07-28-2009, 05:36 PM
<!--quoteo(post=52842:date=Jul 28 2009, 04:28 PM:name=Giff)-->QUOTE (Giff @ Jul 28 2009, 04:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=52841:date=Jul 28 2009, 04:19 PM:name=Butcher)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Butcher @ Jul 28 2009, 04:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=52838:date=Jul 28 2009, 04:15 PM:name=Giff)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Giff @ Jul 28 2009, 04:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=52822:date=Jul 28 2009, 03:33 PM:name=Butcher)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Butcher @ Jul 28 2009, 03:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=52821:date=Jul 28 2009, 03:26 PM:name=Giff)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Giff @ Jul 28 2009, 03:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Honest question Butch. Is a suicide squeeze ever the right move (and thus not a "retarded" move), in your mind?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Here are a few things that could make it a defensible decision:
- the bases aren't loaded
- the bases weren't just walked loaded (all three batters reached base via the walk) by the pitcher currently on the mound
- the current batter can't hit a fly ball with any degree of consistency (Cesar Izturis, Juan Pierre, etc.) -- those types of players are usually more adept at bunting because they are forced to
- your pitcher is at the plate and it's too early in the game to lift him for a pinch-hitter
- the batter isn't a LHB (a RHB would obscure the play from the catcher somewhat)
I could go on.
I'm not saying a squeeze play is *always* a bad decision. But it sure was last night.
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I'm not talking about last night's play, I'm talking about squeezes in general.
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->In my book, if there's a decision that has the highest probability of success, and you go with a different choice (even if the the probability of success is only *slightly* lower (which wasn't the case last night)), then it was a stupid decision.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Based off of this statement, I'm asking if a suicide squeeze is ever the correct play, in your eyes. It's not an argumentative question, I'm just curious how you look at it.
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Read the first portion of my answer again.
The situation in which it would be the *most* correct would be my 4th bullet point (your pitcher is at the plate and it's too early in the game to lift him for a pinch-hitter). It would be absolutely defensible in that situation.
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I'm not talking about defensible decisions, I'm talking about the "correct" decision, by your standards. Unless you're saying there is only one defensible decision, and correct and defensible are synonymous for you.
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If it's early in the game, your starting pitcher is at the plate, is a relatively good bunter, and not a good hitter, I would say that the suicide squeeze could be a correct decision. There are a lot of variables at play, though. The runner at third could be slow. The opposing pitcher could have a tendency to be wild. Etc.
Every situation is unique. But "by my standards," you could absolutely find a situation where a suicide squeeze would be the correct decision.
Here are a few things that could make it a defensible decision:
- the bases aren't loaded
- the bases weren't just walked loaded (all three batters reached base via the walk) by the pitcher currently on the mound
- the current batter can't hit a fly ball with any degree of consistency (Cesar Izturis, Juan Pierre, etc.) -- those types of players are usually more adept at bunting because they are forced to
- your pitcher is at the plate and it's too early in the game to lift him for a pinch-hitter
- the batter isn't a LHB (a RHB would obscure the play from the catcher somewhat)
I could go on.
I'm not saying a squeeze play is *always* a bad decision. But it sure was last night.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I'm not talking about last night's play, I'm talking about squeezes in general.
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->In my book, if there's a decision that has the highest probability of success, and you go with a different choice (even if the the probability of success is only *slightly* lower (which wasn't the case last night)), then it was a stupid decision.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Based off of this statement, I'm asking if a suicide squeeze is ever the correct play, in your eyes. It's not an argumentative question, I'm just curious how you look at it.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Read the first portion of my answer again.
The situation in which it would be the *most* correct would be my 4th bullet point (your pitcher is at the plate and it's too early in the game to lift him for a pinch-hitter). It would be absolutely defensible in that situation.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I'm not talking about defensible decisions, I'm talking about the "correct" decision, by your standards. Unless you're saying there is only one defensible decision, and correct and defensible are synonymous for you.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
If it's early in the game, your starting pitcher is at the plate, is a relatively good bunter, and not a good hitter, I would say that the suicide squeeze could be a correct decision. There are a lot of variables at play, though. The runner at third could be slow. The opposing pitcher could have a tendency to be wild. Etc.
Every situation is unique. But "by my standards," you could absolutely find a situation where a suicide squeeze would be the correct decision.