Let a ball fall foul on purpose?

[ElTexan]

Don't give the other team extra outs.

You learn this in little league.

Bartman.

So. By that logic, you'd catch the ball in the bottom of the ninth and let the tying run score.

 

[moxie]

If the next guy hits a dinger on the first pitch, then it doesn't matter if you catch it or not. Your argument is useless, stupid, and senseless… like the Mets' bullpen and batters

He said the next pitch, not the next hitter. If you don't get the out when you're able and let the ball go foul, the batter gets another pitch. That one could be the 3 run shot along with the lead.

 

[juliansteed]

He said the next pitch, not the next hitter. If you don't get the out when you're able and let the ball go foul, the batter gets another pitch. That one could be the 3 run shot along with the lead.

If you catch the foul ball then the next pitch is to the next hitter. The difference is that it would be a 2 run homer with 1 run already in, as opposed to a 3 run homer. Same score in the end except with 2 outs instead of 1, which is obviously better. But if you don't catch it, the next pitch could also be a ground ball for a double play and you give up zero runs. I think more often than not, you make the catch and don't risk giving up a big inning, but I definitely think there are scenarios where you let the ball drop.

 

[moxie]

If you catch the foul ball then the next pitch is to the next hitter. The difference is that it would be a 2 run homer with 1 run already in, as opposed to a 3 run homer. Same score in the end except with 2 outs instead of 1, which is obviously better. But if you don't catch it, the next pitch could also be a ground ball for a double play and you give up zero runs. I think more often than not, you make the catch and don't risk giving up a big inning, but I definitely think there are scenarios where you let the ball drop.

I get what you're saying, but Hu said:

Nah, you take the out, because if you don't, the very next pitch could be a 3-run bomb

and OP said that didn't make any sense. It actually does because you don't let the ball drop to prevent the tying run from scoring. You catch the ball and deal with the tie (or the off chance that you make the out) because when you let that ball go foul, the batter gets another pitch. That next pitch could be the one that's a 3-run homer. You take your outs as soon as you can get them, is the point. And while you're right- the next pitch could also be the GIDP, but why chance it?

 

[williewilliejuan]

The answer in the given scenario is never. You take the out and fight on. The only scenario where you let it drop is if the score is already tied and the tagging runner will win the game.

 

[molsaniceman]

The answer in the given scenario is never. You take the out and fight on. The only scenario where you let it drop is if the score is already tied and the tagging runner will win the game.

Bingo we have a winner

Its stupid to not take the out in any other case

 

[redseat]

If the next guy hits a dinger on the first pitch, then it doesn't matter if you catch it or not. Your argument is useless, stupid, and senseless… like the Mets' bullpen and batters

Yes it does... if you don't catch it the player can get on base and than the next guy hits a dinger..... 2 runs scored...

 

[ElTexan]

Right. He CAN get on base. You have to factor that in, but it's not even close to a lock. In fact, with two strikes, it's much more likely he doesn't.

Either way, that's not 'the next pitch' as was claimed above.

 

[ElTexan]

I get what you're saying, but Hu said:

and OP said that didn't make any sense. It actually does because you don't let the ball drop to prevent the tying run from scoring. You catch the ball and deal with the tie (or the off chance that you make the out) because when you let that ball go foul, the batter gets another pitch. That next pitch could be the one that's a 3-run homer. You take your outs as soon as you can get them, is the point. And while you're right- the next pitch could also be the GIDP, but why chance it?

You're not getting something here.
You let the sac fly get the runner home (1), then the next pitch is a two run dinger (2). 1+2=3
Or...
You let the ball fall foul (0). Then the next pitch is a three run dinger (3). 0+3=3.

3 runs either way.

 

[ElTexan]

Why chance it?
Because you potentially keep the lead. Duh.

 

[Davis_Mike]

Only if you have less than 7 outs remaining for your offense. Basically 8th inning or later.

In the case of the Ethier Situation, he couldn't let that ball drop. He was moving at a fast speed heading to a short foul area between the line & a wall in which the ball was only a foot or two foul. Too many variables for him to take a chance that the ball isn't actually fair.

 

[broncosmitty]

The answer in the given scenario is never. You take the out and fight on. The only scenario where you let it drop is if the score is already tied and the tagging runner will win the game.

Ninth inning and the runner ties the game, only other way Id do it.

Otherwise, you take the out.

 

[Dolemite censored]

Can they add "Always" as an option.

As a defense you prevent the other team from scoring at every opportunity and get another chance at a double play to end the inning.

 

[ElTexan]

There is an always option (implied).

 

[moxie]

You're not getting something here.
You let the sac fly get the runner home (1), then the next pitch is a two run dinger (2). 1+2=3
Or...
You let the ball fall foul (0). Then the next pitch is a three run dinger (3). 0+3=3.

3 runs either way.

so what's your point if the catch is made or not if either way, three runs score?
If you catch the ball and he tags, at least you have two outs. If you don't catch it, he gets another chance with only one out still.
This is where @juliansteed's comments about the specific batter come into play. Make the second out in foul territory, tie game, shitty hitter up next, better chance of getting the third out.
Too many variables and whatifs in your scenario.

 

[OutlawImmortal]

It's like I was saying after the Utley slide, a single play doesn't lose or win a game for you. The Dodgers failed with RISP in 4 straight innings, Ethier was right to take the out, the Dodgers simply couldn't get the job done and knock deGrom out of the game like they had done to Bumgarner to clinch the division.

 

[moxie]

It's like I was saying after the Utley slide, a single play doesn't lose or win a game for you. The Dodgers failed with RISP in 4 straight innings, Ethier was right to take the out, the Dodgers simply couldn't get the job done and knock deGrom out of the game like they had done to Bumgarner to clinch the division.

oh, you HAD to throw that in there, didn't you?! I was soooo close to liking that post until that part, fuckerpants!

 

[ElTexan]

so what's your point if the catch is made or not if either way, three runs score?
If you catch the ball and he tags, at least you have two outs. If you don't catch it, he gets another chance with only one out still.
This is where @juliansteed's comments about the specific batter come into play. Make the second out in foul territory, tie game, shitty hitter up next, better chance of getting the third out.
Too many variables and whatifs in your scenario.

No. My point is that the 'next pitch s dinger' argument MAKES NO SENSE. Proven.

So, we know what is at stake. On one hand, you don't get the second out which MIGHT lead to the other team taking the lead if they have a bigger inning since they have more outs to play with.

But on the other hand, you're immediately giving up your lead. Y'all are acting like that's not a significant thing to factor in.

 

[moxie]

No. My point is that the 'next pitch s dinger' argument MAKES NO SENSE. Proven.

So, we know what is at stake. On one hand, you don't get the second out which MIGHT lead to the other team taking the lead if they have a bigger inning since they have more outs to play with.

But on the other hand, you're immediately giving up your lead. Y'all are acting like that's not a significant thing to factor in.

So would you let it drop in your scenario?

 

[Dolemite censored]

I was wrong about Always.

It all depends on your pitcher and the situation.

Is the pitcher strong ? Are you up some runs, down some runs, is the pitcher up next ?
Inning ?

Too hard to be absolutist.

Mistakenly applied football reasoning to baseball.