Front Page: Twins Game Recap (8/15): Pineda Solid While Offense Provides Plenty

[USAFChief]

I always thought guys weren't supposed to swing at 3-0 pitches because the pitcher was showing they can't throw strikes and to just take the free base. Is it really because you're supposed to take at least one strike in order to make it more fair or something? Thats the first I've ever heard that, and pretty sad that these professional competitors agree thats the norm. Should teams roll out the b squad lineup when their ace is on the mound as well?

players often swing 3-0. The issue was the score.

[Mr. Brooks]

players often swing 3-0. The issue was the score.

Why does one team get to keep trying, and the other team has to stop?

Not rhetorical, I honestly don't understand.

[USAFChief]

Why does one team get to keep trying, and the other team has to stop?

Not rhetorical, I honestly don't understand.

You should ask the players.

 

But IMO its the common courtesy and respect shown between highly competitive people who play at an extremely high level for six straight months. "The game is pretty much decided. let's not show each other up. We have to co e back and do this again tomorrow/next week/next month/next year."

 

And it's pretty undeniable all the players know and understand. Cave immediately apologized. Kepler wore a fastball, trotted to first without complaint, and everyone moved on.

[Vanimal46]

Imagine if these unwritten rules exist in other sports...

 

In football if you're up by 2 TDs, the defense has to bat the ball in the air like a hot potato instead of intercepting the ball... Or if you have a clear path to sack a QB, you have to take a knee.

 

In basketball if you're up by 10 points with 2 minutes left, you can't shoot the ball. Just dribble until the 24 second shot clock is up.

[Danchat]

 

You should ask the players.

But IMO its the common courtesy and respect shown between highly competitive people who play at an extremely high level for six straight months. "The game is pretty much decided. let's not show each other up. We have to co e back and do this again tomorrow/next week/next month/next year."

And it's pretty undeniable all the players know and understand. Cave immediately apologized. Kepler wore a fastball, trotted to first without complaint, and everyone moved on.

Chief, this makes zero sense to me. Cave taking on a 3-0 count likely makes the game go longer as he either takes a walk or takes a strike, and now we have to see another pitcher. Alternatively, swinging at it could potentially lead to an out in the field, which would speed up the game.

 

Alternatively, Kepler gets hit, and now you're putting a runner on base... in a game which is a blowout, in which I thought the point was to speed up the game and get it over with.

 

Only in the backwards sport of baseball are players supposed to stop trying once the score is at a certain point. Why don't we just have a mercy rule? These stupid unwritten rules drive me nuts.

[Squirrel]

 

You should ask the players.

But IMO its the common courtesy and respect shown between highly competitive people who play at an extremely high level for six straight months. "The game is pretty much decided. let's not show each other up. We have to co e back and do this again tomorrow/next week/next month/next year."

And it's pretty undeniable all the players know and understand. Cave immediately apologized. Kepler wore a fastball, trotted to first without complaint, and everyone moved on.

Cave apologized? After he hit the ball and was on 1st? 

[Danchat]

 

Imagine if these unwritten rules exist in other sports...

In football if you're up by 2 TDs, the defense has to bat the ball in the air like a hot potato instead of intercepting the ball... Or if you have a clear path to sack a QB, you have to take a knee.

In basketball if you're up by 10 points with 2 minutes left, you can't shoot the ball. Just dribble until the 24 second shot clock is up.

I wish I could like this post more than once!

[SpicyGarvSauce]

 

Imagine if these unwritten rules exist in other sports...

In football if you're up by 2 TDs, the defense has to bat the ball in the air like a hot potato instead of intercepting the ball... Or if you have a clear path to sack a QB, you have to take a knee.

In basketball if you're up by 10 points with 2 minutes left, you can't shoot the ball. Just dribble until the 24 second shot clock is up.

 

I was thinking about this earlier - do other sports have these unwritten (stupid & outdated) rules?

[SpicyGarvSauce]

 

 

Cave apologized? After he hit the ball and was on 1st? 

You could see, in the video, that Watkins said something to him and Cave took it as an "oh crap, my bad" moment. He even patted himself on the chest to signal that. I think Watkins told him what had happened, why the Rangers may be pissed, and what may happen to Kepler.

 

Still, stupid. A guy shouldn't have to worry about swinging 3-0 no matter the score. These unwritten rules are so outlandish and stupid. Down with them.

