Rule Definition

Tayster · Post by **Tayster** » Tue Feb 01, 2005 2:13 am

Honestly I don't think the pitching position makes that big of a difference to begin with. It gets maybe 1-3 plays in a game, and has rarely come up in game changing plays (well... except for maybe last week). Though I do agree that having him play closer to the pitcher would be ideal.

As far as defensive team pitching... yeah, no. I agree with images of baseballs flying towards my head, and fights over balls and strikes. It can get to be a drag waiting while the same player bats for 5 minutes, but I think most of us have adjusted to that.

Southpaw Slim · Post by **Southpaw Slim** » Tue Feb 01, 2005 2:17 am

Tayster wrote:Honestly I don't think the pitching position makes that big of a difference to begin with. It gets maybe 1-3 plays in a game, and has rarely come up in game changing plays (well... except for maybe last week).

It seems to me that the pitching fielder is more effective as a relay spoiler. It comes up almost every game that the pitcher botches at least one throw home.

Post by **gohlkus** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 3:40 am

Having played the pitcher defensive position, the only place to really effectively play is right behind the pitcher (about 2-4 feet behind him) and just over to the left or right (depending on the handedness of the batter).

Even there, I feel like the only purpose I serve is to get in the way of the shortstop.

I think bunts would make things interesting, but I doubt they would really enhance the game other than as a skill test. It's not as if we don't already have a ton of people getting on base. In fact, it's probably more of a sure out than just grounding to short, considering the short basepaths and the wild throws.

Post by **retep** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 8:43 am

one problem I see with allowing bunts is that we already play on such a small field. If a 1B or 3B needed to move closer for a bunting person, and the person decides to swing, that could be very dangerous.

Post by **gohlkus** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 12:49 pm

I agree with Peter.

To clarify my earlier post: I don't think we should allow bunts, because I don't think it adds anything of value enough to risk the faces of our first and third basemen. (Well -- no great loss....)

TheLegend · Post by **TheLegend** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 2:02 pm

gohlkus wrote:I agree with Peter.

To clarify my earlier post: I don't think we should allow bunts, because I don't think it adds anything of value enough to risk the faces of our first and third basemen. (Well -- no great loss....)

I disagree. I don't know if anyone has noticed, but I'll often sneak up off the grass and play inside the bag at third if there's a fast runner at the plate just to get that extra half-second advantage on a ground ball. I have never felt as if I was in any danger when doing this.

Peter, Nomar, Rich, Nick, Ant (i.e. corner infielders)- what do you guys think?

Also, with the velocity that we pitch at, most bunts won't get too far from home plate and would easily be fielded by the catcher or pitcher (negating the need for the infielders to cheat in)

Post by **retep** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 5:40 pm

it would be fun to bunt, but if we could have an un-written rule that we will aviod doing things like slashing the ball after showing bunt, or soemthing... I like my jaw the way it is!

But the bunting would be fun, and give me more fun down at 1B, and give me a chance to use my speed.

Southpaw Slim · Post by **Southpaw Slim** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 1:03 am

When the position was first created, players usually stood about 6 feet behind the pitcher's pitching arm. Since then, they've kept floating back further and further.

Post by **Baseball=Life** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 12:07 am

Hey I just noticed I never posted the follow up to this...

Specifically, the Rules state "- This defensive fielding pitcher must stay within 7 feet of the throwing pitcher until the pitched ball is on the way to home plate."

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 7:03 pm

I don't like the fielding pitcher position. There are several times I've seen that I, as the offensive team pitcher, could have made a play that the defensive pitcher can't because I'm in his way a little, or he has to stand on on side or the other of me. I'd rather have people take turns sitting out an inning than have the defensive pitcher position. Also, bunts are harder and more dangerous to play with this weird position.

Joe shmoe · Post by **Joe shmoe** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 12:45 am

i feel that if we have 18 people we should have a live game. defensive pitcher blows, anyone who has done it knows it. so why not have a live game the only reason i can think of is on a non-specified live game we might not have good pitchers. but eventually we will get better. and it will make the game more interesting so lets try it there at least 4 catchers every game ken, paul, nick, and dave. also i've seen scot back there. and pitchers while they are not the quality of andrew or the others they can pitch not horrible

Post by **Baseball=Life** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 2:42 am

Well this is not going to happen. I've even considered eliminating live games entirely, so, if anything, I'm leaning in the other direction. Live games are only as good as the pitching. When the pitchers can't hit the strike zone, it's no fun at all. Walk-a-thons are the result, and the fielders have nothing to do. In live games with bad pitching, actually, it's like every position out there becomes the way you described the defensive pitcher role--ie not many plays to be involved with. As long as the pitching doesn't get out of hand in terms of walks, we'll keep having peroidic live games.

That having been said, I think that people can get more out of the defensive pitcher position. I've seen Will J, Carlos E, recently Eddie R, and myself, all play it with a lot of range. Were you there a few weeks ago when Chris A. made a webgem catch from the defensive pitcher position? Especially when there's 18 people, then bunts are involved and the defensive pitcher has a lot to do. The defensive pitcher needs to back up all throws from the outfield into the bases. The defensive pitcher, in the case of backing up after an overthrow in from an outfielder, then must gun a relay throw home to get the baserunner at the plate. The defensive pitcher should pick up on what the batter might be trying to do, and relay any insight to the infielders. Very important, the defensive pitcher has to cover 1st base on ground balls to the first baseman, and also on double play groundballs to the first baseman. On these, he has to get over there quickly, like faster than the batter-runner, and then still be able to turn toward the infield to take the throw (not easy). Anyways, as you can see, there's a lot to be done at the defensive pitcher position.

AntMoOAK · Post by **AntMoOAK** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 12:34 pm

I don't see why we can't just have the defense pitch to the other team. Since we don't call strikes, there is no real loss to the batter to get the batter out. Take as many pitches as you need. Since the teams are mixed, we've all faced all of the usual pitchers (Scott, Chris A., Jason, etc...) I;ve seen a couple of plays where the dp, actually hindered a pretty routine play for the other infielders due to how he is positioned.

When I was younger we used to play with no defensive pitcher and the opposing teams pitcher tossed juicy pitches to get the ball in play. I doubtr K's would increase if you used a regular pitcher.

TheLegend · Post by **TheLegend** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 12:48 pm

AntMoOAK wrote:I don't see why we can't just have the defense pitch to the other team. Since we don't call strikes, there is no real loss to the batter to get the batter out. Take as many pitches as you need. Since the teams are mixed, we've all faced all of the usual pitchers (Scott, Chris A., Jason, etc...) I;ve seen a couple of plays where the dp, actually hindered a pretty routine play for the other infielders due to how he is positioned.

When I was younger we used to play with no defensive pitcher and the opposing teams pitcher tossed juicy pitches to get the ball in play. I doubtr K's would increase if you used a regular pitcher.

I agree 162%

Post by **retep** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 12:57 pm

... and no one gets kicked off a team... I am down to try that for one game.... but the other team better not fuck around wioth 2 strikes! That's the issue.