[lex24]

I don't know if it was just me, but I started paying close attention to balls and strikes calls, and I've noticed that pitches that are significantly outside of the zone are called strikes.  Wilmer Flores was called out on strikes three weeks ago in a game against the Padres on pitches that were 2.27 inches, 3.23 inches and 3.59 inches outside the strike zone.  Umpire was Adam Hamari.  It was a complete disgrace.

If you want to cut down on strikeouts in MLB, call the strike zone like it should be called, not something that would embarrass Forrest Gregg.  Apparently, they are using Doppler radar systems in the Atlantic League and the Arizona Fall League for some games, though I can't find any information on the results to date..

---

In the Giants 19-4 rout of the Reds today, Blandino pitched 1 1/3 innings for the Reds and gave up only 1 of the 19 runs.

After today's eruption, the SF Giants now have the 8th highest number of runs scored in MLB, with the 9th best OPS, and they have increased their batting average to .230, 19th best in MLB.  The Giants have the 2nd most HRs, 3rd most walks, and unfortunately the 5th most strikeouts.  Also, they've stolen 19 bases in 24 attempts, still have the third best ERA at 3.17 and have allowed the second fewest overall runs per game.  Their WHIP is fifth best.

Hopefully, the hitting continues to improve, the fielding stays rock solid, and the pitchers hold injuries at bay.

Except if they called a true strike zone the pitch at the letters would be a strike again.  A lot of umps add a little width.  But a lot of umps won’t call a pitch above the belt (or perhaps a little higher) a strike. So I’m not sure a true zone would help hitters.

---

In the Giants 19-4 rout of the Reds today, Blandino pitched 1 1/3 innings for the Reds and gave up only 1 of the 19 runs.

Was listening at the time. They didn’t know if he’d pitched at Stanford. (Flemm was “on assignment.  Kuiper mentioned that he’d know).  But Miller commented on how he wasn’t just out their throwing. He was pitching. Off speed stuff and a fast ball that hit 90.

[lex24]

I don't know if it was just me, but I started paying close attention to balls and strikes calls, and I've noticed that pitches that are significantly outside of the zone are called strikes.  Wilmer Flores was called out on strikes three weeks ago in a game against the Padres on pitches that were 2.27 inches, 3.23 inches and 3.59 inches outside the strike zone.  Umpire was Adam Hamari.  It was a complete disgrace.

If you want to cut down on strikeouts in MLB, call the strike zone like it should be called, not something that would embarrass Forrest Gregg.  Apparently, they are using Doppler radar systems in the Atlantic League and the Arizona Fall League for some games, though I can't find any information on the results to date..

---

In the Giants 19-4 rout of the Reds today, Blandino pitched 1 1/3 innings for the Reds and gave up only 1 of the 19 runs.

After today's eruption, the SF Giants now have the 8th highest number of runs scored in MLB, with the 9th best OPS, and they have increased their batting average to .230, 19th best in MLB.  The Giants have the 2nd most HRs, 3rd most walks, and unfortunately the 5th most strikeouts.  Also, they've stolen 19 bases in 24 attempts, still have the third best ERA at 3.17 and have allowed the second fewest overall runs per game.  Their WHIP is fifth best.

Hopefully, the hitting continues to improve, the fielding stays rock solid, and the pitchers hold injuries at bay.

Except if they called a true strike zone the pitch at the letters would be a strike again.  A lot of umps add a little width.  But a lot of umps won’t call a pitch above the belt (or perhaps a little higher) a strike. So I’m not sure a true zone would help hitters.

---

In the Giants 19-4 rout of the Reds today, Blandino pitched 1 1/3 innings for the Reds and gave up only 1 of the 19 runs.

Was listening at the time. They didn’t know if he’d pitched at Stanford. (Flemm was “on assignment.  Kuiper mentioned that he’d know).  But Miller commented on how he wasn’t just out their throwing. He was pitching. Off speed stuff and a fast ball that hit 90.

[Phogge]

When I played the zone was armpits to top of the knee. In college you could win by pitching to spots if you couldn't throw extra hard. In pro ball you could also pitch inside without some brain dead hotshot rushing the mound or giving you the hate look to show he was a "Man." We had a brushback sign and nobody took offense. Most of the field fights I was involved in occurred because of a high spike except that Dirty Al could get you into a fight by just showing up.