[Squirrel]

 

You could see, in the video, that Watkins said something to him and Cave took it as an "oh crap, my bad" moment. He even patted himself on the chest to signal that. I think Watkins told him what had happened, why the Rangers may be pissed, and what may happen to Kepler.

 

Still, stupid. A guy shouldn't have to worry about swinging 3-0 no matter the score. These unwritten rules are so outlandish and stupid. Down with them.

Ah, okay, so Cave realized what he did, and acknowledged it and took responsibility, BEFORE the pitcher hit Kepler. Then that's just the pitcher being wrong. There was no reason to hit Kepler, and it's a good thing the pitch didn't hit a wrist or head and make it worse.

[jz7233]

Freddy Galvis was claimed by Reds off waivers from Blue Jays. He is a better and cheaper player than Schoop and yet he was let go.

[Vanimal46]

You should ask the players.

 

But IMO its the common courtesy and respect shown between highly competitive people who play at an extremely high level for six straight months. "The game is pretty much decided. let's not show each other up. We have to co e back and do this again tomorrow/next week/next month/next year."

 

And it's pretty undeniable all the players know and understand. Cave immediately apologized. Kepler wore a fastball, trotted to first without complaint, and everyone moved on.

That plate appearance counts just the same on his stat line than every other plate appearance. The goal is to make contact and improve on that. There isn't a separate category where we subtract plate appearances he wasn't supposed to try according to unwritten rules.

[Splash]

I'm amused by the outrage over Kepler getting hit.

Every player on both teams knew exactly what happened, and why, and none of them had a problem with it.

There are "unwritten rules" ("norms" if you prefer) in every job.

 

Sure but if someone at any other job breaks an “unwritten rule” you don’t deal with it by punching a nearby co-worker. It’s stupid that what Cave did is frowned upon, and even more stupid that they hit Kepler for it.

[Vanimal46]

I was thinking about this earlier - do other sports have these unwritten (stupid & outdated) rules?

Only baseball has players policing other players for no reason... A football team may put in the backup QB if it's a blow out. Baseball does that already by tossing out the mop up pitcher for an inning in a blow out.

[Aerodeliria]

If a rule is unwritten concerning game play, then it's not a rule IMHO. Last year some pitcher had a no-hitter going into like the 7th inning. It was broken up by a bunt single. The player was heavily criticized for breaking an unwritten rule. I'd say, that's smart baseball. Who knows, such a play might start a big rally, but instead, it almost resulted in a donnybrook.

 

BTW, here in Japan, we had a VERY rare occurrence. We had both benches empty in a game between the Seibu Lions and the Orix Buffaloes after the Orix catcher was beaned. Usually after a beaning, the opposing pitcher removes his cap and does a slight head bow to indicate no intention. Apparently, this didn't happen. (There was even a retaliation bean ball in the next inning with an instantaneous ejection.)

[Aerodeliria]

PS-If it is an unwritten rule, who is the judge? As a batter, if you argue a strike call for more than say three seconds, you'll be tossed. I'm sure that is an unwritten rule. I guess the umpire should have thrown Cave out of the game for swinging 3-0.

[bighat]

 

I didn't say I endorsed the beaning, but the only reason Kepler got hit was because of Cave. I'm sure he feels awful about it.

 

Oh I didn't think you endorsed it, Tom - sorry if you took offense! I was saying the beaning was BS, not your post.

[stringer bell]

 

Freddy Galvis was claimed by Reds off waivers from Blue Jays. He is a better and cheaper player than Schoop and yet he was let go.

What does this have to do with yesterday's game?

 

Anyway, Toronto is not in contention, saving an odd million on Galvis' salary is fine for them and he doesn't have a future with the Jays. The Twins are in a pennant race and an injury away from playing Schoop every day at second. Different situation.

[wabene]

Odo vs Minor tonight. Let's keep this rolling! This could be a tough matchup, but I think the squad will pony up. I'm ready for another exciting tilt, baby!!

[Tom Froemming]

 

Oh I didn't think you endorsed it, Tom - sorry if you took offense! I was saying the beaning was BS, not your post.

Oh no, that was my bad. I probably should have actually shared my opinion in the first place.

[Squirrel]

For those who want to continue the discussion on this unwritten rule issue with this game, a separate article/thread has been started.

 

http://twinsdaily.com/topic/34487-front-page-unwritten-rule-gets-max-kepler-hit-by-a-pitch/