Series Thread: Rangers lack of April Run Showers will bring no May flowers...Also the A's are in town.

[donaldson79]

Maybe instead of gloves fans bring to the game they bring bats ... and like Aggie fans we stand through the first inning of every game and stand ready to come into the game to pinch hit.

Just an idea on an offnight.

Sort of a designated, designated hitter idea, right?

 

[jta4437]

Nah. It's really not.

Yawn, I'm over it, someone has to be an adult here

 

[Windingmywatch]

Sort of a designated, designated hitter idea, right?

I have this visual of a input pad at each seat and when you arrive you sign in with your userid and a computer will have you registered RH, LH, past offensive power from Little League, Babe Ruth League, mens softball (LoL) and during the game all fans can hit the button that calls for a PH. The computer picks the PH based on who is signed in and full picture and slash line flashes up on the Jumbo Tron and the PH then comes down the aisle and down onto the field ... kinda Spartacus like ... march to the On Deck Circle amongst thunderous clears from the crowd.

Then you go roll over on a 2-0 FB to 2b ... just like the big guys.

 

[romeo212000]

Yawn, I'm over it, someone has to be an adult here

It was a joke. Lighten up, Francis.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

This is exactly the problem right here, and I have been saying it all season. It's like once they get a certain count they have an automatic approach of swing or take. Nobody is looking for a certain pitch in a certain location. They get to a 2-0 or 3-1 count, and say, "I must be getting SOMETHING to hit so I guess I'll swing." At the end of the day, it's really no plan at all.

Exactly as I was stating the other day where Clint Hurdle implemented a plan that had 8 possibilities that they wanted to see happen at least 17 times in a game. They had a plan. We do not. It has to be more than just about what your swing looks like. You have to instill in them what it is you want them to do depending on the situation to accomplish your plan/goal. To swing at the pitch if it is a strike is so general it really amounts to nothing.

 

[jta4437]

It was a joke. Lighten up, Francis.

Its a dumb joke

 

[romeo212000]

Its a dumb joke

Like I said, lighten up, Francis.

 

[donaldson79]

Exactly as I was stating the other day where Clint Hurdle implemented a plan that had 8 possibilities that they wanted to see happen at least 17 times in a game. They had a plan. We do not. It has to be more than just about what your swing looks like. You have to instill in them what it is you want them to do depending on the situation to accomplish your plan/goal. To swing at the pitch if it is a strike is so general it really amounts to nothing.

I think one thing may be missing in this equation. And that is, you have to have players capable of handling all of these mental manipulations to begin with, or else your plan has failed before it even started.

Gotta say, Martin doesn't seem to be a mental giant to me. I don't mean to be mean, but it's the truth. And since he's the guy we've got in the LO spot, it seems to follow, that's pretty important.

 

[RevSader]

The Rangers have a good man in Chuck Morgan.
Pace Of Play - Lone Star Ball

 

[saddles]

It seems to me we are giving the hitters too much to think about with all of the "plans" they need to take to the plate. To me hitting should be mainly instinctual and not quite so much programming them to do this in this situation and the other in the other situation. I know there are certain situations that may call for a little more thinking, but that shouldn't be the case with every at bat.

I think the theory that you need to make the opposing pitcher throw as many pitches as possible has become the tail that is wagging the dog. The OBP zealots have really taken over baseball it seems sometimes. It has become like a religion with some folks.

It just seems like when most of the great Rangers hitters have been here in the past you never heard about phrases like working the pitcher and having a plan when you go to the plate. Their plan was to go up there looking to get a hit and if the pitcher wouldn't throw them anything good they would be willing to take a walk.

That is just how I feel. I may be as wrong as I can be, but that is how I see it.

 

[donaldson79]

It seems to me we are giving the hitters too much to think about with all of the "plans" they need to take to the plate. To me hitting should be mainly instinctual and not quite so much programming them to do this in this situation and the other in the other situation. I know there are certain situations that may call for a little more thinking, but that shouldn't be the case with every at bat.

I think the theory that you need to make the opposing pitcher throw as many pitches as possible has become the tail that is wagging the dog. The OBP zealots have really taken over baseball it seems sometimes. It has become like a religion with some folks.

It just seems like when most of the great Rangers hitters have been here in the past you never heard about phrases like working the pitcher and having a plan when you go to the plate. Their plan was to go up there looking to get a hit and if the pitcher wouldn't throw them anything good they would be willing to take a walk.

That is just how I feel. I may be as wrong as I can be, but that is how I see it.

