Hitting and Hitters Discussion Will the extra distance help hitters?

[default]

Turns it into a different animal all the way around. Offense and defense

 

[default]

I'm not sure I agree with any conclusion that it significantly changes the game ... just that the hitters are more advantaged by the change than pitchers. If you use the stats above and calculate batting average (unless at bats is actually plate appearances), then batting averages actually went down over 20 points and the increased runs were due to more errors, hit by pitches and walks ... and the increase in hits would be attributed to more plate appearances as a result.

 

[default]

I'm not sure I agree with any conclusion that it significantly changes the game ... just that the hitters are more advantaged by the change than pitchers. If you use the stats above and calculate batting average (unless at bats is actually plate appearances), then batting averages actually went down over 20 points and the increased runs were due to more errors, hit by pitches and walks ... and the increase in hits would be attributed to more plate appearances as a result.

The Hits per game didn't change much, but there was a significant increase in Doubles which will usually bring in anyone on base. There was also a large decrease in Ks which probably means there were more productive outs.

 

[default]

Do you think that these stats are for both teams (IE # of hits in a game for both teams 12.89) or are they for each team (IE number of hits in a game for each team 12.89/2=6.4) Some stats make sense one way, some the other and some neither.

There were 45 at bats at 40' and 50 at bats at 43'. That is a tremendous number for an AVERAGE game for a single team but not enough for a two team total. 4.87 walks at 40' is very good pitching for a two team average game and is quite poor for and average game stat for a single team.

Which is it; totals for two teams or totals for a single team?

 

[default]

It doesn't say if the at bats are official at bats or plate appearances. My guess is they really meant plate appearances, but that's just a guess.

The actual base hit numbers surprised me in that there was a minor increase in the number of hits. I agree the biggy there is the doubles. The biggest overall factor to me was the decrease in K's. I always preached put the ball in play and good things are bound to happen. Hit it hard, and even more good things will happen. Seems like 43' helps the offense do both of those things.

 

[default]

fairman, good question. It doesn't have the avg number of innings played, but it's safe to assume it is less than 7. Looking at the at bats from that perspective, seems like it must be official at bats and not counting the walks/HBP.

Or it could be somebody just made it all up. Lies, damn lies, and statistics.

 

[default]

There is no question that it benefits the offensive side of the game. To rationalize otherwise is ridiculous. Talk to anyone who has coached significantly at both and they will say the same thing. Tougher to defend short game and hitting improves.

 

[default]

I think what will be interesting is on how the umpires now call the game. Movement pitchers showed have more movement. Curveball may now it the corners whereas before they were breaking over the plate. I've talked to several umpires who have ump'ed high school games at 40' then summer ball at 43'. They said it took sometime adjusting to the break of the ball.

 

[default]

Kids that have been living on fastballs in the lower 50's will be looking for other work. Kids that have good breaking balls will have much more success. Coaches will recruit them AND pitch them more. True fire ballers; 60+ will still see some success but breaking stuff will win out for the average pitcher. (I think we saw that at Queen of diamonds this January when the faster kids got knocked around and the breaking ball pitchers didn't) .

The offense will have some initial surge in success but the better pitchers will adjust and settle down. We will have to work with our pitcher's breaking stuff much sooner but TB has been doing this now for 2 or 3 years and there are plenty games that end 2 to 3. The high school pitchers that don't pitch but just throw will not last long.