I assume he will start and use pitchers, on Saturday, who he would have no intention of using in Sunday. I assume he'll start most of the regulars, unless he feels some players could really benefit from the rest. I would think he'd take most of the starters out after 5 or 6 innings. What a position to be in as a coach. Just hope the other pool of teams, has a knock-out, drag-out series of games, with the winner having to go to extra innings a time or two.

(05-26-2011 10:50 PM)mjs Wrote:  I assume he will start and use pitchers, on Saturday, who he would have no intention of using in Sunday. I assume he'll start most of the regulars, unless he feels some players could really benefit from the rest. I would think he'd take most of the starters out after 5 or 6 innings. What a position to be in as a coach. Just hope the other pool of teams, has a knock-out, drag-out series of games, with the winner having to go to extra innings a time or two.

Obviously there is no reason to use any of your best pitchers. And, other than to maybe keep the fielders fresh, on the field and at bat, there is really no reason to play them much either. The only problem I see with clearing the bench and letting guys play in the SBC Tournament who normally would not, is getting your team out of what is right now a pretty good groove.

(05-26-2011 10:56 PM)PTJR Wrote:  

(05-26-2011 10:50 PM)mjs Wrote:  I assume he will start and use pitchers, on Saturday, who he would have no intention of using in Sunday. I assume he'll start most of the regulars, unless he feels some players could really benefit from the rest. I would think he'd take most of the starters out after 5 or 6 innings. What a position to be in as a coach. Just hope the other pool of teams, has a knock-out, drag-out series of games, with the winner having to go to extra innings a time or two.

Obviously there is no reason to use any of your best pitchers. And, other than to maybe keep the fielders fresh, on the field and at bat, there is really no reason to play them much either. The only problem I see with clearing the bench and letting guys play in the SBC Tournament who normally would not, is getting your team out of what is right now a pretty good groove.

It probably isn't quite as easy a question as it seems. Obvioulsy, no reason to use any "decent" pitcher. We have a day off tomorrow, so you probably don't want to sit out guys who are doing fine physically all the way until Sunday. I'd say play you're starters 5 or 6 innings. On the other hand, this is not professional baseball. We typically have weekend series and one midweek game (Tuesday or Wednesday) so our players often go two or 3 days without playing a game. I'll put my faith in Coach Norwood in handling it the right way. He has some previous experience in the College World Series (DII level, anyway).

(05-26-2011 11:12 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(05-26-2011 10:56 PM)PTJR Wrote:  

(05-26-2011 10:50 PM)mjs Wrote:  I assume he will start and use pitchers, on Saturday, who he would have no intention of using in Sunday. I assume he'll start most of the regulars, unless he feels some players could really benefit from the rest. I would think he'd take most of the starters out after 5 or 6 innings. What a position to be in as a coach. Just hope the other pool of teams, has a knock-out, drag-out series of games, with the winner having to go to extra innings a time or two.

Obviously there is no reason to use any of your best pitchers. And, other than to maybe keep the fielders fresh, on the field and at bat, there is really no reason to play them much either. The only problem I see with clearing the bench and letting guys play in the SBC Tournament who normally would not, is getting your team out of what is right now a pretty good groove.

It probably isn't quite as easy a question as it seems. Obvioulsy, no reason to use any "decent" pitcher. We have a day off tomorrow, so you probably don't want to sit out guys who are doing fine physically all the way until Sunday. I'd say play you're starters 5 or 6 innings. On the other hand, this is not professional baseball. We typically have weekend series and one midweek game (Tuesday or Wednesday) so our players often go two or 3 days without playing a game. I'll put my faith in Coach Norwood in handling it the right way. He has some previous experience in the College World Series (DII level, anyway).

Baseball strategy is baseball strategy no matter what level. Coach Norwood didn't fall off the truck this morning. Or to put it another way, he's been around the bases before!

I suspect Coach Norwood plays it like any other playoff game. The goal is to win. Giving one away in the semi's, just because you've advanced to the final game, is not the way to go into that final game. Baseball is about momentum and confidence. Play hard every time out regardless of the standings. That's not to say use your ace on Saturday. But it is to say that you keep your position players in the game on Saturday and fight for the win.

(05-27-2011 09:48 AM)Scotto Wrote:  I suspect Coach Norwood plays it like any other playoff game. The goal is to win. Giving one away in the semi's, just because you've advanced to the final game, is not the way to go into that final game. Baseball is about momentum and confidence. Play hard every time out regardless of the standings. That's not to say use your ace on Saturday. But it is to say that you keep your position players in the game on Saturday and fight for the win.

Makes some sense to me. My primary goal would be to make sure I have my best half dozen pitchers, rested and ready to go on Sunday if needed. I think we play at 11 am, so it shouldn't be all that hot yet. Still, I might rest my catcher and rest some of my other players for the last 3 innings. Giving some kids a chance to play in the tournament, who wouldn't normally have gotten that opportunity, is not a bad thing either. I don't see momentum playing nearly as big a role in baseball, as it might in basketball, hockey, and football. Confidence likely is important.

We shall see. If either team is getting pounded on Saturday, let the scrubs play some. But if the game is within 3 with 3 to play, you don't dare pull your starters and take a chance on watching a close game get away.