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Otto von Ballpark

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Everything posted by Otto von Ballpark

  1. Otto von Ballpark
    A real play of smarts/skill would have been Bautista sliding with his arms extended more naturally, rather than trying to grab the ankle late. Maybe in the same motion, he could have tried to hook the base somehow to stay on it. Not sure why we would want a game where all of those considerations are thrown out the window, and baserunners feel free to go full Utley on fielders with little regard for anything else. I mean, for example, on a brushback pitch, the catcher sets up like normal and the pitcher does his normal wind-up. But if you like an aggressive game, maybe we should just let the pitcher and catcher set up a brushback like a "pitch out" but to the batter's side of the plate, and let the pitcher take a few steps first to get a little something extra on his throw. True art and skill often comes through when working within some boundaries. I think for much of baseball's history, there haven't been enough boundaries on baserunners breaking up DPs.
  2. Otto von Ballpark
    If the throw had no chance of beating the runner, why would Bautista try to grab the fielder's ankle? Even if such discretion was allowed, I think you are over-rating the likelihood of the runner being safe at first. This wasn't some kind of desperation attempt that the infielder was using to deke Bautista.
  3. Otto von Ballpark
    Players and umpires are still adapting. I think the challenges/replays/appeals will die down. In 2014, there were 92 "home plate collision" challenges: http://baseballsavant.com/apps/replays.php?ddlTypes=home-plate%20collision&ddlTeams=&ddlGameDate=&ddlChallenger=teamchallenging&ddlYear=2014 In 2015, there were only 27: http://baseballsavant.com/apps/replays.php?ddlTypes=home-plate%20collision&ddlTeams=&ddlGameDate=&ddlChallenger=teamchallenging&ddlYear=2015 I expect we will soon see a similar effect in 2nd base takeout slide challenges.
  4. Otto von Ballpark
    Instant replay reviews are largely a separate problem, and should be treated as such. Given the current rule construction, the umps on the field probably want to err on the side of "least harm done" so they call the runner safe, and will let their colleagues and/or replay officials overturn it if they want. It would be much harder to undo an initial automatic out call.
  5. Otto von Ballpark
    So a drop-kick that lets you land near enough to the base that you can reach it with your hand is cool? Is it really too much to ask that the runner STAYS on the base?
  6. Otto von Ballpark
    Baserunners can still try and break up double plays, and they will. They just won't be able to go far out of their normal path (i.e. sliding way past the base) to do it. I think breaking up DPs now will actually take more skill than before, and should be more fun to watch. But, I know you disagree.
  7. Otto von Ballpark
    It will only "affect games" like this for a few weeks while everybody adjusts. By next season, you won't even notice its effects -- guys just won't blatantly grab infielder's feet, or slide well beyond second base. Were you also decrying the new rule a few years ago about home plate collisions? It was big news when it first started getting enforced, but now it's old hat, everybody has adjusted and nobody much cares.
  8. Otto von Ballpark
    Here's the link to the video of the Toronto-Tampa play: http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/6479266/v574646983/tor-tb-rays-awarded-dp-after-slide-rule-violation An overslide AND a rather egregious leg grab. I'm not even sure they needed to apply the new rule here, I think grabbing a fielder's foot was textbook interference before the new rule too.
  9. Otto von Ballpark
    The new rule was also invoked a few days ago (without replay) in a Nationals-Braves game too, although in a less important situation: http://m.mlb.com/video/v572697283/wshatl-murphy-knocked-down-nats-awarded-two-outs/?game_pk=446879 Good call, as the runner clearly over-slid the base.
  10. Otto von Ballpark
    Mainly because ticket prices vary so much by individual game. For example, Game 4 vs the Angels, the cheapest ticket is $15 simply by virtue of it being a weekend game. Eventually for weekend games in June through August, the cheapest ticket jumps up to $23. The "season ticket price" is basically just a shortcut to an average of those varied prices.
