Deliberate Fouling on a pitch?

[DRY]

*Originally posted by BobT *
**I’ve also noticed that with the bases loaded and two outs that when there is a dropped third strike, the catcher will almost always chase the batter or throw to first even though he could just step on home plate to end the inning. **

With regard to swinging at a wild pitch for strike three and attempting to reach base, it should be remembered that the batter is automatically out if first base is occupied and there are less than two outs. However, in Bob T’s situation above (bases loaded, two out), the batter does have to be put out.

[ricepad]

Rickey Henderson says that one of his primary responsibilities as lead-off hitter is to make his first at-bat as long as possible, and force the pitcher to throw everything at him. Fouling off pitches is one way to see more of the pitcher’s complete arsenal. By doing that, Henderson’s teammates could see what was working for the pitcher and what wasn’t.

[DRY]

*Originally posted by ricepad *
**Rickey Henderson says that one of his primary responsibilities as lead-off hitter is to make his first at-bat as long as possible, and force the pitcher to throw everything at him. Fouling off pitches is one way to see more of the pitcher’s complete arsenal. By doing that, Henderson’s teammates could see what was working for the pitcher and what wasn’t. **

I’ve also heard the quote, and don’t doubt that Henderson thought this way, and was motivated to do this. However, I don’t believe that Henderson would deliberately foul off a pitch that he’d have been able to hit solidly (fair). Successful batters just don’t do that–it’s not easy to reach base 40% of the time as it is.

I do believe that Henderson, as well as a lot of other hitters, would look to foul off tough pitches with two strikes, both to protect the plate and give their teammates a good look at the opposing pitcher. But deliberately fouling off hittable pitches with less than two strikes doesn’t seem very likely to me.

[ricepad]

*Originally posted by DRY *
I’ve also heard the quote, and don’t doubt that Henderson thought this way, and was motivated to do this. However, I don’t believe that Henderson would deliberately foul off a pitch that he’d have been able to hit solidly (fair). Successful batters just don’t do that–it’s not easy to reach base 40% of the time as it is.

I do believe that Henderson, as well as a lot of other hitters, would look to foul off tough pitches with two strikes, both to protect the plate and give their teammates a good look at the opposing pitcher. But deliberately fouling off hittable pitches with less than two strikes doesn’t seem very likely to me. **

Well, yeah, it’s only logical that if he had a chance to spank one for a hit, he’d take it, and by the same token, if the pitcher is really struggling to find the strike zone, I doubt Henderson would swing at ball four just to see another pitch.

Then again, maybe Rickey was just overstating his lead-off role, eh?

[DRY]

*Originally posted by ricepad *
**Well, yeah, it’s only logical that if he had a chance to spank one for a hit, he’d take it, and by the same token, if the pitcher is really struggling to find the strike zone, I doubt Henderson would swing at ball four just to see another pitch.

Then again, maybe Rickey was just overstating his lead-off role, eh? **

I agree with your first paragraph above. Not only that he’d pass up the chance for a hit, but that he’d not pass up ball four, either, unless he were fairly certain he could get at least a single. Henderson may be a massively egotistical ballplayer, but he’s not stupid.

As to your second one: Rickey Henderson is one of the greatest leadoff hitters off all time. Quite possibly THE greatest.

But one thing that he is not, is “selfless”.

So yeah, I agree with your second paragraph, too.

At least insofar as Rickey is more likely to overstate his role, his contributions, etc, then he is to UNDERstate them.