Wednesday Question: One of Modus

at the plate. Our gameplan has been pretty odd the past few seasons. We have had lineups full of guys who were single/double hitters, yet MB seemed to insist that they swing at the first pitch and play power ball. I won’t believe the reports out of spring training until I see it OB the field either. I hope we truly will try to work counts, advance runners, abd be a little more selective at the plate. We had far too many innings last season where opposing pitchers only had to throw three or four pitches and then the inning was over.

we should expect our strengths to be the opposite of what is expected. meaning, dominant pitching and awful offensive numbers. however, it appears the players are feelings great at the plate so hopefully we will be able to produce.

So I expect us to continue to not have a clue what our style is and for it to change inning to inning. I fully expect to see us bunting after 2 walks to lead off a game and then to have Matt Snyder trying to straight steal second in the 9 th when we are down 2 runs. I expect to see us make pitchers throw 22 pitches to get a 1-2-3 inning and the next throw 6 to do the same. I expect to see pitchers get up and sit down in the bullpen no fewer than 4 times in a game. I expect us to shift our defence to play a hitter to pull and then have the catcher call a fastball on the outer half. Why do I expect these things? Because I have watched MB do them all for the last 8 years. Because, while amazing at many things, Bianca is a below average on field game day coach. I hope I am wrong and we win despite these things. Here’s to hope, and it continuing to spring eternal.

I expect to see a fundamentally sound team offensively and defensively. There is no excuse for fielding a routine ground ball anywhere but in front of your body as opposed to the Roger Dorne method. I expect hitters to patiently force opposing pitchers into higher and higher pitch counts, but don’t be afraid to pull the trigger on an perfect pitch early in the count – but those don’t come around very often. I expect hitters to know the difference. I expect our guys to minimize watching a called third strike. I want to see a team that stays on top of the ball and follows the maxim that base hits win ballgames. I think Preston Overbey will show significant improvement. I’m anxious to get some answers to some of the more unknown quantities. At this level, mental mistakes and problems with situational awareness are inexcusable. I anticipate being disappointed at times, but that is life. Overall, I think we will see an improvement over last year.

As sure as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, Bianco will bench a right/left handed hitter batting .400+, for a lefty/righty batting .189. Every game. All season.

hotty toddy