Today's player is coddled and the umps don't have a designated strike zone enforced upon them. Just watch Angel Hernandez for an example of a complete idiot.

[Phogge]

When I played the zone was armpits to top of the knee. In college you could win by pitching to spots if you couldn't throw extra hard. In pro ball you could also pitch inside without some brain dead hotshot rushing the mound or giving you the hate look to show he was a "Man." We had a brushback sign and nobody took offense. Most of the field fights I was involved in occurred because of a high spike except that Dirty Al could get you into a fight by just showing up.

Today's player is coddled and the umps don't have a designated strike zone enforced upon them. Just watch Angel Hernandez for an example of a complete idiot.

[Mick]

When I played the zone was armpits to top of the knee. In college you could win by pitching to spots if you couldn't throw extra hard. In pro ball you could also pitch inside without some brain dead hotshot rushing the mound or giving you the hate look to show he was a "Man." We had a brushback sign and nobody took offense. Most of the field fights I was involved in occurred because of a high spike except that Dirty Al could get you into a fight by just showing up.

Shoot, we had the brushback sign in Little League.  I recall playing against a team with a very wild pitcher, who hit three of our batters in the first three innings, including me and my best friend on the team.  When that pitcher came up, I was catching, and I gave our pitcher the sign by patting the inside of my knee. Our pitcher (who our star, and who was Lee Mazzilli's nephew when Lee was 19 and in the midst of his rookie-A Ball Mets season), drilled him in the back.  Murmurs of appreciation went up among the fathers, and none of the mothers said anything.  

Boy, how times have changed.

[Mick]

When I played the zone was armpits to top of the knee. In college you could win by pitching to spots if you couldn't throw extra hard. In pro ball you could also pitch inside without some brain dead hotshot rushing the mound or giving you the hate look to show he was a "Man." We had a brushback sign and nobody took offense. Most of the field fights I was involved in occurred because of a high spike except that Dirty Al could get you into a fight by just showing up.

Shoot, we had the brushback sign in Little League.  I recall playing against a team with a very wild pitcher, who hit three of our batters in the first three innings, including me and my best friend on the team.  When that pitcher came up, I was catching, and I gave our pitcher the sign by patting the inside of my knee. Our pitcher (who our star, and who was Lee Mazzilli's nephew when Lee was 19 and in the midst of his rookie-A Ball Mets season), drilled him in the back.  Murmurs of appreciation went up among the fathers, and none of the mothers said anything.  

Boy, how times have changed.

[Phogge]

Back in the day parents usually didn't get involved and you worked it out by yourself. Our parents either fought in the Pacific or in Africa/Europe or worked on the home front and had been through the Depression. Mine didn't tolerate whining.

[Phogge]

Back in the day parents usually didn't get involved and you worked it out by yourself. Our parents either fought in the Pacific or in Africa/Europe or worked on the home front and had been through the Depression. Mine didn't tolerate whining.

[qwerty49]

When I played the zone was armpits to top of the knee. In college you could win by pitching to spots if you couldn't throw extra hard. In pro ball you could also pitch inside without some brain dead hotshot rushing the mound or giving you the hate look to show he was a "Man." We had a brushback sign and nobody took offense. Most of the field fights I was involved in occurred because of a high spike except that Dirty Al could get you into a fight by just showing up.

Shoot, we had the brushback sign in Little League.  I recall playing against a team with a very wild pitcher, who hit three of our batters in the first three innings, including me and my best friend on the team.  When that pitcher came up, I was catching, and I gave our pitcher the sign by patting the inside of my knee.  Our pitcher (who our star, and who was Lee Mazzilli's nephew when Lee was 19 and in the midst of his rookie-A Ball Mets season), drilled him in the back.  Murmurs of appreciation went up among the fathers, and none of the mothers said anything.  

Boy, how times have changed.