I believe if you'd looked at my previous post (all of 2 before yours) you'd a seen, this is exactly what I, more or less, said in 5 sentences.

But then again, you've NEVER been one to back away from a good chance to pontificate. Good job.

 

[romeo212000]

It seems to me we are giving the hitters too much to think about with all of the "plans" they need to take to the plate. To me hitting should be mainly instinctual and not quite so much programming them to do this in this situation and the other in the other situation. I know there are certain situations that may call for a little more thinking, but that shouldn't be the case with every at bat.

I think the theory that you need to make the opposing pitcher throw as many pitches as possible has become the tail that is wagging the dog. The OBP zealots have really taken over baseball it seems sometimes. It has become like a religion with some folks.

It just seems like when most of the great Rangers hitters have been here in the past you never heard about phrases like working the pitcher and having a plan when you go to the plate. Their plan was to go up there looking to get a hit and if the pitcher wouldn't throw them anything good they would be willing to take a walk.

That is just how I feel. I may be as wrong as I can be, but that is how I see it.

I think it may need to be simplified, but there does need to be some thinking involved.

Example: Pitcher A is struggling with his fastball command, and has gotten us to roll over on some bad pitches, but isn't able to throw strikes. He's tried getting ahead with his curveball a couple of times and is throwing it for strikes. I'm looking for a curveball right out of the gate. Pitcher falls behind 2-0. Now I'm looking for pitch x in location y. If I don't get it, I don't swing. No sense hacking at a 2-0 pitch just because it's a strike. Same applies to a 3-0/1 pitch. You're probably getting a strike on 3-0 and I really don't like the automatic take unless you're dealing with a mental midget like Martin or late in the game needing a single run. Again, I feel like you're looking for pitch x in location y. If you get it, crush it.

I know it seems obvious, but I don't think see the ball, hit the ball is a very good long term approach. There has to be some brains involved. Right now, it seems like if we get to a 1-0 2-0 count we're assuming we're getting a strike and taking a hack regardless of the pitch and location.

 

[saddles]

I believe if you'd looked at my previous post (all of 2 before yours) you'd a seen, this is exactly what I, more or less, said in 5 sentences.

But then again, you've NEVER been one to back away from a good chance to pontificate. Good job.

HaHa. I took your post more as saying some of our guys aren't smart enough to carry out a plan. I was saying more that there may be too much planning no matter how smart they are.

 

[saddles]

I think it may need to be simplified, but there does need to be some thinking involved.

Example: Pitcher A is struggling with his fastball command, and has gotten us to roll over on some bad pitches, but isn't able to throw strikes. He's tried getting ahead with his curveball a couple of times and is throwing it for strikes. I'm looking for a curveball right out of the gate. Pitcher falls behind 2-0. Now I'm looking for pitch x in location y. If I don't get it, I don't swing. No sense hacking at a 2-0 pitch just because it's a strike. Same applies to a 3-0/1 pitch. You're probably getting a strike on 3-0 and I really don't like the automatic take unless you're dealing with a mental midget like Martin or late in the game needing a single run. Again, I feel like you're looking for pitch x in location y. If you get it, crush it.

I know it seems obvious, but I don't think see the ball, hit the ball is a very good long term approach. There has to be some brains involved. Right now, it seems like if we get to a 1-0 2-0 count we're assuming we're getting a strike and taking a hack regardless of the pitch and location.

I just don't like seeing guys take pitches just for the sake of taking them. I also don't like giving away strikes.

 

[romeo212000]

I just don't like seeing guys take pitches just for the sake of taking them. I also don't like giving away strikes.

Like I said, with the exception of guys like Martin I'm with you. Like I said, in those 3-0,3-1 counts, I'm looking for pitch x in location y to drive.

 

[DT LUNA]

Cereal Box is on the 15 DL and guess who doesn't care.

 

[donaldson79]

HaHa. I took your post more as saying some of our guys aren't smart enough to carry out a plan. I was saying more that there may be too much planning no matter how smart they are.

hahaha......thanks for "clarifying."

Now, let's hope Colby can continue his strong start to the season.

 

[Windingmywatch]

Is Blanks strong point his bat I hope?

 

[donaldson79]

Jesus.....let's give up and out, and replace Martin with Prince on the base-path.

Then we hit a rocket, but right at the CF. Can't buy/steal/borrow a break with the bats right now.

Keep up the excellent work Colby.

 

[DT LUNA]

Like I said, with the exception of guys like Martin I'm with you. Like I said, in those 3-0,3-1 counts, I'm looking for pitch x in location y to drive.

Is Blanks strong point his bat I hope?

He just answered your question