With the change in the bats several years ago, we have seen the rise of small ball. Many teams employ the use of the sacrifice bunt more than we have seen since the introduction of the metal bat to college baseball. I don't know this, but I would also guess that stolen bases are also on the rise. Frankly I am running out of time before my meeting to look it up.

The thing I noticed that the ESPN announcers kept hammering on was the "elevation" of the fastball. On 0-2 counts Orel Hershiser and Kyle Peterson loved it when the pitcher would go upstairs with a fastball instead of burying the curveball in the dirt. I can't recall who the announcers were in the Oregon and NC State series, but I do recall them liking the strategy of "climbing the ladder" or "elevating" the fastball.

It seemed that many years ago the pitching pattern of away, away, away migrated from the West Coast. My guess is that the "elevated" fastball more of a Southern thing.

The book on Rice is to have good discipline when down 0-2 and not fish at the next two curveballs in the dirt. Some teams have more success than others. Obviously if your pitcher throws a sinking fastball and a wicked slider, elevating the fastball may leave a pitch belt high over the plate - probably not a good thing.

Since the ballparks are playing bigger, some of the worry of leaving the ball up should be alleviated. Sure the hitter can still probably see the ball better, but he also probably cannot yank it out of the ballpark.

I am not advocating a change in what has worked very well at Rice. I believe the idea of having three chances at a perfect pitch sends a positive, non--stressful message. I am asking if y'all have noticed the trend, if you have an opinion on it, and maybe if you can hazard a guess where it became back in vogue. This would be a great conversation with Coach Graham, but it is very doubtful that I will be able to make it to Reckling anytime soon, so I am hoping to have it with y'all.

BTW, this is not an endorsement of the baseball acumen of the ESPN baseball staff...The last Rice Owl that used the "elevated" fastball to my memory was CSC.

Thoughts?