Is Bill Hall too cocky?

[lukevan]

Hall was standing about 6 feet from home plate on the 1st base side when that ball landed just foul, and the ball hung in the air for several seconds. I don't know if he just lost the ball or was convinced it was going foul, but that struck me as odd.

 

I have no problem with a guy watching a ball he knows is gone. If you're really great at something, you tend to bask in your successes at least for a brief moment, which seems to just be human nature.

[iluvlamp]

Eddie Collins was actually "Cocky". Billy could be cocky all he wants if he does what he didhttp://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

cocky

[twobrewers]

Quote:

---

I suppose if it was a trend I saw continuing, I wouldn't be a fan of it.

---

 

Concerned yet?

 

I was first concerned when Billy watched his home run for a long time in Detroit. But since that was a slump busting way out of here home run - no big deal.

 

But since then I can think several instances (home runs, foul balls, almost home runs, almost foul balls) where Bill has just stood at the plate and not hustled his butt down to first.

 

If Bill gets thrown out at second in the 11th today - Jenkins doesn't get walked. And who knows what happens to the entire course of the game.

 

I don't like his attitude this year.

[Paul77]

Quote:

---

Concerned yet?

---

 

 

"I figured it had a shot of going out. I got to second base. That's the important part." - Bill Hall

 

Listen, I love Bill Hall, but listening to the game today, I was pretty upset when I heard Jim Powell's call. Then I watched the game on MLB.tv and the only reason Hall made it in safely was because Carlos Lee played the ball just as poorly as Billy ran the bases. As a matter of fact the Astros announcers were upset with Lee's lackadaisical effort on the play. Hall caught a lucky break today. If he gets thrown out there it might be a different outcome.

 

This is about the 3rd of 4th time in the past week or two that I've noticed similar occurrences. I like the cockiness and the confidence, but you've got to be sure the ball leaves the ball park.

[crewcrazy]

From what I remember, Billy has *always* been slow out of the box when he makes good contact (this is going back to at least the beginning of last season). He hasn't been thrown out at 2nd often enough for it to become a big concern for me, though. As for today's incident in the 11th, it sounded like it was actually pretty close to going out -- it definitely had Jim Powell fooled until it bounced off the wall. You could make the argument that you at least make an effort to look like you're hustling until it does go out, but he probably got wrapped up in the fact that he nearly won the game.

[jason21nl]

As for today's incident in the 11th, it sounded like it was actually pretty close to going out

 

off the bat it looked like it was going to be way gone..but still, he was very very close to being thrown out at 2nd and you just can't have that. Ned needs to have a talk with him right now, because that whole inning could have turned on that play

[rluzinski]

I don't like his attitude this year.

 

He's always been like that, so let's at least not pretend his big payday has anything to do with it.

[Paul77]

Quote:

---

it sounded like it was actually pretty close to going out

---

 

Yeah, but who watches a wall scraper? If you hit a no doubter, stand there all day long, I don't care. If your trying to grind out an extra inning win against and division opponent, run until you know it's gone.

 

And for the record, the ball hit off the bottom of the wall.

[saget]

Please people.

 

This is the same Bill Hall who was nominated for the Roberto Clemente award; who's active in the Boys & Girls club and the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities program.

[TooLiveBrew]

Quote:

---

I think the Detroit thing was a reaction to his slump.

---

I agree 100%. That HR had so many bust-out implications. Obviously it sparked the team, but first & foremost that was Billy going, "Aahhhhhh....finally!"

 

Bill Hall is anything but obnoxiously cocky/arrogant. He's a gem of a person, let alone pro athlete. WE LOVE YOU BILL!

 

 

EDIT: Perfectly stated, Revenge. Couldn't have said it better...don't forget his active involvement with the Miss. gulf's post-Katrina recovery. Just a special person.

[trouty42]

Quote:

---

Yeah, but who watches a wall scraper? If you hit a no doubter, stand there all day long, I don't care. If your trying to grind out an extra inning win against and division opponent, run until you know it's gone.

 

And for the record, the ball hit off the bottom of the wall.

---

 

 

I'm not saying Billy watching the ball was a good thing, but it occurred to me that if the roof had been open that ball probably is a goner. I was convinced that was a HR and was surprised it didn't go. I'm sure Billy thought he got it plenty good.

[Nearsighted Views]

I'm probably just naive and idealistic here, but I think people should bust it until it bounces on the other side of the wall.

 

Billy will fix this. He's too hard of a worker to let this become a pattern. I've never hit a walkoff HR in a MLB game. I might want to stand back and watch it go but like it has been said, that could have totally changed the outcome.

 

HUSTLE OUT OF THE BOX!

[RU Rah Rah]

I think you have to dig hard unless you know it's a tape-measure bomb.

