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HOOVER, AL — Vanderbilt baseball got to utilize the new Automated Balls and Strikes (ABS) challenge system in its SEC Tournament opener, an 8-5 victory over Kentucky on May 19.
The Commodores (33-24) made four challenges and were successful on three. Catcher Korbin Reynolds got two ball calls overturned to strikes and Ryker Waite had the first successful ABS challenge by a hitter in the SEC Tournament, getting a called strike overturned to a ball.
The one unsuccessful challenge was by Reynolds on a pitch called ball four from Alex Kranzler. The ball was well out of the zone, but in the ninth inning with Vanderbilt retaining three challenges, Kranzler said Reynolds challenged because he "might as well."
With the ABS challenges, the batter, pitcher or catcher can challenge a call. A Hawk-Eye system installed at Hoover Met then determines whether the pitch is a ball or strike. Teams can unsuccessfully challenge up to three times per game.
Corbin said he supported the implementation despite some thought that it added to the length of games.
"I think it's just going to take a little bit of time," Corbin said. "But I like it. I like it a lot. I think it helps both sides. I think it's clear. Anything that takes the emotion out of the game from a call is a good thing for baseball. And I'm not concerned with the time element whatsoever. We've got to do a job on (pickoff throws), that's probably what we've got to do. We've got to get rid of that. That's for another day. But I think it's good."
Corbin said the team discussed what its challenge strategy would be before going to Hoover. He said his preference was for the catcher to be the primary challenger, but the batters could challenge in certain situations.
"We talked about it at length yesterday and again today," Corbin said. "We just talked about scenarios that you could challenge. I think it's more instinctual. I think you know when the game is in the balance where a pitch could potentially make a difference and you know when it's not. You just have to be wise. I trust these guys. They're smart. And (Reynolds) is very good at what he does. He's very intelligent. He's a military kid. So I feel like if he makes a choice, I'd ride with him every day.
"We just talked about the defensive side of things, with the catcher and the pitcher, and the hitter was more about the timing of it and the guys on base and that type of thing."
So far, Kentucky was 3-for-5 on challenges (all by the catcher), Missouri was 7-for-8 on catcher challenges and 0-for-1 on batter challenges and Ole Miss was 0-for-1 on its lone catcher challenge.
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at [email protected] or on X @aria_gerson.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tim Corbin explains ABS challenges for Vanderbilt baseball in SEC Tournament
Continue reading...
The Commodores (33-24) made four challenges and were successful on three. Catcher Korbin Reynolds got two ball calls overturned to strikes and Ryker Waite had the first successful ABS challenge by a hitter in the SEC Tournament, getting a called strike overturned to a ball.
The one unsuccessful challenge was by Reynolds on a pitch called ball four from Alex Kranzler. The ball was well out of the zone, but in the ninth inning with Vanderbilt retaining three challenges, Kranzler said Reynolds challenged because he "might as well."
With the ABS challenges, the batter, pitcher or catcher can challenge a call. A Hawk-Eye system installed at Hoover Met then determines whether the pitch is a ball or strike. Teams can unsuccessfully challenge up to three times per game.
Corbin said he supported the implementation despite some thought that it added to the length of games.
"I think it's just going to take a little bit of time," Corbin said. "But I like it. I like it a lot. I think it helps both sides. I think it's clear. Anything that takes the emotion out of the game from a call is a good thing for baseball. And I'm not concerned with the time element whatsoever. We've got to do a job on (pickoff throws), that's probably what we've got to do. We've got to get rid of that. That's for another day. But I think it's good."
Corbin said the team discussed what its challenge strategy would be before going to Hoover. He said his preference was for the catcher to be the primary challenger, but the batters could challenge in certain situations.
"We talked about it at length yesterday and again today," Corbin said. "We just talked about scenarios that you could challenge. I think it's more instinctual. I think you know when the game is in the balance where a pitch could potentially make a difference and you know when it's not. You just have to be wise. I trust these guys. They're smart. And (Reynolds) is very good at what he does. He's very intelligent. He's a military kid. So I feel like if he makes a choice, I'd ride with him every day.
"We just talked about the defensive side of things, with the catcher and the pitcher, and the hitter was more about the timing of it and the guys on base and that type of thing."
So far, Kentucky was 3-for-5 on challenges (all by the catcher), Missouri was 7-for-8 on catcher challenges and 0-for-1 on batter challenges and Ole Miss was 0-for-1 on its lone catcher challenge.
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at [email protected] or on X @aria_gerson.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tim Corbin explains ABS challenges for Vanderbilt baseball in SEC Tournament
Continue reading...
