Random baseball scenario

Green & Gold Heart · 11-27-2012, 10:38 AM

So I was just thinking about this randomly.

So, let's say there is a game that is 1-0 in the middle innings. The team that is up 1-0 is up to bat and there is a runner on third with one out.

The batter hits a deep fly ball to left, but it slices into foul territory. The fielder has room to make the catch. But, if he makes the catch, the runner will easily tag and score.

Is there any chance that the fielder might intentionally let the ball drop foul to give his pitcher a chance to get the guy out without the run scoring?

rpriske · 11-27-2012, 10:42 AM

Yes.

It isn't that rare either... though it doesn't come up THAT often.

Green & Gold Heart · 11-27-2012, 11:04 AM

Yeah, it seems feasible that it might happen. I just don't think I've ever seen it.

rpriske · 11-27-2012, 12:18 PM

I have seen the fielder make the wrong decision as well.. "Oh no! He caught it!"

Linenoise · 11-27-2012, 02:04 PM

I've seen it happen a few times but I think many people subscribe to the theory that you should never give away an out. It is an obvious no-brianer to not catch the ball if it is a game winner in the bottom of the 9th. But I don't think I would give up the out if it is to prevent a tie.

kenyan_cheena · 11-27-2012, 06:28 PM

It would be funny if he let it go foul, and then the batter hits the next pitch for a home run.

Déjà Bru · 11-27-2012, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpriske

Yes.

Me too. I've never seen a guy intentionally muff catching the ball, but I have seen, and heard announcers commenting upon, an outfielder intentionally running less than full speed after such a fly ball and receiving props for smarts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

It would be funny if he let it go foul, and then the batter hits the next pitch for a home run.

Yeah, but if my LF or RF had done the right thing on the previous pitch, I still pat him on the back in the dugout. That's the chances of baseball.

RchW · 11-27-2012, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green & Gold Heart

So I was just thinking about this randomly.

So, let's say there is a game that is 1-0 in the middle innings. The team that is up 1-0 is up to bat and there is a runner on third with one out.

The batter hits a deep fly ball to left, but it slices into foul territory. The fielder has room to make the catch. But, if he makes the catch, the runner will easily tag and score.

Is there any chance that the fielder might intentionally let the ball drop foul to give his pitcher a chance to get the guy out without the run scoring?

It happens all the time in non-stadium baseball where there is room outside the lines. That being said some players/coaches don't get it.

Splitter24 · 11-28-2012, 09:15 AM

I actually saw this in a game on TV once. The go-ahead run was on 3rd base and the OF let a catchable ball drop in foul territory rather than let the guy tag and score. He was standing on the foul line and the ball landed a foot and a half foul. Who was this strategic mastermind? None other than Jose Canseco.

Tib · 01-30-2013, 01:25 AM

I think the key here is when you wrote "middle innings". A 1-0 game in the middle innings is far from decided, and taking the out and having the runner score to tie is not the end of the world. Generally, when you have the chance to shorten the game, do it.

However, if the runner was the winning run, I'd let the ball drop. With almost no chance to throw him out you've effectively decided the game by catching that foul ball. If the next pitch results in a base hit, well, the game would have been over anyway. If the next hitter gets out you're a genius, at least for one more batter.

thehef · 01-30-2013, 05:33 PM

Assuming a game is not already a blowout, I think you would have to play the odds regardless of situation. If the runner is a near-certainty to score if the catch is made and less so if the ball is allowed to drop foul, then you would weigh that against the chances that the loss of the out could lead to additional runs.

Then again, if you are up 18-17 in the sixth inning in a wild one at Wrigley, maybe that out is more-important ;-)

darkredwing · 02-27-2013, 12:49 AM

If the winning team is up to bat, then yeah I'd let it drop, instead of letting the score go 2-0 against my team. It seems the pitchers are dealing that game and as a batter it would be easier in theory to get two runs for a win rather than three. If the losing team was up to bat, as others have said, I'd take the out and the tie which isn't that scary of a prospect.

11-27-2012, 10:38 AM	#1
Green & Gold Heart Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 5,242	Random baseball scenario So I was just thinking about this randomly. So, let's say there is a game that is 1-0 in the middle innings. The team that is up 1-0 is up to bat and there is a runner on third with one out. The batter hits a deep fly ball to left, but it slices into foul territory. The fielder has room to make the catch. But, if he makes the catch, the runner will easily tag and score. Is there any chance that the fielder might intentionally let the ball drop foul to give his pitcher a chance to get the guy out without the run scoring?

11-28-2012, 09:15 AM	#9
Splitter24 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Willsboro, NY Posts: 2,895	I actually saw this in a game on TV once. The go-ahead run was on 3rd base and the OF let a catchable ball drop in foul territory rather than let the guy tag and score. He was standing on the foul line and the ball landed a foot and a half foul. Who was this strategic mastermind? None other than Jose Canseco. __________________ Currently Reading: The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen "Well, the game is afoot. I’ll take anal bum cover for 7,000." - "Sean Connery" SNL Celebrity Jeopardy R.I.P. Tommy Holmes 1917-2008

01-30-2013, 01:25 AM	#10
Tib All Star Reserve Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Paso Robles, CA Posts: 995	I think the key here is when you wrote "middle innings". A 1-0 game in the middle innings is far from decided, and taking the out and having the runner score to tie is not the end of the world. Generally, when you have the chance to shorten the game, do it. However, if the runner was the winning run, I'd let the ball drop. With almost no chance to throw him out you've effectively decided the game by catching that foul ball. If the next pitch results in a base hit, well, the game would have been over anyway. If the next hitter gets out you're a genius, at least for one more batter. __________________ https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...ad.php?t=64219

11-27-2012, 10:42 AM	#2
rpriske Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Spencerville, ON, Canada Posts: 27,121	Yes. It isn't that rare either... though it doesn't come up THAT often.

11-27-2012, 11:04 AM	#3
Green & Gold Heart Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 5,242	Yeah, it seems feasible that it might happen. I just don't think I've ever seen it.

11-27-2012, 12:18 PM	#4
rpriske Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Spencerville, ON, Canada Posts: 27,121	I have seen the fielder make the wrong decision as well.. "Oh no! He caught it!"

11-27-2012, 02:04 PM	#5
Linenoise Minors (Double A) Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 121	I've seen it happen a few times but I think many people subscribe to the theory that you should never give away an out. It is an obvious no-brianer to not catch the ball if it is a game winner in the bottom of the 9th. But I don't think I would give up the out if it is to prevent a tie.

11-27-2012, 06:28 PM	#6
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 9,037	It would be funny if he let it go foul, and then the batter hits the next pitch for a home run.

01-30-2013, 05:33 PM	#11
thehef Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,380	Assuming a game is not already a blowout, I think you would have to play the odds regardless of situation. If the runner is a near-certainty to score if the catch is made and less so if the ball is allowed to drop foul, then you would weigh that against the chances that the loss of the out could lead to additional runs. Then again, if you are up 18-17 in the sixth inning in a wild one at Wrigley, maybe that out is more-important ;-)

02-27-2013, 12:49 AM	#12
darkredwing Minors (Single A) Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 96	If the winning team is up to bat, then yeah I'd let it drop, instead of letting the score go 2-0 against my team. It seems the pitchers are dealing that game and as a batter it would be easier in theory to get two runs for a win rather than three. If the losing team was up to bat, as others have said, I'd take the out and the tie which isn't that scary of a prospect.