 

Easier said than done, though. You really only have a split-second to decide the trot v. sprint issue as you're coming out of the box. One would hope that sprint would be the automatic default option, but . . .

[Lil Dummy]

"Easier said than done, though. You really only have a split-second to decide the trot v. sprint issue as you're coming out of the box. One would hope that sprint would be the automatic default option, but . . ."

 

I didn't see this particular instance, but if it's anything like what I'm used to, this wasn't Bill Hall trotting when he should have been sprinting. It was Hall swinging the bat, then standing motionless and admiring his handiwork.

 

I think breaking into an immediate home run trot would actually be an acceptable compromise. Hit it, start your trot, loft the bat lazily towards the first base dugout with one hand, admire your handiwork - voila, you're 4-5 steps closer to first base by the time you realize you actually have to leg it out, and you're already in motion.

 

Come on Billy, we love ya, work with us here.

[gregmag]

I'm glad people brought up Hall's community service, because he really does seem like a terrific human being. He has also obviously worked very hard in his career to improve his game as much as he has, and this year to learn a new position. I don't think you can reasonably question his work ethic or his overall attitude.

 

That said, I haven't gotten to see the games, but it sounds like the standing around at the plate thing is a real problem. It's just what it is, maybe a quirk, whatever, but he can't do that. Excellent person, hard worker, just please -- with all due respect -- run out those fly balls.

 

Greg.

[TheCrew07]

All the good things Bill Hall does not negate my opinion that he stands in the box way too long on his home runs. He's not Howard, Bonds, or even Fielder. Someone is going to plunk him up high to send a message at some point.

[endaround]

Actually Lee played the ball really well (especially for Lee).

[Lil Dummy]

"Someone is going to plunk him up high to send a message at some point."

 

When pitchers throw at hitters, they don't throw at their heads. Someone may bury a fastball in Billy's ribs one day, sure. If that were the biggest potential problem with Hall's 'stand and watch it fly' tendency, I don't think many people on this site would be concerned about this behavior.

[djoctagone]

if prince fielder can turn it on rounding first on a fly ball and score on his own leg power, imagine what anyone else can do.

 

the reason fielder turned the speed on rounding first in that oh so memorable game was because he saw that lew ford was not positioned anywhere near the ball.

 

had bill hall turned on the speed from the moment he hit the ball, he would have increased his chances of reaching third with only one out. of course, that would have been dependent on carlos lee doing an even worse job in left . . . but that's something you have to anticipate with a fielder like lee.

 

save your admiration for yourself with your tivo'd "young and the restless", billy hall. run them all out.

[TheCrew07]

Plunking up high doesn't mean the head... the ole hit em in the rump would be more like hit him between the shoulder blades. Maybe he gets out of the way, maybe he doesn't...

[BrewCrewForever]

After seeing the hit on SC and Squeeze Play off the bat I sure thought he got all of it. Bottomline is he got to 2B, I do hope Billy gets out of the box a little quicker next time in a situation like that but I wouldnt make to much of it.

[Paul77]

Quote:

---

Actually Lee played the ball really well (especially for Lee).

---

 

The thing that irked the Astros announcers was the was he flipped the ball back into the shortstop. It was their contention that, given the fact that Hall wasn't running hard, a good heads up throw would have got him.

 

And as far as all the great things Billy does in the community - what does that have to do with him not hustling out of the box. Does he get a pass because he's a good guy? And yes he is, from all accounts, a great guy. He's one of my favorite Brewers, maybe that why I'm holding him to a high standard.

 

And, as others have pointed out, this is not new behavior from Billy. The difference between the past and now is that Billy is looked to as a leader on this club. He's now one of the veterans. He needs to set the example.

 

Anyone remember Hall being benched (not once, but twice) for not hustling down the line? Of course that was 3 years ago, before hall became the all star slugger he is today...

[BrewCrewForever]

Anyone remember Hall being benched (not once, but twice) for not hustling down the line?

 

Oh yeah I remember Yost sitting him two different times for doing that. I belive they were in 2005 the first real break out year he had.

[uecker9]

Almost doesn't do much for me, esp. in baseball. Until he actually does get thrown out I see no reason to worry. I find it amazing how some players every move get dissected when other players mistakes go virtually unnoticed. The love/hate of peoples favorite/least favorite players make them see a different game than I see I guess. If you're not a member of the "my boy" club you will be forever scrutinized. All part of being a fan I reckon.

[Fatter than Joey]

One would hope that sprint would be the automatic default option

 

Exactly -- If you want to say Billy needs to haul butt out of the batters box, I agree 100%. Hopefully he learns from this.

 

I would never use a situation like this to reflect on his character. I am sure he got caught up in the excitement. I am sure Bill realizes he was lucky to either not get thrown out at 2nd or held up at first.