FGC GAME

Big picture - we're debating how we could have pushed across a single run in a midweek game against FGCU. More inspiring work from our hitting coach and manager-to-be.
 
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Again, you're trying to apply aggregate data to every possible scenario. 1st and 2nd, no outs, 3rd inning, Pat Burrell at the plate? He's swinging. Hunter Freaking Tackett in the 9th? You'd better find a way to get that bunt down so that we don't have to watch you swing.

Here's what's funny about people trying to apply stats: you pick out one little tidbit in your favor while ignoring the big picture. In 2017, Tackett batted .212 (22-for-104). In 2018 he is hitting .259 (15-for-58). But you guys want to look at the extremely small ACC sample size and proclaim that we have the right guy at the plate to swing the bat. He hits against better ACC arms? Awesome. Then why is he 1-for-20 (literally) in non-ACC games?

FYI - the runs expected in each situation goes from 1.50 runs (1st/2nd no outs) to 1.40 runs (2nd/3rd 1 out). So pump the brakes on the MUCH better chance to win stuff. The scenarios are practically identical. And when you have a team that can't hit, you try to put runners in scoring position and hope for a blooper, error, or sac fly as opposed to letting jags swing away and hit into double plays.

I love this line: "the kid loses confidence in himself since his coach doesn't trust him to hit". No, it's his .228 career average that has taken away his confidence. Better learn to bunt, kid. You're heading into your last two months as an athlete, and we would like for you to contribute in some way before you put that degree to work.

Tackett this year is 6th on the team in Batting Average and 5th in On Base Percentage (OBP). Last, year even though Tackett's BA was a poor .212, he still finished the year 6th on the team in OBP. OBP is a far more important number for evaluating a batter. He's an average to slightly below average hitter overall. You conceded that the stats show that bunting is better for scoring 1 run in the situation described (ninth inning no outs, runner on 1st and 2nd), but worse for scoring multiple runs (which you need to actually win the game). You are also assuming that Tackett actually knows how to bunt. You know what's a lot dumber than not bunting in that situation? Asking a player who may not know how to bunt to lay down a bunt. You are not only giving away an out (which is a given even if the bunt is successful) but also taking a huge chance that the batter fails to advance the runners.

So to sum up your posts: you far prefer a coach who plays by archaic 19th century baseball rules, gives away outs, and ignores empirical data that improves winning percentage. Yup, that sounds like a great way to get back to Omaha.
 
Tackett this year is 6th on the team in Batting Average and 5th in On Base Percentage (OBP). Last, year even though Tackett's BA was a poor .212, he still finished the year 6th on the team in OBP. OBP is a far more important number for evaluating a batter. He's an average to slightly below average hitter overall.

Being the sixth best hitter on this team is not a ringing endorsement. Get the bunt down.

You conceded that the stats show that bunting is better for scoring 1 run in the situation described (ninth inning no outs, runner on 1st and 2nd), but worse for scoring multiple runs (which you need to actually win the game). You are also assuming that Tackett actually knows how to bunt. You know what's a lot dumber than not bunting in that situation? Asking a player who may not know how to bunt to lay down a bunt. You are not only giving away an out (which is a given even if the bunt is successful) but also taking a huge chance that the batter fails to advance the runners.

He knows how to bunt. He just failed to get it down. That left us with the sixth best hitter on the worst hitting team in major college baseball trying to swing away.

So to sum up your posts: you far prefer a coach who plays by archaic 19th century baseball rules, gives away outs, and ignores empirical data that improves winning percentage. Yup, that sounds like a great way to get back to Omaha.

To sum up YOUR posts, you rely on aggregate data and try to apply it to every future situation. That shows a gross misunderstanding of statistics and how they are meant to be used. The game is played by human beings. It's not pre-determined by past statistics.

Funny that you ignored the 1.50 to 1.40 comparison. Looks like we needed that 1/10th of one run. Laughable. Don't forget that it was your ultra trendy swinging away plan that led to the double play.
 
So to sum up your posts: you far prefer a coach who plays by archaic 19th century baseball rules, gives away outs, and ignores empirical data that improves winning percentage. Yup, that sounds like a great way to get back to Omaha.

The most advanced, saber-minded teams in baseball still occasionally sac bunt. They, and I, know that it depends on the situation. You want to be swinging away with your .225-hitting defensive wizard shortstop against Craig Kimbrel. Because stats.
 
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More on Hunter Tackett's domination of ACC pitching:

He batted .545 against Notre Dame. Six of his 14 ACC hits were in that one series. Not exactly lighting up the "better arms in the ACC" like some want us to believe. Notre Dame is worse than FAU, FGCU, UCF, etc.
They are worse. FAU, FIU, and FGCU will be playing in the postseason. ND will not.
 
You conceded that the stats show that bunting is better for scoring 1 run in the situation described (ninth inning no outs, runner on 1st and 2nd), but worse for scoring multiple runs (which you need to actually win the game).

There is no requirement that you have to win the game in the 9th inning. There IS a requirement, however, that you score at least one run to keep the game going. In any event, the number of expected runs scored goes from 1.50 to 1.40. Hardly significant. Get the bunt down, we score. Let Hunter "6th best hitter on Miami's worst team ever" Tackett swing away, we lose.
 
Way too much effort being put into Hunter Tackett here. I'm personally just looking forward to deleting him (and several of our other more experienced hitters) from my memory in about 6 weeks.
 
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