Cleveland Cubs

[IrishJayhawk]

The purists say that what makes a great pitcher is how they react to the strikezone that the ump sets each game. I agree 100%.

The other thing to remember about the pitch tracker is it's just a 2 dimensional square. It needs to be a 3D cube. They have the tech to show it as such. I watched the game with a bunch of fans and the pitch tracker makes it impossible to enjoy yourself. Everyone is b!tch!ng because they don't understand the game at that level.

But the strike zone is a clearly defined thing. Why should it be subject to interpretation any more than whether a home run hits above or below the yellow line.

Regarding the 3D cube...what is the rule? I was thinking that the rule was where it crossed the front of the plate. Am I wrong on that?

 

[BobbyMac]

But the strike zone is a clearly defined thing. Why should it be subject to interpretation any more than whether a home run hits above or below the yellow line.

Regarding the 3D cube...what is the rule? I was thinking that the rule was where it crossed the front of the plate. Am I wrong on that?

Yes, it is in the rule books. It's over the plate between the knees and the numbers. When was the last time you saw one called at the numbers? WWII?

The REAL strikezone is established in the first inning of every game. Players know it, they adjust to it immediately. If there was a problem, they would be b!tching about it everyday of the season.

 

[Southside Sully]

Even though I'm pulling for the Tribe (big time), There were some strike/ball calls lastnight that had me scratching my head.

How? After review it was confirmed (see above) that home plate ump was accurate on 97.2% of pitches he called last night. So of the 297 pitches thrown, he got 8.3 pitches wrong.. I would say thats a hell of a call. Like I mentioned Smoltz explained this perfectly. To me and you it looks like a ball or a strike, but when they do the areal view it shows the ball was catching the plate when it crossed it, which is a strike.

 

[Southside Sully]

The purists say that what makes a great pitcher is how they react to the strikezone that the ump sets each game. I agree 100%.
.

This 100%. A computerized strike zone would be the worst thing for baseball.

 

[BobbyMac]

But the strike zone is a clearly defined thing. Why should it be subject to interpretation any more than whether a home run hits above or below the yellow line.

Regarding the 3D cube...what is the rule? I was thinking that the rule was where it crossed the front of the plate. Am I wrong on that?

Here are the last two interpretations of the strikezone in MLB.

1996 - The Strike Zone is expanded on the lower end, moving from the top of the knees to the bottom of the knees.

1988 - "The Strike Zone is that area over home plate the upper limit of which is a horizontal line at the midpoint between the top of the shoulders and the top of the uniform pants, and the lower level is a line at the top of the knees. The Strike Zone shall be determined from the batter's stance as the batter is prepared to swing at a pitched ball."

 

[IrishJayhawk]

This 100%. A computerized strike zone would be the worst thing for baseball.

I just can't see how.

We can agree to disagree. But I don't think it's "pure" that each umpire has his own version of the strike zone. I think it's sort of a scandal.

To be fair, it used to be far worse. The computerized strike zone is now being used to assess them, which has all but eliminated Eric Gregg situations.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

How? After review it was confirmed (see above) that home plate ump was accurate on 97.2% of pitches he called last night. So of the 297 pitches thrown, he got 8.3 pitches wrong.. I would say thats a hell of a call. Like I mentioned Smoltz explained this perfectly. To me and you it looks like a ball or a strike, but when they do the areal view it shows the ball was catching the plate when it crossed it, which is a strike.

Yes, but that's one dimension. High/low is subjective too and it's my opinion that a lot of pitches that seemed one or the other were being called strikes as well.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

For the record, as upset I was at times with the calls, I'm willing to accept a 90+% accuracy rate behind the plate. Even in the World Series (where the bar should be set even higher). 10 pitches out of 100 per game, per team should never determine the outcome. Exceptions, sure. But never the rule.

 

[Circa]

Cleveland in 6. Bet on It. The officiating would ruin Baseball with these atrocities

 

[loomis41973]

Cleveland in 6. Bet on It. The officiating would ruin Baseball with these atrocities

Can you sell me a bit of what you're smoking? Might need it to get through this ND season.

 

[irishfanjho15]

Just for reference guys pitch fx only addresses decision pitches, i.e. pitches not swung at or bunted at. Vanover missed 5 of 177 decision pitches last night.

As a college baseball umpire that works at the D2 level (D1 during the fall) and lower, people who have never called a game back there do not understand how difficult it is to miss that few pitches. Generally speaking, MLB umpires on average get 95% of pitches right through the year. Like they used to say of PGA golfers, these guys are good.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Should find out today if Schwarbs is medically cleared to play in the field. Huge difference in the lineup w/o him on National League turf. I'm torn at the moment.

1a) Cubs have Hendricks on the mound tomorrow. Take your chances that he won't give up a lot of runs. Schwarber may not be needed for the whole game. If anything maybe just to pinch hit during a pitching change, etc. Or...

1b) You can play Kyle until the Cubs build a lead, then take him out and let Hayward come in for defense.

2) Just play the dude and take your chances. This is the World Series dammit and his bat is fire right now.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

Should find out today if Schwarbs is medically cleared to play in the field. Huge difference in the lineup w/o him on National League turf. I'm torn at the moment.