Ha ha Mick, I had much the same experience.  Bobbk might remember this -- at the level of Little League I played in, 12-yr-olds were not allowed to pitch.  This was called the "Richie rule" after this gigantic obnoxious kid who wore the original coke-bottle glasses and threw flaming heat but was so wild that not even he had any idea where the ball was going.  No one wanted to face Richie.  One game he plunked the first 3 batters with his first 3 pitches, squinting and sneering at them as they hobbled down to first.  The next kid up was the manager's son.  The manager immediately ran out and told the ump his team was forfeiting the game.  The next week, another manager did the same thing before Richie even got to throw his first pitch.

The next year, when Richie turned 12, the managers apparently met with some parents and passed a rule prohibiting any 12-yr-old from pitching at that level.  I was 11 that year and, without the fear of retaliation from Ritchie, had the great pleasure of sending him sprawling in the dirt with a high hard one behind his shoulder blades.  Sure, it was Little League but from 45 ft away we all looked like Koufax.  Every other 11-yr-old pitcher in the league took a revenge shot at Richie that year.  And the so-called "protective headgear" we had back then was more like a pair of plastic ear muffs than anything else.

I did get beaned once -- in practice.  Our manager was throwing BP and told me to stand in there and not move because he was going to throw a curveball that would break over the plate.  That was the last time I trusted that idiot.

[qwerty49]

When I played the zone was armpits to top of the knee. In college you could win by pitching to spots if you couldn't throw extra hard. In pro ball you could also pitch inside without some brain dead hotshot rushing the mound or giving you the hate look to show he was a "Man." We had a brushback sign and nobody took offense. Most of the field fights I was involved in occurred because of a high spike except that Dirty Al could get you into a fight by just showing up.

Shoot, we had the brushback sign in Little League.  I recall playing against a team with a very wild pitcher, who hit three of our batters in the first three innings, including me and my best friend on the team.  When that pitcher came up, I was catching, and I gave our pitcher the sign by patting the inside of my knee.  Our pitcher (who our star, and who was Lee Mazzilli's nephew when Lee was 19 and in the midst of his rookie-A Ball Mets season), drilled him in the back.  Murmurs of appreciation went up among the fathers, and none of the mothers said anything.  

Boy, how times have changed.

Ha ha Mick, I had much the same experience.  Bobbk might remember this -- at the level of Little League I played in, 12-yr-olds were not allowed to pitch.  This was called the "Richie rule" after this gigantic obnoxious kid who wore the original coke-bottle glasses and threw flaming heat but was so wild that not even he had any idea where the ball was going.  No one wanted to face Richie.  One game he plunked the first 3 batters with his first 3 pitches, squinting and sneering at them as they hobbled down to first.  The next kid up was the manager's son.  The manager immediately ran out and told the ump his team was forfeiting the game.  The next week, another manager did the same thing before Richie even got to throw his first pitch.

The next year, when Richie turned 12, the managers apparently met with some parents and passed a rule prohibiting any 12-yr-old from pitching at that level.  I was 11 that year and, without the fear of retaliation from Ritchie, had the great pleasure of sending him sprawling in the dirt with a high hard one behind his shoulder blades.  Sure, it was Little League but from 45 ft away we all looked like Koufax.  Every other 11-yr-old pitcher in the league took a revenge shot at Richie that year.  And the so-called "protective headgear" we had back then was more like a pair of plastic ear muffs than anything else.

I did get beaned once -- in practice.  Our manager was throwing BP and told me to stand in there and not move because he was going to throw a curveball that would break over the plate.  That was the last time I trusted that idiot.

[lex24]

When I played the zone was armpits to top of the knee. In college you could win by pitching to spots if you couldn't throw extra hard. In pro ball you could also pitch inside without some brain dead hotshot rushing the mound or giving you the hate look to show he was a "Man." We had a brushback sign and nobody took offense. Most of the field fights I was involved in occurred because of a high spike except that Dirty Al could get you into a fight by just showing up.

Shoot, we had the brushback sign in Little League.  I recall playing against a team with a very wild pitcher, who hit three of our batters in the first three innings, including me and my best friend on the team.  When that pitcher came up, I was catching, and I gave our pitcher the sign by patting the inside of my knee.  Our pitcher (who our star, and who was Lee Mazzilli's nephew when Lee was 19 and in the midst of his rookie-A Ball Mets season), drilled him in the back.  Murmurs of appreciation went up among the fathers, and none of the mothers said anything.  

