Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
|
|
|
May 26, 2018 - 09:03am PT
|
If those goons weren’t trying to jack every ball there would be no need for the shift. The really
professional hitters use what the pitcher gives them. A three run double = a three run jack.
Dodgers showing a little life with Turner’s return and, damn, that Stripling has a wicked curve!
|
|
Russ Walling
Social climber
from Poofters Froth, Wyoming
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - May 27, 2018 - 08:55am PT
|
Those are some great brain numbing links Ed! Thanks for ferreting those out
One word: Mookie Betts
|
|
Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
|
|
|
May 27, 2018 - 09:04am PT
|
Could we get a Bob Uecker interpretation of all that physics?
Sheesh, I thought we were talkin’ baseball here!
|
|
Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
|
|
|
May 27, 2018 - 09:47am PT
|
Mookie is fun to watch, and the BoSox seem to be in a good place.
It's surprising (but maybe not) that Hanley and The Panda who were acquisitions for the BoSox in late 2014 never really lived up to expectations for power hitting. I don't think anyone watching thought that Mookie would be the power bat in the lineup.
It seems that this year's BoSox was what people expected last year. And with Cora as manager, and somewhat relaxed about it (at least in terms of making the apparently bold moves with the data at hand) has the team playing well.
I'm not sure that Pedroia is going to make it back, he plays a really physical game and it's been 12 years (I remember seeing him play in Oakland in 2006, and against the Giants that same year, and thinking that he was "undersized"). But making room for him forced the management's hand, or at least had them take a deep look at the roster.
It is one thing to believe the physics of baseball is more than just interesting, but you have to figure out how to throw the ball to tap into the physics... and it seems that modern pitchers are eager to get an edge.
I suspect that as those skills are developed it will make the game even more interesting to watch (at least interesting for me).
A 100 mph curve ball? that's nasty...
|
|
Russ Walling
Social climber
from Poofters Froth, Wyoming
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - May 27, 2018 - 12:07pm PT
|
Pedroia's effectiveness will drop off until he is like the chase Utley of the Sox... elder statesman and keep the kids in line. I have to say that his best years are probably far behind him now. A rolling stone gathers no moss (not sure if this has ever been proven) but being out and having surgery can take that last little bit out of an older guy.
|
|
Russ Walling
Social climber
from Poofters Froth, Wyoming
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Jun 2, 2018 - 11:51am PT
|
Pedroia to DL... end of the line??
Reilly: Kemp is getting MVP chants!!! Leads the league in batting!!
Go cubs!
|
|
Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
|
|
Kemp is worthy and dependable. A pity that what he has isn’t contagious.
I knew they were bringing Kershaw back too soon.
GO RED SOX!
|
|
Dave Davis
Social climber
Seattle, WA
|
|
Don’t look now, but the Mariners are tied with the Astros for first place in the AL West. This is very disorienting...
|
|
donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
|
|
The only winning ball being played in Cali is from the American League....Angels and A’s.
With Trout and Ohtani, it’s hard to understand the lack of support for the Angels on this forum. What happened to Bellinger...flash in the pan?
|
|
Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
|
|
No Angels haters here, they’re just the johnny-come-latelies.
Bellinger? Got curve balls/Kryptonite?
|
|
donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
|
|
When fans give undying allegiance to a franchise it just give money grubbing, billionaire owners a reason to save money and provide a mediocre team.
As a citizen of the US, I feel no allegiance to any single area and I scan the entire landscape each year for the best entertainment available. Any allegiance is more for particular players rather then for teams.
|
|
Russ Walling
Social climber
from Poofters Froth, Wyoming
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Jun 5, 2018 - 12:56pm PT
|
A group that includes MLB just bought Rawlings for 395 million...
Rawlings was founded in 1887 making gloves, balls, cleats and various sports equip. Of note is they are the manufacturers of the official Major League baseball.
With all the ball talk lately, including humidors, windings, off center corks, spin rate and funny feeling covers, maybe a new standard will emerge. Maybe they will control the size (which varies according to the allowable rules) and tightness of the wind and even the grip of the cover. Seems kinda interesting and I wonder just what they will have up their sleeves.
|
|
donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
|
|
Ball production always will have variables although perhaps things can be tightened up. More of a factor is the style of baseball that is in vogue. Joe DiMaggio finished his career with more homers than strikeouts. Striking out was considered a weakness...not so today. If you strikeout more times then you get a base hit, all is forgiven if you have good home run production.
