advance screening in some other post.

Two Ball State freshmen players were arrested and are still in jail on charges of stealing laptops. One, Eulas Taylor, had played some DB for us this year, and the other, Brandon Houston, hasn't played any meaningful time. Both are suspended indefinitely but I suspect they will end up off the team.

You're just afraid that a rag tag pitching staff will keep Hendry from signing Mussina.... :D Then again, a STL win will mean more guys like Weaver. yuk, but did you see the catch that edmonds made in game 4? Chix4Free. Fixed

When he put on that Jersey. I swear Duncan is a Genius or they are the luckiest team alive pitching wise. they turn lemons into lemonade consistantly. Look at Weaver for god sakes! actually weaver sucked during the regular season for the cards too... he just all of a sudden learned how to pitch once the playoffs rolled around. Sometimes the pixie dust doesn't come alive until they need it to, as opposed to just letting them run away with everything a la 2004-05.

Haven't seen the others you mentioned (except Brian, and I really didn't like it), but Airplane! and South Park were both tremendous movies.

I think Bynum's first homer this year against Washington was into the wind, for whatever that's worth. I keed, I keed.

Definitely SAVE US NEIFI. Adds the double benefit of being able to further explain Dusty Baker's idiocy when people ask you what it means.

Around the same time Jeff Weaver did. Hell, around the same time every Cardinals pitcher did.

:shock: Boy, do you have a lot of movies to watch. Agreed. Like Old School. Saw Old School. Really good movie.

In case you guys forgot, Tyrus Thomas has tremendous leaping ability.

Only the Cardinals.

That was unreal. Un-freaking-real. That's a game-saver right there.

Well, I do want singles to stay singles and doubles to stay doubles, but I'm a tad uneasy that he seemed to place so much emphasis on it.

I would organize it, but I probably have not seen enough of the "classic" comedies to be qualified...and I'd probably name Anchorman the No. 1 overall seed strictly out of bias.

I love that word but cannot spell it. What a great word. preposterous Indeed A spectacular word

Actually, the pregnancy would do that. That's over, so she can get back to work becoming hot again just like Kerry's wife did. Side note: I'm one of 5 and none of us were lighter than 9 pounds

The picks: San Diego (-5) over KANSAS CITY Green Bay (+5) over MIAMI NY JETS (-3.5) over Detroit ATLANTA (+2.5) over Pittsburgh Philadelphia (-5) over TAMPA BAY New England (-5.5) over BUFFALO Jacksonville (-9.5) over HOUSTON Carolina (+3) over CINCINNATI Denver (-4.5) over CLEVELAND OAKLAND (+3) over Arizona SEATTLE (-6.5) over Minnesota INDIANAPOLIS (-9) over Washington DALLAS (-3.5) over NY Giants