Boy, how times have changed.

Ha ha Mick, I had much the same experience.  Bobbk might remember this -- at the level of Little League I played in, 12-yr-olds were not allowed to pitch.  This was called the "Richie rule" after this gigantic obnoxious kid who wore the original coke-bottle glasses and threw flaming heat but was so wild that not even he had any idea where the ball was going.  No one wanted to face Richie.  One game he plunked the first 3 batters with his first 3 pitches, squinting and sneering at them as they hobbled down to first.  The next kid up was the manager's son.  The manager immediately ran out and told the ump his team was forfeiting the game.  The next week, another manager did the same thing before Richie even got to throw his first pitch.

The next year, when Richie turned 12, the managers apparently met with some parents and passed a rule prohibiting any 12-yr-old from pitching at that level.  I was 11 that year and, without the fear of retaliation from Ritchie, had the great pleasure of sending him sprawling in the dirt with a high hard one behind his shoulder blades.  Sure, it was Little League but from 45 ft away we all looked like Koufax.  Every other 11-yr-old pitcher in the league took a revenge shot at Richie that year.  And the so-called "protective headgear" we had back then was more like a pair of plastic ear muffs than anything else.

I did get beaned once -- in practice.  Our manager was throwing BP and told me to stand in there and not move because he was going to throw a curveball that would break over the plate.  That was the last time I trusted that idiot.

Well, maybe this sounds wimpy but I’m thinking ending bean ball wars in LL is probably a good thing.

I don’t remember our league having that issue.  But I did bean a third baseman once.  Maybe the hardest ball I hit all year hit him square in the forehead. Ball caromed to right center and rolled under the fence. He dropped like a stone. Scared the hell out of me.  He was fine, of course.  Even my hardest hit ball lacked exit velocity.  Classic contact hitter…..

[lex24]

When I played the zone was armpits to top of the knee. In college you could win by pitching to spots if you couldn't throw extra hard. In pro ball you could also pitch inside without some brain dead hotshot rushing the mound or giving you the hate look to show he was a "Man." We had a brushback sign and nobody took offense. Most of the field fights I was involved in occurred because of a high spike except that Dirty Al could get you into a fight by just showing up.

Shoot, we had the brushback sign in Little League.  I recall playing against a team with a very wild pitcher, who hit three of our batters in the first three innings, including me and my best friend on the team.  When that pitcher came up, I was catching, and I gave our pitcher the sign by patting the inside of my knee.  Our pitcher (who our star, and who was Lee Mazzilli's nephew when Lee was 19 and in the midst of his rookie-A Ball Mets season), drilled him in the back.  Murmurs of appreciation went up among the fathers, and none of the mothers said anything.  

Boy, how times have changed.

Ha ha Mick, I had much the same experience.  Bobbk might remember this -- at the level of Little League I played in, 12-yr-olds were not allowed to pitch.  This was called the "Richie rule" after this gigantic obnoxious kid who wore the original coke-bottle glasses and threw flaming heat but was so wild that not even he had any idea where the ball was going.  No one wanted to face Richie.  One game he plunked the first 3 batters with his first 3 pitches, squinting and sneering at them as they hobbled down to first.  The next kid up was the manager's son.  The manager immediately ran out and told the ump his team was forfeiting the game.  The next week, another manager did the same thing before Richie even got to throw his first pitch.

The next year, when Richie turned 12, the managers apparently met with some parents and passed a rule prohibiting any 12-yr-old from pitching at that level.  I was 11 that year and, without the fear of retaliation from Ritchie, had the great pleasure of sending him sprawling in the dirt with a high hard one behind his shoulder blades.  Sure, it was Little League but from 45 ft away we all looked like Koufax.  Every other 11-yr-old pitcher in the league took a revenge shot at Richie that year.  And the so-called "protective headgear" we had back then was more like a pair of plastic ear muffs than anything else.

I did get beaned once -- in practice.  Our manager was throwing BP and told me to stand in there and not move because he was going to throw a curveball that would break over the plate.  That was the last time I trusted that idiot.

