October BAseball is the Best

[PotKettleBlack]

[quote:db8342c952="Valen"][quote:db8342c952]With that logic, why ever throw a warm-up pitch.[/quote:db8342c952]
With warmup pitches you try to throw strikes. As a former pitcher one of the things you try to do with those 8 pitches is get your arm slot right. I guarantee if you did a study the rate of walks is slightly higher following an intentional walk than in other scenarios. I have no study to fall back on but have seen it enough to recognize the pattern. A guy gets started throwing balls and just never gains command occasionally walking the next guy and very frequently falling behind. Anyone who knows baseball outside strat knows what that tends to lead to.

Note I am not talking always, only tendencies. But agree or not there is absolutely no comparision of 4 wide ones and 4 legitimate warmup pitches either in purpose or in result.[/quote:db8342c952]

I agree with the observation. IBB tends towards lowered capacity for throwing strikes to the next batter, general recovery after that. I wonder why, if you're going to walk a guy to get to another guy and bring in either the closer or a situational specialist to get the guy after, you, as a manager, don't bring in a reserve infielder to throw the IBB. I mean, you're telling me your utility IF can't throw 4 balls to a standing catcher five feet off the plate? It's not like they have to be fast pitch, over hand, have any movement, or even be that well located. So, why burn an actual pitcher. Definitely don't have the closer/specialist issue the IBB. Departing pitcher, weak BP arm, or why not reserve IF.