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Author: QueBarbaraQueBarbara Date: Jun 4, 2008 18:02
Peter Ward mentioned recently that "Most baseball fans seem keen to
initiate strangers into the mysteries of the plays," which is one of
my favorite aspects of the sport; baseball is the one of the
foundations of a lasting bond between me and my dad, an avid (okay,
rabid) Cub fan, and it's also something that I've introduced my
husband to and now *he's* a fan of the sport. Only, I'm nowhere near
as keen on all the details as Dad is, so I usually pass questions on
to him. So, Dad's on vacation, and I'm trying to explain to hubby how
the hierarchy of fielding goes, from best to worst. Aren't left field
and first base normally where you want to put the sluggers so they
will be least likely to hurt you when the other team's up to bat?
--
QueBarbara
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Author: Magnus, Robot FighterMagnus, Robot Fighter Date: Jun 4, 2008 20:15
On Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:02:21 -0500, QueBarbara
gmail.com> wrote:
>Peter Ward mentioned recently that "Most baseball fans seem keen to
>initiate strangers into the mysteries of the plays," which is one of
>my favorite aspects of the sport; baseball is the one of the
>foundations of a lasting bond between me and my dad, an avid (okay,
>rabid) Cub fan, and it's also something that I've introduced my
>husband to and now *he's* a fan of the sport. Only, I'm nowhere near
>as keen on all the details as Dad is, so I usually pass questions on
>to him. So, Dad's on vacation, and I'm trying to explain to hubby how
>the hierarchy of fielding goes, from best to worst. Aren't left field
>and first base normally where you want to put the sluggers so they
>will be least likely to hurt you when the other team's up to bat?
You're assuming said sluggers are deficient defensively to begin with.
But were they so, I'd think right field and first base were the place
to put them. The only reason Manny Ramirez plays LF, is because 1/2
his games are at Fenway with its short left porch. And Manny is adept
at playing balls off the wall. If Manny were in spacious RF, he'd be
lost.
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Author: Hank GilletteHank Gillette Date: Jun 4, 2008 20:20
In article 4ax.com>,
QueBarbara gmail.com> wrote:
> Aren't left field and first base normally where you want to put the
> sluggers so they will be least likely to hurt you when the other
> team's up to bat?
Yes. Bill James is the first one I know that pointed out the "defensive
spectrum" in print (of course, baseball people knew this long before,
whether or not they called it that).
The defensive spectrum, from easiest to hardest is:
DH-1B-LF-RF-3B-CF-2B-SS-C-P
As players get older, if they can still hit well, they will tend to move
to the left on the spectrum. According to James, trying to move a player
rightward on the spectrum seldom works.
This also explains why having a great hitting shortstop or catcher is so
valuable. Normally, teams are willing to accept a poor hitter for those
crucial defensive positions.
--
Hank Gillette
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Author: ZBicyclistZBicyclist Date: Jun 4, 2008 20:34
Hank Gillette wrote:
> In article 4ax.com>,
> QueBarbara gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Aren't left field and first base normally where you want to put
>> the
>> sluggers so they will be least likely to hurt you when the other
>> team's up to bat?
>
> Yes. Bill James is the first one I know that pointed out the
> "defensive spectrum" in print (of course, baseball people knew
> this
> long before, whether or not they called it that).
>
> The defensive spectrum, from easiest to hardest is:
>
> DH-1B-LF-RF-3B-CF-2B-SS-C-P
>
> As players get older, if they can still hit well, they will tend
> to ...
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Author: Magnus, Robot FighterMagnus, Robot Fighter Date: Jun 4, 2008 20:42
On Wed, 4 Jun 2008 22:34:58 -0500, "ZBicyclist"
excite.com> wrote:
>Hank Gillette wrote:
>> In article 4ax.com>,
>> QueBarbara gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>> Aren't left field and first base normally where you want to put...
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Author: QueBarbaraQueBarbara Date: Jun 5, 2008 05:25
On Wed, 04 Jun 2008 22:15:23 -0500, "Magnus, Robot Fighter"
Key.com> wrote:
>On Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:02:21 -0500, QueBarbara
> gmail.com> wrote:
>>>Peter Ward mentioned recently that "Most baseball fans seem keen to
>>initiate strangers into the mysteries of the...
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Author: QueBarbaraQueBarbara Date: Jun 5, 2008 05:26
On Thu, 05 Jun 2008 03:20:03 GMT, Hank Gillette
yahoo.com> wrote:
>In article 4ax.com>,
> QueBarbara gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Aren't left field and first base normally where you want to put the
>> sluggers so they...
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Author: Hank GilletteHank Gillette Date: Jun 5, 2008 05:23
In article <2vne44h1bglio1g2294eq10kg37njph9tc@ 4ax.com>,
"Magnus, Robot Fighter" Key.com> wrote:
> Kevin Youkilis of course is a GG defender at first not because he's a
> poor defender, but because he's damn good at playing 1B. Kevin can
> also play 3B.
>
In most cases, a player can handle positions leftward on the spectrum.
The Greek God of Walks is a third baseman playing first, not vice-versa.
Jackie Robinson also played some first base, even though he's primarily
remembered as a second baseman.
Almost any infielder who can handle shortstop can play the other infield
positions. A center fielder can play either of the two other outfield
positions.
--
Hank Gillette
"If you can't drink everyone under the table, well, you're just wasting the
whole experience of being an alcoholic." -- "HusseinTenaX" at TPM
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Author: MonarcMonarc Date: Jun 5, 2008 06:23
On Jun 4, 10:34Â pm, "ZBicyclist" excite.com> wrote:> Hank Gillette wrote:
>> In article 4ax.com>,
>> QueBarbara gmail.com> wrote:>
>>> Aren't left field and first base normally where you want to put
>>> the
>>> sluggers so they will be least likely to hurt you when the other
>>> team's up to bat?
>
>> Yes. Bill James is the first one I know that pointed out the
>> "defensive spectrum" in print (of course, baseball people knew
>> this
>> long before, whether or not they called it that).
>
>> The defensive spectrum, from easiest to hardest is:
>
>> DH-1B-LF-RF-3B-CF-2B-SS-C-P
>
>> As players get older, if they can still hit well, they will tend ...
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Date: Jun 5, 2008 09:17
Hank Gillette (hankgillette@ yahoo.com) wrote:
> QueBarbara gmail.com> wrote:
> >> Aren't left field and first base normally where you want to put
>> the sluggers so they will be least likely to hurt you when the
>> other team's up to bat?
>
> Yes. Bill James is the first one I know that pointed out the
> "defensive spectrum" in print (of course, baseball people knew
> this long before, whether or not they called it that).
>
> The defensive spectrum, from easiest to hardest is:
>
> DH-1B-LF-RF-3B-CF-2B-SS-C-P
>
Why is Right Field harder than Left?
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