Noob questions from Vetrin Fan!

[deadlee]

Long time.. first time! #pleasedontflame

 

I've always wondered how the managers can see how well a pitcher is pitching.. ie if he's dealing or not...and really see if he has his stuff on that day from the bench in the dugout where they insist on spitting sunflower seeds from.

 

sure they can rely on the umps, but at that angle, can you really see if the fastball is sinking, or the curveballs on?

 

Or do you just develop those skills being in the majors long enough to be able to ascertain all that from that side angle?

[admin]

You can see a lot from that angle. You can also tell by how much the catcher is moving his glove. But you can also tell by the types of swings the batters are taking, and simply if they are getting hits or not.

I do find it funny/strange when a pitch is a inch or two off the plate, they dont' get the call, and they start giving it to the ump. I don't know if they do this based on catchers reaction or what.

[EdelweissBouquet]

Thought it was established on the other board

that managers make none to very little difference in

the success or failure of a team?

Look at us, only 1.5 games behind the wily

joe maddon.

[ReturnOfTheYeti]

Long time.. first time! #pleasedontflame

 

I've always wondered how the managers can see how well a pitcher is pitching.. ie if he's dealing or not...and really see if he has his stuff on that day from the bench in the dugout where they insist on spitting sunflower seeds from.

 

sure they can rely on the umps, but at that angle, can you really see if the fastball is sinking, or the curveballs on?

 

Or do you just develop those skills being in the majors long enough to be able to ascertain all that from that side angle?

 

Glad to see you posting - welcome aboard. I think it's a great question and one that others can probably answer better than I, but I do also think that the manager will rely on the catcher's opinion heavily. I'd think that out of everyone on the field, he's the one that would have the best first hand knowledge. Perhaps the middle infielders have a pretty good angle and perspective, but especially with runners on base, they're gonna be more distracted by playing the position lol.

[John_Havok]

Long time.. first time! #pleasedontflame

 

I've always wondered how the managers can see how well a pitcher is pitching.. ie if he's dealing or not...and really see if he has his stuff on that day from the bench in the dugout where they insist on spitting sunflower seeds from.

 

sure they can rely on the umps, but at that angle, can you really see if the fastball is sinking, or the curveballs on?

 

Or do you just develop those skills being in the majors long enough to be able to ascertain all that from that side angle?

 

There's lots of things to go on. There's his own eyes from watching the pitcher's body language, actual results, how many pitches per AB, starting with strike 1, starting with strike 1 on different pitchers, staying out of patterns, talk to the catcher, talk to the MIF on how much balls are breaking, watching body language of the hitters after striking out or judging on how hard balls are being hit.

 

Most of the time though when a manager is yelling about balls/strikes it's because he's hearing it from his own guys that the outside/inside corner is huge/tiny and watching the hitters react to each pitch.

[Caper]

Is a manager allowed to walk out with photographic evidence to argue a call?

[o2cui2i]

Most of the time though when a manager is yelling about balls/strikes it's because he's hearing it from his own guys that the outside/inside corner is huge/tiny and watching the hitters react to each pitch.

 

Manager usually reacts to height of pitch. no way to see in or out. if he sees the other team's pitcher getting the knees and his guy not getting it he'll react. some managers will do it early because they know their guy needs the low strike or corner or whatever.

 

Most of Bobby Cox ejections were before the end of the second. it's pretty useless to get thrown out late in the game. it can be very valuable to get tossed and make the ump at least "think" about a pitch he wanted his guy to get.

[o2cui2i]

you could send it to the commissioner and it wouldn't help. umps are beyond reproach.

[deadlee]

Thanks for all the responses guys.. My question was prompted by all the manager's ejections and arguments.. and while I always knew there was an element of bravado/mustdo/showmanship involved, I was wondering if they actually had merits behind their arguments, because in some cases, they seemed completely justified... just couldnt' figure out how they knew without the benefit of a good view or replays!