Well, maybe this sounds wimpy but I’m thinking ending bean ball wars in LL is probably a good thing.

I don’t remember our league having that issue.  But I did bean a third baseman once.  Maybe the hardest ball I hit all year hit him square in the forehead. Ball caromed to right center and rolled under the fence. He dropped like a stone. Scared the hell out of me.  He was fine, of course.  Even my hardest hit ball lacked exit velocity.  Classic contact hitter…..

[Papa John]

My son's Little League has a rule that 12 year-olds cannot pitch at the minors level. That's mostly 9-11 year-olds, and only first-time players would still be at that level when 12.

Little League also has extensive pitch count rules for pitchers and catchers. Apparently, in the old days, a coach could draft the best pitcher and catcher and dominate a league. Now a team needs at least three or four decent pitchers plus two decent catchers to win. Forces coaches to focus on development of all players, so I like the rule.

Still lots of HBPs, but none intentional, which is much better for player development.

[Papa John]

My son's Little League has a rule that 12 year-olds cannot pitch at the minors level. That's mostly 9-11 year-olds, and only first-time players would still be at that level when 12.

Little League also has extensive pitch count rules for pitchers and catchers. Apparently, in the old days, a coach could draft the best pitcher and catcher and dominate a league. Now a team needs at least three or four decent pitchers plus two decent catchers to win. Forces coaches to focus on development of all players, so I like the rule.

Still lots of HBPs, but none intentional, which is much better for player development.

[old spanish trail]

Bye Bye Gyros?

[old spanish trail]

Bye Bye Gyros?

[BobK]

They shall bounce back. I hope. D backs next then 4 more with the Dodgers

[BobK]

They shall bounce back. I hope. D backs next then 4 more with the Dodgers

[terry]

The Giants have played well, but I'm doubtful that they can hang with the Dodgers in the long run. The Dodgers are just going to get better when they get Bellinger, Seager, and Pollock back (and Betts, who missed the last two games against the Giants).

[terry]

The Giants have played well, but I'm doubtful that they can hang with the Dodgers in the long run. The Dodgers are just going to get better when they get Bellinger, Seager, and Pollock back (and Betts, who missed the last two games against the Giants).

[Phogge]

Plus two lights out unhittable guys, Beuhler and Bauer... and Urias and Kershaw. Giants can hang with the Padres but will have trouble with Snell. So what happens at the trading deadline? Time for some guys who can play now, they have enough "prospects."

[Phogge]

Plus two lights out unhittable guys, Beuhler and Bauer... and Urias and Kershaw. Giants can hang with the Padres but will have trouble with Snell. So what happens at the trading deadline? Time for some guys who can play now, they have enough "prospects."

[Mick]

The Giants have played well, but I'm doubtful that they can hang with the Dodgers in the long run. The Dodgers are just going to get better when they get Bellinger, Seager, and Pollock back (and Betts, who missed the last two games against the Giants).

Agreed.  This could feel like the 1970s again...except the 3rd place Giants (behind LAD and SDP) might qualify for the #2 wild card spot, especially if they can continue to obliterate lesser teams.

[Mick]

The Giants have played well, but I'm doubtful that they can hang with the Dodgers in the long run. The Dodgers are just going to get better when they get Bellinger, Seager, and Pollock back (and Betts, who missed the last two games against the Giants).

Agreed.  This could feel like the 1970s again...except the 3rd place Giants (behind LAD and SDP) might qualify for the #2 wild card spot, especially if they can continue to obliterate lesser teams.

[lex24]

Plus two lights out unhittable guys, Beuhler and Bauer... and Urias and Kershaw. Giants can hang with the Padres but will have trouble with Snell. So what happens at the trading deadline? Time for some guys who can play now, they have enough "prospects."

Padres are loaded. Not just Snell.  Darvish. Musgrave.  Lamet. Paddock. A terrific lineup with speed and power. Most athletic team in the league.  And a good bullpen to boot. 

I’m looking at the other divisions and hoping that they only have one very strong team. Giants only shot is second WC. And that’s unlikely.

