Pat Disabato

Southtown Star Sportswriter/columnist
(www.southtownstar.com)
(www.coachescornershow.com)

I've watched dozens of high school baseball games this spring. My position at the SouthtownStar Newspaper affords me the opportunity to the games I want to cover. So, more times than not, I'm picking the primo varsity games.

So you would think I've watched the fundamentals of the game performed at the highest level offered. Think again.

This year, more than any other in recent years, the lack of Baseball 101 knowledge has left me bewildered.

Let's call this column, "Things that have made me go Hmmmm."

What's with all the 3-and-1 and 2-and-0 breaking stuff to hitters? Ok, occasionally, I can see a deuce or changeup to the upper half of the opposing batting order. But there's simply way too much respect given to average hitters that would be No 6 through 9. There's nothing wrong with challenging hitters. Remember, it's generally not pitch selection that is the problem when a ball is crushed, but pitch location. A fastball on the black of the plate and at the knees on any count is tough for any batter to hit. Hey, if a batter hits that pitch, just tip your cap. But it's beyond stupid to give into a hitter and throw a breaking ball when you're behind in the count (especially when the hitter is at the bottom part of the batting order when a team is ahead a run or two late in the game.)

Whatever happened to corner infielders (that would be the first and third baseman) protecting the baselines against an extra-base hit? Ahead by a run or two late in the game, the last thing you want to do is give up an extra-base knock down the line. Pitchers, there's nothing wrong with instructing your infielders to this. You have the ball in your hand, which means you control the tempo of the game. As a matter of fact, it's part of your responsibility as a pitcher to occasionally move your fielders around.

Which leads me to this: When a batter hits a popup in the infield, it's the pitchers responsibility to yell which player should take it (not the coaches, the parents in the bleachers or even the catcher). As soon as the ball is airborne, the pitcher should be yelling for one of his infielders, "third base! Shortstop! Second base! First base!" to make the catch. I haven't witnessed a single pitcher perform this little league level instruction all season.

If I see one more hitter run through first base on a ball grounded into the outfield, I might have to call timeout myself and provide a baserunning lesson. It's sophomoric. I'm all about running hard and hustling. But take a glance up on your way to first base to see if the ball made it through the infield. That way you will realize you can round first base and possibly stretch that single into a double. Nearly as important, you won't look like the 12th man on a 10-member little league team. This is varsity baseball we're talking about.

Good defense is at an all-time low. Considering most kids play on immaculate fields and have the luxury of fielding at least 25 ground balls and fly balls during the dog-and-pony pre-game infield, today's players should be embarrassed. I have a bit of advice for parents, players and some of my fellow colleagues: Just because the ball doesn't touch the glove of a player doesn't make the official scoring a hit. When a routine play is not converted, whether or not it touches the fielder's glove is inconsequential.

It's an error.

***** In an attempt to avoid being labeled a curmudgeon, next week I'll review some of the good things I've witnessed on the diamond this spring.