1a) Cubs have Hendricks on the mound tomorrow. Take your chances that he won't give up a lot of runs. Schwarber may not be needed for the whole game. If anything maybe just to pinch hit during a pitching change, etc. Or...

1b) You can play Kyle until the Cubs build a lead, then take him out and let Hayward come in for defense.

2) Just play the dude and take your chances. This is the World Series dammit and his bat is fire right now.

You'd expect a fair number of ground ball outs against Hendricks as well. But, man, I don't know if I want to mess with Schwarber having to make lateral movements. I guess we just have to trust the medical folks.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

You'd expect a fair number of ground ball outs against Hendricks as well. But, man, I don't know if I want to mess with Schwarber having to make lateral movements. I guess we just have to trust the medical folks.

This is literally the biggest story to follow with the WS currently. Schwarber's hot bat + still not cleared to field + NL rules = mega controversy heading into tomorrow. It's intriguing. And IIRC, the media can't attend practice until after noon, so anything that happens before hand may not be reported until the roster is released tomorrow. Maddon can handle this a lot of different ways. I trust him and the medical staff to make the right call though.

 

[RDU Irish]

Saw the ratings are up 30% over last year. Be good for baseball to see this go six or seven games.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Saw the ratings are up 30% over last year. Be good for baseball to see this go six or seven games.

It'll be good for my blood pressure if it's over in 5. Just sayin.

 

[Southside Sully]

As of yesterday Schwarber wasn't cleared to play the field. I know its the world series, but why would you want to put the kids future at risk having him play the field, also as a non Cubs fan I would welcome him in the field if he fields balls in left like last year. He is a professional hitter that is for sure, he is going to make A LOT of money in the American league!

 

[IrishJayhawk]

As of yesterday Schwarber wasn't cleared to play the field. I know its the world series, but why would you want to put the kids future at risk having him play the field, also as a non Cubs fan I would welcome him in the field if he fields balls in left like last year. He is a professional hitter that is for sure, he is going to make A LOT of money in the American league!

He's shaky in left, but he's a solid athlete and a really hard worker. I think he'll get to the point where he's serviceable. But there's no way I want him out there (and I think the Cubs agree) if he's not stable yet. They love him too much to put his career in jeopardy.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

It'll be good for my blood pressure if it's over in 5. Just sayin.

Amen.

 

[BobbyMac]

As of yesterday Schwarber wasn't cleared to play the field. I know its the world series, but why would you want to put the kids future at risk having him play the field, also as a non Cubs fan I would welcome him in the field if he fields balls in left like last year. He is a professional hitter that is for sure, he is going to make A LOT of money in the American league!

It's been six months. That's the average timeline for a normal human being with normal healthcare/rehab availability. Schwarber had the best of everything. The Cowboy's team doc did the surgery and he has had the best of rehab 24hrs a day since. In essence, the Cubs paid him $260k to rehab full time.

If the doctors say he's good what can ya say?

My gut is you won't see him for other reasons. It sure sounded like his agent talking when he was interviewed after last night's game.

 

[NDgradstudent]

BREAKING: Schwarber has taken the lead in the Presidential race after Joe Buck's endorsement!

 

[BobbyMac]

From the 1993 Mission Viejo (CA) yearbook.

Dude's gonna be famous.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Joe Buck be like

 

[BobbyMac]

Joe Buck be like

If only Joe Buck had 5% of that guy's enthusiasm.

It must kill him to be part of the Second Family of Cardinals Baseball and be contractually obligated to call a Cubs World Series.

He was much more enthusiastic back in '05 when he called the Sox.

...and is it just me or does Smoltz sound like a Tim McCarver?

 

[IrishJayhawk]

BREAKING: Schwarber has taken the lead in the Presidential race after Joe Buck's endorsement!

It's funny. Cubs fans think he's incredibly biased against them (I don't). So do Royals, Giants, and Mets fans. Maybe we're all just used to listening to our home town announcers...

 

[NDgradstudent]

It's funny. Cubs fans think he's incredibly biased against them (I don't). So do Royals, Giants, and Mets fans. Maybe we're all just used to listening to our home town announcers...

We're just salty right now. Buck needed something to talk about when the Indians are getting no-hit.

 

[ozzman]

He was much more enthusiastic back in '05 when he called the Sox.

You think so? I disagree. He sounded pained that he had to call the Sox/Astros. Hell, he even made a joke that he had to bring up the Yankees during the series. Joe Buck is the worst. Almost as big of a coattail rider as Jim Belushi.

 

[Southside Sully]

You think so? I disagree. He sounded pained that he had to call the Sox/Astros. Hell, he even made a joke that he had to bring up the Yankees during the series. Joe Buck is the worst. Almost as big of a coattail rider as Jim Belushi.

There was nothing better than his interview with Artie.. NSFW

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pj8y2Oi1lFk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[ozzman]

There was nothing better than his interview with Artie.. NSFW

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pj8y2Oi1lFk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

so awkwardly amazing. I just sent this to someone yesterday.

 

[Ndaccountant]

I think we call agree that the winner so far of the baseball playoffs has been Troy Aikman.