a700hitter

I agree about cutting down the extra basehit when the lead is only 2 runs. The first baseman should be hugging the line but a good 15 feet behind the bag. It's hard to tell on TV and the announcers never mention it, but look for it late in games. The first baseman holds the runner. He's not guarding the line and the second baseman is in DP dept moved toward second. It happens numerous times. Also, if the lead is 3 runs there is no need to guard the line either, just get outs. @ Jacko, I have seen this dozens of times with Jeter at bat in the 9th. They open up that hole huge and he is great at using it. He has way more hits through the hole in that situation than DPs. He's a master at using that hole. They play right into his hands. Edit: I never really took note of it until a couple of years ago when a friend of mine pointed it out to me at a Yankee game. I started looking for it, and damn, it happens a lot. It is managerial and coaching laziness. They have a 3 run lead and they are thinking about what to say at the post game press conference. Admittedly, in the 9th inning they do the right thing more often than not, but what about the 8th inning with a 3 run lead-- they almost always play at DP depth and give up the hole. Start looking for it, and you will see it. To me, if you have a 3 run lead with 5 or 6 outs to go, you position the guys to get one out.

Good ideas for a thread Spitball and Bells. I'll start off. I have a strategy pet peeve. It's hard to notice when watching on Television. It happens quite regularly. In the last inning when a team is ahead by 2 or more runs and the first or second batter gets on first base, I'll never understand why the SS and second baseman pinch to the middle and the first base man holds on the runner with a left handed hitter at bat opening up a huge hole. The guy on first base means nothing. Outs are important. It seems to me that this strategy more often results in a base hit through the hole than it does in a DP. I would move the second baseman to the hole for the lefty pull hitter or at least play him straight away. I would have the first baseman play behind the runner. What do you guys think?

I love your enthusiasm. It is great to see baseball again.

N ice to see a catcher with a quick release that can throw guys out. Good throw by Ross.

Bad jump. Doesn't look as quick as Ells. Is he supposed to be as fast as Ells?

Iglesias with a 2 run blast over the LF Wall. It looked like he didn't even get it all.

He's a big stiff. Edit: There aren't too many compelling personalities on this team. maybe thaey should get Pedro to shoot a commercial before camp ends.

Thanks SFoC!

Iglesias with a throwing error on his first chance.

Saturday the 16th is good for me or any weeknight from the 18th on.

John Farrell commercials is worse than bad. It is just boring. I don't think that commercial will motivate a single fan to buy a ticket.

Why are the Spring Training games starting so early this year? Is it because of the WBC? I don't remember ST games ever starting in February.

Terrible fundamentals by Iglesias. The play was right in front of him.

I don't see how the bullpen has any opening for him.

I have registered my team and made payment, but Sunday, March 17th is not good for me.

He did a Dice K-- loaded the bases with no one out. He got out of the inning giving up one run.

2 1/2 innings and Salty has k'd, dropped a popup and threw a ball into the OF. Same Ole Salty.

Salty still blows.

I am looking forward to these spring games. I don't expect there will be much excitement during the season.

I'll take that as RSFFL is gaining wisdom.

Lars Anderson got DFA'd again. What a bust!

He didn't just fail. He blew up so thoroughly that he couldn't get anyone out at AAA for 2 1/2 months relief outings. His ERA was over 7. To give some historical perspective, I read that Bard's final start with the Sox was so bad that no starter in MLB history had had such a terrible start since the 1910's. This was not just an historic bad start for a Red Sox pitcher.

He has me on ignore but potshots me like a coward. BTW, I said that he would get at a minimum a 6yr/$150 million deal barring injury or a steroid ban.

Thanks, SFF!

Two-thirds strikes is a good sign. Velocity-wise, we'll have to see if he can pump 97-98 bu the end of camp. 94 for the first day out is fine.