Another thing about baseball that lacks common sense: defensive indifference

**Sunde91** · 08-21-10, 03:08 PM

??? Didn't know this was ever true.

**rm18** · 08-21-10, 03:09 PM

batting averages are higher with a man on first because of holding him on

**jgray** · 08-21-10, 03:26 PM

Originally posted by rm18

batting averages are higher with a man on first because of holding him on

This and allignment of SS and 2B make it advantageous for the defense to largely ignore the runner at first.

In any event we are talking about a stat. The runner is still standing on 2B he just doesn't get credit for a SB. He didn't steal it, it was given to him.

**BatemanPatrickl** · 08-21-10, 03:29 PM

Once I stole a base and my pants fell down. Needless to say the women in the crowd gasped with excitement when they saw my 10 inch wooden bat. I banged a MILF after the game and left he some pine tar. - BIG Z

**Bluehorseshoe** · 08-21-10, 03:31 PM

Originally posted by jgray

This and allignment of SS and 2B make it advantageous for the defense to largely ignore the runner at first.

Exactly. Why take the middle infielders out of position for what is a meaningless run? They want the outs more than anything late in the game.

**mathdotcom** · 08-21-10, 04:02 PM

If you have Juan Pierre on first and you're not holding him on, then fine, don't make the throw. But I've seen a ton of fatasses take 2nd without a throw. That is my main pet peeve.

While having the infielders in normal position is advantageous for getting an out, by not holding the runner you're also giving up the chance of a double play. If you let the runner take second because you're more concerned about positioning your fielders than having the force play options, fine, but make the throw on slower players.

**gryfyn1** · 08-21-10, 04:30 PM

Exactly in order to prevent a steal, you need to alter the position of at least two of your infielder ( 1st base and 2nd base/SS) and put them in less optimal postions

in additon to cover the base you will have to move at least one of you middle infielders (who are most likely to have a ball hit to them) further out of position to cover the base.

Pitchers also alter their motion and and pitch selection to make it harder for the runner to steal but easier for the hitter

Catchers also are more concerned with 'framing a pitch' and than getting into a position to throw.

Taking into account all the ways a simple base runner alter the game and that fact that even 'slow' guys in baseball run fairly well with a big enough lead and the ability to move the second the pitcher starts moving its easy to steal.

**treece** · 08-21-10, 08:14 PM

Originally posted by mathdotcom

If you have Juan Pierre on first and you're not holding him on, then fine, don't make the throw. But I've seen a ton of fatasses take 2nd without a throw. That is my main pet peeve.

While having the infielders in normal position is advantageous for getting an out, by not holding the runner you're also giving up the chance of a double play. If you let the runner take second because you're more concerned about positioning your fielders than having the force play options, fine, but make the throw on slower players.

a guy like prince fielder should never be given a base.

**pavyracer** · 08-21-10, 08:31 PM

If a team is down by 2 runs or more they need base runners. So even if they are awarded 2nd base without a throw they will not send a runner home on a single if he is not going to score 100% because there is a danger of getting him out and ending the game. That is why is called defensive indifference.

**Illusion** · 08-21-10, 08:37 PM

A few weeks ago when Minnesota came back from a 4-0 deficit in the 9th a defensive indifference scoring was made. Since Minny ended up beating Chicago 5-4 in the 9th does that runner then get credited with a stolen base?

**Doug** · 08-21-10, 11:15 PM

Originally posted by Illusion

A few weeks ago when Minnesota came back from a 4-0 deficit in the 9th a defensive indifference scoring was made. Since Minny ended up beating Chicago 5-4 in the 9th does that runner then get credited with a stolen base?

I think NO

**Justin7** · 08-21-10, 11:21 PM

Mathy,

What is the error rate on opposing a stolen base?

If the score is 2-0 with 2 outs, does it matter if the man on second advances to first? With a free stolen base, the at-bat hitter still needs to score to tie the game. The indifferent stolen batter just doesn't matter. If you can throw him out at second after a hit, when couldn't you throw the hitter out at first?

If a guy is irrelevant, why should a pitcher waste concentration focusing on him? Ignore him, let him steal home even. Who cares (in that limited situation). But get that 3rd out.

**paco** · 08-22-10, 12:11 AM

They do that to ruin RL's for many plays. How many times do we see "runner takes 2nd of fielders indiffence" with 2 outs, next is a basehit,run scores, ruins the RL and the very next pitch to the next batter is a pop-out. Game over.

**Pauulzcappin** · 09-10-10, 11:49 PM

Today it almost cost the game to the Cincinnati Reds. They didn't pay any attention to the runner on first when it was a two run game.

Fat useless piece of shit Francisco Cordero gave up 4 hits after this and made it a tie. Reds eventually won it on extra innings.

**PRC** · 09-10-10, 11:51 PM

I think the big point is you're missing a chance to throw the guy out.