Quote:
Originally Posted by Cinnamon J. Scudworth
The problem in my mind is that the definition of "pitch to contact" that you just gave here ("throw quality strikes that are still difficult to hit hard") is what a pitcher is always trying to do, in aggregate. Pitchers who are known for "pitching to contact" are just pitchers who don't tend to have swing-and-miss stuff. Aside from situations where a guy is trying to get someone to rollover on a change-up to ground into a double play (which seems like it's kind of modeled in the game already) it's hard for me to envision a situation when pitcher would deliberately try to make a pitch easier to hit.
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You're misinterpreting what I wrote. I said that pitching to contact for a guy like Greg Maddux is more effective because he has tremendous control and can "throw quality strikes that are still difficult to hit hard." Not every pitcher has that kind of pinpoint control; in fact, few do. That's why the idea of pitching to contact is so arbitrary.
I think the problem with this whole "pitch to contact" thing is that it means different things to different people. To me, it should mean attacking the strike zone to try to get quicker outs. It has nothing to do with trying to get a ground ball in a double play situation. That's a whole different strategy that involves throwing sinkers or two-seamers or a breaking ball down and away, or trying to jam hitters and get the ball put in play on the ground.
Pitching to contact should mean attacking the strike zone early in at bats, hoping to get quick outs, whether it be ground ball, fly ball, pop up, whatever kind of out. It's a strategy that's most effective with a big lead when nibbling or trying to make the perfect pitch isn't necessary. If I'm up 10-1 in the seventh inning and Miguel Cabrera is leading off, I'm attacking the strike zone and making him earn his way on base rather than nibbling at the corners or trying to get him to chase and risking a walk. Even if he homers, it's still 10-2 with nobody on base. I'd rather that than a leadoff walk that could spark a rally. Sure, a leadoff hit could do the same, but at least if the ball is put in play, my defense can make a play. There's no way to defend a walk.
In simpler terms, pitching to contact should mean I'm going right at this guy and making him earn his way on.