The end of "Gorilla Ball"?

[billybud]

It looks like the change in bats may shape the kind of athletes recruited. Less big muscle, more athleticism..maybe more speed on the basepath.

I wonder how much "small ball" comes back versus the power hitting clubs. A HR with a guy on base is still a major game changer (maybe more so).

I have noticed that there seems to be more pitch backs to first base to keep the runner off balance. I would expect to see more bunting over of a guy on first with no outs.

I watched UC Irvine vs Virginia....UCI was noted for small ball play and Virginia, not especially so. Virginia spent a lot of energy checking the runner at 1st and the games were pretty close.

It will be interesting to see how next season turns out...

[ShockerFever]

Go away.

[lostshocker]

it seemed like a good topic. but maybe not.

[martymoose]

Well we haven't had much luck recruiting HR hitters like the ones we had in the late 90's, so maybe this is a good thing.

[Ed Harley]

I thought the new bats would play to our strengths - pitching, speed, and defense.

We had the pitching and the speed this year; however, I think our D killed us - that and injuries to our starting 3b, LF, and #1 starter. Oh, and losing our projected 3 hole hitter in August to the Dodgers, the NCAA making Minnis miss 1/2 of the season, and the tragic loss of Mitch Caster.

If we don't get the above perfect storm of uncontrollable adversity, our season looks a lot different. I'm kind of wondering how we finished as well as we did, given the above.