Brewers 6th in runs scored????

[endaround]

I really think fans focus on such plays because they believe they could produce in those situations. "Anyone could lay a bunt down, so why can't stupid X do so!" Of course anyone can bunt a 45 mph softball. Try that with a 95 mph fastball striking a wood bat. and keep in midn that 95 mph fastball isn't likely to be moving straight.

[gregmag]

I think we also have a tendency to be more judgmental when a hitter fails to do something that was clearly the object of a conscious strategic decision. If a guy is up there to bunt, and doesn't get it down, that annoys us because the team *decided* to give away an out but couldn't even pull it off. In contrast, we never say, when Lee or Jenkins hits a single or a long fly ball, "what a bonehead move that was, failing to hit the home run in that situation."

 

The reality is, of course, that hitting home runs and bunting are both skills. If a guy succeeds in either effort, he's doing a good job. But hitting home runs is a much more valuable skill for winning games than bunting is.

 

Greg.

[RoseBowlMtg]

The reality is, of course, that hitting home runs and bunting are both skills. If a guy succeeds in either effort, he's doing a good job. But hitting home runs is a much more valuable skill for winning games than bunting is.

 

says gregmag:

 

Granted HR's are much more valuable but not everyone can do that. Take Podsednik's horrible attempt last night as an example. Scott has 1 HR all year but should be able to bunt. Actually where Figgens was playing the sign should have been taken off since Figgens was 25 feet onto the grass, so Pods could have slapped it to left which we know he is good at. That to me is a better use of "small ball".