The location of defenders in baseball is based on strategy, not rules. With the advancement of data analysis, it has been discovered that some batters tend to hit the ball towards one side of the...
The location of defenders in baseball is based on strategy, not rules. With the advancement of data analysis, it has been discovered that some batters tend to hit the ball towards one side of the field way more often than others. For these batters, defenses are now "shifting" towards that side of the field, leaving half of the field completely open.
A common fan response is, "why can't these hitters 'beat the shift' and hit the ball to the side of the field where there aren't any defenders?" This article interviews three players that get shifted against frequently, and they explain why "beating the shift" is challenging or not the right strategy.
To quote the great (fictional) Crash Davis, they are fascist (he said strike-outs, but I think it applies to the shift as well). "Throw some ground balls. Its more democratic."...
To quote the great (fictional) Crash Davis, they are fascist (he said strike-outs, but I think it applies to the shift as well). "Throw some ground balls. Its more democratic."
We will never see a .400 hitter again. I'm in the minority, I think, but I would welcome a rule that infielders must start on a certain side of 2nd base until the pitch is thrown. It would end up just being a soft ban.
Could someone explain to someone who never really played or watched baseball what is the shift?
The location of defenders in baseball is based on strategy, not rules. With the advancement of data analysis, it has been discovered that some batters tend to hit the ball towards one side of the field way more often than others. For these batters, defenses are now "shifting" towards that side of the field, leaving half of the field completely open.
A common fan response is, "why can't these hitters 'beat the shift' and hit the ball to the side of the field where there aren't any defenders?" This article interviews three players that get shifted against frequently, and they explain why "beating the shift" is challenging or not the right strategy.
To quote the great (fictional) Crash Davis, they are fascist (he said strike-outs, but I think it applies to the shift as well). "Throw some ground balls. Its more democratic."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-guv9Pd_RA
We will never see a .400 hitter again. I'm in the minority, I think, but I would welcome a rule that infielders must start on a certain side of 2nd base until the pitch is thrown. It would end up just being a soft ban.