  11. Otto von Ballpark
    Not quite. 3rd fewest pinch hitter PA in the 2015 AL. The Red Sox were just behind us, and the Royals were way behind everybody (as they were in 2014 too). http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=al&qual=0&type=0&season=2015&month=46&season1=2015&ind=0&team=0,ts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=4,d
  12. Otto von Ballpark
    I think it's roughly accurate. Average cheapest home ticket at StubHub right now, across all 81 games, is $16.11 including fees: http://www.stubhub.com/minnesota-twins-tickets/performer/5648/ Take out the home opener, and it drops to $15.80. Take out the 7 games with Boston and NY, and it drops to $14.86. Yeah, some of those summer games might climb in price a little if the team is competitive and demand is high, but some of those September games may eventually drop closer to April prices too regardless of team performance.
  13. Otto von Ballpark
    I don't think Target Field is cheap, but my issues with it generally have little to do with price.
  14. Otto von Ballpark
    I think parking near the Minneapolis central library is around $6. Although at that point, you're pretty close to some meters that aren't enforced after 6 PM, so you can probably score a spot for free.
  15. Otto von Ballpark
    Yup. 90 days active or 1 year service time, whichever comes later, to remove Rule 5 restrictions and allow you to option them. You can replace them on the 40-man roster during the season if you 60-day DL them too. Up to 30 days minor league rehab for pitchers. I think TJ surgery guys are probably good targets now -- you can stick them on the DL for as long as you need, and you probably have a ton of discretion about if/when to activate them. Had he not been protected, Melotakis would have been an ideal candidate for my optimal Rule 5 plan: April/May on the DL (60-day if you need the 40-man spot during that time), June on a minor league rehab assignment, July and August on the MLB roster if you still want the guy and you can spare the roster spot (i.e. you're not a surprise contender), and then shut them down if you want in September when rosters expand. You could pick a guy with more recent TJ surgery too, and just DL them the entire first year, and then follow this plan in the second year. I don't know if Jones will follow that exact plan, but it looks like the Brewers and other teams are incorporating elements of it for their Rule 5 picks.
  16. Otto von Ballpark
    Hopefully May doesn't become the closer, or he may not have appeared in a game like yesterday's, and we may not have even reached the 9th tied.
  17. Otto von Ballpark
    Sounds like you might not be able to do it. Your T-Mobile device needs to have a web browser, basically, and some data allotment (not just minutes) from T-Mobile. If your phone is modern enough to have a web browser, you could probably pre-pay for some data from T-Mobile in addition to minutes, and then sign up. It would probably only cost a few bucks, and they could probably help you at a T-Mobile store or kiosk (although don't mention this promo because technically prepaid plans aren't supposed to be eligible). The promo runs through April 10. Message me if need more specific advice.
  18. Otto von Ballpark
    Yes, they can do up to 30 days rehab. I think the Rule 5 roadmap is DL through May, June on rehab in the minors, then if you still have the flexibility, you put him on the MLB roster for July And August, then shut him down when rosters expand in September of you want too.
  19. Otto von Ballpark
    Also, while the terms of this deal say it is for T-Mobile "Simple Choice" customers (probably the standard T-Mobile contracts/plans), I have heard reports that it works for prepaid T-Mobile customers too. Worth a shot if you or family/friends has any kind of T-Mobile services.
  20. Otto von Ballpark
    The issue yesterday could have been national blackouts -- the three Sunday opening day games were all on ESPN/ESPN2. Try again today. (You could also try viewing an archived game if you just want to make sure it works.)
  21. Otto von Ballpark
    Hmmm... this sounds familiar... http://twinsdaily.com/topic/21881-free-mlbtv-for-t-mobile-customers/ Glad it is getting more press here, though! Also, very cool that MLB provided a refund.
  22. Otto von Ballpark
    DFA'd by the Marlins today: http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/04/marlins-designate-brad-hand-cole-gillespie-for-assignment.html
  23. Otto von Ballpark
    FYI: T-Mobile customers can sign up this week (April 3-10) for a free, season-long MLB.TV Premium subscription: http://www.t-mobile.com/mlb.html
  24. Otto von Ballpark
    My second grade teacher having a crush on Jeff Reardon is my primary memory of the 1987 team. Maybe that crush was a rebound from a fan relationship gone sour with Ron Davis?
  25. Otto von Ballpark
    Thanks. I think I remember this happening before, and no one could change it after the fact, but I seem to recall it was possible to change of during the initial posting process? Or perhaps I am mis-remembering. In any case, thanks for the change here. And thanks Matt for the article!
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