Tory abandons the shift . . . for one game, so far

[BC867]

The D-backs were able to get Leake his first win for the team by abandoning the
shift, according to this article.

The question is will it be a one-time thing or will Torey learn from the experience?

Will he be innovative for Leake again? What about for the whole pitching staff?

Will he use the shift only for teams' top power hitters as it once was?

What we will see next won't be about opinion. It will be reflect the facts.

Here's hoping it won't be just a one-time thing. Results talk!

https://www.azcentral.com/story/spo...e-leake-beat-san-francisco-giants/2138491001/

 

[Ronin]

I don’t think it was a one time thing. My guess is that Torey is going to abandon the shift when Leake is pitching. JMO.

 

[BC867]

Hopefully, abandoning the shift will be considered, case by case, for all pitchers and situations.

My wish is that August 27, 2019, will be remembered as the day that Torey Lovullo and Mike
Leake reminded professional baseball that saber metrics should not preclude common sense.

Abner Doubleday designed the game of baseball not with a 1B, 2B and 3B standing at each
base, but with four infielders -- two of whom play between 1B & 2B and 2B & 3B. With the
pitcher covering balls hit up the middle.

It was good enough for a century. Then the Ted Williams shift was designed for the greatest
hitter in the game. Now it is used for every light hitting SS. In just about every at-bat. A
case of a situation getting out of hand.

Not only that, but it doesn't take into account that pitchers throw on the outside corner as
well as the inside corner.

There is a saying, "All good things must come to an end.", which I don't subscribe to.

Rather, as in this case, "Good things become exaggerated and out of control."

I am not advocating the end to the shift. Rather, that it not be used across the board,
but rather, as it began, as an exception. when justified, rather than the rule.

C'mon, Tory, be the MLB catalyst, for more than just one pitcher. Call it the Torey Rule.

 

[AZCB34]

Hopefully, abandoning the shift will be considered, case by case, for all pitchers and situations.

My wish is that August 27, 2019, will be remembered as the day that Torey Lovullo and Mike
Leake reminded professional baseball that saber metrics should not preclude common sense.

Abner Doubleday designed the game of baseball not with a 1B, 2B and 3B standing at each
base, but with four infielders -- two of whom play between 1B & 2B and 2B & 3B. With the
pitcher covering balls hit up the middle.

It was good enough for a century. Then the Ted Williams shift was designed for the greatest
hitter in the game. Now it is used for every light hitting SS. In just about every at-bat. A
case of a situation getting out of hand.

Not only that, but it doesn't take into account that pitchers throw on the outside corner as
well as the inside corner.

There is a saying, "All good things must come to an end.", which I don't subscribe to.

Rather, as in this case, "Good things become exaggerated and out of control."

I am not advocating the end to the shift. Rather, that it not be used across the board,
but rather, as it began, as an exception. when justified, rather than the rule.

C'mon, Tory, be the MLB catalyst, for more than just one pitcher. Call it the Torey Rule.

The thing is hitters try and pull the inside and the outside pitches which is why the shift is so prevalent.

 

[AZ Native]

Here is an interesting article about the shift.

https://www.mlb.com/news/9-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-shift-c276706888

 

[BC867]

Here is an interesting article about the shift.

https://www.mlb.com/news/9-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-shift-c276706888

'Makes it sound like it's here to stay.

I don't fault the fielders for it. They're doing what they're told.

Rather, the hitters who stubbornly keep hitting into it.

It is sad that, with all of the beauty of what used to be baseball strategy, now,
as someone pointed out, it's like watching a 3+ hour home run hitting contest.

Is that really the most exciting part of All Star weekend? Nor does it make the
games exciting. Runs scored -- of course.

A ton of popups and strikeouts for the occasional HR (many solo) and ground
balls to the crowded side of the infield-- no.

 

[Bobster]

Please tell me you don't really believe Abner Doubleday invented baseball....

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abner_Doubleday

 

[BC867]

Please tell me you don't really believe Abner Doubleday invented baseball....

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abner_Doubleday

OK, there is no consensus about who invented baseball
and whether it was derived from the British game of
rounders or was invented by an unknown American.

It doesn't change the point that baseball was invented,
and played for almost a century, with four infielders,
two on the left side and two on the right side.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Please tell me you don't really believe Abner Doubleday invented baseball....

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abner_Doubleday

Thanks for that, I had no idea that was myth.