Shox vs. Evansville

[1972Shocker]

11 passed balls is darned near unbelievable. It's a disgrace to the award that his name somehow ended up on the Johnny Bench watch list.

From what I have watched/heard this season, I would wager WSU has 1 average defender (Mucha) and the other 7 positions are fielded at any given time by below-average to terrible defenders.

The position is called "catcher" for a reason. The most basic of skills is to be able to catch a thrown baseball. Clearly, young Mr. Troutwine will not be in the running for the JB award despite being placed on a pre-season watch list.

[WSUwatcher]

If a run scores on a passed ball (or a wild pitch) it is considered unearned (although that might change depending on what happens afte that). In any call, call it what you want and score it any way you want but they are mistakes which a good receiver will minimize.

I don't think that's true, 1972 -- passed balls produce unearned runs (depending on what subsequent hitters do), but I believe runs that score on WPs are earned -- the scoring theory being that it's the pitcher's fault, not the catcher's, so why give the pitcher a statistical pass on the run? In any case, it's true that superior receivers can also prevent more wild pitches that lesser guys do. It's just another aspect of the downturn that a program that sent guys like Rick Wrona and Doug Mirabelli to solid MLB careers primarily because of their receiving skills now gives us "catchers" who can't keep the ball in front of them.

On a different note, I've read a couple of times this season about how well WSU hits in the late innings. But how does that help if you can't get to the late innings because you've already been run-ruled?

[Cdizzle]

On a different note, I've read a couple of times this season about how well WSU hits in the late innings. But how does that help if you can't get to the late innings because you've already been run-ruled?

On the flip-side, think how much better our team ERA is going to be because of the run-rule!

[WSUwatcher]

Fair point, dizzle -- without the run rule, Evansville would have a bunch of extra outs to create a another debacle like the HOME game against Oklahoma State.

Another silver lining, too: maybe this stuff will make WSU more attractive to the AAC as a non-football member. Schools will love having another baseball team they can beat up in conference play.

Others have probably said the same thing, but this must be like how it feels to be a Southern Illinois basketball fan in the wake of Chris Lowery's handiwork

[1972Shocker]

I don't think that's true, 1972 -- passed balls produce unearned runs (depending on what subsequent hitters do), but I believe runs that score on WPs are earned -- the scoring theory being that it's the pitcher's fault, not the catcher's, so why give the pitcher a statistical pass on the run? In any case, it's true that superior receivers can also prevent more wild pitches that lesser guys do. It's just another aspect of the downturn that a program that sent guys like Rick Wrona and Doug Mirabelli to solid MLB careers primarily because of their receiving skills now gives us "catchers" who can't keep the ball in front of them.

On a different note, I've read a couple of times this season about how well WSU hits in the late innings. But how does that help if you can't get to the late innings because you've already been run-ruled?

I stand corrected. I think your explanation is accurate. In any case, passed balls are not a good stat for a catcher to accumulate. At least our guys still catch more than they miss.

[THam]

I'm not going to say Troutwine is a good defensive catcher because I'm not any better of a judge of that than the next guy, but I think its only fair to note that its a helluva lot tougher to catch 150-180 pitches from an erratic pitching staff without a passed ball than it is to catch 110-140 pitches from guys mostly hitting their target. Bad pitching has a negative impact on defense in general. Its easier to field and throw a ball cleanly when your only thought is "Catch ball, throw to first", as opposed to having to start running through a decision tree as soon as the ball comes off the bat. Standing in the field forever and watching the slow-motion train wreck on the mound unfold doesn't do anything for your sharpness either.

[Cdizzle]

I'm not going to say Troutwine is a good defensive catcher because I'm not any better of a judge of that than the next guy, but I think its only fair to note that its a helluva lot tougher to catch 150-180 pitches from an erratic pitching staff without a passed ball than it is to catch 110-140 pitches from guys mostly hitting their target. Bad pitching has a negative impact on defense in general. Its easier to field and throw a ball cleanly when your only thought is "Catch ball, throw to first", as opposed to having to start running through a decision tree as soon as the ball comes off the bat. Standing in the field forever and watching the slow-motion train wreck on the mound unfold doesn't do anything for your sharpness either.

I can agree with all of this. But it does also go both ways. How many times has a defender made a play for his pitcher this year, taking away a hit or a base? Compared to how many times a defender has given away an out, or 90 feet, or 180 feet. Zach Lewis gave up 5 runs in an inning on Saturday, NONE of which would have scored if a defender makes a routine play.

[THam]

I can agree with all of this. But it does also go both ways. How many times has a defender made a play for his pitcher this year, taking away a hit or a base? Compared to how many times a defender has given away an out, or 90 feet, or 180 feet. Zach Lewis gave up 5 runs in an inning on Saturday, NONE of which would have scored if a defender makes a routine play.

Absolutely true. Lord knows they get more than their fair share of opportunities to take away a hit or a base.