Sep 25 2008
Choice Between Bat and Mound Comes Early
I think pitchers like being in the American League so they don’t have to bat. I think they don’t like being in the American League because the other pitcher doesn’t have to bat. Instead, they have to face a designated hitter like David Ortiz or Jim Thome who bats .310 with 35 home runs.
National League batting orders are standard. Unless you’re Tony LaRussa, your lineup features the worst hitter in the eighth spot and the pitcher batting ninth. I know I separated “worst hitter” from “pitcher.” With few exceptions, pitchers are their own category when it comes to hitting major league pitching.
In Little League, the best players usually pitch as much as rules permit, play shortstop or center field when they’re not allowed to pitch and hit in the middle of the order always. A lot of high schools have similar arrangements. The specialization starts around age 18. When players go to either college or the minor leagues, they are tracked into becoming a full-time pitcher or a full-time position player. American universities and most minor leagues allow designated hitters. Occasionally, a collegiate pitcher will bat for himself when he pitches and be the DH for the other games.
Most of the time though, managers and coaches want their pitchers to focus on pitching all the time. I agree the job is difficult and time-consuming to do well. Growing up, I guess I specialized early. My dad was worked with me and he realized early that I had more potential hitting than pitching. I usually played second base. When I had to bat, I occasionally tried to lean into a pitch and get hit so I could take a free base. No way I’d ever consider doing that in the majors.
What’s your take on that La Russa strategy of batting his pitchers 8th? Can’t say I’m a believer in it myself. The Brewers also tried it for awhile under Ned Yost.
I brought up both my boys to be pitchers. From the age of 6 onward they were the best pitchers and hitters on the team. In Little League they often played together, pitcher and catcher, and switched positions after the third inning. What a battery!
But…my oldest son hated being on the mound! He was shy and all eyes were on the Pitcher. He hated it. He liked Center field, as far away from the crowd as possible. One time, when the coach wanted to bring him in from Center as a relief pitcher, my son stood out in Center with his back to the field, so the coach couldn’t get his attention. (That didn’t go over well with the coach.) My other son pitched through age 12, then took a break from baseball for four years. When he came back at age 16 to play American Legion ball, he stuck to shortstop…never to pitch again. He played one year of college ball and called it quits…he just didn’t grow big enough to compete. Both sons became terrific golfers, with handicaps of 3 and 4.
Beastie, I think LaRussa outthinks himself sometimes. Let the pitcher hit ninth. Save the double-switch for late in the game.
Doug, golf is an great sporting option for your sons. They’ll be able to play for life. If they’re good enough, they can have pro careers past age 60.
If I was a pitcher I would want to face a pitcher and not a DH. Grant it some pitchers can hit the ball, but no where as good as DH’s can. When I played little league I was either at catcher or third base. I batted 3rd in the line up. I could hit the ball, but I sucked at running. If you needed someone to get on first with 2 outs I was the guy.
Sounds like you were David Ortiz or Jim Thome in your time. In the sixth inning, the coach could insert a special pinch-runner and let you rest for your next at-bat.