2018 will likely go down as the first time in MLB history the number of strikeouts exceeded the number of hits. This will likely continue as long as the long ball is rewarded more than other parts of the game.
|
|
Russ Walling
Social climber
from Poofters Froth, Wyoming
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Jun 8, 2018 - 08:47am PT
|
More on changes to the baseball:
//We may have a reason for why home run rates have been up across Major League Baseball for over two years now — and an explanation for another recent phenomenon.
Writing for the Athletic, Dr. Meredith Wills dismantled 26 baseballs, 12 of which came from 2014 and the other 14 from 2016 and 2017. While she found that virtually everything about the baseballs was identical, there was one notable difference — the laces in the newer baseballs are nine percent thicker than those in the older ones.
Wills explains that this is a significant issue for two reasons.
While it is unclear how much spherical symmetry would be gained from a 9.0% increase in lace thickness, it is unreasonable to assume that it would not make some contribution to drag reduction, thereby allowing the ball to carry farther.
Another likely consequence of thicker laces is the “epidemic” of pitcher blisters that began in 2016. Increased lace thickness will produce slightly prouder stitches (not to be confused with seam height, which is related to lace tightness and cover fit), creating a “bumpier” seam. Since blisters are often associated with tightly gripping or rubbing the seams, the rougher texture could be a strong factor in higher rates of blistering. In fact, the possibility of thicker stitches was even postulated by pitcher Rich Hill last year, although the follow-up was minimal.
Wills notes that a larger sample size would be needed to make a firmer conclusion, and that there are many possible reasons for a change in the laces. That includes a supplier adjustment that even Rawlings may not have been aware of. That said, it’s clear there’s something in play here.
Some pitchers have long believed that the baseballs are juiced, but it may be simpler than that, based on this evidence.//
|
|
Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
|
|
Common sense would argue that ‘fatter’ laces would slow the ball down but utilizing my admittedly less than exhaustive aerodynamic background, but most assuredly far more than yer average crankloon, further thought (about 7 seconds’ worth) ruptured up the idea that the phat seams could easily create a better ‘boundary layer’ which is a key component of aerodynamic designs. It is a fertile subject which I invite all fellow wannabe aerodynamicists, and sundry crankloons, to read up on.
|
|
Gary
Social climber
Desolation Basin, Calif.
|
|
With Trout and Ohtani, it’s hard to understand the lack of support for the Angels on this forum.
I get to as many Angel games as I can. With a senior discount I can get a very good upper deck seat behind the plate for $12. A beer and hot dog for less than $10. Midweek you can move down to field level easily, they don't seem to mind.
With Pujols, Trout, Ohtani and Simmons it's a really great deal.
More on changes to the baseball:
Too bad Earl Weaver missed this age, eh? "The key to winning baseball games is pitching, fundamentals, and three run homers."
|
|
ms55401
Trad climber
minneapolis, mn
|
|
|
Jun 15, 2018 - 11:46am PT
|
Astros are putting the hammer down in the AL West now with MLB-leading +142 run differential. Going on 8 game winning streak, they have displaced the overachieving Mariners for first place.
two good games tonight: Cubs in St. Louis and Red Sox at Seattle
|
|
donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
|
|
|
Jun 15, 2018 - 12:14pm PT
|
In 2018 for the first time in baseball history strikeouts will outnumber hits. Given this fact consider.that Joe DiMaggio had lifetime stats of 2,214 hits and only 369 strikeouts. His lifetime total of 361 home runs almost equaled his total strikeouts.
Aaron Judge, considered by many to be a superstar, so far in his short career has already amassed 338 strkeouts to go with 234 hits.
At that rate, if Judge were to match DiMaggio’s 2,214 hits they would come along with 3,198 strikeouts. That’s a rate that is 8.7 times higher than DiMaggio.
The game has changed.
|
|
ms55401
Trad climber
minneapolis, mn
|
|
|
Jun 16, 2018 - 06:26pm PT
|
Red Sox/M's game is a gem. Pitchers' duel, 1-0 in the 5th. Good defense.
Seattle deserves entrée into the postseason. I hope they don't c*#k it up.
|
|
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!