[lex24]

Plus two lights out unhittable guys, Beuhler and Bauer... and Urias and Kershaw. Giants can hang with the Padres but will have trouble with Snell. So what happens at the trading deadline? Time for some guys who can play now, they have enough "prospects."

Padres are loaded. Not just Snell.  Darvish. Musgrave.  Lamet. Paddock. A terrific lineup with speed and power. Most athletic team in the league.  And a good bullpen to boot. 

I’m looking at the other divisions and hoping that they only have one very strong team. Giants only shot is second WC. And that’s unlikely.

[Phogge]

Musgrave, Paddock, Sidney Lumet.... they will all break down. Somebody will bean Machado and the Padres will fall apart. Book it.

[Phogge]

Musgrave, Paddock, Sidney Lumet.... they will all break down. Somebody will bean Machado and the Padres will fall apart. Book it.

[old spanish trail]

Great game last night. Dodgers have some good young talent though Neusy is a big step down from Bellinger. Pollock aint bad either. Despite his excellent catch, Tachman is a big step down from those two. Is present Duggar a flash in the pan?

[old spanish trail]

Great game last night. Dodgers have some good young talent though Neusy is a big step down from Bellinger. Pollock aint bad either. Despite his excellent catch, Tachman is a big step down from those two. Is present Duggar a flash in the pan?

[Phogge]

Screw the Dodgers. Screw Walter O'Malley. Screw Bobby Bragan. Screw Al Campanis.

[Phogge]

Screw the Dodgers. Screw Walter O'Malley. Screw Bobby Bragan. Screw Al Campanis.

[Mick]

Great game last night. Dodgers have some good young talent though Neusy is a big step down from Bellinger. Pollock aint bad either. Despite his excellent catch, Tachman is a big step down from those two. Is present Duggar a flash in the pan?

Duggar's hitting .310/.355/.569/.924.  Pretty darned good flash.

After tonight, the Giants have scored 31 runs vs. each of the Padres and the Dodgers.  The Dodgers have scored 34 on the Giants, the Padres have scored 33.  

Pretty close.  And we're gaining.

[Mick]

Great game last night. Dodgers have some good young talent though Neusy is a big step down from Bellinger. Pollock aint bad either. Despite his excellent catch, Tachman is a big step down from those two. Is present Duggar a flash in the pan?

Duggar's hitting .310/.355/.569/.924.  Pretty darned good flash.

After tonight, the Giants have scored 31 runs vs. each of the Padres and the Dodgers.  The Dodgers have scored 34 on the Giants, the Padres have scored 33.  

Pretty close.  And we're gaining.

[Leftcoast]

After reading some of the posts above I had to rub my eyes and check the standings again. Yep, the G-men still have the second best record in the National league.  (And are only a half-game out of first.)

Enjoy the journey.

[Leftcoast]

After reading some of the posts above I had to rub my eyes and check the standings again. Yep, the G-men still have the second best record in the National league.  (And are only a half-game out of first.)

Enjoy the journey.

[Mick]

Giants are now #9 in MLB OPS and #8 in runs scored, #3 in HRs.  Also #6 in ERA, #7 in WHIP, third fewest walks and lead the majors in shutouts.  Bullpen is still a nightmare.  Every reliever, it feels like watching Hunter Strickland walking in.  Giants still have the best fielding percentage in the NL with the fewest errors at .989 and 21 respectively.

Austin Slater is coming around.  He's at .230/.324/.434/.758.

[Mick]

Giants are now #9 in MLB OPS and #8 in runs scored, #3 in HRs.  Also #6 in ERA, #7 in WHIP, third fewest walks and lead the majors in shutouts.  Bullpen is still a nightmare.  Every reliever, it feels like watching Hunter Strickland walking in.  Giants still have the best fielding percentage in the NL with the fewest errors at .989 and 21 respectively.

Austin Slater is coming around.  He's at .230/.324/.434/.758.

[Phogge]

Disagree. Baragar has been lights out except for one outing but now he too is on the IL, DL or Injured Reserve. Can’t keep them straight.

[Phogge]

Disagree. Baragar has been lights out except for one outing but now he too is on the IL, DL or Injured Reserve. Can’t keep them straight.