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Online now: 1 member: TABLE SETTER 11; 63 anonymousDiscussion: Protection for the pitcher
| Posted | Discussion |
| March 9, 2009 Gary Heifner 248 posts | Protection for the pitcher This topic has ranged from required gear to a screen to don't pitch if you can't defend yourself. I still think the answer is allowing the 11 fielder with pre pitch rules. The 11th defender must have his feet on the infield dirt and be stationed within 10 feet of 2nd base, either side of the bag. ON contact, he can go where ever. You need this because some teams will think their pitcher is tough and place 5 outfielders which defeats its' purpose. Who is going to hit the middle with a defender behind the pitcher? Who is going to hit the middle with men on base. It is an almost automatic double play. Also consider, especially with the economony tanking, it will also allow you to play one more guy. I have a hunch it is going to be harder to find guys with $ who might be willing to travel and play in only 1 or 2 games in a tourney. Most teams bat 11 or 12 guys anyway, so why not let another guy play the field. Before you critize this idea, picture what the middle would look like as you hit and their are 4 defenders from the SS to 2nd baseman. Pull anyone???? |
| March 9, 2009 JamesLG 420 posts | Gary: I actually like your idea. Leave the HR and PPR rule alone just add another infielder. This works for me. James |
| March 9, 2009 salio2k Men's 60 547 posts | I think you need to put the 11th or 12th fielder in front of the pitcher in order to protect him. Having the fielders behind him is not protection. |
| March 10, 2009 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | looks like we have a volenteer(your idea),thanks sal. :):):) |
| March 10, 2009 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | gary i umped a tourney like that a couple of yrs ago.the assoc(now defunct b/c of bad management)had a middle rule which they changed to the extra fielder.same rules as you have stated in your post.as umps we had to keep an eye on the fielder as they were always trying to get more out in to the grass or farther from 2nd.this was flat bellies and not senior ball.i kinda like the suggestion you have put forth tho. |
| March 10, 2009 Ken Men's 55 462 posts | Sal and Bob, this'll work fine. Right now, it's too easy to hit a weak grounder through the infield, especially up the middle. The players that can hit will have no problem. But, I think the guy should be able to play wherever he wants between SS and 2nd baseman (on the dirt). If you want to leave a big hole on one side, and the pitcher thinks he can cover it, he should be able to. Of course, with my team we would need to put all 4 guys behind the pitcher, lol. |
| March 10, 2009 Dbax Men's 65 2100 posts | In my opinion 11 players on defense is one too many. Where does it all end? |
| March 10, 2009 Duke Men's 65 908 posts | Ken, Thank you for your support! LOL! Andy |
| March 10, 2009 hitt2 353 posts | I agree with Dbax. It might be fine for the 60 up group. Make it optional for safety gear for all pitcher. At 65 make it mandatory, open the middle and no DBO if over the HR limit make it a single or a foul ball. JAT |
| March 10, 2009 Ken Men's 55 462 posts | The object of adding the extra fielder is to render the PPR redundant by eliminating the balls hit up the middle. If you are looking to get rid of a rule nobody wants, this is a better way than pitcher screens or pitchers having to "armor up". JMO |
| March 10, 2009 Dbax Men's 65 2100 posts | No......it isn't. JMO |
| March 10, 2009 salio2k Men's 60 547 posts | I've noticed that with 4 outfielders, there is a big gap between L/C and R/C. In trying for that big gap, sometimes I just can't get it up (the ball) because the pitcher makes a good, short pitch and the ball ends up in the pitchers' face. Does your 11th man protect the pitcher then? |
| March 10, 2009 salio2k Men's 60 547 posts | Ken....5 man infield is good against single hitting teams that make good contact. I don't think it works well in the major, major + divisions. Too many gappers will be hit. |
| March 11, 2009 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | sal yes that is a big gap,same one i look at,and you are right just a small miscaculation and you can get a pitcher.with the extra guy in the middle maybe it will make us think a bit about hitting there.i know we shouldn't go up to the plate thinking i wanna hit the ball in a certain area,we should have a clear mind to hit.i hit the ball where it is hit and it is usaully the first pitch i like.i don't wait around for the perfect pitch.it will pose a problem sometimes as the pitch will be one that can only go back up the middle.i can't wait around for the pitcher to give a pitch to pull or go oppo with,and oh i have went to hit pitches oppo when playing with the flat bellies and hit it back up the middle b/c i turn my wrists over. so i would say lets try it and see how it works first before we say no. |
| March 11, 2009 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | should of said hit it where it is pitched,sometimers kicking in again |
| March 11, 2009 salio2k Men's 60 547 posts | I might not even see the 11th man. Just recently the other team took the extra fielder as a handicap and put him in the outfield. I didn't notice him until my line drive was caught in what was supposed to be a gap! This was my second time up in the game! No glove, no eyes, nothing between the ears! |
| March 11, 2009 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | sal LMAO on that one,had done to me in a flat belly tourney couple yrs back.hit one just to the left of the pitcher and thought i had a hit till thier 5 man got me.oops. |
| March 11, 2009 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | 11 man team works well if you can use where ever you want. |
